Monday, November 8, 2021 - OUR HIGH PRIEST

Day 312 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 49,50; Hebrews 5)

OUR HIGH PRIEST

“So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’” (Hebrews 5:5-6 ESV) 

The role of the Old Testament high priest was to intercede for the people, offer sacrifices for their sins, and proclaim the Word and will of God.

Jesus came to be our Prophet, Priest and King. Our verses for today refer to His role as Priest. As our perfect High Priest...

● Jesus intercedes with God the Father on behalf of us sinners. In fact, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the only intercessors the Bible identifies.

● Jesus sacrificed Himself in payment for our sins by dying on the cross in our place.

● Jesus, who is the Word, proclaimed the Word and will of His Father perfectly!

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be my high priest. Thank You for His intercession, His sacrifice, and His word of comfort and direction! Lord Jesus, please continue to intercede for me. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

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

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

 

Sunday, November 7, 2021 - THE TWO-EDGED SWORD

Day 311 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 46-48; Hebrews 4)

THE TWO-EDGED SWORD

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV) 

The sword was a common weapon in The Bible. The Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek words for sword refer to both swords and daggers. Some were short, others were long, some were straight, others were curved, but regardless of their differences, they were always very deadly at close range.

In our verse for today, God’s Word, the Bible, is called a double-edged sword. Double-edged swords were useful for both offense and defense. What we find in the Bible are two basic messages, Law and Gospel. Both messages touch our souls and spirits. God uses the Law to wake us up to our sinful and lost condition. He then uses the Gospel to pick us up with the good news that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross. The hymn writer beautifully lays out both sides in this stanza:

The Law reveals the guilt of sin

And makes us conscience-stricken;

But then the Gospel enters in

The sinful soul to quicken.

Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live;

The Law no peace can ever give,

No comfort and no blessing.

(Salvation unto Us Has Come, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #555 stanza 8)

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible, Your spiritual sword that directs me to repent and believe, and then motivates me to live. Give me a hunger for Your word, that I may daily read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this precious gift. 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, November 6, 2021 - GOD MADE EVERYTHING

Day 310 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 43-45 Hebrews 3)

GOD MADE EVERYTHING

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4 ESV) 

When it comes to the origin of the world, many Bible doubters say that God didn’t create the world by the power of His word. However, we do believe what the Bible has to say: 

“The builder of all things is God.” 

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”   (Genesis 1:1)

We Christians take great comfort in the fact that we are not the result of random happenstance. Instead, we are part of God’s plan.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Let all who hear Now to his temple draw near,

Joining in glad adoration!

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006 #790 (1)

Lord Jesus, thank You for creating the world and everything and everyone in it. Help us to always remember that You, the King of creation, are in charge of everything.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

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

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

Friday, November 5, 2021 - PAY ATTENTION

Day 309 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 40-42 Hebrews 2)

PAY ATTENTION

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2: 1 ESV) 

This is a warning for our day. Tragically, many have carelessly drifted away from God! And this is extremely dangerous! Instead, the Lord is calling us to...

  

● Pay attention to what you have learned from the Bible.

● Pay attention to what you learned from Luther’s Small Catechism.

● Pay attention to the blessing of prayer.

● Pay attention to the receiving the body and blood of your Savior often.

● Pay attention to the blessings of your Baptism.   

● Pay attention to Jesus!

Listen, listen, 

God is calling through the Word inviting, 

offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

Jesus gave his mandate; share the good news 

that he came to save us and set us free.

Listen, listen,

God is calling through the Word inviting, 

offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast, 

walking in Your precepts, led by Your Word.

Listen, listen, 

God is calling through the Word inviting, 

offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.

(Listen, God Is Calling, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, # 833)

Lord Jesus, help me to pay close attention to You and all that You mean to me.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

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

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

Thursday, November 4, 2021 - TRULY ONE OF A KIND

 

Day 308 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 38,39 Hebrews 1)

TRULY ONE OF A KIND

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV) 

Jesus is truly one of a kind! 

● He speaks to us through the Word of God. 

● He participated in the Creation of the world.

● He is the radiance of the glory of God because He IS God!

● He is the all-powerful Word (John 1:1ff).

● He made purification for our sins by dying on the cross. 

● He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, 

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, Praise adoration 

Now and forevermore be thine!

(Beautiful Savior, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, # 537 stanza 4)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being my Beautiful Savior and my everything. You are my everything.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

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

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

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - WHAT DO PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT YOU?

Day 307 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 36,37 Philemon)

WHAT DO PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT YOU?

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 1:4-6 ESV) 

What do people hear about you? Paul apparently had heard good things about Philemon. 

If, like Philemon, you have love and faith for Jesus and His people, others will soon hear about it. 

Love is patient and forbearing, 

Clothed in Christ’s humility,

Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, 

Reaching out in charity.

(Love in Christ Is Strong and Living, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, # 706 stanza 2)

Heavenly Father, thank You for my salvation. Please help me to share Your love with others so that they may see You in 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

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 - WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IN CHURCH

Day 306 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 33-35 Titus 3)

WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IN CHURCH

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7 ESV) 

What do you find when you go to church? You find the goodness and kindness of God as He comes to You in His Word and Sacrament. His Word reminds you that you cannot be saved by what you do (works). Instead, it is God’s merciful washing away of your sins that makes you justified in God’s sight.

The focal point of my former church, as in many of our churches, is the cross. It constantly reminds us that the Holy Spirit renews our relationship with God by means of Jesus and His cross. The cross is our constant reminder that eternal life is ours only through Jesus substitutionary death for sinners like you ane me. 

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)

Heavenly Father, thank You for church, and Your promise to meet me there. Grant me a hunger for Your Word and the message of Christ’s cross. Please make me watchful for opportunities to lift high the cross, and proclaim Christ’s love. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

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

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