July 4 2019 - I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND TO THE CROSS

Day 185 - (Today’s Bible readings: )

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”     (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)

“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We pledge allegiance to the flag because it reminds us of the ...

● many wars that have been fought to keep that flag flying high,
● courage of patriots throughout our long 244 year history,
● hope and dreams of founding fathers and who have followed in their steps, 
● history of a nation rooted and established on Christian principles.

At the core of our Christian principles is our faith in Jesus and His cross. While many, even in our country, consider the message of the cross to be foolish, to us it is the power if God. And we believe that it is Jesus and His cross that are so desperately needed in our confused and fractured world today.

I pledge allegiance to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and to the faith for which it stands,
One Savior, eternal, with mercy and grace for all!

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her 
Thru the night with the light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies 
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Lord of the nations, thank You for blessing America for all of these years. As the flag reminds us of our freedom here, may the cross remind us of our freedom from sin, death and the devil. In Jesus’ saving name. 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!