Friday, October 11, 2024 - KEEP LOOKING UP

"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)

Friday, October 11, 2024 - Day 285 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Isaiah 45-47; Colossians 3)

KEEP LOOKING UP

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2 ESV) 

Paul is encouraging us to keep focused on Christ, to keep looking up. The writer to the Hebrews directs our focus upward as well: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

And how does one go about “looking up?” Later in Colossians 3, Paul answers that question: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 ESV) 

1. My faith looks up to Thee, 

    Thou Lamb of Calvary, 

    Savior divine.

    Now hear me while I pray; 

    Take all my guilt away;

    Oh, let me from this day 

    Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart 

    Strength to my fainting heart, 

    My zeal inspire!

    As Thou has died for me, 

    Oh, may my love for Thee 

    Pure, warm and changeless be, 

    A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread 

    And griefs around me spread, 

    Be Thou my Guide.

    Bid darkness turn to day, 

    Wipe sorrows tears away,

    Nor let me ever stray 

    From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream, 

    When death’s cold, sullen stream 

    Shall o’er me roll,

    Blest Savior, then, in love, 

    Read and distrust remove;

    Oh, bear me safe above, 

    A ransomed soul!

    (Lutheran Service Book #702)

Heavenly Father, help me to set my mind on Jesus, my Savior. To this end, please grant me a hunger for Your Word and a desire to spend time reading the Bible. Amen.

Pastor David Paape