Day 288 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 2:1-24; Psalm 104:1-18; Mark 7:1-13)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!” (Psalm 104:1 ff)
David declares that God is great. What an understatement! He goes on to defend this truth be detailing God’s domination of nature.
5 “He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.”
David then reminds us of the flood that covered the entire earth at the Lord’s direction followed by His command (rebuke) that the waters recede.
5 He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.
The most moving example of God’s greatness is found in John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Michael W. Smith sings about God’s greatness with these words:
Great is the Lord He is holy and just
By His power we trust In His love
Great is the Lord He is faithful and true
By His mercy He proves He is love
Great is the Lord And worthy of glory
Great is the Lord And worthy of praise
Great is the Lord Now lift up your voice
Now lift up your voice Great is the Lord
Great is the Lord
Click here to listen to this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdqfAkHCZnA
Lord God almighty, thank You for Your creating and saving greatness! Mercifully keep me close to You and bless my efforts to live for You. 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 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 287 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 1:25-53; Psalm 103; Mark 6:45-56)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit...
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:1-4, 10-12 ESV)
Fellow repentant sinner, God has made you holy and fit for heaven. All of your sins are gone, separated from you as far as the east is from the west. WHAT A WONDERFUL REASON TO BLESS THE LORD!
1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet your tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
2 Praise Him for His grace and favor
To His people in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
3 Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.
4 Angels, help us to adore Him;
You behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
All who dwell in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
(“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” Lutheran Service Book #793)
Gracious heavenly Father, I do bless You holy name for all of Your benefits showered upon me every day. Above all, I thank you for not repaying me according to my iniquities. Please continue to sustain me with Your steadfast love. 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 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 286 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Chronicles 1:1-24; Psalm 102; Mark 6:30-44)
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (Mark 6:32 ESV)
Jesus shows His concern for His disciples as He invites them to seek a meal and some rest.
Physical food and rest are necessary to recharge our bodies. Likewise, spiritual food and rest are necessary to recharge our souls. While the disciples went off to a desolate place for refreshment, we are called to spiritual places that are anything but desolate.
In our churches we find nourishment and rest for our souls as we listen to the One who said: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 1:29 ESV)
David echoed the blessings of our houses of worship when he wrote: "I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 121:1 ESV)
What makes the house of the Lord so special is that He meets us there and feeds our souls with His Word and with His Body and Blood. What blessed rest comes to those who hear His words of reconciliation and forgiveness: “Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
I love Your kingdom, Lord,
The house of Your abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.
("Love Your Kingdom, Lord," Lutheran Service Book, CPH, #651 stanza 1)
Lord Jesus, thank You for the nourishment and rest You provide my soul in Your house. Let nothing keep me from the weekly treasures You serve me there in the form of Your holy Word and the Lord’s Supper. Please grant that many more people may join us in Your house this coming Lord’s day. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail 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 285 - (Today’s Bible readings: Obadiah 1:15-21; Psalm 101; Mark 6:14-29)
They made him stand between the pillars. And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained... Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once.”... And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other... Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. (Judges 16:25-30 ESV)
Samson was known for his great strength. At one time, he killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. Of course, we all remember how he lost his strength. Delilah tricked him into revealing the secret to his vulnerability. She cut his hair, and his strength was gone. The result was that his enemies easily took him prisoner. The Philistines decided to mock Samson and his God. However, they didn’t know how dangerous it is to mock God...
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7 ESV)
Samson prayed: “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once.”
Samson had blown it, yet God answered his prayer and allowed Samson to glorify Him.
Almighty God, I too am a sinner. Yet because of the faith You have given me in Jesus my Savior, I do want to glorify You. Please strengthen me for the daily opportunities You give me to honor You and point others to 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 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 284 - (Today’s Bible readings: Obadiah 1:1-14; Psalm 100; Mark 6:1-13)
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!... For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1 & 5 ESV)
There is a lot of distracting noise surrounding us every day. The Psalmist is calling us to be sources of joyful noise. The contrast is striking. While the cacophony of worldly sound takes our attention away from the Lord, the joyful noise that emanates from the child of God points people to the Lord.
We want to heed this call because we know that the Lord has been good to us. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to the cross for us, showering us with His enduring love. Our joy is multiplied as we realize that, even though we are not faithful, He is!
May the joyful noise that comes from us forgiven sinners honor You, O Lord. And may Your goodness, love, and faithfulness remain with us forever. Amen.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord today!
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 283 - (Today’s Bible readings: Amos 9:11-15; Psalm 99; Mark 5:21-43)
The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples. (Psalm 99:1-2 ESV)
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet your tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise Him for His grace and favor
To His people in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness
(“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” Lutheran Service Book, #793)
Almighty God, I praise and thank You for being the Lord of my life and the Savior of my soul. May the way I live my life bring glory to Your name and other sinners to Your 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 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 282 - (Today’s Bible readings: Amos 9:1-10; Psalm 98; Mark 5:1-20)
As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. (Mark 5:18-20 ESV)
Can you imagine the sense of joy and thanksgiving that overwhelmed the formerly demon possessed man? His horrible nightmare was over. Jesus had freed him from a doomed life. And, naturally, he wanted to stay with Jesus. Instead, Jesus had a better idea. He gave his life a divine purpose:
“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
There is a parallel between the formerly demon-possessed man and us. When we realize what Jesus has done for us, we too are filled with joy and thanksgiving. Luther’s explanation of Baptism helps us understand this blessing.
“What does such baptizing with water indicate?
It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” (Luther’s Small Catechism)
Our response to Jesus freeing us from sin, death and the devil is joy and thanksgiving. So...
“Go... and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”
Lord Jesus, thank You for freeing me from sin, death and the devil. Help me to remember what this means. Empower me to live for You today by telling others what you have done for 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 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!
