Verse for the week: God has made him both Lord and
Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2.36
Prayer for the week: Almighty, everlasting God, you
have given us the promise of your divine life.
Bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, that, quickened by your word, we may
lay hold on eternal life by strong faith in your Son, and in him be saved;
through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. (Kassel:
Johannes Stauda-Verllag, 1948), p.170)
Bible reading for the day: II Corinthians 4.5-12 (Writing in 55-56 A.D. during his third missionary journey, Paul
declares that Christians serve a Lord who is despised by human pride, human
wisdom. Our call is not to practice cunning or tamper with God’s word, but openly,
calmly state the truth.)
For what we
proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as
your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of
darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure
in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and
not to us. 8 We
are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to
despair; 9 persecuted,
but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the
body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested
in our bodies. 11 For
we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life
of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work
in us, but life in you.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
all the preachers – starting with my parents and then extending throughout my
life – who have proclaimed not myself to me, but Christ Jesus as Lord and me as
his servant. Thank you! Repent me and my congregation of turning this truth
around and wanting to think ourselves something more than just jars of clay.
Precisely when we are afflicted, precisely when life strikes us down, when we
are learning what it is to carry the death of Jesus in our own bodies…
precisely then, keep on manifesting your life in us and for us, that in our own
hearts we may see your shining glory in the face of Christ Jesus for us. In his
name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with
the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnb8I0XLWek
“I believe in Jesus Christ…”
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: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*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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