February 10, 2018 - ARE YOU READY FOR THE TEST

Day 41 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 30:25-43; Psalm 39; Matthew 19:16-30)
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  (Matthew 19:16-22 ESV)

The normal sound on your television is replaced with the sound of an annoying buzzer and a note crawling across the bottom of the screen informing that this is test of the emergency broadcast system. THIS IS A TEST, IT IS ONLY A TEST.

A test is exactly what the Lord was giving on this day. Sadly, the rich young man failed the test. He refused to let go of his stuff and trust Jesus.

While Job had no say in the loss of his possessions and loved ones, he still passed the test. After putting God first, God blessed him.

Solomon was tested when the Lord offered him a “blank check.” He chose wisdom instead of wealth and power. After he put God first, God blessed him.

The disciples were tested and responded by leaving everything and following Jesus. After they put God first, God blessed them.

The ultimate test is whether or not you are perfect. Since we are all sinners and therefore imperfect, we need some help. The answer is to rely only on Jesus and not on anything we have or anything we have done.

So let’s look to “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

We look to Jesus who passed the test for us and purchased the forgiveness of our sins.

Lord Jesus, thank You for passing the perfection test for me on Mt. Calvary. Help me to put my complete trust in You and not in the things of this life. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!

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!