December 12 , 2018 - MUCH JOY

Day 346 - (Today’s Bible readings: Joshua 23; Psalm 134; Acts 8:26-40)

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. (Acts 8:4-8 ESV)

“There was much joy in that city.”  Demons were cast out and people were healed physically. Naturally, people would be joyful.

However, were does true and lasting joy come from? We find it our churches as we gather around God’s Word and the precious body and blood of Jesus. Real joy comes from our belief in “the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.” (Last sentence of the Apostles’ Creed)

Lord, please keep filling me with Your joy as I go to Your house every week and find You there with Your joy-instilling gifts of forgiveness, peace and promise. And please let Your love and mercy show in my life so that others can come to know the joy of being Your child too.   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 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!