Verse for the week:
It was to prove at the present time that God himself is righteous and
that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3.26
Prayer for the week:
“Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your
faithful people. Keep us steadfast in
your word, protect and comfort us in all temptations, defend us against sin,
death, and the power of the devil, and bestow on the church your saving peace;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship, p.36)
Bible reading for the day: Romans 3.19-31
19 Now we know that whatever the law says
it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be
stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.20 For by
works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight,
since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21 But now the
righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the
Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For
there is no distinction: 23 for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and
are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward
as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to
show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed
over former sins. 26 It was to show his
righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier
of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our
boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by
the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is
justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is
God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles
also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the
circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do
we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we
uphold the law.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for making
me right not by my own efforts to be a good Christian but solely through the
faith in Jesus Christ that you give me.
Thank you! Your law reveals that I
am right there in the pile with all the other short-fallers, all the other
sinners, Lord. So, hourly keep me and
your church from boasting; teach us instead to cling to Jesus only and to live
as disciples who are justified by his grace alone. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with
the Lord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT88jBAoVIM
Benediction: Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through
grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen
them in every good work and word. Amen. II Thess 2.16-17
*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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