Verse for the week:
Behold, the kingdom
of God
Prayer for the week: “Lord, you have promised to
grant what we pray in the name of your Son. Teach us to pray aright and to laud
and praise you with all your saints in the fullness of life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete
fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 152).
Bible reading for the day: Hebrews 11.17-12.3
17 By faith Abraham, when he
was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the
act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was
said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He
considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which,
figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By
faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By
faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing
in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph,
at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave
directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses,
when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw
that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's
edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown
up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing
rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting
pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of
Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking
to the reward. 27 By faith he left
Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as
seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he
kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the
firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people
crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to
do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the
walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By
faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient,
because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I
say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
of David and Samuel and the prophets—33 who
through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched
the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of
weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women
received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to
accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others
suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They
were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the
sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted,
mistreated—38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering
about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all
these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was
promised, 40 since God had provided something
better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
12.1 Therefore, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight,
and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, 2 looking to
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: your
promise was sufficient for a biblical roll call of generation after generation.
In our own generation, repent me and my congregation of weighing ourselves down
with sin and self-pity. Remove from our backs those old tricks of the Devil and
cheer us on with that whole cloud of witnesses… that by your sheer grace we
too, may know the sufficiency of your promise and therein receive all the
perseverance we need for the rest of the race. In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: for a beloved
classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord, follow
this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OaBgaMcOvM
“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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