"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, March 5, 2024 - Day 65 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Deuteronomy 1,2; Mark 11:1-19)
WHERE’S THE FRUIT?
On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (Mark 11:12-14 ESV)
“The curse and destruction of the fig tree warns Jesus’ disciples of impending judgement against the temple and the unfaithful people. Works without faith are truly fruitless. True faith, and the life that flows from it, cannot be separated. They are the good and gracious gifts of our heavenly Father.” (Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1682)
James put it this way:
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17 ESV)
Paul Speratus got it right back in the 1500's when he wrote:
Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone
And rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
With love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
Works serve our neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.
(Salvation unto Us Has Come, Lutheran Service Book #555, stanza 9)
Lord, may my life show the fruit of my faith in You. Yes, may I live my life for Jesus who died and rose for me. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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