Friday, July 12, 2019 - INVEST IN THE WORD

Day 193 - (Today’s Bible readings: Ecclesiastes 5-6, Psalm 12; Matthew 7:1-23)

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6  ESV)

TV ads encourage investors to put their money into gold or silver in order to protect themselves from market fluctuations. The Psalmist is encouraging sinners to invest in something much more reliable and valuable, God’s Word. The Gospel message, the heart of the Bible, provides deliverance from sin, death and the devil. The picture included here has a cross of silver which reminds us that the message of the cross is our most priceless gift from the Lord.

1. How precious is the Book Divine,
    By inspiration given!
    Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine
    To guide our souls to heaven. 

2. It's light, descending from above
    Our gloomy world to cheer,
    Displays a Savior's boundless love
    And brings his glories near. 

3. It shows to man his wandering ways
    And where his feet have trod,
    And brings to view the matchless grace
    Of a forgiving God. 

4. O'er all the straight and narrow way
    Its radiant beams are cast;
    A light whose never weary ray
    Grows brightest at the last. 

5. It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts
    In this dark vale of tears,
    Life, light, and joy it still imparts
    And quells our rising fears. 

6. This lamp through all the tedious night
    Of life shall guide our way
    Till we behold the clearer light
    Of an eternal day. 

    (“How Precious is the Book Divine,” The Lutheran Hymnal, CPH 1941, #285)

Thank You, heavenly Father, for the priceless gift of Your Word. May I be well fed with its Christ-centered message today and everyday. 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 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!