Verse for the week:
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the
devil” I John 3.8
Prayer for the week:
O God, by whose Spirit we are led into the wilderness of trial, grant
that, standing in your strength against the powers of darkness, we may so win
the victory over all evil suggestions that with singleness of heart we may ever
serve you and you alone; through him who was in all points tempted as we are,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (John Wallace Suter, Prayers of the Spirit New York: Harper & Bros. 1943, p.22.)
Bible reading for the day: Romans 8.1-8
1 There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For
the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus
from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has
done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By
sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for
sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order
that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in
us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those
who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the
flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the
things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on
the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For
the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not
submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those
who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you
for the freedom from sin and condemnation that you have won for me in Christ.
Thank you! My flesh, my self can yet be so sticky… sucking me back in… but your
Son and your Holy Spirit are stronger. So, win the battle for me again today
Lord; set me where you already have: right in Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved hymn that gives
further voice to today’s conversation with our Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKQJJ6xz1K0
“I believe in Jesus Christ…”
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: Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through
grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen
them in every good work and word. Amen. II Thess 2.16-17
*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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