Friday, November 12, 2021

Saturday, November 13, 2021 - GOD’S PROMISES ARE TRUE


Day 317 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Ezekiel 4-6; Hebrews10:1-23)

GOD’S PROMISES ARE TRUE

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)

Life can get tough. There are so many negative distractions that can drain us of hope. Perhaps the writer to the Hebrews was aware of these challenges to faith, so he encouraged his hearers:

● Keep the faith.
● Don’t loose hope.
● Don’t give up on Jesus.
● Remember that God always keeps His promises.
● Look for God’s faithfulness.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness,  Lord, unto me!
(Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, # 809) 

Almighty God, when life gets difficult, please keep me faithful and full of hope as I remember Your faithfulness to sinners like me. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!
Pastor David Paape

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

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Thursday, November 11, 2021

Friday, November 12, 2021 - THE BLOOD OF JESUS - PRICELESS



Day 316 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Ezekiel 1-3; Hebrews 9)

THE BLOOD OF JESUS - PRICELESS

“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22 ESV)

The Old Testament sacrificial system that required the blood sacrifice of animals pointed to shedding of Christ’s blood as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Do you understand what this means for you personally?

“The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7b ESV)

1. Not all the blood of beasts
   On Jewish altars slain
   Could give the guilty conscience peace
   Or wash away the stain.

2. But Christ, the heav'nly Lamb,
   Takes all our sins away;
   A sacrifice of nobler name
   And richer blood than they.

5. Believing, we rejoice
   To see the curse remove;
   We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice
   And sing His bleeding love.
   (Not All the Blood of Beasts, Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, # 431) 

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for shedding Your blood in payment for my sins. Bless my regular reception of Your body and Your blood in remembrance of Your sacrifice. Amen.
Pastor David Paape

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

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Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Thursday, November 11, 2021 - GOD’S GREAT FAITHFULNESS



Day 315 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Lammentations 3-5; Hebrews 8)

GOD’S GREAT FAITHFULNESS

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

In the middle of his lamentations over the catastrophic results of his people’s rebellion and unfaithfulness, Jeremiah proclaims God’s faithfulness. Remember his words when you face the catastrophes of 21st century life. In spite of your sin...

• God sent His only Son to the cross for your forgiveness.
• His mercy is new for you every morning.
• God’s love for you never ends.

  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
  Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
  Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
  Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! REFRAIN 
  Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
   (Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, # 809) 

Lord, I thank You for Your faithfulness in pardoning my sin. Help me to see Your mercies every day, starting today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape

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

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Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - STANDING FOR JESUS



Day 314 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Lammentations 1,2; Hebrews 7 )

STANDING FOR JESUS

“If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples.” (John 8:31 ESV)

Martin Luther, the major leader of the Reformation, was born on November 10, 1483. Few knew that the little baby baptized the next day would turn the world upside down by pointing lost sinners to Jesus. How did the Lord work through Luther? The same way that He wants to work through you, by means of His Word, the Bible!

The graphic on this page depicts Luther standing before the great powers of his day, the emperor and representatives of the pope. He was able to make such a bold stand because He was totally convinced of the truthfulness and authority of the Bible.

Jesus encouraged Luther and you and me to abide in His word. How do we do this?

● Read the Bible every day.
● Attend church every week.
● Live the truth of God’s Word every second.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example all who, like Luther, courageously and faithfully stand up for You even in the face of great opposition. Please help me to keep Your word in my everyday living too. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
 
Pastor David Paape

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

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Monday, November 8, 2021

Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - AN ANCHOR OF HOPE IN JESUS



Day 313 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 51,52; Hebrews 6)

AN ANCHOR OF HOPE IN JESUS

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV) 

The writer of Hebrews continues the high priest theme in chapter 8. He reminds us that since Jesus, our high priest, was the last and fulfilling sacrifice, we have the hope of forgiveness and heaven.

The reference to “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul,” shows us that this hope is not the kind of hope we have for our favorite football team to win. Instead, the hope that anchors our souls is a sure confidence in “the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.”

My hope is build on nothing less 
Than Jesus blood and righteousness.
No merit of my own I claim 
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand; 
All other ground is sinking sand.
(My Hope Is Build on Nothing Less, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #575)

Heavenly Father, thank You the gift of Jesus, the anchor for my soul. Please keep me anchored in Him for the rest of my life so that I may spend eternity in the safe harbor of heaven.  In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape

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

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

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. 
 
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Saturday, November 6, 2021

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. 

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