Verse for the week: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,
says the Lord of hosts.” Zech 4.6
Prayer for the week: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the almighty God, send
your Holy Spirit into our hearts through your blessed word, that he may rule
and guide us according to your will; strengthen us in every trial and need; and
lead us, past all error, into your truth; that we may stand fast in faith,
increase in love and all good works, and by the sure hope of your grace, which
you have obtained for us by your death and resurrection, be saved eternally;
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. (Viet
Dietrich in Otto Dietz, Die Evangelien-Kooekten des Viet Dietrich, p.
57)
Bible reading for the day: John 7.37-44
37 On the last day of the
feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts,
let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes
in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow
rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he
said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to
receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus
was not yet glorified.
40 When they heard these words, some of the people
said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others
said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come
from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that
the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from
Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So
there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some
of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for pouring
out for thirsty ones like us the true drink who is Jesus and his Holy Spirit. Repent
us of doubting Jesus and wanting to handle him. Today and every day, make me
and my congregation anew into believers… disciples of yours… that out of even
our hearts may flow rivers of living water for our thirsty neighbors. In Jesus’
name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that gives
further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEC5n7emJW0
“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 God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in
believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Romans
15.13)
*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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