Verse for the week: God has made him both Lord and
Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2.36
Prayer for the week: “Almighty, everlasting God, you
have given us the promise of your divine life.
Bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, that, quickened by your word, we may
lay hold on eternal life by strong faith in your Son, and in him be saved;
through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. (Kassel:
Johannes Stauda-Verllag, 1948), p.170)
Bible reading for the day: II Corinthians 4.13-5.1
Since we have the same spirit of faith according to
what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and
so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who
raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with
you into his presence. 15 For it is all for
your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may
increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose
heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner
self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this
light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory
beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the
things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are
seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
5.1 For we know that
if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building
from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
the solid, weighty promise that is ours in Christ: eternal life in glory with
you. Thank you! While I wait in this earthly tent, repent me and my
congregation of the hollow faith that looks only at what is seen, that lives by
our own eye instead of by your promise in our ear. Open our mouths to speak
Jesus to all… that grace may extend to more and more people increasing
thanksgiving, to your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to the beloved, classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g_5CFv35ho
“I believe in Jesus Christ…”
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the
Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin,
death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy
and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this
in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him
in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen
from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly
true! (from “The Small Catechism” by
Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*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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