March 17, 2018 - THE CALL TO NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS

Day 76 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 6:28-7:24; Psalm 72; Romans 6:1–14)

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 6:8-11 ESV)

Patrick was a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century, a time when that country knew only paganism. His efforts were greatly blessed as the Lord led many Druids to new life in Christ Jesus. Patrick died on March 17, 461, making today St. Patrick’s Day. However, I am sure that he would not be pleased with how the day has become a day for merely the wearing of the green and drinking.

Patrick was concerned with the souls of a people that had kidnapped him at the age of 16 and dragged him from Great Britain to Ireland. Several years later he escaped and began preparing for the priesthood and his eventual role as a missionary to the Irish.

In our verse for today, Paul reminds repentant sinners that they have new life in Christ Jesus. Patrick’s ministry had the same focus based on these words from Jesus: 

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” 

The Lord then gives us the ultimate motivation for such service.

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Heaven and hell are in the balance. People either are saved through faith in Christ, or they are lost and damned for not believing in Christ.

How do we respond when we hear God’s command to “go and tell” today? My prayer is that we also obey.

Dear Jesus, thank You for calling me to saving faith in You. Please use me to go and tell others so that they can also be saved and not condemned. 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!