Friday, January 15, 2021

January 16, 2021 - HOW CAN I DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS?



Day 16 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 38-40; Matt. 12:22-50)

HOW CAN I DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS?

“How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”  (Genesis 39:9 ESV)

How do you handle temptation? Is your answer in line with Joseph or with Alfred P. Doolittle? Doolittle is a character who sings the following in the musical My Fair Lady:

Oh, you can walk the straight and narrow;
But with a little bit of luck You'll run amuck!
The gentle sex was made for man to marry,
To share his nest and see his food is cooked.
The gentle sex was made for man to marry-but
With a little bit of luck, With a little bit of luck,
You can have it all and not get hooked.
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit of luck you won't get hooked.

Potiphar’s wife was looking for a little bit of luck with Joseph. What she found was a faithful follower of almighty God whose response to her advances provides us words we would do well to use whenever temptation comes our way.

“How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 

No matter what the temptation may be, Joseph’s words work. They certainly worked for Joseph. Even though he was unjustly sent to prison, “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (Genesis 39:21 ESV)

Here is a far better musical example to follow:

Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
(Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #684)

Heavenly Father, please strengthen me by means of Your Word and Sacraments to flee from temptation as Joseph did. Yes, protect me from the wicked, sinners and scoffers. When I do sin, please have mercy on me and forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774

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Thursday, January 14, 2021

January 15, 2021 - LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL



Day 15 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 36,37; Matt. 12:1-21)

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”  (Matthew 12:17-21 ESV)

Justice is something we prize highly. We wants things to be fair. We want to get what we deserve. Or do we? 
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) 

“The soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

If God were to give us what we deserve, we would be doomed eternally. But because God loves us, He sent Jesus to the cross to purchase our freedom from sin, death and the devil. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Jesus put it this way:

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18 ESV)

Because of this liberty lavished on us, God now sees not our sins. Instead, He sees the holiness and purity of Jesus. In others words, we can now face God’s justice with peace and joy.

Lord Jesus, thank You for mercifully granting me eternal liberty and justice. By the power of the Holy Spirit working in me, I pledge my allegiance to You now and forevermore. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774

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Wednesday, January 13, 2021

January 14, 2021 - COME TO ME - JESUS



Day 14 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 33-35; Matthew 11)

COME TO ME - JESUS

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

Jesus invites all who struggle with life’s challenges and burdens to find real and lasting rest in Him. He specifically calls us to follow His example of humility and faithful service. Whatever others may say about any negative aspects of following Jesus, He assures us that it is really easy for those who trust in Him.

In this hymn stanza we are reminded of the how Jesus removes our burden of sin as He comes to us in His precious meal. What a blessing it is for the St. Paul’s family to be able to receive the Lord’s Supper every week!

♬ Weary am I and heavy laden,
With sin my soul is sore opprest;
Receive me graciously, and gladden
My heart, for I am now Thy guest.
Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood
Be for my soul the highest good! 
(I Come, O Savior, To Thy Table, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #618, Stanza 4)

Holy Spirit, thank You for enabling me to accept Jesus’s gracious invitation. This day, and every day, remind me that it is far wiser and more blessed to follow my Jesus, who has paid for all of my sins. And Lord Jesus, may Your body and Your blood be for my soul Your highest good. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774

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Tuesday, January 12, 2021

January 13, 2021 - THINGS EVEN OUT



Day 13 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 31,32; Matt. 10:24-42)

THINGS EVEN OUT

“You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.”  (Genesis 31:6-9 ESV)

Yesterday the devious nature of Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law was highlighted. In today’s reading we see the old adage proven true: What goes around, come around.

Laban seems to be like many people today. He is concerned with “good old number one.” He valued his wealth highly. In dealing with Jacob, he tried to make sure that he came out better than his son-in-law. But God had other ideas. He provided for Jacob and his family in rather spectacular ways. And Jacob became a wealthy man.

While God may not have earthy wealth in mind for you, He does plan for you to be spiritually rich. The devil, the world, and even our flesh may war against us, but God is still on our side with His gifts of forgiveness and reconciliation. One can be as poor as a church mouse and still be as rich as Croesus, spiritually speaking. 

Because God has made us His own and guarantees to be with us now and forever, we get to live for Him instead of ourselves. And in living for Him, we get to be His love to others. Now isn’t that something you would like to have come back around to you?

Thank You, dear God, for granting me forgiveness and reconciliation. May this gracious treasure move me to be Your love to others around me. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774

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Monday, January 11, 2021

January 12, 2021 - DECEIT AND ENVY


Day 12 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 29,30; Matt. 10:1-23)


DECEIT AND ENVY

And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”  (Genesis 29:25 ESV)

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. (Genesis 30:1 ESV)

Just as Jacob and his mother Rebekah had deceived his father, Isaac, now Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban, deceives him. Jacob has worked for seven years for the hand of Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel. But Laban deceives him and gives him Leah instead. The result is that Jacob soon has two wives and another seven years of work for his father-in-law.

Two sisters, one husband, and one sister blessed with children and the other not; this is a perfect situation for the sin of envy. Both Rachel and Leah will be guilty of envy and jealousy and will use their servants as surrogate mothers. There is much in this story that is not good and wholesome. 

Once again we see that God can work in the lives of imperfect human beings to carry out His purposes. Jacob has 12 sons born to four women--his two wives and their two servants. From these sons will come the 12 tribes of Israel.

How comforting to know that, while God does not condone sin of any kind, He still works in and through the lives of sinners. How comforting to know that the perfect, holy, sinless Son of God died in our place on the cross to pay for our deceit, our envy, and all of our other sins!

Thank You, Lord Jesus,  for paying for all of my sins on the cross. Please protect me from deceit and envy. Please use me to share Your love and mercy with others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774
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Sunday, January 10, 2021

January 11, 2021 - GOD WORKS THROUGH OUR MISTAKES



Day 11 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 27,28; Matt. 9:18-38)

GOD WORKS THROUGH OUR MISTAKES

“So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.   Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed!”  (Genesis 27:22-27 ESV)

“So he blessed him.” What else could Isaac do? He had told Esau to harvest some game and prepare it for him. Even though the voice was not right, the game, the ruddiness and the clothing were right. Based on the best information he had, Isaac blessed Jacob instead of his first-born, Esau.

Was this a mistake? Not really, God never makes mistakes. He had chosen Jacob’s line to produce the Messiah. Yes, Esau is cheated out of his birthright, but God’s plan is fulfilled.

How do you look at the mistakes in your life? Can God work through your mistakes? Can He use a sinner like you for His divine purposes?

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Heavenly Father, impress upon me the example of Isaac’s deception. Grant me the peace of knowing that You are working in my life, even though at times I may be deceived. Above all, I thank You for dealing mercifully with my sin by means of the cross of Your Son, my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774

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Saturday, January 9, 2021

January 10, 2021 - THE BLESSED OF THE LORD



Day 10 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 25,26, Matt. 9:1-17)

THE BLESSED OF THE LORD

“You are now the blessed of the Lord.”  (Genesis 26:29b ESV)

Abimelek, king of the Philistines, had at one time told Isaac to “go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” (26:16) During the interim, Abimelek notices how God has prospered His people. So he sets out to make a peace treaty with Isaac.

“You are now the blessed of the Lord.” Who are THE blessed of the Lord? We find some answers in the reading from St. Matthew chapter 9.

●  A PARALYZED MAN WALKS
2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”....6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 

●  A WOMAN IS HEALED
22 “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

●  A GIRL IS RESTORED TO LIFE
24 “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” .... 25 He took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

●  TWO BLIND MEN ARE GIVEN SIGHT
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened.

●  A DEMON-OPPRESSED MAN IS FREED
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke.
THE blessed by the Lord are those whom Jesus has touched with His power, His presence and His healing. The greatest healing is the one recorded in verse 2, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

Heavenly Father, in the lessons for today I see Your powerful hand of blessing through Jesus. Help me to see Your blessings in my life too. But, above all, remind me that the greatest blessing is the healing of my soul with Your words, “Your sins are forgiven.” Thank You for making me part of THE blessed of the Lord. Amen.

Pastor David Paape
LINK to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
Password: 843774

IN CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE and Parking Lot Worship Service 9 am
both with Holy Communion
IN CHURCH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7 pm with Holy Communion

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

THURSDAY EVENING ONLINE BIBLES CLASS at 7 pm
Password: 843774
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