Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – October 23, 2016

matthew16-15

Today’s readings: Ecclesiastes 4:1–10; 1 Corinthians 10:1–13; Matthew 16:13–20

These three lessons all drive us to Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes could have been written by any of us on that day when nothing seems to go right, nothing matters, and we think no one cares—when we are not happy.

Corinthians reminds us that we need to learn from our past. We are warned not to set our hearts on evil things as our ancestors did. God will not let us be tested beyond what he and we can handle together. He will show the way to escape.

Matthew 16 reminds us that we, like Peter, have named Jesus as our Savior and Lord, the Son of the living God, who died to free us from the power of sin, death, and the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Jesus has come with power to set us free from despair and bring us to the freedom of life in him. This freedom comes in two ways: first, when we confess our sins and receive forgiveness; and second, this freedom is given to us in Jesus’ name when we ask Jesus to release us from the chains that bind us. He heals our wounded spirits and makes us whole again.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, break into my life and destroy the works of the evil one, and set me free from sin to serve you. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by David Hefner, Pastor of Shiloh Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC.

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Tomorrow’s readings: Ecclesiastes 4:20–5:7; Revelation 7:1–8; Luke 9:51–62