Pr. DFD : 2016 Lenten Devotions

Showing posts with label 2016 Lenten Devotions. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Easter Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Tuesday, March 29, 2005 Just one more Amen!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all. Amen –^{Revelation 22:21}

Thus a concluding benediction. Similar to the ones appearing at the conclusion of other NT Epistles.[1]

Why do we end the Lord’s Prayer with the word amen? The word amen means, “So shall it be” and emphasizes that God, who has commanded us to pray, will hear our prayers and answer them as He has promised[2]

The Lenten season is now past us. We now bask in the glow of an empty tomb for we truly are Easter people! We have just reviewed the various aspects of the Lord’s Prayer. The only thing left is the word Amen.

The word Amen simply means - yes! It is so! As we daily come to the Lord, we can be assured that He hears every petition. Such is the privilege of being a part of a community and people of faith as we uphold each other through prayer. In our prayers, we take our needs burdens joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace and then we are truly thankful as the Savior answers each petition according to His gracious will. Amen simply means that we are in agreement with what we have asked. “Amen” from the Lord’s perspective is that He will answer us according to His gracious favor. From the perspective of Easter, our only request needs to be that the Lord would bring us at last to be with Him in glory. Thus, in this Easter Season, we keep our eyes heavenward as we await His final return in glory.

Yea, Amen, let all adore Thee. High on Thine eternal throne; Savior, take the pow’r and glory; Claim the kingdom as Thine own. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone![3]

Monday, March 28, 2016

Easter Monday, March 28, 2016

Easter Monday, March 28, 2016 Amen!

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. ^{Revelation
22:20}

These words may function as a liturgical response to the reading of this prophetic word. On that understanding, what followed the reading of this revealed word would be the Communion liturgy.[1]

How do I know God is able to answer the prayers of His people in Christ? He alone is the King who has all good gifts in His control. He alone has the power to grant our petitions. He has all glory and is worthy of our praise.[2]

O God, in the paschal feat You restore all creation. Continue to send Your heavenly gifts upon Your people that they may walk in perfect freedom and receive eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Easter Monday, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016

Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 For Thine is the Kingdom –

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ^{Ephesians 3:20-21}

God’s giving is not limited by our asking. “He is like an eternal unfailing fountain. The more it pours forth and overflows, the more it continues to give. God desires nothing more seriously from us than that we ask Him for much and great things.” (Large Catechism III 56)[1]

What is the Conclusion? For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. What does this mean? This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to heaver us. Amen, amen, which means, “yes, yes, it shall be so.”[2]

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrated with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016

Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016 Deliver us from Evil

They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ^{Acts
14:21-22}

Pressure, hardship, and opposition are to be expected by God’s people on their earthly journey toward their full experience of His heavenly kingdom. Luther: “Curses will not be lacking. But go forth to face them more boldly, be strong, and cling steadfastly to the blessing, no matter how much everything seems to be full of a curse. For this is what we should conclude, it is sure that I have been baptized. I have heard the Word from the mouth of the minister. I have made use of the Sacrament of the Altar. This is the divine and unchangeable truth. Even though I am weak, it is sure and unalterable…You are children of the kingdom, your sins are forgiven, the devil has been overcome and laid low under your feet, sin and death will do you no harem, but you are blameless. Therefore, bear the hostile curses with equanimity.” (AE 5:145-146)[1]

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

[2] Collect for Holy Saturday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Friday, March 25, 2016

Good Friday, March 25, 2016

Good Friday, March 25, 2016 Deliver us from Evil

And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one ^{2Thesalonians 3:2-3}

Saving faith is not an inherent human ability. The Lord has shown Himself to be reliable and trustworthy. He has always kept His promises to His people (e.g. the exodus, the Promised Land, the Messiah) and will continue to keep them Cf. 1:6-7, 11-12, 2:8, 13-14.[1]

What is the Seventh Petition? But deliver us from evil. What does this mean? We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley or sorrow to Himself in heaven.[2]

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Good Friday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Thursday, March 24, 2016

M Thursday, March 24, 2016

Maundy Thursday, March 24, 2016 But Deliver us from Evil

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.^{1Corinthians 10:12 -13}

All humans undergo temptation, even those who like some Corinthians, think they have special spiritual abilities. Because God has promised to be with His people, we are never left in a losing situation. His grace provides new opportunities for us to be faithful.[1]

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

[2] Collect for Maundy Thursday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Image found at Google images

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wednesday of Holy Week, March 23, 2016

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Lead Us Not into Temptation

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,’” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” ^{1Peter 2:7-8}

Citizenship in the New Jerusalem is not something earned; it is a gift of God that honors us. Isaiah 8:14 explains that although Christ was to be a sancturary for Judah and Israel, those who rejected Him would fall in unbelief and be crushed. Unless they repent and come to faith, sin will destroy them. [1]

What is the Sixth petition? Lead us not into temptation. What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.[2]

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Tuesday of Holy Week, March 22, 2016

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ^{Colossians 3:13}

Bearing with one another. As we each struggle with our own temptations, so we understand the struggles of others. You also must forgive echoes the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Forgiving others shows that we truly believe God has forgiven us.[1]

What does God want us to do for those who sin against us? Our heavenly Father wants us to forgive and to do good to those who sin against us. What does it show when we forgive others? It shows that we truly believe that God has forgiven us. [2]

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Tuesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Monday, March 21, 2016

Monday of Holy Week, March 21, 2016

Monday, March 21, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ^{Luke 23:34}

Jesus prayed for all those blind to their actions Jesus’ prayer reflects His teaching and is repeated by Stephen. The casting of lots involves change, yet God foresaw the outcome. [1]

Why do we include a pray for forgiveness of sins in these petitions to our heavenly Father? We are not worthy of the things for which we pray and have not deserved them. We therefore need God’s forgiveness so that we may pray to Him confidently and in good conscience. “Where the heart is not in a right relationship with God…it will not dare to pray… A confident and joyful heart can spring from nothing else than the certain knowledge of the forgiveness of sin.” (Large Catechism III 92)[2]

Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Monday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016

Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.^{Matthew
16:18-19}

Our salvation is so founded on it that, ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ (Formula of Concord, SD XI 8)

Keys are used to lock and unlock doors. The door of heaven is opened through the forgiveness of sins. To forgive or to refuse to forgive sins. “Our people are taught that they should highly prize the Absolution as being God’s voice and pronounced by God’s command. (Augsburg Confession XXV 3).[1]

What do we confess when we pray this petition? We confess that we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. What do we ask for in this petition? We ask that our Father in heaven would for Christ’s sake graciously forgive our sins.[2]

Almighty and ever living God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Palm Sunday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Saturday, March 19, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

For if, you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ^{Matthew
6:14-15}

Have you ever been untreated unfairly by someone? Of course you have, everyone on the face of the earth has. Sometimes the act they committed against you was so bad that it seems impossible to forgive them. In fact, we would probably rather get them back in revenge then forgive them. You know the saying: “Don’t get mad - get even’!” When I was assigned this verse, I looked at the verse and realized something I hadn’t noticed before – if you do not forgive men their sins your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.

Reading this verse, I realized that if I want God to forgive my sins I had better forgive those that have sinned against me. For this reason, we need our Lord’s help in forgiving others. We’ve all had to cry out to God at some point in our lives saying, “What did I do to deserve this punishment?”, or “They’re the ones doing wrong not me!”, or even “Why me Lord, why me?” Yet I have learned through my life that God created the earth, died on the cross, and rose again on Easter morning. Also, God knows what He is doing with my life and your life. Everything happens for a reason – most likely to test your faith and hopefully the outcome will strengthen your faith.

The next time you find it hard to forgive a person for whatever kind of wrong they did to you, do not do what most people do by trying to get even (it never works) rather, read this verse and remember with God’s help we can forgive.[1]

O Lord, in your goodness you bestow abundant graces on your elect: Look with favor, we entreat you, upon those who in these Lenten days are being prepared for you Holy Baptism, and grant them the help of your protection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

Lord Jesus, help us to pray Your prayer; “Father forgive them…”

[1] Henry Dahling

[2] Collect for Saturday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday, March 18, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ^{Matthew
18:21-22}

Peter’s question was a follow-up to the instructions Jesus had given on how to treat a tinning brother (Vv.15-20). Seven times? Peter probably regarded his suggestion as was quite lenient since some rabbis taught that one needed to forgive the same sin only three times. Jesus’ remark, seventy times seven meant that forgiveness has no limits.[1]

What is the Fifth Petition? And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.[2]

O Lord, you relieve our necessity out of the abundance of your great riches: Grant that we may accept with joy the salvation you bestow, and manifest it to all the world by the quality of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Friday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Thursday, March 17, 2005 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. ^{Psalm 130:3-4}

A former convict named Jean Valjean is the main protagonist of Victor Hugo’s epic novel Les Miserables. After 19 years spent in the hard labor prison in Toulon for stealing a loaf of bread, Valjean is sent on parole. One day, after walking for 30 miles, he stops at the home of bishop, Monsieur Myriel, and seeks shelter there. During the night, Valjean steals the bishop’s prized silver and runs off, only to be captured again. When the police make Valjean confront Myriel, the bishop claims silver was a gift. The police accept the bishop’s story and when Valjean and Myriel are left alone, the bishop gives the convict this “benediction”:

‘Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul I am buying for you, I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition and I give it to God!’

Valjean rises above what he was and becomes an outstanding member of society, taking pity on the unfortunate and changing the lives of others.

We all are like Valjean, and the bishop can be seen as a type of Christ. Even though we rebelled against God, broke His law and went against His will, He still saved us from hell. Like Valjean, one who deserved justice and our punishment redeemed us.

What might have happened had the bishop turned in Jean Valjean? Most likely, he would have spent the remainder of his years in jail. Had the Father not sent Jesus to save us, we would have found an even worse fate! After the bishop “saved” Valjean, he became a better person. We too, should strive to improve ourselves because of what Christ has done for us.

Since Jesus Christ has saved us, we find new life in our salvation. Our sin has been blotted out forever and forgotten by the Father. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are now free to stand triumphant with God as His sons and daughters. No longer do we fear death or the fires of hell. [1]

My God, I thank You that You have sent Your beloved Son to save me from all sin. Forgive me when I sin, and help me to resist temptation. I pray that You would increase my faith and lead me to eternal life. In Your most holy name, I pray. Amen

O God, you have called us to be your children, and have promised that those who suffer with Christ will be heirs with him of your glory: Arm us with such trust in him that we may ask no rest from his demands and have no fear in his service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen[2]

[1] Lydia Dahling

[2] Collect for Thursday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. ^{Psalm 51:1-2}

Those of us who regularly use hard water know how it stains. It causes our clothes to become yellowed and dulls the finish on our bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Frequent cleaning helps, but when the scrubbing is done with more hard water, the results are temporary. Running the water through a softener masks the problem but does not eliminate it. We soon find that our white garments are no longer white, and we must learn to live with discolored porcelain. The discoloration from the water becomes so embedded that it can no longer be removed.

Our sin is similarly part of the fabric of our souls. We can try ridding ourselves of it, we can vow to do better, but in the end, we can only mask the problem. We are trying to clean hard water problems with more hard water. No matter how we undertake to sanitize ourselves, we cannot rid ourselves of sin because of our sin.

Thankfully, God has had mercy on us! Through the sacrifice of the sinless Jesus, He has washed away all our iniquity and completely cleansed us from our sin. He washes us perfectly, so that we are truly and absolutely spotless.[1]

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

There is a fountain filled with blood

drawn from Immanuel’s veins,

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

lose all their guilty stains.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood

shall never lose its power

Till all the ransomed Church of God

Be saved to sin no more.[3]

[1] Tamara Dahling

[2] Collect for Wednesday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm