March 9, 2018 - GO!

Day 68 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 49:1-28; Psalms 64; Matthew 28:1-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

After His death and resurrection, and just before His ascension, Jesus gave His followers the command to go and help others know about Him. We call this the Great Commission. Jesus is enlisting believers in the most exciting work on this earth, kingdom work - sharing the love of Jesus with others so they too can follow Him.

And what is to be the ultimate goal of witnessing or sharing Jesus? We ultimately want to baptize and teach the good news about Jesus. While this may seem like a daunting task, we do have His promise that we are not expected to do this work alone. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

      1. It only takes a spark to get a fire going, 
          and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. 
          That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it; 
  You spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on. 

      2. What a wondrous time is spring When all the trees are budding. 
          The birds begin to sing. The flowers start their blooming. 
          That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it. 
          You want to sing. It's fresh like spring. You want to pass it on. 

      3. I wish for you my friend this happiness that I've found. 
          You can depend on Him. It matters not where you’re bound. 
          I’ll shout it from the mountain top. I want my world to know 
          The Lord of love has come to me. I want to pass it on.
  (“Pass It On,”  by Kurt kaiser, All God’s People Sing #196)

Lord Jesus, thank You for saving my soul. Please use me to share Your mercy, love and forgiveness with others so they may also receive Your pricelss gift of salvation. 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!