Friday, September 8, 2023 - YOU ARE SPECIAL

 

"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)

Friday, September 8, 2023 - Day 251  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 6; Psalm 68; 1 Timothy 2:1-15)

YOU ARE SPECIAL . . . IN CHRIST 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  (1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

In our worship services we state, “I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment.” That does not sounds like we are very special in God’s sight. Yet, right after we make our public confession of sin we get to hear these words: “Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The words of Peter become true for us in confession and absolution. We are called out of the darkness of our sin into God’s marvelous light of forgiveness. We were lost and God found us. We have been made God’s people and are showered with His endless mercy. 

1. God loves me dearly, Grants me salvation, 

    God loves me dearly, Loves even me.

Refrain

    Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly,  

    God loves me dearly, Loves even me.

2. I was in slavery, Sin, death and darkness; 

    God’s love was working To make me free.  Refrain

3. He sent forth Jesus, My dear Redeemer, 

    He sent forth Jesus And set me free.  Refrain

4. Jesus, my Savior, Himself did offer; 

    Jesus my Savior, Paid all I owed.  Refrain

5. Now I will praise You, O Love Eternal; 

    Now I will praise You All my life long.  Refrain

    (“God Loves Me Dearly,” Lutheran Service Book #392)

Heavenly Father, thank You for making me Yours. I rejoice in Your mercy and grace bestowed upon me through Jesus my Savior and my Lord. In His name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape 

Thursday, September 7, 2023 - SHOUT FOR JOY

"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)

Thursday, September 7, 2023 - Day 250  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 5; Psalm 67; 1 Timothy 1:12-20)

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.” We get to shout for joy because of the awesome deeds of our loving 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.

2. All Thy works with joy surround Thee,

    Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays,

    Stars and angels sing around Thee,

    Center of unbroken praise.

    Field and forest, vale and mountain,

    Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,

    Chanting bird, and flowing fountain

    Call us to rejoice in Thee.

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 life forever with You in heaven! In Jesus' saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

Wednesday, September 6, 2023 - CHIEF OF SINNERS

"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 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)

Wednesday, September 6, 2023 - Day 249  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 4; Psalm 66; 1 Timothy 1:1-11)

CHIEF OF SINNERS

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15 KJV) 

Paul is celebrating the precious gift that God showers upon all and any who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of those sins. The hymn writer captures the essence of this glorious Gospel truth in these soul easing words:

1. Chief of sinners though I be,  

    Shed His blood for me;

    Died that I might live on high, 

    Lives that I might never die.

    As the branch is to the vine, 

    I am His and He is mine.

2. Oh the height of Jesus' love!  

    Higher than the h Balm eav'ns above,

    Deeper than the depths of sea, 

    Lasting as eternity.

    Love that found me -  wondrous thought!  

    Found me when I sought Him not.

3. Only Jesus can impart 

    Balm to heal the wounded heart;

    Peace that flows from sin forgiv'n, 

    Joy that lifts the soul to heav'n;

    Faith and hope to walk with God 

    In the way that Enoch trod.

4. Chief of sinners though I be, 

    Christ is all in all to me;

    All my wants to Him are known, 

    All my sorrows are His own.

    He sustains the hidden life  

    Safe with Him from earthly strife.

5. O my Savior, help afford 

    By Your Spirit and Your Word! 

    When my wayward heart would stray, 

    Keep me in the narrow way; 

    Grace in time of need supply 

    While I live and when I die. Amen.

     (“Chief of Sinners Though I Be,” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #611)

Pastor David Paape 

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - DO GOOD IN RESPONSE

 

"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)

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - Day 248  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 3; Psalm 65; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18)

DO GOOD IN RESPONSE

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV) 

Do you ever get tired of doing good? This can happen, especially if others don’t appreciate what you are doing. Yet, doing what is right, obeying the golden rule, putting others first, obeying the Lord, is what God wants you to do.

In response to all that Jesus has done for you by paying for all of the times you have not done good, you get to thank Him by doing good for God and for others.

   May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill

   And do on earth our Father's will

   As angels do above;

   Still walk in Christ, the living way,

   With all Thy children and obey

   The law of Christian love.

   (May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, #698)

Heavenly Father, thank you for granting me forgiveness and salvation through Jesus death and resurrection. Please help me to respond to Your mercy and grace by never tiring of doing good to others in Your name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Monday, September 4, 2023 - EVERY DAY IS LABOR DAY

 

"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)

Monday, September 4, 2023 - Day 247  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 2; Psalm 64; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5)

EVERY DAY IS LABOR DAY

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

Today is Labor Day, a day that is set aside to celebrate the gift of work and those who labor at it. This is certainly something to celebrate.

In today’s reading, Paul is celebrating those who labor at sharing the love and hope that we find in our Lord Jesus... Love that Jesus commands with these words:

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13)

The heart of the Christian faith is Jesus’ love for us revealed in His sacrificial death, thereby laying down His life for us. He paid for all of our sins winning eternal life for all and any who repent and believe in Him.

And now we get to live for Him by loving others. And that is why everyday is labor day for the followers of Jesus!

1. Love in Christ is strong and living, 

    Binding faithful hearts in one;

    Love in Christ is true and giving, 

    May His will in us be done.

2. Love is patient and forbearing, 

    Clothed in Christ’s humility,

    Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, 

    Reaching out in charity.

3. Love in Christ abides forever, 

    Fainting not when ills attend;

    Love, forgiving and forgiven, 

    Shall endure until life’s end.

    (Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #706) 

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day. And may every day be labor day for you as you share the love of Jesus in all that you do and say!'

Pastor David Paape 

Sunday, September 3,3 2023 - Day 246 - PERFECT PEACE

 

"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)

Sunday, September 3,3 2023 - Day 246  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 1; Psalm 63; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

PERFECT PEACE 

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Knowing God gives us perfect peace - peace when we contemplate what is waiting for the believer at life’s end, and peace right now as we trust in Him no matter what our circumstances are!  

In commenting on Is. 26:3, Martin Luther wrote:  “This is the origin of peace, namely, hope and faith, as Paul says in Romans 5:1: ‘Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God.’” (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1129)

May the Lord bless you with His peace as you trust in the Prince of Peace who paid for all you peace-robbing mistakes (sins) on the cross of Calvary!

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),

with my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

(Refrain)

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

(Refrain)

And, Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul. (Refrain)

(When Peace, Like a River, Lutheran Service Book #763)

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting me the peace that comes from the forgiveness of my sins and Your promise of life everlasting. Yes, thank You for granting me faith in Jesus, my Prince of Peace.  Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape 

Saturday, September 2, 2023 - WRAPPED UP IN GRACE

"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)

Saturday, September 2, 2023 - Day 245  - (Today’s Bible readings: Esther 9; Psalm 61; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28)

WRAPPED UP IN GRACE

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 ESV) 

Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians the same way he began it, making this epistle “wrapped up in grace.”

“To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV) 

What follows in between the first and last verses, is the good news of God’s undeserved blessings (grace) bestowed upon sinners like you and me. 

1. By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;

    My soul, believe and doubt it not.

    Why stagger at this word of promise?

    Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught?

    No! Then this word must true remain;

    By grace you too will life obtain.

3. By grace God's Son, our only Savior,

    Came down to earth to bear our sin.

    Was it because of thine own merit

    That Jesus died your soul to win?

    No, it was grace, and grace alone,

    That brought Him from His heav'nly throne.

    (“By Graced I’m Saved,” Lutheran Service Book #566)

Lord God heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me, even though I do not deserve such divine kindness. Please continue to keep me wrapped up in Your grace and mercy for the rest of my life. In Jesus' saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape