January 20, 2020 - THINGS OF GOD

Day 20 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 38:1-21; Psalm 18:31-50; John 8:31-47)

THINGS OF GOD

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:21-23 ESV)

Jesus had just shared God the Father’s plan of salvation with Peter, and Peter rejected it. “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”  Of course, he is not alone, multitudes have also rejected Jesus. 

Peter’s blessing was that Jesus would not let him go. He quite powerfully and eloquently encouraged Peter to set his mind "on the things of God." 

How are you doing in this area? God’s plan to save you is focused Jesus going to Jerusalem where He would suffer and die in payment for your sins. But on the third day He would rise again, offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life to you and all who, through saving faith, set their minds on these things of God.

Lord Jesus, please keep my mind focused on You and the things of God so that I may continue to be forgiven and heaven-bound.  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!