Verse for the week:
“You are not your own; you were bought with a price.” I Cor
6.19-20
Prayer for the week:
O Lord, teach us how to pray.
Direct our lives toward our neighbor and unto everlasting salvation,
that, surrounded by all the changes and uncertainties of life, we may be
defended by your gracious and ready help in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (adapted from Lutheran Book of Worship,
Minister’s Desk edition, p.113.)
Bible reading for the day: Exodus 20.4-6
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any
likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to
them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation
of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth
generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you
for being jealous for sinners like us, so jealous that you gave your own Son to
save us from our commandment-breaking selves.
Thank you! Repent me and your church of not taking your commands
seriously; the consequences are generational.
Daily resurrect us in Christ rather than in our old selves… that we may
love you and keep your commands. In
Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47B3AyVcA4I
The Conclusion
What does God
declare concerning all these commandments?
He says: “I the Lord your God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the
fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands
of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:5b-6 ESV).
What does this
mean?
God threatens to
punish all who violate these commandments. We should, therefore, fear his anger
and in no way disobey them. But God promises grace and every blessing to all
who keep these commandments. We should, therefore, love him, trust in him, and
gladly keep his commandments. (from The Small Catechism,
by Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: Now
to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far
more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
*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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy
to remember: 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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