Day 142 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 11:29-47; Psalm 119:105-112; 1 Corinthians 1:18–31)
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)
Thanks be to God for the powerful cross of Jesus!
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wider than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25 ESV)
So what is the be the conclusion for those who rely on the power of God?
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV)
Do you cherish the wonderful message of the cross of Christ?
1. Upon the cross extended,
See, world, your Lord suspended;
Your Savior yields His breath.
The Prince of Life from heaven
Himself hath freely given
To shame and blows and bitter death.
7. Your cross I place before me,
Its saving pow'r restore me,
Sustain me in the test.
It will, when life is ending,
Be guiding and attending
My way to Your eternal rest.
(Upon the Cross Extended, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, # 453)
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me by means of Your cross. Receive this weak sinner and strengthen me for Your service. 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 141 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 11:1-28; Psalm 119:97-104; 1 Corinthians 1:1–17)
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV)
Paul has just pointed out that the church in Corinth did not lack any spiritual gift as the Lord prepared them for eternity. He now makes it the clear that the reason for this blessing is the faithfulness of God.
This is precisely what we mean when we state that we are “blessed by the Lord.” Our faithful God has done it all for us. We sinners do not deserve it, yet God sent His Son to die for us on the cross. He claimed us as His own on the day of our baptism. He comes to us week in and week out in public worship where He feeds us with His Word and Sacraments. Ultimately He will take us home to be with Him at the end of our days.
What peace and joy are ours because God is faithful to us “poor miserable sinners.”
Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Fatherr,
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!
(Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Lutheran Service Book, #809)
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Please, mercifully, keep me faithful to You. 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 140 - (Today’s Bible readings: PENTECOST Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 139; Acts 2:1-21; John 16:4–15)
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 ESV)
Today is Pentecost, one of the great festivals of the Christian Church. On this day we celebrate God the Holy Spirit and the gift of saving faith that He bestows on all believers in Christ. Luther’s explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed explains the work of the Holy Spirit this way:
The Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed - Sanctification
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
And make our hearts Your place of rest;
Come with Your grace and heav'nly aid
And fill the hearts which You have made. Amen.
(Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #498, stanza 1)
“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 139 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 10; Psalm 119:89-96; Mark 16:1–20)
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16 ESV)
● Jesus is giving each of us Christians our marching orders - Go and tell the good news.
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
● He is giving us our reason for living - lead others to Jesus.
● He is giving us a simple motivation - people must believe or face damnation.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Do you sense how crucial obedience to this command is for the souls of others?
How do we respond when we hear God’s command to “go and tell” today?
This little Gospel light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little Gospel light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little Gospel light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
It will point the way to heaven, I’m going to let it shine.
It will point the way to heaven, I’m going to let it shine.
It will point the way to heaven, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Let’s look for opportunities to share Jesus with others and thereby point them to heaven.
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for granting me saving faith in You. Please use me to go and tell others so that they can also be saved and not condemned. 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 138 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 9; Psalm 119:81-88; Mark 15:21-47)
My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word. (Psalm 119:81 ESV)
David longed for deliverance from his enemies. When the going got rough, he turned to God. His hope and confidence were placed in the Word of the Lord.
Where do you turn when life gets rough for you? It is wise to follow David’s example. Perhaps you will not be delivered from trouble in this life. But with Jesus, you are guaranteed eternal salvation. Long for His salvation, put your hope in His Word, and trust, repent and rejoice!
Where do you turn? Jesus helped the disciples give us a crystal clear answer when he asked them if they wanted to leave Him too. May their answer be your answer too!
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jon 6:68-69 ESV)
Almighty God, I long for Your salvation. My hope is in You alone. Please use me to share this soul-saving hope with others. 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 137 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 8:22–36; Psalm 119:65-80; Mark 15:1-20)
You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word. (Psalm 119:65 NIV)
Among the many blessings that God gives us in life is the gift of family. On this day, my family is celebrating the birth of my fishing buddy, Adam. For my wife and me, Adam and his sister Heidi, along with their spouses and children, are the joy of our life. God has truly dealt well with us!
What do you see in your life that affirms the fact that God is dealing well with you? Perhaps you don’t think that He is dealing well with you at all. However, look at this promise:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Does that sound like God is dealing well with you? How about these words spoken by Peter on Pentecost?
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV)
The greatest of example of God’s dealing well with you is Jesus, your Savior!
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dealing well with me by going to the cross in my place . 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 136 - (Today’s Bible readings: Leviticus 8:1-21; Psalm 119:57-64; Mark 14:43–72)
The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees. (Psalm 119:64 NIV)
David states a fact: The world is filled with God’s love. Can you see it?
He then asks: “teach me your decrees.” Obviously, the Lord teaches us through His Word, the Bible. He also teaches us through the circumstances we face in life.
● The challenges you are facing today are meant to pull you closer to God.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
● Are you looking for God’s good in your life?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
● It is important to learn that God has a plan for your life, now and eternally!
Lord, thank You for Your great love for me. Please teach me to trust in You and Your plan for my life. 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!
