Verse for the week:
I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20.2-3
Prayer for the week:
“Almighty, everlasting God, graciously look upon your church, for
you alone are our strength and our salvation.
Uphold us with your hand, that we may not stumble and fall; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched,
2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag,
1948, p.220).
Bible reading for the day: I Thessalonians 5.1-11 (note: In the verses
immediately preceding, Paul wrote to inform us about what happens when we die
and to declare the hope that believers have in Christ for the resurrection of
the dead. Now Paul writes regarding the timing of Christ’s return and our
vocation until then.)
1 Now concerning the times and the
seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need to have anything written to
you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While
people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction
will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they
will not escape. 4 But you are not in
darkness, brothers and sisters, for that day to surprise you like a
thief. 5 For you are all children of
light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So
then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be
sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and
those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But
since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate
of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For
God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through
our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that
whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore
encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
liberating me and my brothers and sisters from the darkness and making us your
children instead of Satan’s. Thank you!
Guard us from drunk, sleepy ways…especially while the world says “it’s
all good.” While we wait for Christ’s
return, guide us to walk in the light and build each other up. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Music: follow
this link to J.S. Bach’s musical confession of today’s conversation with the
Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIOH2sCW13U
“I believe in the Holy Spirit…”
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe
in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me
through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved
me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls, gathers, enlightens, and
sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and preserves it in unity with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church, he daily forgives
abundantly all my sins and the sins of all believers. At the last day, he will
raise me and all the dead and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who
believe in Christ. This is most certainly true! (from “The Small Catechism” by
Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing 2011)
Benediction: The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the
Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. II Cor 13.14
*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
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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