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3/31/2020 0 Comments March 31Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
During the War of 1812 the United States was again at war with Great Britain. On January 8, 1815, United States troops defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. Interestingly however, the battle was fought after the war was over. Officials from both nations signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814, but word did not get to the soldiers in time. The treaty put an end to the war but did not stop the battle from occurring. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that we have peace with God. By faith we trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Faith brings us to the peace God offers. The victory is won, yet the enemy continues to do battle. The enemy still wages battle hoping to destroy our faith. His arsenal includes the likes of temptation, doubt, fear, guilt, and uncertainty. We can rest in the peace we have through Christ and walk in his victory, even as the battles rage around us. We live in the “Peace of God which surpasses all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) Gospel verse for today: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14: 27)
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3/30/2020 0 Comments March 30Read Psalm 119
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19: 1-2 David begins his Psalm stating that each day God’s creation bears witness to His power and providential care. Consider God’s creation. He spoke all things into existence. The stars and planets that stretch across the universe were put in their place according to his design. Day by day the sun shines on earth bringing light and warmth. The oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle and the water cycles are part of his creation to ensure our planet would sustain life. At his command the earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours and revolves around the sun every 365 days. He brings the seasons, makes the tides to rise, and the winds to blow. The soil He created nourish the plants that in turn nourish our bodies. The vast oceans, the mighty mountains, and the rolling plains are a result of his creative power. He created you. The whole of creation was made and is sustained by God. It is comforting to know that this awesome and all-powerful creator is always and completely in control of all things and all situations. Nothing happens that is outside his knowledge or beyond his reach. No matter how big the circumstance we face seem to be, God is bigger. And he loves you. We may not always understand the trials that we face in life, and why things happen the way they do, but we can take comfort in knowing that God loves us and is always in control. Gospel verse for today: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (John 1: 1-3) 3/28/2020 0 Comments March 28Read Psalm 150
The book of Psalms finishes with this song of praise. Heaven and earth join in praise (v. 1). He is praised for his mighty deeds and excellent greatness. (v. 2) Consider His greatness. He is all eternal, all powerful, all present, all knowing. He is holy. Consider the mighty deeds of God. He is creator of all things visible and invisible. He sustains all things. He delivered his people from the bondage of Egypt and parted the Red Sea. He sent manna to sustain His people. He led them to the promised land. He conquered armies. He has given and preserved for us His holy, inerrant, and inspired Word. And he sent His son Jesus, who took on human flesh. He healed the sick, calmed the storms, and gave sight to the blind. He offered himself as the sacrifice for the sin of the world. Consider how our awesome God, mighty in deeds and excellent in greatness, loves the likes of us. So yes, praise him! As we conclude this week praise Him for all has done, and continues to do for us, here in this world, and for eternity. Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praising with sounding symbols; praise him with loud clashing symbols! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (v. 3-6) Gospel verse for today: And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) 3/27/2020 0 Comments March 27Read Psalm 23
This is one of best known of all the Psalms, often read during times of fear, uncertainty, or loss. The Psalmist reminds us that we are the sheep of the Good Shepherd who cares for our every need; physical, emotional and spiritual. “LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (v. 1). In him we lack nothing. We are also encouraged in troubled days by his promise to always be with us. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.” (v. 4) What comfort it is to know that our God will never leave us, but will always care for, provide, and protect us. And we can rejoice in the fact that “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (v.3) Jesus himself is that path, opened for us through his death and resurrection. Gospel verse for today: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lay down his life for the sheep. (John 10: 11) 3/26/2020 0 Comments March 26Read Psalm 5
I once read a bumper sticker on a car that read; “Not perfect, but forgiven.” This is David’s Psalm of repentance when confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba. Like each of us, David was not exempt from sin. David recognized his sin and repented. We can hear the regret in his words; “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your words and blameless in your judgement.” (v. 3-4) But we can also hear the hope in his words as he pleads; “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (v. 1-3) We should not forget that we are sinners and in need of forgiveness. But always remember that we have a God who is gracious and his love for each of us is steadfast, abundant, and never ending. His love and mercy is made known through His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. As believers in Christ, we are not perfect, but we are forgiven. The bitterness of our sinful nature makes the truth of His Gospel all the sweeter. Gospel verse for today: The next day he [John]saw Jesus coming toward him and said; “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 3/25/2020 0 Comments March 25Read Psalm 8
Psalm eight begins and ends with: “Oh Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Consider today the majesty of our God. He created all things, and He sustains all things. Great is his name. He provides and protects. He is gracious and is merciful. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He brings the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Take time today to humble yourself before your creator and Savior and sing praises to him. “Oh Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Gospel reading for today: For God so love the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3: 16) 3/24/2020 0 Comments March 24Bible reading: Read Psalm 9
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (v.1-2) The psalmist gave thanks as he remembered all that the Lord has done. Think of all he has done, and still does, for you. Remember the wonderful deed done through Christ who gave his life as a ransom for you. Take time each day to remember God’s daily blessings, giving Him thanks with your whole heart. Gospel Verse for today: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but is passed from death to life. (John 5: 24) 3/23/2020 0 Comments March 23Bible reading: Psalm 46
The psalmist Wrote “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (v. 1). How true that is! God is always present no matter what the circumstances are. Refuge is defined as a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. No matter what we face, God is with us. He is our help in time of trouble. Therefore, the Psalmist wrote, “We need not fear.” (v. 2). In verse ten we read, “Be still and know that I am God.” Take time daily to be still before the Lord and spend some time with Him through His Word and in prayer. Gospel verse for today: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14: 27) |
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