Thursday, September 26, 2024 - FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

"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)

Thursday, September 26, 2024 - Day 270 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 7-9; Galatians 4)

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT 

“The people who walked in darkness

    have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

    on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2 ESV) 

Isaiah’s prophetic words point sinful humanity, struggling in our spiritual darkness, to Jesus - the Light of the world. Jesus lived a sinless life, died an innocent death, and rose in triumph from the grave for sinners like you and me, allowing us to see the light, His light.

It is a tragic fact that there are so many today who continue to walk in spiritual darkness. So many have no idea why Jesus came to this earth. They have no idea of what Jesus has to offer them... 

- peace

- forgiveness of their sins

- reconciliation with God the Father

- guarantee of eternity in heaven

- true love (God’s love) that changes EVERYTHING!

Perhaps you know someone like that. They may even be close to you, a relative, a coworker, a neighbor. If so...

- pray for them 

  (Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me. 

  And may I humbly do my part to win that soul for Thee. Amen.)

- model Christ’s love to / for them

- share God’s plan of salvation with them (Jesus died and rose for them)

- invite them to your house

- invite them to God’s house

And pray some more, so they might join you in walking in the light!

1. I want to walk as a child of the light; 

    I want to follow Jesus. 

    God set the stars to give light to the world; 

    The star of my life is Jesus.

    In him there is no darkness at all; 

    The night and the day are both alike. 

    The Lamb is the light of the city of God. 

    Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

   (Lutheran Service Book #411)

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be the Light that this sin-darkened worlds needs so desperately. May He continue to shine on me and through me for the rest of my life. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf