Day 128 - (Today’s Bible readings: May 8, 2018 Leviticus 3; Psalm 119:1-8; Mark 11:27-12:12)
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13 ESV)
What is the foundation of your life? Just as a solid foundation is crucial to a well built house, so a solid spiritual foundation is crucial to a well built life.
Paul warns us against building on anything or any other person than Jesus Christ. A building with a poor foundation may look fine at first, but the day will come when all comes crashing down. So it is with your life, unless Jesus is your foundation. The hymn writer put it this way:
My hope is build on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness.
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I them in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
(My Hope Is Build on Nothing Less, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #575, stanzas 1&4)
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the solid foundation for all who believe in You. Please keep my feet safely planted on You so that I may stand redeemed before Your throne. 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 127 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 2; Psalm 118; Mark 11:12-26)
“Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 117:1-2 NIV)
God is faithful. What good news this is for us! While we place a high value on faithfulness, when we are honest, we must admit that we are often unfaithful to God. We think that have a better idea on how to live our lives. Yet God is faithful to us.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
(Great Is Thy Faithfulness, The Lutheran Service Book, LSB #809)
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great faithfulness to me. Thank You for not treating me as I deserve. In Jesus, my Savior, You truly have provided all that I need. Amen.
Remember Your faithful God today!
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 126 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 1; Psalm 117; Mark 10:46-11:11)
Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 117 NIV)
Back in 1965, Jackie DeShannon had a hit song that resonated with a lot of people. “What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love.” Yes, love is the answer to our war-torn and sin-sick world. The Psalmist knew this when he wrote: “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”
It is the enduring and saving love of Jesus that is needed by every breathing soul on the face of the earth. So, “praise the Lord, all nations! Extol (honor and glorify) him, all peoples.”
The whole world needs to repent and trust in Jesus. He is the answer to the evil we see all around us and in us!
Praise Him for His grace and favor
To His people in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
(Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #793, stanza 2)
Lord, thank You for giving me what I really need in Jesus. Please use me to reach those who do not know Him yet, because the world really needs my Jesus too. 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 125 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 40:17-38; Psalm 116; Mark 10:32-45)
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15 ESV)
For many, death is something to be dreaded and feared. And while we Christians do a fare amount of that ourselves, the truth is that we do not have to fear death. The death of a saint (a repentant sinner declared righteous and holy by the Lord), is precious to the Lord and precious to us, since when we die trusting in Christ alone, the gates of heaven are opened. The hymn write put it this way:
Jesus lives! The victory’s won!
Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.
(“Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won,” The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #490 stanza 1)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the confidence You have given me in Jesus’ death and resurrection. May I not be appalled about the inevitable end of my life. Yes, remind me today that the best is yet to come for me and all Christians. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
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 124 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Psalm 115; Mark 10:13-31)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16 ESV)
For some adults, children are unimportant and should be as unobtrusive as possible. The disciples didn't want Jesus to “waste” His time on children. But Jesus did not agree. Jesus loves the little children, ALL THE CHILDREN of the world. “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Jesus is talking about ALL children. No matter how old we get, Jesus is telling us that we need to have the simple, trusting faith of a child, faith in the one who truly loves us all.
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world
(Author unknown)
What does Jesus do with “children” who trust Him with so completely? He takes them in His arms and blesses them now and forever.
Lord, thank You for calling me by name on the day of my Baptism. What a blessing it is to be one of Your children. Since You love all children of all ages, please use me to help others to know how precious they are to You. 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 123 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 39:22-31; Psalm 114; Mark 9:42-10:12)
“Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24 ESV)
Jesus is the One. He is the Savior promised long ago. He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Chosen One.
There have been many imitators... many who claim to be the answer to mankind’s need for divine help.
At a conference some years ago, we pastors were reminded that our task is not to talk Jesus. Instead, we are to preach Jesus. And that is what John 8:24 does. The message Jesus has for you is simply this:
● Repent and believe I died in payment for all of your sins. Therefore,
● Your sins are forgiven.
● You will not die in your sins.
● Heaven is your eternal inheritance.
● Go, you are free.
Don’t fall for any imitators. Jesus is your only way to heaven!
Crown Him the Lord of Life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.
(Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #525, 4)
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being the One who died and rose for me. Bless my efforts to share You with others who need You just as desperately I do. 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 122 - (Today’s Bible readings: Exodus 39:2–21; Psalm 113; Mark 9:30-41)
“Blessed is the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 113:2 ESV)
Names of famous people are remembered for a long time. Abraham Lincoln, Bob Hope, Ty Cobb, Amelia Earhart and Albert Einstein are a few of the multitude of famous people. Mention one of the names, and that persons life comes to mind. However, there is one name that is above all other names.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)
The name of Jesus means everything to us.
● He paid for our sins and secured our eternal salvation by means of His death on the cross.
● He is with you now, watching over you and guiding you.
● He guarantees you an eternal future with Him in heaven.
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrow, heals our wounds,
And drives away our fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest.
O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King;
My Lord, my life, my way, my end, Accept the praise I bring. Amen.
(Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, # 524)
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!
