April 24, 2018 - DON’TS AND DOS

 

Day 114 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 32:17–33:6; Psalm 105; Mark 7:1-13)

 

DON’TS AND DOS

So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:3-4 ESV)

 

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39 ESV)

 

There are plenty of dos and don’ts in life. Most have to do with making wise and safe decisions such as all things in moderation and don’t drink and drive.

 

In today’s readings we see the ultimate dos and don’ts. In good theological order, we start with the don’ts in our Genesis reading.

 

DON’T practice blasphemy by denying the one true God. In other words, don’t make a golden calf out of anything or anyone you or others may think would make a better god than God!

 

DO keep the true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit first in your life. This is a key to a blessed life, both here on earth and then eternally in heaven. The key is simply this: God first - others second - you last.

 

♬ If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that nought can move.
(If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee, Lutheran Service Book, #750, stanza 1)

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting me the gift of saving faith. Please keep me faithful to you no matter what or who may tempt me to deny you. Graciously lead me to keep you first, others second, and me last. In Jesus’ saving name. 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!