Thursday, August 8, 2024 - GLORIOUS THINGS...

 

"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, August 8, 2024 - Day 221 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 85-87; Romans 9)

GLORIOUS THINGS...

On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah. (Psalm 87:1-3 ESV)

The Psalmist is impressing upon us the fact that heaven will be glorious. Here is how the hymn writer expressed this fact:

  Glorious things of you are spoken, 

  Zion, city of our God; 

  He whose word cannot be broken 

  Formed you for His own abode. 

  On the Rock of Ages founded, 

  What can shake your sure repose? 

  With salvation's walls surrounded, 

  You may smile at all your foes. 

  (Lutheran Service Book #648, stanza 2)

Heavenly Father, thank You for promising to make the new Zion, the city of God, glorious. Help me to remember, with the Psalmist, that it is being in Your presence that will be truly glorious. 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 7, 2024 - ARE YOU CONVINCED?

 

"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)

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 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!

4. Jesus lives! And I am sure 

     Neither life nor death shall sever

     Me from Him. I shall endure 

     In His love, through death, forever.

     God will be my sure defense; 

     This shall be my confidence.

     (“Jesus Lives!  The Victory’s Won,” LSB 490)

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

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - THE BEST IS YET TO COME

"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, August 6, 2024 - 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 that are waiting for all and any who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for forgiveness.

 “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

Monday, August 5, 2024 - TEACHING CHILDREN

 

"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, August 5, 2024 - 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 word:

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, #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

Sunday, August 4, 2024 - DEAD AND ALIVE

"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, August 4, 2024 - 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.

3. Let us gladly die with Jesus.  

    Since by death He conquered death, 

    He will free us from destruction, 

    Give to us immortal breath.

    Let us mortify all passion 

    That would lead us into sin;

    And the grave that shuts us in 

    Shall but prove the gate to heaven.

    Jesus, here with You I die, 

    There to live with You on high.

4. Let us also live with Jesus; 

    He has risen from the dead

    That to life we may awaken. 

    Jesus, You are now our head!

    We are Your own living members; 

    Where You live, there we shall be

    In Your presence constantly, 

    Living there with You forever.

    Jesus, let me faithful be, 

    Life eternal grant to me.

   (“Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus,” LSB 685)

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. 

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

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

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

Saturday, August 3, 2024 - REJOICE IN SUFFERING?

"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, August 3, 2024 - 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.” However, 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 to 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,” LSB #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. 

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape

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

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

 

Friday, August 2, 2024 - LORD JESUS CHRIST, BE PRESENT NOW

"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, August 2, 2024 - 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,” LSB #902, stanza 1)

Pastor David Paape