The Only Solid Lover

Verse for the week: “The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!” Psalm 119.64

Prayer for the week:  O Redeemer and Lord of hosts, the future is in your hands. Remove all fear from us, and keep us mindful that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Isaiah 44.6-8 (The setting is 6^th century BC. God’s own people had increasingly trusted in themselves… and this landed them in Exile in Babylon, a nearly 50 year disciplinary “time out.” Now the Lord is giving his people a fresh start.)

⁶Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
    and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
    besides me there is no god.
⁷ Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
    Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
⁸ Fear not, nor be afraid;
    have I not told you from of old and declared it?
    And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
    There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, you alone have the Word of life, you and no other; besides you there is no god. Thank you for not leaving us orphaned, fashioning gods, or worshipping and trusting ourselves. Deliver me and your whole church from all fear and send us you witnesses, speaking the truth of Christ in love… rock-solid love… through the same, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2jPVdl_Bh8&ab_channel=MartijndeGroot

“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)

Benediction:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.  Amen.  II Cor 13.14

  

*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.