Wednesday devotions* with Pastor Paul
Verse for the week:
“Give thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the
inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1.12
Prayer: “Almighty
God, draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control
our wills, so that we may be wholly yours. Use us as you will, always to your
glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen” (Lutheran
Book of Worship)
Bible reading for the day: Matthew 5.1-12
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the
mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his
mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the
poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those
who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are
the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who
are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when
others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: I am
blessed when I least expect it, when the world doesn’t see it, and through no
merit of my own. I am blessed because
Christ is my Lord. Thank you! Repent me and your whole church of our
pre-occupation with our own comfort and pride.
Grant your word such a hearing in our ears and hearts that we may gladly
bear persecution for your sake and may look forward to our great reward in
heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
What does this mean?
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our
prayer, but we pray in this petition that it will also be done among us.
How is this done?
God's will is done when he hinders and destroys every evil
design and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature that would
keep us from hallowing his name and prevent the coming of his kingdom. And
God’s will is done when he strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his Word
and in faith to the end of our earthly lives. This is his good and gracious
will. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources,
Sola Publishing, 2011)
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved new hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3K3roEF36k
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
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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