Day 341 - (Today’s Bible readings: Nehemiah 10:1-39; Psalm 127; Revelation 4:1-11)
RETURN TO THE LORD
“‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13 ESV)
“Return to the Lord your God” is the message John the Baptizer proclaimed in his day. His hearers desperately needed to be called to repentance so that they could receive God’s mercy and forgiveness.
“Return to the Lord your God” is the message all mankind needs to hear today too! We, too, need to repent so that we can receive Christ’s steadfast love and mercy. We, too, need to have our sins forgiven. The forgiveness of our sins is how God and sinners are reconciled. Do you recall that line from “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”?
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #380, stz 1)
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to return to You through faith in Jesus. Please continue to be gracious and merciful to me so that I may be reconciled to You now and eternally. May others hear Your voice calling them to return to You through me. In the name of Jesus, our Advent King. Amen.
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password now required too: 843774
IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion
Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
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:
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment