Monday, November 14, 2022 - THE ONLY LASTING FOUNDATION IS JESUS

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 318 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 19:10-19; Psalm 119:65-72; 1 Corinthians 3)

THE ONLY LASTING FOUNDATION IS JESUS

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it (1 Corinthians 3:11-13 ESV)

What is the foundation of your life? Just as a solid foundation is crucial to a well built house, so a solid spiritual foundation is crucial to a well built life. 

Paul warns us against building on anything or any other person than Jesus Christ. A building with a poor foundation may look fine at first, but the day will come when all comes crashing down. So it is with your life, unless Jesus is your foundation. The hymn writer put it this way:

I know my faith is founded

On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;

And this my faith confessing,

Unmoved I stand on His sure Word.

Our reason cannot fathom

The truth of God profound;

Who trusts in human wisdom

Relies on shifting ground.

God's Word is all-sufficient,

It makes divinely sure;

And trusting in its wisdom,

My faith shall rest secure.

Increase my faith, dear Savior,

For Satan seeks by night and day

To rob me of this treasure

And take my hope of bliss away.

But, Lord, with You beside me,

I shall be undismayed;

And led by Your good Spirit,

I shall be unafraid.

Abide with me, O Savior,A firmer faith bestow;

Then I shall bid defiance

To ev'ry evil foe.

In faith, Lord, let me serve You;

Though persecution, grief, and pain

Should seek to overwhelm me,

Let me a steadfast trust retain;

And then at my departure

Lord, take me home to You,

Your riches to inherit

As all You said holds true, 

In life and death, Lord, keep me

Until Your heav'n I gain,

Where I by Your great mercy

The end of faith attain.

(“I Know My Faith Is Founded,” Lutheran Service Book 587)

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the solid foundation for all who believe in You. Please keep my feet safely planted on You so that I may “a steadfast trust retain.” In Your saving name I pray. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!

Sunday, November 13, 2022 - UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 317 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 19:1-9; Psalm 119:57-64; 1 Corinthians 2)

UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual... The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14 ESV)

Paul is encouraging believers to remain faithful in the face of hyper critical opposition to the teachings of Jesus. He does so by explaining that the worlds difficulty with Jesus is based on human wisdom. The things of God can only be understood with the prodding and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We admit that there is much that we cannot understand about God. We haven’t even seen Him, AND YET WE BELIEVE! And for this, Jesus gives us a blessing: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29b)

In the previous chapter in his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul stresses the crucial importance of possessing this uncommon knowledge:

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18-21 ESV)

The message of Jesus and His cross may be foolishness to those who are ignoring Him, but to us who, by the Holy Spirit’s enlightening presence, believe, this uncommon knowledge is EVERYTHING!

Our prayer is that the Spirit would lead many others to this uncommon knowledge as they join us confessing the Christ of Calvary as our Lord and Savior!

Come to Calvary’s holy mountain,

Sinners, ruined by the Fall;

Here a pure and healing fountain

Flows to you, to me, to all,

In a full, perpetual tide,

Opened when our Savior died.

Come in poverty and meanness (shabbiness),

Come defiled, without, within;

From infection and uncleanness,

From the leprosy of sin,

Wash your robes and make them white;

Ye shall walk with God in light.

Come in sorrow and contrition,

Wounded, impotent, and blind;

Here the guilty free remission,

Here the troubled peace, may find.

Health this fountain will restore;

He that drinks shall thirst no more.

He that drinks shall live forever;

’Tis a soul renewing flood.

God is faithful; God will never

Break His covenant of blood,

Signed when our Redeemer died,

Sealed when He was glorified.

(“Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain,” Lutheran Service Book 435)

Heavenly Father, thank You for imparting such uncommon knowledge to me all believers in Christ. May the Holy Spirit use me to share this soul-saving knowledge with the doubters and deniers I find all around me. In Jesus’ saving name. 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 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!

Saturday, November 12, 2022 - GOD’S WORD GIVES HOPE

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 316 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 18:1-17; Psalm 119:49-56; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

GOD’S WORD GIVES HOPE

49 Remember your word to your servant,

    in which you have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

    that your promise gives me life.” (Psalm 119:49-50 ESV)

“You promised.” These are the words of an individual urging someone else to remember something they had promised to do. David is doing the same thing with God. He is calling on God to remember His promises, promises that David was counting on. David goes on to list the reasons he was counting on God.

● Only God can give us real hope for our future on earth and our future in heaven.

● Only God can give us comfort no matter what afflictions may come upon us.

● Only God can give us a full life now and in eternity.

So, like David, we pray:

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer;

When I call answer me.

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer;

Come and listen to me.

(O Lord, Hear My Prayer, Lutheran Service Book #780)

Lord, please remember me and bless my life with Your gift of eternal hope. O Lord, hear my prayer. Amen. 

“See” you at church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!

Friday, November 11, 2022 - CROSS-EYED CHRISTIANS

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 315 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 17:16-27; Psalm 119:41-48; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17)

CROSS-EYED CHRISTIANS

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

Thanks be to God for the powerful cross of Jesus!

“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wider than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”  (1 Corinthians 1:22-25 ESV)

So what is the be the conclusion for those who rely on the power of God?

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified.”  (1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV)

Do you cherish the wonderful message of the cross of Christ?

1. Upon the cross extended,

See, world, your Lord suspended;

Your Savior yields His breath.

The Prince of Life from heaven

Himself hath freely given

To shame and blows and bitter death.

7. Your cross I place before me,

Its saving pow'r restore me,

Sustain me in the test.

It will, when life is ending,

Be guiding and attending

My way to Your eternal rest.

(Upon the Cross Extended , Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, # 453)

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me by Your cross.  Receive this weak sinner and strengthen me for service.  Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!

Thursday, November 10, 2022 - DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS CONSEQUENCES

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have   me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 314 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 17:1-15; Psalm 119:33-40; Mark 16:1-20)

DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS CONSEQUENCES

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:14-16 ESV)

I tend to be optimistic. I usually would gravitate toward the positive aspects in today’s reading. However, as the picture indicates, I have chosen the negative, or the Law portions, to focus on. 

Just as Jesus is about to Ascend into heaven, He rebukes His disciples for their refusal to believe the eye-witness accounts of His resurrection. This is interesting since they had experienced a change of heart after numerous first-hand encounters with their risen Lord. They were now prepared to share the good news that death had been defeated on Good Friday and that real hope is manifest for all mankind.

Jesus directs their resurrection faith toward others as He commands them to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” 

What he says next is both good news and bad news, both Gospel and Law. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The world desperately needs to hear these words, for without saving faith in Jesus, nothing but eternal punishment in hell awaits. DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD ALWAYS BRINGS CONSEQUENCES! Surely we can all agree that damnation is far worse than rebuke.

May we take the rebuke seriously and live each day as “Easter people,” proclaiming in word and deed that CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! Now that is a most optimistic message! We find that same optimism in this Easter hymn written by  C.F. Walther: 

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.

Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear you no more;

Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.

For all our transgressions His blood does atone;

Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own. 

Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;

Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.

Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;

With Father and Spirit, He ever shall reign. Amen.

(“He’s Risen, He’s Risen,”  Lutheran Service Book #480)

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - TRULY THE SON OF GOD

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 313 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 16:37-43; Psalm 119:25-32; Mark 15:21-47)

TRULY THE SON OF GOD

And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”  (Mark 15:39 ESV)

The sad fact in the lives of so many people is that they do not know what the centurion at the foot of Jesus’ cross knew. Many are heading for eternal death in hell because they do know that Jesus is the Son of God and their Savior from sin.

Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question shows that he, too, knew the truth about Jesus.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."  (Matthew 16:15-17 ESV) 

The Father was working on Mt. Calvary. He was working His miracle of salvation for all who, like the centurion, stand at the foot of the cross and behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Truly Jesus is the Son of God!

  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, #527 - 4)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your miracle of salvation fulfilled by sending Your Son to Calvary’s cross. Thank You for the miracle of my Baptism when You gave me the gift of saving faith. Please help me to never forget how my beautiful Savior died for me. In His saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 - JESUS TOOK YOUR PLACE TOO!

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 312 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 16:1-36; Psalm 119:17-24; Mark 15:1-20)

JESUS TOOK YOUR PLACE TOO!

And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:14-15 ESV)

Not much is known about Barabbas other than that he was a murder who had participated in a Jewish uprising against Roman tyranny (Luke 23:19). Nothing is known of how he responded to being released instead of Jesus. We can only imagine his relief to find himself free... free from the just penalty for his crimes.

This is exactly what Jesus has done for you and me. He has taken our place and paid the price for our insurrection against God. Hanging on the cross, Jesus cried out the words that should be on our lips eternally in hell: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 ESV)  

This is so hard to understand. 

● How could God the Father love sinners like us so much that He would send His only Son to the cruel cross? 

● How could Jesus love us so much that He would take the terror of hell on Himself so that all people of all time could go free?

It is true! All people could go free because of Jesus and His cross. All could, but few do. Jesus paid the price for the sins of all people. We who have been given the wonderful gift of faith, forgiveness and the promise of heaven, have a job to do: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 ESV)

“How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” LSB 524

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear!

It soothes our sorrow, heals our wounds,

And drives away our fear. 

O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,

My Prophet, Priest, and King;

My Lord, my life, my way, my end,

Accept the praise I bring. 

How weak the effort of my heart,

How cold my warmest thought!

But when we see Thee as Thou art,

I’ll praise Thee as I ought. 

Till then I would Thy love proclaim

With every fleeting breath;

And may the music of The name

Refresh my soul in death!

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You so much for taking my place and for freeing me from the punishment I deserve. Fill me with such thankfulness for this gift, and with such love for those who do not have it, that I live the rest of my life sharing Your great love with as many of them as I can.  Amen.

Remember what Jesus has done for you, and share Him with others today!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds 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://files.lcms.org/file/preview/JyxxRfAT2Eg7JfDCXaPP99G4y4rJrZQO?

Then scroll down to 2022 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!