Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Monday after the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-24 (NKJV)

6:18 …praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Devotion

The catholic (universal) Church is a Body of people connected in many places, and throughout many ages. It is a dangerous assumption for Christians to think that their faith is simply a matter of “me and Jesus.” And congregations are naïve to think that what they do is the only thing that really matters to their public confession.

Fellowship is important. It is part of the character of our Lord’s Church, which is the very Body of Christ Jesus at work in this world. Paul asks the saints to pray for him, even as he serves others. And he sends word of his activities so that they may learn and rejoice in God’s work through him. This kind of communication is part of the public confession that Christ commands and accomplishes through His Body. Some folks think fellowship is what we do at potlucks or over coffee and donuts outside of worship. But the proper fellowship of Christ’s Church is our catholic unity in what we teach, confess, and do by His Spirit according to all that our Lord has commanded in His Word, to the glory of Christ crucified!

We pray: Almighty and Everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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