Day 342 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 7:1-25; Psalm 130; 1 Corinthians 16:5-24)
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (Psalm 130 ESV)
One thing all people have to deal with at one time or another is being down in the dumps. There can be may causes for feeling forlorn, for being depressed. David put his finger on the most common cause. He knew his sin. He knew he had betrayed almighty God. He knew he was hopeless on his own. Yet, look at the confidence he exudes, even in the middle of his despair:
Let your ears be attentive...to my pleas for mercy!
But with you there is forgiveness...
My soul waits for the Lord... and in his word I hope
With the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
Fellow sinner, wait for the Lord’s plentiful redemption today as you trust in the Lamb of Calvary for forgiveness and heaven.
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine.
Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away;
Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!
(“My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #702, stanza 1)
Lord Jesus, I look to You, and to You alone, for the forgiveness of my sin. I praise You and thank You for taking all of my guilt away when You died in my place on the cross. Thank You for Your steadfast love. 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 2019 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 341 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 129; 1 Corinthians 15:50-16:4)
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57 ESV)
Mankind’s fiercest enemies are sin, death and the devil. Paul assures us that we are winners in Christ. The symbol of our victory is the cross of Christ. The power behind our victory over sin, death and the devil is God’s love for us. The hymn writer highlights these biblical points this way:
Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conqu'ring ranks combine.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore His sacred name.
(Lift High the Cross, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #837 stanza 2)
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your victorious cross. Please use me to proclaim Your saving love to our dying world. 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 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 2019 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 339 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 5:1-12; Psalm 127; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34)
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV)
This is your guarantee that the best is yet to come. Because Christ has been raised from the dead, you will all be raised from the dead on Judgment Day. “In Christ shall all be made alive,” refers to all who believe, all who are trusting in Jesus for forgiveness of their sins.
He’s risen, He’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened death’s prison, incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
While earth, sea, and mountain their praises prolong.
The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.
But short was their triumph, the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes;
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high.
He lives, yes, He lives, and will nevermore die.
(“He’s Risen, He’s Risen,” Lutheran Service Book #480)
Click here for the hymn on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJVkRKBVQ8
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that all who believe in You will be raised from the dead. What comfort to know that death is not the end for all who are in Christ! Please use me to reach others with this good news.
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 2019 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 339 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 5:1-12; Psalm 127; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34)
“For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ESV)
“I am what I am, and that's all that I am.” So says the cartoon character Popeye. His bravado is based on his assessment of his own strength, enhanced by spinach. Many people feel the same way. Their credo is “you have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
While Paul’s words sound similar to Popeye’s, there is one huge difference. “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Paul gives all credit for the good in his life to the grace of God. It started when Saul, an effective persecutor of the followers of Jesus, was confronted by the risen Savior on the road to Damascus. Jesus changed Paul into a committed follower and one of the most effective evangelists of all time. And, once again, for Paul it was all about God’s grace, His undeserved blessings showered upon him through Jesus.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe and doubt it not.
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught?
No! Then this word must true remain;
By grace you too will life obtain.
(By Graced I’m Saved, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #566)
Lord, thank You for making me what I am in Jesus. Yes, thank You for making me Your precious, blood-bought, baptized, forgiven, heaven-bound child. 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 2019 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 338 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 3:18-4:6; Psalm 126; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
“But all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 4:14 ESV)
What excellent advice for life.
What excellent advice for students.
What excellent advice on how to interact with others.
What excellent advice for your daily walk with Jesus.
Where do you find the details for doing all things decently and in order?
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV)
Following any advice other than the Lord’s, will lead to disorder, confusion, sin and its consequences. Following what the Bible teaches concerning Christian living will lead to a decent and orderly life in the middle of the chaos of life today.
Listen to David’s version of this same advice from Psalm 1:
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Lord, please help me to live my life to Your glory by doing everything decently and in order. Please remind me that the order is You first, others second, and me last. May I find the motivation for such obedience in the forgiveness of my sins that You bestow on me through Jesus, my Savior. 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 2019 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 337 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 3:1-17; Psalm 125; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25)
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 ESV)
While we certainly are not ready to start thinking of snow, the first chapter of Isaiah contains the assurance that, in Christ, all repentant believers are declared righteous and white as snow and wool. I guess wool and snow do go together like wool gloves and winter!
Because of Jesus’ substitutionary death, now sinners and their Savior go together as well, and we are declared “white as snow.”
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(“Lord Jesus, I Long to Be Perfectly Whole,” words by James L. Nicholson, 1872)
Lord Jesus, thank You for making me whiter than snow by shedding Your precious blood on the cross of Calvary. Please strengthen my faith and keep me Yours 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 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 2019 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 336 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 2:6-22; Psalm 124; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)
Faith, hope and love. Do you have these down? How does your love measure up? Paul opens this chapter with eye-opening statements that defines the importance of genuine Christian love.
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Paul next gives us a check list for genuine Christian love:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
One way to determine how you measure up in the Christian love department, is to replace the words “love” and “it” with your name in verses 4-8.
While your love is most likely like mine, imperfect, we know One whose love is perfect.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving sinners like me so much that You sent Jesus to be our Savior. May Jesus’ love motivate me to live a life of genuine Christian love. 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 2019 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!
