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 all our enemies, 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 propitiation1 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 from 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, daily keep me and
your church from boasting; stop our mouths, end our bondage to ourselves… and
release us again into the sweet flight of freedom that belongs to those who are
justified by your grace alone, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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
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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