"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, July 4, 2023 - Day 185 - (Today’s Bible readings: Jeremiah 29:1-23; Psalm 4; Acts 17:10-21)
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. (Acts 17:19-21)
Paul is about to share the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the salvation of souls with the Athenians. In this case it was beneficial to those who turned to Jesus to have been looking for something new. However, when it comes to the contemporary atmosphere in our country today, far too many are willing to throw away the history of our country, and even worse, the message of Jesus. They are looking for something new politically and spiritually.
May all of us find fulfillment, contentment and peace in America’s declaration that all men are created equal. And may we find eternal fulfillment, contentment and peace in our Lord Jesus who declared His love for all.
4. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His being that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy let us live to make men free!
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on!
(The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe, 1861)
Lord of the nations, please bless America with civil peace and mutual respect. Even more, please bless our country with spiritual peace as Your Gospel is proclaimed in word and deed from shore to shore. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment