Verse for the week: “For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of
darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 4.6)
Prayer for the week: “Christ our God, shed your everlasting light upon us, that we may
behold your glory and enter into your sufferings, and proclaim you to the
world, for you give light in the darkness and are yourself the light, now and
forever. Amen.” (Eastern Orthodox, in Fredercik B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual, London: Mowbray,
1951, pp.121-22)
Bible reading for the day: II Corinthians 9.6-11
6 The point is
this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each
one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God
is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in
all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As
it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for
food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the
harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be
enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will
produce thanksgiving to God.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, you picked a strange, difficult field in which to sow: a human race of
sinners… such is your beloved, chosen field. Thank you for sowing so generously
forgiveness, life and salvation through Jesus Christ, thank you! When we give
back to you in our offering, repent your church of giving sparingly,
reluctantly… because that only leaves us impoverished. You’ve supplied it all Lord – not only seed
and food, but mercy upon mercy, new each day. Increase your church’s generosity
Lord, produce thanksgiving from your difficult, beloved field. I ask this in
Jesus’ name. Amen.
“I believe in
Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord…”
What
does this mean for us?
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)
Hymn: follow
this link to an old, beloved hymn which gives further voice to today’s
conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHR1PQ5YwLo
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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