February 18, 2020 - HELPING OTHERS IN JESUS’ NAME

Day 49 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 59:1-15; Psalm 46; John 21:1-19)

HELPING OTHERS IN JESUS’ NAME

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
    to loose the bonds of wickedness,
    to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
    and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
    and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”  (Isaiah 58:6-7 ESV)

“The Lord condemns all who draw near to Him only with words, those who seek their own pleasure above all else.  But for those who share with their neighbors in need, the Lord promises healing.  We cannot draw near to the Lord in faith while oppressing and quarreling with our neighbors.  Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law of love and would lead us to repentance.  His cross is the guarantee that the Lord will answer when we call upon Him in faith.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, pages 1186-7) 

Heavenly Father, help me to remember all that You have done for my salvation. Then use me to share Your love with the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless and the naked, in Jesus’ 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 2020 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!