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Personal Devotion
October 27th
Discover Scripture and Life
Introduction:
Bible
Roman 3:19-28
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
John 8:31-36
31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”
34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
Service of Affirmation of Baptism--Covenant:
You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through
word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
Prayer of Blessing for Affirmation of Baptism
Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit; confirm their faith,
guide their life,
empower them in their serving,
give them patience in suffering,
and bring them to everlasting life. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
1. What do you remember of your confirmation service?
2. How has your understanding and faith changed since?
Both Romans and John say the initiative for faith and freedom come from God. God accomplishes and we receive. On the next page, the Confirmation Verses are provided. Each verse is associated with one of the blessing petitions (see top of this column).
3. What strikes you about this choice of confirmation verses and their association with the specific petition? What is noteworthy?
4. How might you suggest a different pairing of a verse to the prayer petition?
5. How do these confirmation verses point to the reformation readings that faith and freedom come from God? How do these verses give voice to a seeking for God, and a looking to God for action in our lives? To set us free? To guide our lives?
6. What are 2 or 3 important scripture verses for you. Which petition from above would you associate each verse with?
7. Luther described Christian freedom as a kind of paradox. 1) God’s grace sets me free—no one can take God’s grace from me. 2) God’s grace sets me free for a purpose—to use my freedom to serve the neighbor. Christian freedom has a servant shape. it isn’t about getting to do whatever I want, regardless of consequence. Does that strike you as freedom? How easy is this to convey in today’s world?
8. Affirmation of Baptism is another way of describing the servant character of Christian freedom. Christ has set my heart free to find meaning and deeper purpose in the covenant of baptism. Of those items (on the facing column)
Which items seem easiest to do? Hardest?
Which would you miss the most if taken from you?
Discover More about the Message
Reflect on the message you heard in person or on-line. You can listen to the message online here.
https://firstlutherancr.org/resources/sermons
1. What is something you heard that was interesting or engaging?
2. Is there anything that raised a question or needed more explanation?
3. What is one thing you take with you? It may be something to do, something to trust, or a wisdom of insight to have.
Together with God in Prayer
OPTION 1—ONE WORD. Take time to reflect about your day, your concerns, and how God may be speaking to you. As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling? What might God be saying to you in this word?
OPTION 2: Reflect on the past 24 hours
Step 1: Ask God to calm your self and help you see your life from God’s perspective.
Step 2: Review the last 24 hours. What happened? What stands out? What captures your attention? What is a High and Low of this time? When did you experience God’s presence? When did you feel apart or distant from God?
Step 3: Give your day to God your day. Ask for forgiveness where needed. Give thanks.
Step 4: Look forward. How might you be more loving this day? What is God calling you to do?
Prayer—Who or What can you pray for today?
Close in the Lord’s Prayer—Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Five Minutes With God
(Optional)
INTRODUCTION: Truth and freedom go together. Lies enslave. But how do we know what is truly true so we can know and live in a freedom that is truly free? Jesus’ answer to this is both easy and challenging: “Continue in my word. Be my disciple.” To be a disciple means to be a student. We come to know truth and grow in freedom as we listen to Jesus and learn from him.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: How free are you? Listen again to Jesus’ words: “Continue in my word. Be my disciple.” Are you continuing in his word? Do you have a daily (or close to daily) practice of spending time with Jesus by reading and reflecting on his words? This week what can you do to make that happen? Check out the FLC website’s Grow tab for options. Pick up a copy of Portals of Prayer or Christ in Our Home in our narthex. Grow your consistency as a learning, free disciple of Jesus.