July 5, 2018 - EXAMINE YOURSELVES

Day 186 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 11:16-35; Psalm 5; 2 Corinthians 13)

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5  ESV)

When your doctor wants to know what’s going on inside your body, he/she will order an x-ray. This marvelous tool, along with many other advancements in medical science, are use to diagnose disease and give doctors insights that can lead to courses of action designed for healing and health.

In today’s reading, Paul is calling his hearers to examine themselves in order to determine their spiritual health. During our recent family week at Camp Luther, I tested children by simply stating: “Always, always, always....” and then they answered: “STAY CLOSE TO YOUR JESUS.”

Their answer, and the answer that Paul is looking for, was highlighted by Martin Luther in his Large Catechism when he wrote:

“If you have a heart that can expect of Him nothing but what is good – especially in need and distress – and a heart that renounces and forsakes everything that is not God, then you have the only true God. If, on the contrary, your heart clings to anything else from which it expects more good and help than from God, and if your heart does not take refuge in Him but flees from Him when in trouble, then you have an idol, another God.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, Large Catechism 128)

So, when you examine yourself, what do you find? Are you trusting in Jesus, and Jesus alone, for the forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life in heaven? May the words of this hymn be your answer:

1. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation, Great and free.

2. I am trusting Thee for pardon; At Thy feet I bow,
For Thy grace and tender mercy Trusting now.

3. I am trusting Thee for cleansing In the crimson flood;
Trusting Thee to make me holy By Thy blood.

4. I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead,
Ev'ry day and hour supplying All my need.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, Never let me fall.
I am trusting Thee forever And for all. Amen.
(“I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,”  Lutheran Service Book, #729 1-4, 6)

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!