Sunday, August 8, 2021 - ARE YOU CONVINCED?

Day 220 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 82-84; Romans 8:19-39)

ARE YOU CONVINCED?

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure (convinced -NIV) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-30 ESV)

Are you convinced that you are more than a winner through Jesus? The fact is that you are! Since Jesus’ death on the cross was accepted by God the Father as the total payment for all of your individual sins, you are now a winner. You have won over your enemies of sin, death and the devil.

Are you also convinced that nothing can separated you from God’s love shown for you in Jesus? What a comforting promise this is!

Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a winner in Jesus and for promising me that nothing can separate You love from me. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Saturday, August 7, 2021 - THE BEST IS YET TO COME

Day 219 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 79-81; Romans 8:1-18)

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

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)

1. Jesus, lead Thou on

    Till our rest be won;

    And although the way be cheerless,

    We will follow calm and fearless;

    Guide us by Thy hand

    To our fatherland.

2.If the way be drear,

    If the Foe be near,

    Let no faithless fears o'ertake us,

    Let not faith and hope forsake us;

    For though many a woe

    To our home we go.

3. When we seek relief

    From a long-felt grief,

    When temptations come alluring,

    Make us patient and enduring;

    Show us that bright shore

    Where we weep no more.

4. Jesus, lead Thou on

    Till our rest is won;

    Heav'nly Leader, still direct us,

    Still support, console, protect us,

    Till we safely stand

    In our fatherland.

    (Jesus, Lead Thou On , The Lutheran Hymnal, CPH 1941, #410)

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

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Friday, August 6, 2021 - TEACHING CHILDREN

Day 218 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 78; Romans 7)

TEACHING CHILDREN

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:2-4 ESV)

If we don’t teach our children to believe in Jesus, the world will teach them not to. Let us not fall down on the job and fail to teach children the things of God.

How precious when little ones can sing/pray these words:

1. Let me learn of Jesus, He is kind to me;

    Once He died to save me, Nailed upon a tree.

2. When I go to Jesus, He will hear me pray,

    Make me pure an holy, Take my sin away.

3.  Let me think of Jesus, He is full of love,

     Looking down upon me, From His throne above.

4. Oh, how good is Jesus, May He hold my hand

   And at last receive me To a better land.

    (“Let Me Learn of Jesus,” All God’s People Sing, CPH #156)

Almighty God, please bless children with truth of You love and mercy in sending Jesus to be the Savior of all and any who repent and believe. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Thursday, August 5, 2021 - DEAD AND ALIVE

Day 217 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 75-77; Romans 6 )

DEAD AND ALIVE

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 6:8-11 ESV)

“Wanted Dead or Alive,” read the old West poster. A reward would be given if a criminal was brought in “dead or alive.”

The Lord wants us both dead and alive. He wants us to be dead to sin and alive to God. He is calling us to repent of our sins and trust in Christ for life today and in eternity.

Almighty God, hear my prayer for forgiveness and my plea for strength to die to self and live for You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - REJOICE IN SUFFERING?

Day 216 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 73,74; Romans 5)

REJOICE IN SUFFERING?

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.   (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)

Paul’s words remind us of this saying: “What doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.” Paul gives us substantial background to this kind of optimism.

We can rejoice in our sufferings because...

● suffering produces endurance...

● endurance produces character...

● character produces hope...

● and hope does not put us to shame.

However, the ultimate reason fo rejoice in suffering is tied into God’s great love for us... because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 

In short, we can rejoice in our sufferings and difficulties because of our sure hope in Jesus!

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,

And hope in Him through all thy ways,

He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,

And bear thee through the evil days.

Who trusts in God’s unchanging love

Builds on the rock that nought can move.

(“If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #750, stanza 1)

Almighty God, thank You for the hope You have given me in Jesus, hope that does not disappoint me. When life’s difficulties confront me, remind me of Your unchanging love. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 - LORD JESUS CHRIST, BE PRESENT NOW

Day 215 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 70-72; Romans 4)

LORD JESUS CHRIST, BE PRESENT NOW

O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!   (Psalm 71:12 ESV)

The Lord answers this prayer for us when He comes to us in His Word and Sacraments. 

“O God, be not far from me.” Jesus cannot be closer to us than when He comes to us in His true body and blood in with and under the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper.

“Make haste to help me!” You hear His answer as your pastor pronounces the absolution upon you: “Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” 

Lord Jesus Christ, be present now;

Our hearts in true devotion bow,

Your Spirit send with light divine,

And let Your truth within us shine. Amen. 

(“Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #902, stanza 1)

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Monday, August 2, 2021 - FAITH ALONE

Day 214 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 68,69; Romans 3)

FAITH ALONE

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.   (Romans 3:28 ESV) 

Throughout the years, well meaning people have tried to convince me that I have to do something to earn salvation. While it is true that God demands perfect obedience, I am not able to even come close to meeting His Law. I need help!

The heart of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that we repentant sinners are justified 

by God’s grace alone, 

through faith alone, 

in Christ alone. 

You can take great comfort in this soul-saving and undeserved gift of God!

    Not the labors of my hands, 

    Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

    Could my zeal no respite know, 

    Could my tears forever flow,

    All for sin could not atone; 

    Thou must save, and Thou alone.

    (“Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #761, stanza 2)

.

Thank You, Lord God heavenly Father, for Your gracious plan for my salvation. Please use me to share Your good news that we are saved by faith alone. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf