January 8, 2018 - FISHERS OF MEN

Day 8 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 6, Psalm 7, Matthew 4:12-25)

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.  (Matthew 4:18-22 ESV)

In this new year we Christians are called to the same exciting activity Jesus called His disciples to engage in. We are called to be fishers of men. This is something we get to do...

● no matter where we are, 

● no matter what our circumstances are,

● no matter what our backgrounds may be.

     2. If you cannot speak like angels, If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus; You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked With the judgment's dread alarms,
You can lead the little children To the Savior's waiting arms.

     3. If you cannot be a watchman, Standing high on Zion's wall,
Pointing out the path to heaven, Off'ring life and peace to all,
With your prayers and with your bounties You can do what God commands;
You can be like faithful Aaron, Holding up the prophet’s hands.
(Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying, Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #826)

Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross in payment for my sins. Please bless my efforts to share the story of Your love and forgiveness with others in any way possible. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!