December 14, 2019 - DO NOT LOSE HEART

Day 348 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 11:10-12:6; Psalm 135:13-21 Corinthians 4:1-18)

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV)

The aging process reeks havoc on our bodies; “our outer self is wasting away.” But the child of God who spends time with the Lord regularly (Bible reading, prayer, worship, reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood), finds himself/herself renewed daily. In fact, the child of God knows that we are being prepared for eternal life with Jesus. The hymn writer put it this way:

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, 
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.  
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(For All the Saints, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #677 stanza 5)

Dearest Lord Jesus, please strengthen my soul for the struggles of daily life, including the deterioration that comes with aging. In Your saving name, O Lord.  Amen.

“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!