December 4, 2018 - GREAT THINGS, GREAT JOY

Day 338 - (Today’s Bible readings: Joshua 18; Psalm 126; Acts 5:1-16)

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad. (Psalm 126:1-3 ESV)

David is celebrating the faithfulness of God in taking care of His people. God did great things for the Israelites and thereby filled them with joy.

Has God done great things in your life? You may have your doubts. But just
 look around. Start counting your blessings, and realize that they all come from God.
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:5 ESV)

It is good to remember that the greatest blessings God has given you are spiritual blessings.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3 ESV)

Yes, in Jesus you really have the greatest blessings of all... the forgiveness of your sins and the guarantee of heaven.

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for the joy that You have bestowed on me by taking care of my biggest needs. Yes, thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and the promise of the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. 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!