Day 39 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 29:14-29; Psalm 37; Matthew 18:21-35)
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
..... 32 ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. (Matthew 18:21-35 ESV)
The parable of the unforgiving servant teaches us that God expects us to forgive one another just as He has forgiven us. Here a couple of key thoughts:
● How great is the debt of sin that you owe to God?
● How do your sins of thought, word and deed compare with whatever someone else has done to you?
● Isn’t it true that the parable accurately describes how we tend to minimize our sin and maximize the sins of others?
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.
● Where do we find the power to forgive when someone “sins” against us?
And you, who were dead in your trespasses ..., God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14 ESV)
● Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, paying for all of our sins, we can now forgive others.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your unending forgiveness granted to this penitent sinner. Help me to forgive others just as You have forgiven me. In Your saving name, O Lord. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 38 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 28:10-29:14; Psalm 36; Matthew 18:7-20)
“7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.” (Matthew 18:7-9 ESV)
“One need look no further than these words of Jesus to see how much the holy God hates sin. Here, the Law strike us with all its fury. Who of us can say that our hand or foot or eye has not caused us to sin? We all deserve to be thrown into the hell of fire. Thank God that Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced for our iniquities that His eyes beheld our sin in order to turn the Father’s face from it. By His wounds and precious death, we enter life.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, page 1621)
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(“When Peace, Like a River,” LSB 762 stanza 3)
Our Father who art in heaven... lead us not into temptation. I do repent of the times that I have given into temptation and sinned against You and Your holy will. Please have mercy on me and grant me forgiveness, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 37 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 27:41-28:9; Psalm 35; Matthew 17:22-18:6)
ARE YOU LIKE A CHILD?
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 ESV)
What is Jesus talking about? He is telling you that the “secret” to being a child of God is to be one, at heart that is. Take a look at that little guy looking up at Jesus. Can you sense his unbridled love for his Savior? Do you think he has any doubts about the Lord?
The faith of a child, 100% trust in Christ no matter what, is what Jesus wants you to have. This “children’s” song is to be sung and believed by God’s children of all ages.
1. Jesus Loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong; They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
2. Jesus Loves me! He who died, Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
(Jesus Loves Me This I Know, LSB, 2006, #588)
I hope that these words and melody get stuck in your head all day long, and for the rest of your life as well!
Lord Jesus, because You loved me enough to die for me and open wide the gate to heaven for me, I will love You for the rest of my life. May the Holy Spirit use Your words, along with Your body and blood, to keep my faith in You childlike, now and forever. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 36 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 27:1-40; Psalm 34; Matthew 17:1-21)
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
An ad from the past goes like this: “Brylcreem, a little dab will do ya...” The inference was that a little Brylcreem goes a long way. In today’s chosen selection, Jesus teaches us that a little bit of faith goes a long way. Faith like a mustard seed can do the impossible. And what exactly is faith?
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
The important part of faith is its object. Saving faith is Christ-centered.
Oh, for a faith that will not shrink
Though pressed by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of poverty or woe;
That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast’ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God;
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt;
That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown
Nor Satan’s arts beguile;
A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life’s last spark is fled
And with a pure and heav’nly ray
Lights up the dying bed.
Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whate’er may come,
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home. Amen.
(“Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink,” The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, #396)
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 35 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 26:12-34; Psalm 33; Matthew 16:21-28)
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:8-9)
The Psalmist (David) calls you to remember that God is the Creator of all things, and that He did this by simply speaking everything into existence. Stop to think about that. Almighty God spoke, and ... the universe came into existence, everything from the tiniest spec to the tallest tree, from the center of the earth to the center of the universe, from the smallest amoeba to the largest whale. And “then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Genesis 2:7)
David’s response is to encourage all inhabitants of the world to “stand in awe of him!”
Yes, the wonders of this world and the wonders of your body are enough to make you “stand in awe” of One who is responsible for it all! The catechism adds this to the end of the explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “For all which it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.” (Luther’s Small Catechism)
But there is more, much more! In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reveals God the Father’s greatest “creation,” His merciful plan for your salvation: “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21)
Not only is God responsible for your earthly life, but He also guarantees your eternal life by means of Jesus’ death and resurrection! And for this, He is truly worthy of adoration, adoration that takes the form of repentance and faith.
1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
REFRAIN:
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How Great Thou art! How Great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How Great Thou art! How Great Thou art!
3. But when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin: REFRAIN
(“How Great Thou Art,” Lutheran Service Book, #801)
Almighty God, Creator of everything, I do stand in awe of all that You have done. Above all, I thank you and praise you for sending Jesus to die for me. May I humbly and faithfully remain in awe of Your great mercy all the days of my life until that day when I begin an eternity of adoringly standing in Your presence. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion table this morning!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 34 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 25:19-26:11; Psalm 32; Matthew 16:1-20)
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16 ESV)
Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (V.13)
“Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (V. 14)
The disciples responded by reporting the confusion that surrounded Jesus’ identity. People make similar mistakes today... He is just a prophet. He was a good man. Some history deniers even deny that Jesus ever existed.
Peter’s answer is the right answer... “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Who is Jesus to you? I hope that you have the same answer as Peter did. Here are some variations
● Jesus is my Savior from sin!
● Jesus is my source of comfort and peace!
● Jesus is my guarantee of eternal life in heaven!
● Jesus is my best friend!
● Jesus is my everything!
♬ What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.
(“What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Lutheran Service Book, #770)
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my Savior and my everything. Please keep me close to You today and always. And please allow me the chance to share You with someone today. In Your precious name. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow morning!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 33 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 24:32-66, Psalm 30, Matthew 15:1-20)
And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:22-28 ESV)
The Canaanite woman gives us an excellent example of persistent and humble prayer. She asks Jesus to have mercy and respond to her daughter’s desperate need. Even though she receives no answer, she continues to cry out for healing. When reminded that she was not of the house of Israel, she responds with a humble analogy. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs from their masters’ table.” Her persistence pays off and her daughter is healed.
● What do you do when the Lord doesn’t seem to answer your prayers?
● Are your prayers peppered with humility? “I don’t deserve _____, but please have mercy on me too.”
Remember God’s promise to you: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15 ESV)
Lord, may I, like the Canaanite woman, be blessed with a great faith that trusts in You not only for this life, but even more so, for the life that is to come. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
