- WordAlone Ministries
- P.O. Box 111
- Maple Lake, MN 55358
- 612.216.2055
- info@wordalone.org
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Thursday, February 2, 2012
Greetings from Pastor Paul
Who is powerless? ...and who's power is abundant?
Verse for the week:
“This is my comfort in my trouble, that your promise gives me life.”
Psalm 119:50
Prayer for the Week:
“O God, you have called and gathered a people from the ends of the earth to serve you. Grant the increase of your government among us and give us your Holy Spirit, that your name may be glorified to all who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.87)
Bible Reading for the Day —
Psalm 147:1-11
1Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6The LORD lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Prayer**
Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you that you do it all: from the grass of the field, to the livestock, to the stars, to casting down the wicked and lifting up the humble. Thank you! Repent me and your whole church when we would trust in our strength. Teach us afresh today our powerlessness…and your abundant power for those who fear you and who hope in your steadfast love. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hymn for today
Follow this link to a to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today's conversation with the Lord: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
Catechism Lesson:
The Ten Commandments
(As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.)
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
(Excerpted with permission from "The Small Catechism" as published by Concordia Publishing House and with our sincere gratitude to them for their permission.
Pastor Paul has written a helpful guide on learning the Small Catechism. Read it here!
Benediction:
“The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Amen. —Philippians 4:7
* There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.
**The TRIP 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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:
Yes, there are fish in Texas!
- 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.
*** "Regret" is actually a very solid word, means deep sorrow, sorrow that makes one weep (the root word is “to weep”). Regrettably, I believe that Americans today have lost this sense of the word and for the most part – though not always – they use the word casually. To "repent" is to be turned around by God. "Repent" means "to have your mind and heart changed, to be converted". Luther recognized that scripture speaks of repentance both as the specific acts we change, and the deeper way God changes or "repents" us. Though our acts/works of repentance are certainly important, he still called them "little stuff, kinder (as in kindergarten) repentance". The big BIG work, the work that Christ brings about on and in us, is more lasting and goes deep, all the way to the heart, mind, and purse; he called this "anfechtung" the suffering & death of our will...so that Christ can raise us anew in HIS will. Lost sheep aren't very good at getting themselves found again...it takes the Shepherd to go after 'em and turn 'em around. So when it comes to repentance, our work might be good, but the work of the Master Carpenter Jesus is the BEST and most lasting...that's why I pray "repent me." This is also why we confess "I cannot, by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the Holy Spirit calls me and does the work" (For you students of language and grammar: "repent" can ultimately not be a reflexive verb. God alone is the author of our repentance).
Scripture quotations are from NIV ©1978