Day 16 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 12, Psalm 15, Matthew 9:1-13)
“And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10-13 ESV)
What good news we find in this account. Jesus’ attendance at this dinner party with sinners assures us that He wants to be with us too. Yes, what good news that Jesus came for sinners!This means that He came for you. The hymn writer captures this good news in moving fashion:
1. Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin's delusions live And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive.
The hope that is ours in Jesus is the good news everyone needs!
2. We deserve but grief and shame, Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace, and life proclaim. Here our ills have perfect healing
Firmly in these wounds believe: Jesus sinners doth receive.
Peace and pardon for sinners like you and me is truly good news!
5. Now my conscience is at peace, From the Law I stand acquitted;
Christ hath purchased my release And my every sin remitted.
Naught remains my soul to grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive.
Jesus grants repentant sinners a clean conscience. What good news!
6. Jesus sinners doth receive. Also I have been forgiven;
And when I this earth must leave, I shall find an open heaven.
Dying, still to Him I cleave: Jesus sinners doth receive.
Heaven is yours even though you’re a sinner. That’s the ultimate good news!
(Jesus Sinners Doth Receive, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, # 608)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the good news that Jesus came for sinners, including me. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 15 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 11:10-32, Psalm 14, Matthew 8:14-34)
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1 ESV)
A fool is defined as “a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person.” Synonyms include idiot, blockhead, dunce, dolt, dullard, clod, nitwit, ninny, ditz, nincompoop, chump, dimwit, dingbat, and numbskull.
I don’t think that any one of us would like to have the term “fool” or any of its synonyms applied to ourselves. Yet that is exactly what David does in our verse for today. Any one who denies the existence of God is a fool, idiot and numbskull.
● Look at the world. Did this all come about by chance?
● If that is not enough, look at the perfect balance of our solar system and universe.
How did that come to be?
Look at our text again. “The fool says in his heart....” If you are a doubter, God says the problem is in your heart. When we are honest, we must admit that we know that there must be someone who is greater than ourselves, someone against whom we have sinned.
“ARE YOU KIDDING?” is the title of this devotion. It applies to the graphic that shows a man passing a church thinking “there is no God.” Is he really serious about walking away from his only hope?
God is serious about granting real hope by forgiving all who believe in Him and trust in His Son’s death as payment for their sins.
Don’t be a fool like that man passing the church.
● Believe in God!
● Worship Him!
● Be filled with His peace!
Heavenly Father, please keep me from being a fool by keeping my faith centered in Jesus and the precious gift of salvation He earned for me on the cross. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 14 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 13, Matthew 7:24-8:13)
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)
Are you wise of foolish? You answer depends on whether of not you are listening to Jesus!
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
The difference is clearly foundational. Those who foolishly ignore Jesus call to repentance and faith are headed for destruction.
“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
It is so important that you listen to Jesus, trust in Jesus and follow Jesus for the rest of your life!
Good news, when you attend church this morning, you will have another chance to hear Jesus and His words of mercy, grace, love and forgiveness.
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for being the rock solid foundation upon which I build my life. Grant me the wisdom to hear You clearly and trust You completely! Amen.
“See” you at the Communion table!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 13 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 10, Psalm 12, Matthew 7:1-23)
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
This is another well-known teaching from Jesus’ sermon on the mount. After teaching us not to retaliate, not to judge and to love one another, he now explains how this works. He gives us the golden rule.
The world is good at perverting anything Jesus says. The self-centered version of the golden rule is do unto others before they do unto you. Talk about backwards!
Paul does a pretty good job of capturing the heart of Christ’s command to treat others the way you would like to be treated:
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Of course, Jesus Himself gave us the ultimate expression of the golden rule when He took our place on the cross:
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
And now we who have been the recipients of Christ’s sacrificial love get to share His love with others.
Love is patient and forbearing, Clothed in Christ’s humility,
Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, Reaching out in charity.
(Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #706 stanza 2)
Lord Jesus, thank You for not treating me the way I deserve to be treated. Please help me to follow Your golden rule and thereby reach others for You. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 12 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 9:8-29, Psalm 11, Matthew 6:16-34)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Jesus has just finished teaching us not to worry about anything. He was showing us the comparison between trusting the Lord to lead us and trying to do that job ourselves. This is all in preparation for His lesson on purpose and focus in the Christian’s life.
All earthly concerns are to be secondary. He wants us to keep first things first. And that means keeping God first in our lives. What does this mean?
● Jesus makes those who trust in Him righteous, and thereby fit for heaven.
● Seeking His plan, His kingdom first puts our priorities in place.
● Seeking to live for Jesus and serving Him gives our lives meaning.
● It is all about God’s love for sinners like us, love we get to share.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
And His righteousness.
And all these things shall be added unto You,
Allelu, alleluia.
(Seek Ye First, Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #712 stanza 1)
Heavenly Father, thank You for my salvation. Please help me to keep You and Your kingdom first in my life. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 11 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 8:6-9:7, Psalm 10, Matthew 5:43-6:15)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5;43-44)
What Jesus is telling us to do with our enemies goes completely against how most of us react to such people. We want to get even. We want to pay them back. As for turning the other cheek, how could He actually be serious? We see how serious He is when we remember all that He took on our behalf as He suffered and died for us. In fact, it is at the cross that we find both the example and the power to forgive our enemies. The One who said: “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing,” has forgiven us too! Yes, just as Jesus loves His enemies, we now get to love our enemies.
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ESV)
Lord teach us how to proclaim,
All Your goodness, Your love and Your name!
Lord teach us how to forgive,
and in love, teach us Lord, how to live. Amen.
[Words by Terry Dittmer, copyright 1983]
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me in spite of my sin. Please help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 10 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 7:13-8:5, Psalm 9, Matthew 5:21-42)
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:21-24 ESV)
“Jesus teaches us that not only murder but also anger makes one liable to the fire of hell. He urges His disciples to energetically seek reconciliation with fellow believers who might be vexed with them. This stern preaching of the law causes us to take stock of our own behavior and to confess that we often, through sinful anger, fall. Our only hope for salvation is to trust the reconciliation that Christ accomplished by His sacrificial death. Having been reconciled to God, we may be reconciled with one another.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, page 1587)
Heavenly Father, please forgive me when my anger flares up and I sin. Please help me to seek reconciliation with those I have wronged, and, thereby, serve as a beacon of Your love and mercy. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form 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://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 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 you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
