May 20, 2018 - GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Day 140 - (Today’s Bible readings: PENTECOST Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 139; Acts 2:1-21; John 16:4–15)

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 ESV)

Today is Pentecost, one of the great festivals of the Christian Church. On this day we celebrate God the Holy Spirit and the gift of saving faith that He bestows on all believers in Christ. Luther’s explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed explains the work of the Holy Spirit this way:

The Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed - Sanctification 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 

What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true. 

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
And make our hearts Your place of rest; 
Come with Your grace and heav'nly aid
And fill the hearts which You have made. Amen.
(Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #498, stanza 1)

“See” you at the Communion table this morning.

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!