"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)
Saturday, January 28, 2023 - Day 28 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 43:1-28; Psalm 26; John 11:45-57)
FEAR NOT, YOU ARE BAPTIZED
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b ESV)
“Fear not.” What a comforting word of encouragement from God the Creator! He who made it all, and knows it all, tells you not to be afraid.
Look at the reason He tells you not to fear: “For I have redeemed you.” Christ the Redeemer has bought you back from sin, death and the devil.
When did He do this? It was on the day He “called you by name,” the day of your Baptism, when the Holy Spirit gave you faith and made you a child of God.
Now, because God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the Giver of faith (the Holy Spirit) have made this clear declaration, you can take comfort in His promise that “you are mine.”
1. God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it, gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free, Lasting to eternity!
2. Sin, disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ!
I have comfort even stronger: Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.
Should a guilty conscience seize me, since my baptism did release me
In a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood?
3. Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!
Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed.
Now that to the font I’ve traveled, all your might has come unraveled,
And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!
4. Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness to inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes faith’s assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine to make life immortal mine.
5. There is nothing worth comparing to this lifelong comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring: Even there I’ll sleep secure.
Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising:
I am baptized into Christ; I’m a child of paradise!
(“God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It,” Lutheran Service Book #594)
Heavenly Father, thank You for my Baptism and for the fact that You have redeemed me and made me Your own. Please keep me close to You forever. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
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:
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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