Verse for the week: “The Son of Man came to seek
and save the lost.” (Luke 19.10)
Prayer for the week: “Almighty and merciful God, you
are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance. Grant that by your word we
may again and again be convicted of our sin and also fervently grasp anew the
comfort of your Spirit and of faith, in order that we may be justified in your
Son and be saved through him, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Kirchenbuch für
die Gemeinde (Isenhagen), quoted in Orate Fratres, Gebetsordnung für
evangelische-lutherische Pfarrer, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
1952, p. 76)
Bible reading for the day: Galatians 6.1-18 (note: The
freedom of a Christian is not freedom for self-indulgence or pride. It is
freedom for the neighbor, freedom that bears one another’s burdens and
restores transgressors to Christ.)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any
transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit
of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear
one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if
anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives
himself. 4 But let each one test his own work,
and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.5 For each
will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught
the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do
not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he
also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own
flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to
the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let
us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do
not give up. 10 So then, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who
are of the household of faith.
11 See with what large
letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It
is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you
to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for
the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are
circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you
circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But
far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the
world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for
anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And
as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and
upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one
cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you:
Christ is everything and I am nothing… yet in him all things are mine. Thank
you, Lord! Repent me and my congregation of all our attempts to make a good
showing in the flesh… for our flesh and
its passions have been crucified in Christ. Every hour – as often as the
opportunity arises – let us do good to everyone and let us not grow
weary in doing so; that we may walk not as the Israel of the flesh but the
Israel of you. In Jesus’ 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=3Bm0b1745vA
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord…
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: May the God of hope fill you with all
joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in
hope. (Romans 15.13)
*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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