Verse for the week: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth
is full of his glory. Isaiah 6.3
Bible reading for the day: II Corinthians
13.5-14
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the
faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the
test! 6 I hope you will find out that we have not
failed the test. 7 But we pray to God that you may
not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do
what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8 For
we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 For
we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is
what we pray for. 10 For this reason I write these
things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to
be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for
building up and not for tearing down.
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for
restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in
peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet
one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints
greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love
of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for putting me and my brothers and sisters in faith… in
Christ… and for putting his Spirit in us.
Repent me and my congregation of failing the test, of rebelling against
Jesus, of trusting in our own strength and going against the truth. Right in
the midst of our weakness, make your strength perfect for us… that until Jesus’
return we may be sustained in your grace, your love, and your fellowship. In
Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
hymn: follow
this link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY3ivdNzwE
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
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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