Day 251 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Psalm 68; Luke 1:57-66)
“So you shall purge the evil from your midst.” (Deuteronomy 21:21; 22:21-22 ESV)
In these chapters God is giving His people directions on how to live in the promised land. We find the stoning of a rebellious son and adulterers to be harsh. Yet God had a very good reason. He wanted to protect them from evil and keep them close to Him.
Today many people are content to put up with, and even indulge in evil activity. In fact, our sins put all of us in that category. Since no one is able to live a perfect and evil-free life, God sent us a helper named Jesus. It is Jesus who purged evil from all believers when He died on the cross.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for purging my sins and delivering me from evil and thereby making me holy in the sight of God the Father. Help me to walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow (9 am outdoor service with picnic at 10:30 at St. Paul’s - Brown Deer)
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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 250 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 20; Psalm 67; Luke 1:39-56)
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb....“For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:41&44 ESV)
Our verse for today states, “The baby leaped.” These words give us several precious insights.
● The baby in Mary’s womb is very special (He is Jesus, the long-promised Messiah).
● Little John, in Elizabeth’s womb, was moved to leap in the presence of his cousin and Savior.
● There is life in the womb (we believe from the moment of conception).
We hear nothing of Elizabeth anywhere other than Luke 1. We do hear much more about Mary, the mother of our Lord. While she is filled with joy both here and at the birth of Jesus, there will be a time when she will experience the opposite, as foretold by Simeon.
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul also.” (Luke 2:34&35 ESV) Mary’s soul would be pierced as she witnessed the crucifixion of her son.
John leaped in utero at the in utero presence of the One who would die for him. The womb is a powerful place, a blessed place, an honored place.
May we spiritually leap with joy as we remember that Jesus accomplished the complete removal of our sins when He died that first Good Friday. And may we leap with joy for every life protected in utero, born physically, and then born spiritually through Baptism.
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to this earth as a baby so that You could die on the cross for me and for all sinners. Help me to do all that I can to protect and promote Your gifts of physical and spiritual life. 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 249 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 19; Psalm 66; Luke 1:26-38)
Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.” (Psalm 66:1-3 ESV)
The Psalmist encourages his readers to “shout for joy to God.” The reason for this joy are the awesome deeds of God.
Many people are looking for joy, peace and happiness without Jesus. But Jesus is the only One whose awesome deeds involve the forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life. And this gives you real, true, deep down joy.
Do not confuse Christian joy with mere happiness. Joy is far deeper and can be present even in the darkest of hours. Paul reflects this truth with these words first given to the Christians in Philippi:
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 8:3 ESV)
No Jesus, no joy.
Know Jesus, know joy
Lord God, thank You for the joy of knowing Your mercy, forgiveness and promise of heaven Please use me today to share the joy of Jesus with others today. 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word
Day 248 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 65; Luke 1:5-24)
“You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 17:1 ESV)
Reporters have discovered food items in grocery stores that were well past their printed expiration dates. It seems that the stores are attempting to sell food that definitely is no longer first-rate.
We tend to do something similar with God. He has truly blessed us with His first-rate blessings of forgiveness and reconciliation. And how we sinners desperately need these treasures Yet we respond to what He has done for us NOT with first-rate gifts of our time, talent and treasure, but rather with leftovers, if anything at all.
When we do this, we are not honoring God, and showing our profound appreciation for all that He has done for us. And He calls this an abomination.
Today you have another chance to do your best for God because He has done His best for you by giving you saving faith in His Son, Jesus. Today you get to help others in Jesus’ name. Today you get to put Jesus first in your life. Today you get to give God your very best.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for sending Your very best by sending Jesus to the cross for me. Thank You for forgiving me and promising me heaven. Help me to respond to Your great love for me by putting You first in my life today and always. 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word
Day 247 - (Today’s Bible readings: September 4, 2018 Deuteronomy 16:18-17:20; Psalm 64; Luke 1:1-4)
“... when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 ESV)
Wishful thinking is something most folks engage in on a regular basis. If your favorite team has done miserably for the first half of the season, it is wishful thinking to hope that they still have a chance of making it to the playoffs. Another example is the student who has not prepared for the big test. It is wishful thinking to hope to get an “A” on that test. While those cases are sad, they are not tragic.
However, there is one case of wishful thinking that is certainly tragic. “My god (yes “g”) wouldn’t send anyone to hell.” As hard as it is to consider, the fact remains that God does condemn sinners to hell. Flaming fire, inflicting vengeance, and suffering the punishment of eternal destruction are the eternal facts for all and any who reject Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.
I have met a number of wishful thinkers who deny that Jesus is the only way to heaven. They reason that since their god wouldn’t damn any one, it doesn’t matter what you believe.
But Jesus makes it so very clear:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)
Peter reveals this same clear message:
“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)
Lord Jesus, help me to always believe in You as the way, the truth, and the life. And help me to share this truth in a winsome way with everyone. In Your 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 246 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 16:1-17; Psalm 63; Galatians 6:6-18)
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18 ESV)
Life can really be rough sometimes. What we need to remember at those times is simply that our problems and struggles are only temporary. Paul is reminding us that nothing we experience now can compare with the glories of heaven.
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV)
Heavenly Father, remind me when things are rough that this life is only temporary and that the best is yet to come. 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 245 - (Today’s Bible readings: Deuteronomy 15; Psalm 62; Galatians 5:16-6:5)
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him. (Psalm 62:5 NLT)
How patient are you? I don’t know about you, but this is something I have trouble with, as did King David and many biblical “heros.”
● Abraham and Sarah couldn’t wait for the Lord to keep His promise to grant them a child, so they took matters into their own hands and began a chain of heart ache that we still see today.
One of the big problems we self-centered sinners have is that we think that we know what is best for our lives, and we refuse to wait for the Lord to lead and bless us in His way.
● David’s impatience led to lust, adultery, murder and a failed cover-up.
By the time David wrote this Psalm, he had learned to wait patiently and quietly before and for the Lord. How are you doing in this area?
Are you trusting the Lord to know what is best for your life? Can you trust God to take care of your health, your wealth, your family and every other aspect of your life in ways that He determines are best for you?
Listen to David’s words again: Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (Psalm 62:5 NLT)
David’s hope was in God and His plan for this life and the next. Take a moment to let this thought in.
● Since God promises eternal life in heaven to all (including you) who repent and believe, you certainly can trust Him to do what is best (His best) for your life right now.
I am trusting Thee to guide me;
Thou alone shalt lead,
Ev'ry day and hour supplying
All my need.
(“I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,” Lutheran Service Book #729-4)
Heavenly Father, please help me to wait quietly before You and to place my hope for life today and tomorrow in You and Your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail 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 from 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
