Read Psalm 150

Read Jeremiah 44

Read Psalm 149

Read Jeremiah 43

Let Us Praise the Name of the Lord

Psalm 148 is the psalm appointed for this Sunday. When you read it, therefore, try to think of it in an Easter context. Yes, all of creation (and we should too) praise the Lord because he is the Creator, but more than that - we also praise because he is our Redeemer! This psalm is not just about the mighty work of God in creating and sustaining all things, but also about defeating our enemies: sin, death, and the devil. This is why there is talk about God raising up a "horn" for his people. This is strange language for our context. But the people of that day understood it to have a Salvation connotation. There is a battle, there is victory, and the people are saved. God has raised up a Messiah to conquer and win the war for the people of God.

We see this fulfilled on Easter, when Christ is raised to prove that Jesus is who he says he is; Jesus does what he says he does; and Jesus has the power he claimed to have had!

Tying this into our Jeremiah reading, we are warned not to look to anyone else for help, protection, and salvation. In Jeremiah 42 the people are warned that when troubles fall upon them they are NOT to flee to Egypt. God is our refuge and strength, not Egypt. God is our ever present help in trouble, not Egypt. Not Egypt and not anything else either.

Our salvation and victory come through Jesus and Him alone - crucified and risen from the dead. Keep that in mind as you read today. And, "Let us praise the name of the Lord!" Amen!

Read Psalm 148

Read Jeremiah 42

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Read Psalm 147

Read Jeremiah 41

Read Psalm 146

Read Jeremiah 40

We return to our regular daily Bible reading...

Read Psalm 145

Read Jeremiah 39

The Resurrection of Our Lord

I'm going to piggy back on yesterday's Easter Vigil reading. Today in Colossians 3, Paul begins to explain the human response to having been buried with Christ and raised with Christ in baptism. As you celebrate the triumph over the grave today, know also that you have victory of sin, death, and the devil. No longer do we need to live as though we were slaves to sin. No longer do we need to cower in the shadow of death. No longer do we need to fear the torments of hell. For we have been raised with Christ!

And now, we set our mind on things above, not on earthly things. This doesn't mean that we cannot or should not think about mundane, daily life kind of things. It means we don't focus on sinful things. Paul explains it clearly by telling us what to avoid, and by commanding us how to do the good God wants.

Rejoice in the victory of Jesus today! Then, as you seek to live for him, take this to heart:

Read Colossians 3:1-17

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Easter Vigil

Today, as the Christian Church celebrates the vigil of Easter, we are literally in between the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. On this day, the Church begins to anticipate the resurrection and begin to rejoice. But also on this day, we recognize that our Lord's body rests in the tomb, to sanctify our graves, and to be our release from the slavery of sin and death.

One of the readings the Church often reads on this day is Romans 6:3-11. As you read this today, remember that Jesus' body lay in the tomb for YOU. Then, know that your baptism unites you to him, so you, in a sense, are in the tomb with him. You die to sin. But you also rise to life in him.

Know this, friends, that this new life you have in Christ is cause for great rejoicing! Your sins have died. Your life granted. You have new and eternal life in Jesus. Remember your baptism today (even if you were a tiny baby, you can remember it by knowing that you have been baptized and by recalling the promises God gives you in your baptism). Then, also seek to live for him as you go about your normal daily life, and also as you prepare to celebrate the resurrection tomorrow!

Read Romans 6:3-11

I assume you all will be in worship, to hear the Good News again and respond in prayer and praise. Still, I will post something to supplement our Easter celebration tomorrow.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Good Friday

Today, on Good Friday, focus on the suffering and death of our Lord for you. Yes, for YOU! See all your sins carried by your Savior. See him bear the agony of hell for you. See his righteousness given to you to forgive you!

To help you in your Good Friday meditations, read Psalm 22, a marvelous prophecy of Christ. Such detail is given by David as he writes! Surely the psalm was inspired by the Holy Spirit (as are all the Scriptures) to proclaim Jesus Christ!

Read Psalm 22

A blessed Good Friday to you.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Read Psalm 144

Read Jeremiah 38

Read Psalm 143

Read Jeremiah 37

Read Psalm 142

Read Jeremiah 36

Read Psalm 141

Read Jeremiah 35

Read Psalm 140

Read Jeremiah 34

Read Psalm 139

Read Jeremiah 33

Read Psalm 138

Read Jeremiah 32

Read Psalm 137

Read Jeremiah 31

Read Psalm 136 Read Jeremiah 30

Read Psalm 135

Read Jeremiah 29

We'll go back to the Psalms and probably finish those up as we keep plugging away in Jeremiah. The last psalm we read was 133, so...

Read Psalm 134

Read Jeremiah 28

Read Jeremiah 27

Read John 21

(PS - sorry for the formatting issues the last few days. It's not all supposed to be run together. I'll try to figure that out!)

That You May Believe

Read Jeremiah 26 Read John 20 I'm going to comment on John 20 today, but refrain (just for a little while) from focusing on Jesus' resurrection. Although, how can I not acknowledge that blessed miracle, that living hope, that life-giving Good News and give thanks with all rejoicing and praise!! Our Savior alive again!! Rising to defeat death, and living to give us life!! Oh, see, there I go. But back to some Lenten restraint...We will have plenty of time to rejoice in the resurrection on Easter and in the season of Easter. I look forward to it every year! But think for a moment about John's comment at the end of this chapter: "30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John succinctly summarizes the purpose of his book, and the message itself. Jesus is the Savior, True God and True Man, and it is through faith in him that we receive remission of our sins and everlasting life in heaven! We could say that this is not only the purpose and message of the book of John, but also of the Bible! Does the Bible answer every question we will ever have? No. Someday we will have all the answers, but for now we have to learn to be content with our wonderings, content to receive from the Lord what he is pleased to reveal to us. I like to joke with my 7th grade confirmation students when they ask questions I can't answer: "When you get to heaven, go through the big pearly gates, take a left, and right next to the ice cream stand is the information booth!" We may not have all our wonderings answered. But why do we have what we have in the Bible? That we may believe! Turn that concept around for just a moment and ask a related but different question? How is it that people come to believe in Jesus? Is it through the power of God as it works through the Word. It isn't through any kind of environment, experience, or emotion we can create. It is because of the Word, and the Word alone. That's why John wrote. That's why we read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of God. That's why we share God's Word! I encourage you all to take Scripture to heart so it is ingrained into your minds! Memorize it. Speak it often. That way we have the Spirit-filled Word on our tongues, not some dumbed down (or even convoluted) personal summary statements about "God this" and "God that." You are not going to be able to say it any better than the way God has said it. And do not be afraid. This very Good News of Jesus is what forgives you your witnessing failures and strengthens you to be God's mouthpiece. May the resurrected Christ be with you in your witnessing endeavors, even as he has promised! Pray: "Let me gladly share this Good News, O God, that others may believe and live. Amen." (TLSB p. 1826) Study with me tomorrow, Pastor Jon Soli Deo Gloria!

Upon the Cross

Read Jeremiah 25 Read John 19 It is always good to take some time to meditate on the holy, bitter, innocent, sufferings and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ during the season of lent. Pause and take the time to do that as (or after) you read John 19 today. See him suffer! But meditate on that not to be morbid, and not even to feel sorry for an innocent man's death. Meditate on his suffering that you might turn from sin, rejoice in his death that bought your life, and seek to live for his glory, walking in his ways, grateful for the grace abundantly poured out upon you. What sins do you cast on your Lord today?...Seriously, take some time to think about that. Then see your sins forgiven. I provide a hymn again for your meditation today. Have I ever mentioned that I love Paul Gerhardt's hymns? Maybe once or twice... I know it is long, but I can help but post all 7 verses for you. Blessings! Upon the Cross Extended 1 Upon the cross extended See, world, your Lord suspended. Your Savior yields His breath. The Prince of Life from heaven Himself has freely given To shame and blows and bitter death. 2 Come, see these things and ponder, Your soul will fill with wonder As blood streams from each pore. Through grief beyond all knowing From His great heart came flowing Sighs welling from its deepest core. 3 Who is it, Lord, that bruised You? Who has so sore abused You And caused You all Your woe? We all must make confession Of sin and dire transgression While You no ways of evil know. 4 I caused Your grief and sighing By evils multiplying As countless as the sands. I caused the woes unnumbered With which Your soul is cumbered, Your sorrows raised by wicked hands. 5 Your soul in griefs unbounded, Your head with thorns surrounded, You died to ransom me. The cross for me enduring, The crown for me securing, You healed my wounds and set me free. 6 Your cords of love, my Savior, Bind me to You forever, I am no longer mine. To You I gladly tender All that my life can render And all I have to You resign. 7 Your cross I place before me; Its saving pow’r restore me, Sustain me in the test. It will, when life is ending, Be guiding and attending My way to Your eternal rest. (LSB: 453, Public Domain) Study with me tomorrow, Pastor Jon Soli Deo Gloria!

Read Jeremiah 24

Read John 18

Read Jeremiah 23

Read John 17

Read Jeremiah 22

Read John 16