Day 128 - 1 Kings 16-18 & John 1:29-51
Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” (1 Kings 18:36-39 ESV)
“O Baal, answer us,” was the cry of 450 priests of Baal in their challenge match with the prophet Elijah and the Almighty. They limped around their altar, cut themselves and cried out to Baal, but there was no answer and no fire for their offering.
Elijah’s faith in God’s answer to his prayer was so strong that he “put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. (1 Kings 18:33-35 ESV)
None of today’s Baals can compete with the Triune God either,
● Only Jesus can provide us with what we desperately all need.
● Only Jesus forgives sins.
● Only Jesus offers us reconciliation with God the Father.
● Only Jesus has defeated sin, death and the devil on our behalf.
● Only Jesus is in heaven preparing a place for all who believe.
Almighty God, thank You for defeating all of the Baals (false gods) of all time. When my faith wavers, remind of the water-drenched offering aflame by means of Your all-consuming fire. Above all, remind me that because Jesus lives, the victory’s won. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 127 - 1 Kings 14-15 & John 1:1-28
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV)
John 1 begins just like Genesis1. The Bible begins, “in the beginning, God.” John begins, “in the beginning...Jesus.” Just as God created light to separate the darkness, so He sent His Son to be the life and the light of sinners like you and me.
“First things first” is a way of emphasizing the importance of keeping your priorities straight. And this is exactly what this section from John is all about.
With the Lord begin your task; Jesus will direct it.
For His aid and counsel ask; Jesus will perfect it.
Ev’ry morn with Jesus rise, And when day is ended,
In His name then close your eyes; Be to Him commended. (LSB 869)
Lord, may Your light continually shine into this sin-darkened life of mine. Help me to keep You first in all that I think, do and say. Amen.
"See" you at the Communion table this morning!
Pastor Dave Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 126 - 1 Kings 12-13 & Luke 24:36-53
“And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.” (Luke 23:12 ESV)
Broken relationships have been mankind’s curse ever since the Fall. Adam and Eve’s relationship was broken because of sin. Cain and Able’s relationship was broken because of sin. And worst of all, mankind’s relationship with God was broken because of sin.
Herod and Pilate had a broken relationship with each other before Jesus came on the scene. Before their mutual “negative” contact with Jesus, they had been at enmity with each other. After meeting Jesus, they became friends.
Tragically, they do not benefit spiritually from their contact with Jesus. And yet their experience is what Christianity is all about...restoring relationships between sinners and their Savior. Look at the first of Christ’s words from the cross recorded in Luke:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:12 ESV)
God’s priceless and gracious gift of forgiveness is how we are reconciled and made right with God. And this is what guarantees our ultimate and eternal reconciliation with Him, as we see in this comforting and thrilling word from the cross:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43 ESV)
Jesus first post-resurrection words to His disciples are His words of reconciliation to all who repent and believe to day. Therefore, these are His words to you today too:
“Peace to you!” (Luke 24:36 ESV)
Thank You, dearest Lord Jesus, for reconciling me to almighty God by Your death on the cross. Thank You for Your gift of forgiveness, Your guarantee of heaven and Your proclamation of peace. Please keep my faith strong in You this day and always! Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 125 - 1 Kings 10-11 & Luke 24:1-35
“For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God.” (1 Kings 11:4 ESV)
Solomon’s gift of wisdom did not last his entire life. In his old age he fell away from God. Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s servants, was sent to declare God’s judgment on Solomon. His kingdom would be ripped from his hands.
The message is clear. Listen to Jesus: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 ESV) Chase after other gods, and you will lose far more than an earthly kingdom. For Jesus is the only way, truth and light. No one can get to heaven without trusting in Him as Lord and Savior.
God has graciously given us antidotes to “turning away our hearts after other gods.”
We find them in church where He comes to us in His Word and Sacrament.
We find them in daily study of God’s Word and in daily prayer.
Lord, please protect me from the fate of Solomon. Keep me faithful by weekly worship and daily devotion to You. Use me to help others, especially those who are older, to be ready for heaven. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 124 - 1 Kings 8-9 & Luke 23:1-26
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27 ESV)
This coming Sunday is a very special day at St. Paul’s. It is Confirmation Sunday. One of the questions to be asked that day is this:
“Do you intend faithfully to conform all your life to the divine Word, to be faithful in the use of God's Word and Sacraments, which are His Means of Grace, and in faith, word, and action to remain true to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, even to death?”
The Lord wants all of us to answer that we intend faithfully gather in God’s house regularly.
Solomon wondered if God would dwell in the temple he had just built. The answer is yes, as this hymn teaches us.
God Himself is present:
Let us now adore Him
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple;
All within keep silence;
Humbly kneel in deepest rev'rence.
He alone
On His throne
Is our God and Saviour;
Praise His Name forever!
(Lutheran Service Book, #906 stanza 1)
Lord of the Church, please fill all of us with a lifelong desire to go to church each week and be fed with Your Word and Sacraments. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 123 - 1 Kings 6-7 & Luke 23:27-38
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)
Do you understand how momentous this first line is? Jesus can do abundantly more than all you ask or think! His presence in your life means that you are blessed beyond human capacity to comprehend. One day, all will be made clear. One day, because of Jesus, you will be in heaven with Him. And this is truly beyond our comprehension! What we do know is that this is all possible because Jesus died and rose for us. He truly deserves to be glorified.
.
Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life blood
From his sacred veins!
(“Glory be to Jesus” Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006 #433)
Lord Jesus, I thank You and praise You for all that You have done for me and in me. May the rest of my life glorify You as I live for you. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 122 - 1 Kings 3-5 & Luke 23:1-26
Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” (1 Kings 3:23-Luke 21:34-36 ESV)
What would you do with a “she said – she said” confrontation? Solomon took it on, and put his newly bestowed wisdom to the test.
“Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.”
The truth came out, the child was returned to its mother, and God was glorified.
Difficult choices seems to be what life is made up of. Praise God, He chose us and made us His children.
Thank You, almighty Father, for choosing me to be one of Your children. Please keep me close to You through faith in Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
