February 5, 2018 - A LITTLE FAITH GOES A LONG WAY

Day 36 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 27:1-40; Psalm 34; Matthew 17:1-21)

“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”  (Matthew 17:20)

An ad from the past goes like this: “Brylcreem, a little dab will do ya...” The inference was that a little Brylcreem goes a long way. In today’s chosen selection, Jesus teaches us that a little bit of faith goes a long way. Faith like a mustard seed can do the impossible. And what exactly is faith?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) 

The important part of faith is its object. Saving faith is Christ-centered.

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink 
Though pressed by many a foe; 
That will not tremble on the brink 
Of poverty or woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain 
Beneath the chast’ning rod, 
But in the hour of grief or pain 
Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear 
When tempests rage without; 
That, when in danger, knows no fear, 
In darkness feels no doubt; 

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown 
Nor heeds its scornful smile; 
That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown 
Nor Satan’s arts beguile; 

A faith that keeps the narrow way 
Till life’s last spark is fled 
And with a pure and heav’nly ray 
Lights up the dying bed.

Lord, give us such a faith as this; 
And then, whate’er may come, 
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss 
Of an eternal home. Amen.
(“Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink,” The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, #396)

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!