Day 135 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 7:11-38; Psalm 119:49-56; Mark 14:22–42)
49 Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life. (Psalm 119:49-50 ESV)
“You promised.” These are the words of an individual urging someone else to remember something they had promised to do. David is doing the same thing with God. He is calling on God to remember His promises, promises that David was counting on. David goes on to list the reasons he was counting on God.
● Only God can give us real hope for our future on earth and our future in heaven.
● Only God can give us comfort no matter what afflictions may come upon us.
● Only God can give us a full life now and in eternity.
So, like David, we pray:
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
When I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
Come and listen to me.
(O Lord, Hear My Prayer, Lutheran Service Book #780)
Lord, please remember me and bless my life with Your gift of eternal hope. In Jesus’ saving name. 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 134 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 6:14–7:10; Psalm 119:41-48; Mark 14:3–21)
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28 ESV)
The identification of Judas as a traitor, and Peter’s bold insistence that he would never deny Jesus, are both important accounts from the upper room. But it is Christ’s institution of the Lord’s Supper that has the greatest impact on our daily lives.
Week in and week out we gather in our churches to receive the body and blood of our Lord graciously given in, with and under the simple elements of bread and wine. Week in and week out, faithful pastors are privileged to serve this most precious meal to the people of God.
1. Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand the eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.
2. Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heaven;
Here would I lay aside each earthly load,
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.
(“Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face,” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, # 631, 1&2)
Lord, may Your body and Your blood, be for my soul the highest good. Please bless my weekly visits to Your house. 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 133 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 5:14–6:13; Psalm 119:33-40; Mark 13:24–14:2)
STAY AWAKE
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come... Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)
Throughout the years there have been many false prophets who have predicted Judgment Day. Biblically illiterate followers have sold their belongings and quit their jobs in anticipation of meeting the Lord on the date promised. How devastatingly disappointed they must have been when the date came and passed. If they would have read and believed what Jesus says about the end of the world, they would not have been duped.
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Knowing that the signs of the times seem to indicate that the end is coming soon, how should we occupy our remaining time on this earth? Luther answers: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” What he is saying is that we should be about living out the vocations and lives God has given us. At the same time, he would surely also echo Jesus’ warning:
“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
♬ The world is very evil,
The times are waxing late;
Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate;
The Judge that comes in mercy,
The Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil,
To diadem the right.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, Concordia Publishing House, 1941, #605)
Almighty God, may I be found prepared when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead. To this end, mercifully continue to feed me with Your word of Law that condemns me and Your word of Gospel that reveals how Jesus paid for all of my sins on the cross. May I spend my remaining time on earth in Your service, sharing You with other sinners who need Your mercy just as desperately as I do. 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 132 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 5:1-13; Psalm 119:25-32; Mark 13:1-23)
And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13 ESV)
Christians in America have it relatively easy compared to our brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution and martyrdom in other places of the world. Yet we would be wise to take Jesus’ warning to heart and prepare ourselves for “tough times.” And here is how He wants to prepare us:
OPEN YOUR EYES
5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines." (Mark 13:5-8 ESV)
● Don’t let false prophets nor ominous events lead you away from your Savior!
OPEN YOUR BIBLE
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-32 ESV)
● Open your Bible and be reminded of God’s promise for your life today and in eternity!
OPEN YOUR HEART
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
● Remember that it is all about trusting Jesus and keeping Him first in your life!
DO NOT BE AFRAID
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 ESV)
● No matter what happens in life, as a forgiven child of God, you do not need to be afraid of anything!
Lord Jesus, thank You for warning me about the persecutions that can come to those who follow You. Please watch over me and protect me so that I may endure to the end no matter what. In Your saving and comforting name I pray. 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 131 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 4:14–35; Psalm 119:17-24; Mark 12:28-44)
THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-32 ESV)
Do you love God? Really? He commands and demands that we love Him completely. And then He gives us the big test, and perhaps the toughest command of all. Love others just like you love yourself. While this is difficult for the imperfect person we each see looking back at us in the mirror, love for others is perfectly reflected in Jesus’ earthly life.
● He taught the confused.
● He fed the hungry.
● He healed the sick.
● He comforted the lonely.
● He defended the vulnerable.
● He forgave sinners.
● He died and rose.
● He raises the dead.
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for all that You have done for sinners like me. Please help me to love You by loving others. 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 130 - (Today’s Bible readings: ASCENSION Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44–53)
50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53 ESV)
Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. The Ascension is crucial to the Christian faith.
● The promise of Acts 1 is this: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
ARE YOU READY? (REPENT AND BELIEVE!)
● What is Jesus doing now? “Who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
The hymn writer helps us understand even more about this blessed account:
1. On Christ’s ascension I now build
The hope of my ascension:
This hope alone has always stilled
All doubt and apprehension;
For where the Head is, there as well
I know His members are to dwell
When Christ will come and call them.
2. Since Christ returned to claim His throne,
Great gifts for me obtaining,
My heart will rest in Him alone,
No other rest remaining;
For where my treasure went before,
There all my thoughts will ever soar
To still their deepest yearning.
3. O grant, dear Lord, this grace to me,
Recalling Your ascension,
That I may serve You faithfully
In thanks for my redemption;
And then, when all my days will cease,
Let me depart in joy and peace
In answer to my pleading.
(On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #492)
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your ascension and Your assurance that I will also ascend to the glories of heaven and spend eternity with You. Please help me to daily repent of my sins and believe in Your sacrifice for the remission of those sins. 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 129 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 4:1–13; Psalm 119:9-16; Mark 12:13-27)
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth, unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:4 ESV)
It is a wise person who asks the Lord to guide them. Unfortunately, the world only sees Jesus as a teacher. He is much, much more than that.
The terms “way” and “walk” are Old Testament terms for “faith” and “walking by faith.” The call is for us sinners to have faith in Jesus as our only Savior and our only hope. What a comforting way to live our lives!
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching me the way of faith. Keep me strong in my faith that I may remain Yours today 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!
