"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, June 29, 2024 - Day 181 A PROMISE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:37-39 ESV)
The promise of forgiveness and new life in Jesus is at the heart of the Christian faith. It is also at the heart of an annual gathering that took place one week ago. Life Walk 2024 was an enjoyable morning spent in support of our efforts to help mothers chose life for their babies. The good people of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Brookfield were our hosts. Pastor Steve Henderson from Immanuel led an inspiring opening service in preparation of the actual walk.
One of the emphases we gently make at Refuge House (APOR’s shelter) is the encouragement for our moms to have their babies baptized. This is one of the wonderful tasks this pastor has been privileged to carry out over the last three decades.
You see, the promises of Jesus are meant for all of us:
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”
Peter then assures us of the importance of infant Baptism by adding: “For the promise is for you and for your children.”
1.Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
2.God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
3.Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
4.Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
(Lutheran Service Book #725)
Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your gracious plan to save sinners from eternal doom by granting complete forgiveness for all who repent and believe. Thank You also for the assurance that infants are saved by Baptism. Thank You for blessing Life Walk once again, and all that we do to help these mothers and their children. And as ever, THY WILL BE DONE. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow morning!
Pastor David Paape
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