Verse for the week: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zech 4.6
Prayer for the week: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the
almighty God, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts through your blessed word,
that he may rule and guide us according to your will; strengthen us in every
trial and need; and lead us, past all error, into your truth; that we may stand
fast in faith, increase in love and all good works, and by the sure hope of
your grace, which you have obtained for us by your death, be saved eternally;
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
(Viet Dietrich in Otto Dietz, Die Evangelien-Kooekten des Viet
Dietrich, p. 57)
Bible reading for the day: Acts 2.1-13 (note: you can read Peter’s
entire Pentecost sermon and the results of it in Acts 2. This reading is just the beginning.)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together
in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a
mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3
And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of
them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews,
devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the
multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing
them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and
astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And
how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians
and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of
Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and
proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the
mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying
to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said,
“They are filled with new wine.”
Prayer (based on TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for pouring out for us not cheap wine but the best wine of
all: the blood of Jesus filled with his Holy Spirit. Repent me and your church of being drunk with
ourselves and being theologically tongue tied.
With your word, blow out my corroded pipes, deliver us from ourselves
and continue to teach me and my congregation to speak Jesus in the
vernacular…so that our neighbors may know what he means for them. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic hymn
which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://vimeo.com/46203440
“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: 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
T: thanksgiving
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