December 9, 2019 - FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Day 343 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 8:1-22; Psalm 131; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11) 

“The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2 ESV) 

When Christmas comes, we will be celebrating the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic words. Because humanity is struggling in our spiritual darkness, God the Father sent  Jesus to be the Light of the world. Jesus lived a sinless life, died an innocent death, and rose in triumph from the grave for sinners like you and me, allowing us to see the light, His light.

It is a tragic fact that there are so many today who continue to walk in spiritual darkness. So many have no idea why Jesus came to this earth. They have no idea of what Jesus has to offer them... 
- peace
- forgiveness of their sins
- reconciliation with God the Father
- guarantee of eternity in heaven
- true love (God’s love) that changes EVERYTHING!

Perhaps you know someone like that. They may even be close to you, a relative, a coworker, a neighbor. If so...

- pray for them 
(Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me. 
  And may I humbly do my part to win that soul for Thee. Amen.)
- model Christ’s love to / for them
- share God’s plan of salvation with them (Jesus died and rose for them)
- invite them to your house
- invite them to God’s house
       
O little town of Bethlehem, 
How still we see thee lie!  
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep 
The silent stars go by; 
Yet in thy darkness shineth 
The everlasting Light; 
The hopes and fears of all the years 
Are met in thee tonight. 
("O Little Town of Bethlehem," The Lutheran Service Book, CPH, #361)

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be the Light that this sin-darkened worlds needs so desperately. May He continue to shine on me and through me for the rest of my life. 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!