Saturday, December 11, 2021 - REMAIN FAITHFUL

Day 345 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Hosea 9-11; Rev. 2 )

REMAIN FAITHFUL

“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 encouraged Confirmation students to do when I reminded 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 the 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 me 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 covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Friday, December 10, 2021 - JESUS IS COMING

Day 344 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Hosea 5-8; Revelation 1)

JESUS IS COMING

“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)

Soon will come that hour

When with mighty power

Christ will come in splendor

And will judgment render,

With the faithful sharing

Joy beyond comparing.

(“Once He Came in Blessing,” LSB 333 st 3)

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. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Thursday, December 9, 2021 - WAIT FOR THE MERCY OF THE LORD

 

Day 343 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Hosea 1-4; Jude)

WAIT FOR THE MERCY OF THE LORD

“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 patiently and confidently 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 covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - WHY ADVENT PREPARATIONS?

Day 342 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Daniel 11,12; 3 John)

WHY ADVENT PREPARATIONS?

“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 look forward to Christmas and the birth of Jesus your Savior, 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 Jesus.

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 covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE

Day 341 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Daniel 9,10; 2 John)

GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE 

“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. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing all repentant sinners, including me, with Your grace, mercy and peace. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Monday, December 6, 2021 - THE REAL THING

Day 340 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Daniel 7,8; 1 John 5)

THE REAL THING

Coca Cola had the tag line that identified Coke as “the real thing.” However, when they introduced Santa Clause in a 1920s campaign, they began the trend of getting us farther and farther away from “the real thing,” the real Santa who was a real man name Nicholas. Today is St. Nicholas Day, the celebration of the life of this real man who died on December 6, 343AD.

St Nicholas was a bishop who lived in the third and fourth century AD, in Myra in Asia Minor, in what is now part of Turkey. He was born in the Greek seaport of Patara, in Asia Minor, on 15 March 270AD, when it was a part of the Roman Empire. Born into a wealthy family, his Christian parents died when he was young, leaving him with all their riches. He became known for his kindness, helping the poor, sick and suffering with aid and gifts. Among many acts of kindness, he is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them. Devoting himself to a life of serving God, he was still a young man when he became the Bishop of Myra, developing a reputation for generosity and justice. There are many other dubious stories about miracles associated with him as well.

When Dutch immigrants settled in America, they brought along their St. Nicholas traditions, calling him  Sinter Klaas. Coke then took this name and morphed it into Santa Claus, and our Christmas tradition took hold.

Sadly, the connection with the real St. Nicholas is no longer emphasized for the vast majority of people. St. Nicholas would probably be horrified to see how there is virtually no connection with his Christian roots. Roots that are evident in today’s reading from 1 John 5:13... “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Christian giving and concern for the needy that we find in St. Nicholas. Thank You even more for Your great concern for souls. May we take comfort in the gift of Your Son by whom we know that eternal life is ours. In His saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf

Sunday, December 5, 2021 - PERFECT LOVE

Day 339 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Daniel 5,6; 1 John 4)

PERFECT LOVE

“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 covering the entire Bible in one year. 

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf