Verse for the week:
“You are not your own; you were bought with a price.” I Cor
6.19-20
Prayer for the week:
Lord God, heavenly Father, in your Son you have given the world a
pioneer of salvation and made him the true and eternal priest and mediator of
his people. Grant that we may hold fast
to him in love, learn obedience in his discipleship, and so be brought into the
heavenly sanctuary through him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. [K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd
edition (Kassel: Johannes Stauda-Verlag, 1948), p. 114.]
Bible reading for the day: Proverbs 11.9-13
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his
neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you
for your living voice, Jesus Christ, and for redeeming yackity-yacks like us in
him. Repent me and your whole church of
the wrong use of our mouths… such godless chatter and slander ruins our
neighbor and brings down the whole city. Each day, give me a new mouth, one
that speaks the truth in love and praises you above all. In Jesus’ name I ask it, amen.
Hymn: Follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn
that gives further voice today’s conversation with the Lord: https://vimeo.com/46203440
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not betray,
slander, lie, or gossip about our neighbors, but defend them, speak well of
them, and put the most charitable construction on all that they do. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin
Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: Now
to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far
more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
*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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy
to remember: T: thanksgiving
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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