Day 75 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 2:1-18; Psalm 70; Luke 4:31-41)
IMMEDIATE HEALING
“And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.” (Luke 4:38-39 ESV)
Peter’s mother-in-law was ill, perhaps seriously ill. “They appealed to him (Jesus) on her behalf.” Most likely this is referring to Peter and Mrs. Peter. They did what God’s children are told to do.
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)
Did you notice that Christ’s healing is immediate and complete?
“And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.”
When our DIVINE PHYSICIAN grants healing to us today, many times it involves an extended period of rehab, often spent away from home in a facility that specializes in this crucial part of the healing process. Not so with Jesus. He heals the woman, and immediately she gets to work.
While we don’t often see that kind of complete healing immediately granted to us, we can look forward to exactly that kind of immediate healing from all of lives woes.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4 ESV)
Yes, the healing of heaven and the beginning of eternal life will be complete and immediate for the believer in Christ... THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for answering my prayers for healing in a way that is best for me. Thank You even more, for promising me that the best is yet to come for all who repent and believe. 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 2020 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 74 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Chronicles 1:1-17; Psalm 69; Luke 4:14-30)
HAVE NO FEAR
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 ESV)
The coronavirus certainly is generating a lot of fear and panic in our world and our communities these days. How unique to walk into Walmart and see empty shelves where the hand sanitizer and toilet paper had been. And now schools are being closed, and sporting events and seasons are being postponed or even cancelled.
It is to a fear-filled world like ours that Jesus says: “Fear not, little flock.” You can take His words to heart. Paul did:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Joshua put it this way:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
So, when it comes to the coronavirus fears, we can trust the Lord to watch over us. And then we need to use common sense. That’s what we are doing at St. Paul’s at this time.
1. The church building has been sanitized.
2. Those who feel ill are encouraged not to attend church.
(You can tune into AM radio 1340 at 8 am for the service from St. Paul’s - West Allis or at 10 am for Mt. Olive - Milwaukee. Check First Immanuel - Cedarburg’s Facebook page for a link to their live-streaming services.)
3. We are not shaking hands.
4. Thorough hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer is being encouraged, along with coughing into one’s sleeve.
Click this link for some comforting words from LCMS President Matthew Harrison.
https://blogs.lcms.org/2020/resource-helps-congregations-plan-for-widespread-illnesses/?fbclid=IwAR2W4wFJKLL-Um3T-XDoyC5426HkbaBDx9OjmVXZSVQgZ5k2OHWjlylrBmc
Heavenly Father, please protect all of us during this time of pestilence. We pray that it would be Your will to grant healing to all who are afflicted with the coronavirus. Please grant Your comfort to all who have lost loved ones to this disease. Above all, remind us of Your gift of mercy and forgiveness given to all who repent and believe in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
“See” you in church on Sunday.
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 2020 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 73 - (Today’s Bible readings: Micah 7:1-20; Psalm 68; Luke 4:1-13)
WHAT DO YOU FIND IN CHURCH?
“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19 ESV)
God “will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
Yes, God hates sin, yet He loves the sinner. The reason that Jesus was born was so that He could die in payment for our sins.
So what do we find in church? We find God coming to us with His Word of Law, through which we become aware of our sins. He also comes to us with His Word of Gospel, through which He proclaims the message of Christ’s cross, and offers forgiveness.
What you find in church is God’s forgiveness and the good news that He casts all of your sins into the depths of the sea to be remembered no more.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for being my forgiving God. Please make me a regular visitor to Your house where Your blessings are so freely given to all who listen to You, repent, and believe. Please bless my worship of Jesus today and always. 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 2020 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 72 - (Today’s Bible readings: Micah 6:9-16; Psalm 67; Luke 3:23-38)
BECAUSE YOU ARE FORGIVEN, BE NICE
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV)
Paul is encouraging those who have received the most fantastic gift of all to act like it! That means that those who have been washed clean of their sins in the blood of Jesus, are to let go of anything someone else may have done to them.
Because you are forgiven, no longer let bitterness or anger have any place in your life. Don’t slander others either. Instead, be kind-hearted and forgive. In other words, follow the example of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiving me. Please help me to treat others the way You have treated me. 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 2020 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 71 - (Today’s Bible readings: Micah 5:7-6:8; Psalm 66; Luke 3:15-22)
SHOUT FOR JOY
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 is the awesome deeds of God.
No Jesus, no joy. Know Jesus, know joy! Many people are looking for joy, peace and happiness without Jesus. But Jesus is the only One whose awesome deeds involve forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life.
1. Joyful, joyful we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee,
Praising Thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Fountainhead of love divine:
Joyful, we Thy heav'n inherit!
Joyful, we by grace are Thine!
(Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, Lutheran Service Book #803)
Lord God, thank You for the joy of knowing Your mercy, forgiveness and promise of heaven! 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 2020 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 70 - (Today’s Bible readings: Micah 5:1-6; Psalm 65; Luke 3:1-14)
BETHLEHEM PEACE
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.... And he shall be their peace.” (Micah 5:2 & 5a ESV)
Our verse for today is a prophecy of Christ’s birth. Micah predicted that the Messiah (Jesus) would be born in Bethlehem about 700 years before that glorious event occurred!
Believers take great comfort in the prophecies of the Savior’s birth fulfilled some 2,000 years ago.
● Jesus would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)
● Jesus would come from the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10)
● Jesus would be a descendant of King David. (Jeremiah 23:5)
● And Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
Yes, we find great peace in the fact that the Prince of Peace was, in fact, born in Bethlehem.
1. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy darkness shineth The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.
3. How silently, how silently, The wondrous Gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas Angels, The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel!
(O Little Town of Bethlehem, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #361)
Almighty God, we praise You and thank You for fulfilling Your promise to send the Savior of mankind to Bethlehem. May I find great peace in all of Your promises fulfilled in 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 2020 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 69 - (Today’s Bible readings: Micah 4:6-13; Psalm 64; Luke 2:22-52)
IN YOUR FATHER’S HOUSE
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” (Luke 2:46-49 ESV)
Jesus’ mother and stepfather had spent three anxious days searching for Him. They finally found Him in the temple, amazing the Bible scholars with His knowledge. This should not be surprising since He is God, the author of Scripture.
He also teaches by example the blessing of being in church. His words are to be our words.
“Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”
What blessings are ours when we spend time being fed with God’s Word and Sacrament. May you be blessed every week as you gather in church and are fed with the Good News of the forgiveness of your sins bestowed on you through Jesus!
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for showing us how important it is to be in Your Father’s house. Please bless me with Your forgiveness, faith and obedience when I make my weekly visits to church. 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 2020 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!
