Day 345 - Hosea 9-11 & Revelation 2
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2;10 ESV)
This well-known passage at first does not seem that difficult to follow. Remain close to Jesus until you die, and you will live with Him forever. In fact, this is what I encourage Confirmation students to do when I remind them to
“always, always, always, always, always, always stay close to your Jesus.”
This command becomes much more difficult to keep when opposition to Jesus appears and God’s people are subjected to harassment and abuse. The early church, the original hearers of he book of Revelation, knew persecution first-hand. Many had their faith put to the test. Would they remain faithful and face death, or would they deny Jesus and live? What would your answer be?
Paul gives us his answer in Romans 8:18:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Remain faithful and you will live in eternal glory with Him.
Lord Jesus Christ, please keep me faithful until the day I die. Protect from all temptations to deny You. Instead, use me to help others see the importance of faithfully trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 344 - Hosea 5-8 & Revelation 1
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 ESV)
Just as surely as December 25th is 15 days away from today, the day of Christ’s Second Coming is getting closer. Many will be filled with terror on that day. Many will wail. What will you do?
Today we begin reading the book of Revelation. The focus on the Second Coming of Christ causes many to be confused and frightened. While the end of the world is no trifling matter, you, fellow Christian, do not need to be afraid.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place... Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1 & 3 ESV)
Lord Jesus, help me to look forward to Your Second Coming with peace and anticipation as I live my life trusting in You for forgiveness and eternal life. Please open my eyes to the opportunities You will place before me today to share my Christian hope and confidence with others. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion table this morning!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 343 - Hosea 1-4 & Jude
“17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 18-23 ESV)
It is the season of Advent when we remember Christ’s first coming and look forward to His promised second coming. Jude gives us a picture of “the last time” and what you should do in preparation:
● There will be scoffers, mockers of the Christian faith. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● These worldly people will cause divisions. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● Build yourself in faith through prayer, as well as through the Word and the Lord’s
Supper. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● Keep yourself in the love of God. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● Wait for the mercy of the Lord. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● Have mercy on doubters. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● Share Christ with those who are living without Jesus and are in danger of hell-fire. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
● Show mercy and hate sin. - REMAIN FAITHFUL!
Lord Jesus, I praise You and thank You for Your first Advent. Please strengthen my faith and grant me Your peace and comfort so that I may wait for Your Second Coming. Please use me to share Your mercy and grace wherever and whenever You wish. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 342 - Daniel 11-12 & 3 John
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2 ESV)
Daniel isn’t mincing any words here. There are only two eternal options, eternal life or everlasting contempt, heaven or hell.
Therefore, as you come to the close of the first week in Advent, don’t forget your Advent preparations. Repent and believe that the Babe of Bethlehem came to purchase your salvation. You can now face your eternal future with peace, confidence and eager anticipation because you know that everlasting life is yours in Christ.
Lord God, heavenly Father, graciously keep me close to You through saving faith in Jesus, my Advent King, so that I may spend eternity with You. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 341 - Daniel 9-10 & 2 John
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3 ESV)
Advent is the time in the church year when we prepare to celebrate the coming (advent) of the Christ Child that first Christmas. The words from John’s second letter reveal the blessings Jesus brings to all who, like the shepherds, worship and adore Him.
“Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.”
God showers all who trust in His Son as their Savior and Lord with His grace, mercy and peace. In fact, these are the treasures you find every time you attend church and He comes to you through His Word and Sacraments. Today's picture reminds us that God's gifts of grace, mercy and peace are given to us in Baptism, the Lord's Supper and in the Bible.
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing all repentant sinners, including me, with Your grace, mercy and peace. Please help me to remember these gifts as I face the challenges of this new day. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 340 - Daniel 7-8 & 1 John 5
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 ESV)
One of the biggest complaints God-doubters have is that He doesn’t answer their prayers. What they don’t understand is that He will only answer in ways that line up with His perfect will for us.
How does this work? Perhaps you decide to take the Lord up on this promise: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:4 ESV) So you pray, “Lord, please give me a million dollars.” But God doesn’t fulfill that desire. He could do anything, but He knows that a million dollars would not be good for you. He knows that you would start trusting in your money instead of Him.
James warns against prayers that are not in line with God’s will: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3 ESV)
What can you pray for that God promises to grant? The answer is forgiveness, His presence in your life, and eternal life.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect will for my life. Please help me to accept Your answers to my prayers, and to treasure Your best gifts of forgiveness, reconciliation and heaven. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 339 - Daniel 5-6 & 1 John 4
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18 ESV)
John’s first letter is jam-packed with spiritual gems that are extremely practical and applicable to the Christian’s daily life. Of course this is true of the rest of the Bible as well. Here are a couple of examples from 1 John.
v 4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
v 10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
v 12 “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
v 15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
v 19 “We love because he first loved us.”
When it comes to the daily pressures we all face, it is certainly assuring to know that “perfect love casts out fear.”
So, don’t worry, the perfect love of Christ...
● sent Him to the cross for sinners like you and me.
● will see you through your daily struggles.
● will show itself in us as we live for Him.
● will lead others to Him as we model His love.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect love lavished upon this sinful world. As You comfort me with the eternal promises Your love imparts, please use me to share Your love with others. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
