"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 140 - (Today’s Bible readings: Proverbs 29; Psalm 119:97-104; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
HOW’S YOUR VISION?
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 ESV)
Part of taking care of your body is having your vision tested. How did it go the last time? Do you need assistance with your vision?
We sinners all have a vision problem. Our sinful nature blinds us to the truths of God. However, God’s Word corrects our vision by focusing our spiritual vision on the cross of Christ and God’s message and method of reconciliation.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)
The hymn writer reminds us of another aspect of the Christian’s cross-centered vision:
1.The vision of a dying world is vast before our eyes;
We feel the heart-beat of its need, we hear its feeble cries:
Lord Jesus Christ, revive Thy church in this, her crucial hour!
Lord Jesus Christ, awake Thy church with Spirit-given power.
2. The savage hugs his god of stone and fears descent of night;
The city dweller cringes lone amid the garish light:
Lord Jesus Christ, arouse Thy church to see their mute distress!
Lord Jesus Christ, equip Thy church with love and tenderness.
4. The warning bell of judgement tolls, above us looms the cross;
Around are ever-dying souls - How great, how great the loss!
O Lord, constrain and move Thy church, the glad news to impart!
And Lord, as Thou dost stir Thy church, begin within my heart.
Heavenly Father, keep my vision focused on Jesus and His cross. May that vision also include those in this world who are dying without Jesus. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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 2022 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!
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