December 21, 2019 - CHEERFUL LIVING

Day 355 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 18:1-7; Psalm 142; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (1 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV) 

Paul is giving us a partial description of cheerful Christian living. We who have been given everything by means of the death and resurrection of Christ, now get to respond in cheerful thanksgiving. He who gave us His best, now expects us to return our best to Him, and to do it joyfully. And what is it that He expects us to give? The best of our time, talent, treasure and testimony.

Lord of Glory, You have bought us
With Your life-blood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones
That tremendous sacrifice;
And with that have freely given
Blessings countless as the sand
To th' unthankful and the evil
With Your own unsparing hand.

Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to give You
Gladly, freely, of Your own.
With the sunshine of Your goodness
Melt our thankless hearts of stone
Till our cold and selfish natures,
Warmed by You, at length believe
That more happy and more blessed
'Tis to give than to receive.
(Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #851 stanzas 1&2)

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for giving Your best to me. Please help me to thankfully give my best back, and to do it cheerfully. 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!