[Sample]
Daily Devotional Materials
for the
Week of the
Seventh Sunday after Trinity
– Friday* –
Devotion
If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. – John 8:31-32.
There are so many denominations on earth, with various doctrines and various creeds! To which of these denominations is a Christian to belong? To the one which has, teaches, confesses and practices the entire doctrine of the Word of God in all its purity, and in which the Sacraments are administered as instituted by Christ. It is quite clear that such is the Lord’s will. The Lord said to His disciples, and He says it to all Christians : “If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” True disciples of Jesus should have, and desire to have, nothing but Jesus’ Word, Jesus’ doctrine, and no other. Then, and then only, do they know the truth, the truth which Christ has brought from heaven for the salvation of poor sinners. And this truth shall make them free of the darkness of error and unbelief in which they are by nature, and give them the true knowledge of all that they possess in Jesus, and make them partakers of all this through faith. When, therefore, our Lord gave His disciples that great royal command to go and make disciples of all nations by teaching and baptizing them, He said: “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20.) Always, to the end of the world, the disciples of Jesus are to keep, and to adhere to, what Jesus commanded His first disciples, what He taught them. Be very careful, my dear Christian, to belong and adhere with those who comprise a true visible church which has, teaches, confesses AND practices ALL the doctrines of the Word of Christ in unalloyed purity. Then you have the truth, which saves and makes you free.
PRAYER. – My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I desire to be Your true disciple. I desire to have and to hear Your Word only, no word or doctrine of man. O Lord, I implore You, let me always find a place where Your Word is taught and preached in its truth and purity. Let the fullness of Your truth shine forth on earth, that the darkness of error may not prevail. Amen.
In these last days of sore distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness,
That pure we keep, till life is spent,
Thy holy Word and Sacrament.
Hymn 110, 2.(ELHB)
Bible Readings
MORNING:
1 Corinthians 10:14-33
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
EVENING:
2 Samuel 16:5-23
5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. 13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Additional Materials
* Adapted and edited from the original 1914 edition
Comments / Suggestions / Corrections
Concordia Lutheran ConferencePosted on
Posted in 3 DAILY DEVOTIONS, 7-Trinity---Friday, 7-Trinity-Week