Verse for the week: “God chose what is foolish in
the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the
strong.” I Corinthians 1.27
Prayer for the week: “Almighty and merciful God, for
your mercy’s sake, keep far from us all that opposes you, that, unhindered in
body and soul, we may serve you with hearts set free; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr
der Kirched, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter
Verlag, 1948, p.216).
Bible reading for the day: Hebrews 4.9-16
9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for
the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also
rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us
therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort
of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of
spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of
the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are
naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
14 Since then we have a great high priest who
has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our
confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted
as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near
to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in
time of need.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
wielding the two-edged sword of your word as our truest help in time of
need. Sinners like me don’t need just a
little cosmetic surgery; we need your deep surgery all the way to our bones and
heart. So, with your sweet, sharp,
living word do your wonderful work on me and your church Lord…so that we may
hold fast to the one who knows our weakness, makes purification for our sins,
and has swallowed our death: Jesus Christ our Lord. 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=X2bhHosLHmI
“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
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
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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