Verse for the week: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession
of faith. Hebrews 4.14
Prayer of the week: “Eternal God, you commit to us the swift and solemn trust of life;
since we know not what the day may bring forth, but only that the hour for
serving you is always present, may we wake to the instant claims of your holy
will, not waiting for tomorrow, but yielding today. Consecrate with your presence the way our
feet may go, and the humblest work will shine, and the roughest place be made
plain. Lift us above unrighteous anger
and mistrust, into faith, and hope, and charity, by a simple and steadfast
reliance on your sure will. In all
things draw us to the mind of Christ, that your lost image may be traced again,
and you may own us as at one with him and you, to the glory of your great name. Amen.” (James Martineau, Home Prayers,
London: Longmans, Green, 1891)
Bible reading for the day: I John 5.6-13
6 This
is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by
the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the
Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the
Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we
receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the
testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever
believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not
believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony
that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony,
that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever
has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
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.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for giving
your full testimony in the flesh in Jesus and for giving me ears to hear
it. Repent me and your whole church of
making a liar out of you by not believing you.
Each day, through your word, our baptism, and your Supper, work in us
faith in Jesus alone…because then we have true life now & forever…and THAT
is something to tell about. Guide then
our testimony, Lord; I ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved hymn that
connects with today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64oo7z7tjsw
“I believe in the Holy Spirit…”
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my
own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the
Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts,
and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls,
gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and
preserves it in unity with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this
Christian church, he daily forgives abundantly all my sins and the sins of all
believers. At the last day, he will raise me and all the dead and will grant
everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly
true!
(from “The Small Catechism,” by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources,
Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep
your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your
coming in
From this time on and forevermore. Ps
121.7-8
*There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s
people for centuries.
**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin
Luther prayed and taught others to pray. It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid
Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria , MN
R:
regret (repentance)
I:
intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P:
plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives
one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps
one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.
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