Verse for the week: “Make me to know your ways, O
Lord; teach me your paths.” Psalm
25.4
Prayer for the week: “Almighty God, draw our hearts
to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills, so that we
may be wholly yours. Use us as you will, always to your glory and the welfare
of your people; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen” (Lutheran Book
of Worship)
Bible reading for the day: Matthew 5.1-12 (note: Jesus
opens one of his famous sermons with a promise.)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and
when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his
mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the
poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those
who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are
the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who
are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when
others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for opening
your mouth in Jesus and speaking blessing not on account of my poverty or my
affluence, but on account of your sheer mercy. Thank you! Repent me and my
congregation of turning your promises into our project list… or just a costume
we wear outside occasionally. Give me instead that poverty of spirit that
places my confidence deeply in you… and thereby gives me clearer vision for who
and what you have put right in front of me today… since by your mercy my
eternity is firmly secured in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. 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=B-_-rXYe_x0
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: May
the God of peace himself grow you in his will entirely; and may your spirit and
soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The one who calls you is
faithful, and he will do this. Amen. I Thess 5.23
*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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