"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)
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 - Day 24 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 41:1-13; Psalm 22; John 10:1-21)
TO WHOM ARE YOU LISTENING?
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:1-5 ESV)
Jesus tells us that there are two voices and two choices, the thief and the shepherd. The sheep have a choice, to listen to the thief or to listen to the shepherd.
To whom are you listening? Jesus did not come to steel, kill and destroy. And yet foolish sheep (sinners) turn their ears to the thief and robbers of this wold, instead of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
To whom are you listening? It is wise to listen to Jesus. He is the only One who has given His life as a ransom for yours! He is the only One who not only knows your name, but knows exactly what you need the most, the forgiveness for all of your sins.
The King of Love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever. (Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, # 709, stanza 1)
Dear Jesus, the Good Shepherd, thank You for calling me by name and for moving me to listen to You. Please use me to share Your voice with others, so that they are not deceived by Satan, that thief, robber and stranger. 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:
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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