Verse for the week:
“Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you
may grow up to salvation; for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” I
Peter 2.2-3
Prayer of the week:
Lord God almighty, every year you renew the face of the earth, and
it is your will to renew the world fallen into sin and death. Grant us faith so that we may know in your
Son the dawning of the true life and daily be made into his new creation; for
he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.
Bible reading for the day: Revelation 5.11-14 (note: At
the end of the first century AD, Christians in Asia Minor were being commanded
to curse Christ and pledge allegiance to Caesar Domitian as their lord and god.
Instead of bearing false witness to Jesus, an exiled Christian named John
confesses a vision of the crucified and risen and reigning Lamb of God.)
Then I looked, and I
heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of
many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of
thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb
who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven
and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them,
saying,
“To him who sits on
the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!”
and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
Jesus, he is indeed the worthy one, your Lamb who takes away our sin… thank
you! Repent me and your whole church of
trusting any other above him… and repent us of complaining or standing mute
when we have so much for which to praise him. Every creature in heaven and
earth will be singing Jesus’ praise; open my ears and soul that I may join the
choir today and in eternity. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved, new hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsiDukXIeVY
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
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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