March 9, 2019 - A LIFETIME OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Day 69 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Samuel 3:1-25, Psalm 64, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28)

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

“A lifetime of encouragement,” these are words that aptly describe the dear woman whose funeral will be held later this morning. She was encouraged for her long 103 ½ years of life with the Word of God and the presence of God. She believed and taught many children that God loves sinners and receives them to Himself through Jesus.

My mother was my best teacher and encourager. The greatest thing she taught me was to trust in the Lord always and to pray regularly and faithfully. What wonderful life-time encouragement!

Our reading from 1 Thessalonians not only captures the concept of encouragement, it more importantly focuses on the source of the Christian's encouragement. "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) We can be encouraged because our loving God has planned heaven for all and any who repent and believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin. 

While this day will not be easy on the emotions, there will still be deep and abiding peace, joy and thankfulness that comes from knowing that the faithful Christian woman who encouraged me my entire life did “obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and is now living with Him in the glories of heaven.

May you the Lord grant this same kind of Christ-centered encouragement to you and your family.

O blest communion, fellowship divine!  
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. 
Alleluia, Alleluia! Amen.
(“For All the Saints,” Lutheran Service Book #677)

“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 2019 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!