July 8, 2016 - CHANGE IS COMING!

Day 190 - Ezekiel Friday (chapters 19-24)

“Things shall not remain as they are.” (Ezekiel 21:26 ESV)

Yesterday I was sitting next to a beautiful Wisconsin lake. Many are doing similar things this Fourth of July week. And then we have Ezekiel! There aren’t many reasons for marching bands, fireworks and celebration in these chapters.

“Behold, the princes of Israel in you, every one according to his power, have been bent on shedding blood. Father and mother are treated with contempt in you; the sojourner suffers extortion in your midst; the fatherless and the widow are wronged in you. You have despised my holy things and profaned my Sabbaths. There are men in you who slander to shed blood... they commit lewdness in your midst. Men violate women... In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit and make gain of your neighbors by extortion; but me you have forgotten, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 22:6-12 ESV)

Because His people had forgotten God, they are about to face horrendous change.  The throne of David is about to be vacated until his ultimate Descendant (Jesus) arrives. Great change is coming for ths nation.

Many of us look at America with sadness over how our values have changed. Furthermore, the threat of radical Islam and an anti Christian disposition evident in our culture, make us very apprehensive about the future and the possibility of even greater negative changes. These are scary times. Yet we are richly blessed by the Lord. 

We are all sinners who deserve to be separated from God forever. Thank God things will not remain as they are for us. Jesus has taken our sins upon Himself, forgiven us, and made us heaven-bound!

As you continue to celebrate your American freedom, also celebrate your freedom from sin, death and the devil made possible only by Jesus!

Lord God, please have mercy on me and spare me from the punishment I deserve. Please lead America to return to our Christian roots so that our nation can be a blessings to our citizens and to the entire world. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf

July 7, 2016 - BEGINNING WITH WISDOM

Day 189 - Proverbs Thursday (chapters 8-9)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10  ESV)

If you don’t start out right, you won’t end up right. This is a true saying in almost every instance in life. When I was a boy, I loved to put model cars, planes and ships together. I had one problem, however. I did not like taking time to read the instructions. Often times I wound up with pieces left over!

When it come to ending up right in the life, we need to start right. Sadly, too many people are not wise enough to get this. They think that they know what is best, what is wise for them. They, too, think that they can get along without the instructions God has for us in the Bible.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This does not mean merely being afraid of God. It means respecting Him, honoring Him, and regarding what He says to be the truth. 

“The knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Knowing what God’s plan is for us truly gives us insight into “what it is all about.”

● God demands that we keep His commands perfectly.
● If we commit even one sin, His justice requires our punishment.
● Because He still loves us, God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to die in payment for our sins.
● All who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin are forgiven their sins and promised eternal life in heaven.

Do you think is wise to trust in Jesus? Do you think that knowledge of the Holy One is  the wisdom that poor, miserable sinners, like you and me, truly need?

Heavenly Father, please grant me true wisdom that comes from fearing and honoring You above all things. Dear Holy Spirit, please continue to keep me in the one true faith by coming to me in God’s Word and Sacraments. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf

July 6, 2016 - TELL THE NEXT GENERATION

Day 188 - Psalms Wednesday (chapters 78-80)

“I will utter ... things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might.”  (Psalm 78:2-4 ESV) 

One of the distressing, and far too often spoken comments from parents who are desperately attempting to “go with the flow” is this: “I am not going to force my religious beliefs on my children. Instead, I will let them decide for themselves when they are older.” 

There are two tragic facts that go along with this statement. First, their offspring could well wind up like some children I have met who have no understanding of even the basics of Biblical knowledge, to say nothing about faith in Christ. Second, those parents themselves are most likely not true believers and are therefore also lost.

Like David, who directed God’s people to “say so” (Psalm 107:2), we are to tell the next generation about all that God has done for us in sending Jesus to be our one and only Savior from sin.

Are you doing this? Thank the Lord for the help He gives us in the catechism, our Sunday Schools, Vacation Bible Schools, and our Christian Day Schools!

Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful gift of family. Along with health, safety and success, we humbly pray that You would use us to help the generations that follow us to also be close to You through saving faith in Jesus.  Amen.

Rejoice, God is near you today.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf.com/bible-plan.pdf

July 5, 2016 - FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

Day 187 - 2 Kings Tuesday (1-5)

“So he (Naaman) went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God (Elisha), and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:14 ESV)

In this account of a miraculous healing performed by almighty God through His spokesman Elisha, we find several examples of faith. First we encounter the Israelite servant girl whose faith in her God showed when she encouraged Naaman to seek out the great prophet of God.  Next we hear Elisha’s faithful words as he directed Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times. Finally we witness Naaman’s faith as he, after a little coaching, trusts God enough to follow His prescription.

How do you do when faced with God’s improbable directions for life in His family? Faithfulness and obedience would be the wise answer!

Above all, faithfully obey these words of Jesus: 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”  (John 5:24 ESV)

Lord God, help me to trust You and Your provision for my life today and Your plan for my eternal life. I ask this in the name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf.com/bible-plan.pdf

July 4, 2016 - I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND TO THE CROSS

Day 186 - Fourth of July

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”     (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)

“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

I pledge allegiance to the flag because it reminds us of the ...

● many wars that have been fought to keep that flag flying high,
● courage of patriots throughout our long 240 year history,
● hope and dreams of founding fathers and who have followed in their steps, 
● history of a nation rooted and established on Christian principles.

At the core of our Christian principles is our faith in Jesus and His cross. While many, even in our country, consider the message of the cross to be foolish, to us it is the power if God. And we believe that it is Jesus and His cross that are so desperately needed in our confused and fractured world today.

God bless America, land that I love.

Stand beside her and guide her 

Thru the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies 

To the oceans white with foam,

God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Lord of the nations, thank You for blessing America for all of these years. As the flag reminds of our freedom here, may the cross remind us of our freedom from sin, death and the devil. In Jesus’ saving name, amen.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf.com/bible-plan.pdf

July 3, 2016 - WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Day 185 - Philippians Sunday (3-4)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

The devil is an expert at confusing our thinking. This is why the Holy Spirit led Paul to give us this thought-provoking advice. But it is not merely positive thinking that is being advanced here. 

What is worthy of all praise? The answer is the Gospel, the message of God’s grace showered upon sinners like you and me. It is the Gospel that we need to remember more often than we do.

Peter gives us more details of what God wants us to think about in his first letter: 

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV)

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your undeserved mercy and grace showered upon me and all sinners who repent and trust in You. Help me to think about that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Amen.

“See” you at the Communion table this morning.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf

July 2, 2016 - OUR GRACIOUS FATHER

Day 184 - Luke Saturday (chapters 15-16) 

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20  ESV)

The prodigal son had talked his father into giving him his share of the inheritance early so that he could go out on his own. He had squandered his wealth and found himself in dire straights. This reminds us of how we have treated our heavenly Father.

The rest of the story reveals how our heavenly Father has mercifully responded to us. “While he was still a long way off....” The father had been looking for his long-lost son, watching every day, and hoping he would return. When he did return, we get this explanation for his great joy. “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”  (Luke 15:32  ESV)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound 
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found, 
Was blind but now I see!

Heavenly Father, thank You seeking me out and graciously restoring me as Your child through the innocent suffering and death of Jesus. Yes, thank You for Your amazing grace.  Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow.

Pastor David Paape 

The following link is to the 52 Week Bible Reading Plan upon which these devotions are based.  http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf