Day 254 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 6; Psalm 71; Romans 6:1-14)
“Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked... For you, O Lord, are my hope.” (Psalm 71:4-5 ESV)
Today is the eighteenth anniversary of September 11, 2001. Most of us, I am sure, remember exactly what we were doing when we first heard the news that our country was under attack. It was a day that filled us with fear, foreboding, sadness and anger.
That evening, like many other congregations around our country and the world, we gathered in church for a special service of the Word and prayer. On the way to church, I passed a gas station with a long line of cars. While our first reaction to the tragedies of 9/11 was to turn to God, others could only think of running out of gas.
What a striking contrast between God’s people and those who do not know Him. Our Bible verse for today is a prayer for help in time of fear, tragedy and uncertainty. “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked.”
In the past eighteen years our world has not gotten safer. We continue to have to deal with terrorism, hatred, war, and all other forms of evil. But Christ is still our Redeemer and our hope. We can still trust in His steadfast love to deliver us. So, on this September 11th, let’s start the day right:
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)
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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 253 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 5; Psalm 70; Romans 5:1-21)
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,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #902, stanza 1)
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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 252 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 4; Psalm 69; Romans 4:13-25)
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking?” (Job 4:1-2 ESV)
In chapters 4 and 5. “Eliphaz, the best friend who tries to comfort Job, only adds to Job’s misery. His ‘encouragement’ discourages Job because Eliphaz never really connects with Job or his pain. He only offers platitudes. When you reach out to a friend or family member, do not give answers that simply bandage deep hurts. Listen carefully to the sufferer and learn to share the pain. God does use adversity to discipline His people... In the midst of trial, we might doubt God’s love for us. But the cross shows us the measure of God’s love.” (Lutheran Study Bibe. CPH. 2009, page 789)
● Listen
● Pray
● Listen
● Encourage
● Listen
Lord, please make me sensitive to the pain of others, that You may use me to share Your comfort and peace with them. Remind all of us of the ultimate comfort for all pain that we find in Your cross and the gift of forgiveness. 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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 251 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 3; Psalm 68; Romans 3:21-4:12)
"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." (Romans 3:28 ESV)
Throughout the years, well meaning people have tried to convince me that I have to do something to earn salvation. While it is true that God demands perfect obedience, I am not able to even come close to meeting His Law. I need help!
The heart of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that we repentant sinners are justified
by God’s grace alone,
through faith alone,
in Christ alone.
You can take great comfort in this soul-saving and undeserved gift of God!
Not the labors of my hands, Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
(“Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #761, stanza 2)
.
Thank You, Lord God heavenly Father, for Your gracious plan for my salvation. Please use me to share Your good news that we are saved by faith alone. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you in church this morning!
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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 250 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 2; Psalm 67; Romans 3:1-20)
“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20 ESV)
We find three crucial theological truths connected to today’s verse.
1) The Law of God condemns all sinners. (Since all of us are sinners, we are all condemned.)
2) The Law shows us the way of righteousness. (Christian living)
3) The result of the Law’s condemnation leads us to Jesus and the Good News that He paid for all of our infractions of the Law with His holy precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.
Pastor Matthias Loy, a Lutheran pastor and theologian of the 19th Century, captures all three of these truths in this hymn:
The Law of God is good and wise
And sets His will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness,
And dooms to death when we transgress.
Its light of holiness imparts
The knowledge of our sinful hearts
That we may see our lost estate
And seek escape before too late.
To those who help in Christ have found
And would in works of love abound
It shows what deeds are His delight
And should be done as good and right.
But those who scornfully disdain
God’s Law shall then in sin remain,
Its terror in their ear resounds
And keeps their wickedness in bounds.
The Law is good; but since the fall
Its holiness condemns us all;
It dooms us for our sin to die
And has no power to justify.
To Jesus we for refuge flee,
Who from the curse has set us free
And humbly worship at His throne,
Saved by His grace through faith alone.
(“The Law of God Is Good and Wise,” Lutheran Service Book #579)
Merciful heavenly Father, may Your Law condemn me of my sins and wake me up. Then remind me of Jesus’ substitutionary death in payment for all of my sins and Your promise of heaven. Until, lead me to live out Your will/Law every day, to Your glory and for the sake of others. In Jesus’ Law-fulfilling name. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
Note: (St. Paul’s has an outdoor service tomorrow at 9 am, followed by a free church picnic. Why don’t you join us?)
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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 249 - (Today’s Bible readings: Hosea 1; Psalm 66; Romans 2:1-29)
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.” The reason for this joy is the awesome deeds of 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.
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
(“Lord of All Hopefulness,” Lutheran Service Book #738)
Lord God, thank You for the joy of knowing Your mercy, forgiveness and promise of heaven! 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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
Day 248 - (Today’s Bible readings: Jonah 4; Psalm 65; Romans 1:18-32)
“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold.” (Psalm 66:5 ESV)
David cries out to God for mercy and rescue from the enemies around him. Believers have that amazing right and perfect comfort. Remember Peter? He cried out to the Lord in similar fashion:
So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him... (Matthew 14:29-31 ESV)
When the storms of life press in upon you, just as they did for David and Peter, remember that you have a God who reaches out to you with His glorious cross!
Lord, on the cross of Calvary You answered my prayer. May I live the rest of my life thanking you for saving me from the storms of sin, death and the devil. 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 from 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 2019 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 your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
