August 18, 2018 - CELEBRATE LIFE’S BLESSINGS

Day 230 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-14; Psalm 47; John 18:19-40)

Clap your hands, all peoples!
    Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (Psalm 47:1 ESV)

Today marks two special reasons for my family to celebrate God’s goodness and blessings. Today is my mother’s 103rd birthday and our 45th wedding anniversary. The picture is from last year’s celebration.

My mother is doing amazingly well as we prepare to celebrate 103 years of God’s blessings. When Barb and I look back at our 45 years, we wonder where the time has gone, while at the same time we see God’s hand leading us throughout all of them.

What blessings do you see in your life? Do you recognize God’s goodness and blessings in your life? It may be difficult, especially if you are dealing with a loss, or perhaps a serious medical condition. But the truth is that “all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

    Now thank we all our God,
    With hearts and hands and voices,
    Who wondrous things has done,
    In whom His world rejoices;
    Who from our mother's arms
    Has blessed us on our way
    With countless gifts of love,
    And still is ours today.
    (“Now Thank We All Our God,”  Lutheran Service Book #895)

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings you have showered upon me throughout my life. Remind me everyday how blessed by the Lord I am. 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!