Verse for the week: 19But
God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those
who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away
from wickedness.” II Timothy 2.19
Prayer for the week: “Almighty and merciful God, fulfill in us your
promises and grant that when that day shall come we may sit down with all the
redeemed at the heavenly feast and praise you in eternal light; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 219).
Bible reading for the day: Mark 4.35-41
35On
that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the
other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took
him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And
a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so
that the boat was already filling.38 But he was in the
stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do
you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he
awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be
still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He
said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And
they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is
this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
prayer (based
on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for not
letting us languish in old geography nor in the safe harbor of an institution.
Thank you for calling us with you out into open water. Repent me and your church of our lack of
faith…it only turns disciples like us into timid land-lubbers. Until the day
you finally bring us to that bright shore, send us out confidently and humbly
as search parties to save the lost. I ask this in the name of your Son, our
Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a beloved, classic hymn that connects with today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDjwUzUnNpU
“I believe in Jesus Christ, his only
Son, our Lord…”
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:
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
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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