So much brittle pottery...

Verse for the week: “For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.. (II Corinthians 4.6) 

Prayer for the week: “Christ our God, you were transfigured on the mountain and manifested your glory to your disciples as they were able to bear it.  Shed your everlasting light upon us, that we may behold your glory and enter into your sufferings, and proclaim you to the world, for you give light in the darkness and are yourself the light, now and forever. Amen.” (Eastern Orthodox, in Fredercik B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual, London: Mowbray, 1951,  pp.121-22)

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 2.6-12

 ⁶ “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

 ⁷ I will tell of the decree:

The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
⁸ Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

 ¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Submit to the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
¹² Bow in reverence to the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Prayer (based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the true king, your Son, Jesus; he has broken the devil, the world’s pride, and my sinful self like so much brittle pottery. He has risen and therefore I and the whole church across the nations are his possession; thank you! Teach human kings, rulers, and presidents the wisdom that submits to you with fear and trembling. Deliver me and them from pride of self and teach each of us the blessedness of all who take refuge in Christ alone. In his name I ask it, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to the chorus of Handel’s “Messiah” which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c

“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:  And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you this day.  To him be the power forever and ever.  Amen.   (1 Pet 5:10) 

*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).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:
T: thanksgiving
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.