Subject: Devotional | June 30 | morning (full)
As you read and pray this morning, remember you are in God’s presence. Trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you and direct your thoughts. Use this email as you are able, in whole or in part. Call to PrayerThen your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. (Isaiah 58:8-9) Opening PrayerAlmighty and eternal God, draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP 832) Confession of SinFather, teach us not to sin with such abandon. We do it all so easily: Pretend, lie, envy, lust, criticize, brood, ignore, deny, consume, hoard, defame, distort, make excuses, and then expect an easy forgiveness for the asking. God, forgive us for our negligence of your holy character. Let us not misinterpret your patience with our sin as though it were permissiveness. Loving Father, astonish us with a wholesome, godly fear which will not drive us to despair, but cause us to number our days and give us hearts of wisdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Take a moment to confess your sins, knowing that he hears you. Praying the PsalmsPsalm 80For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm. 1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, 3 Restore us, O God; 4 How long, Lord God Almighty, 7 Restore us, God Almighty; 8 You transplanted a vine from Egypt; 12 Why have you broken down its walls 16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; 19 Restore us, Lord God Almighty; New Testament ReadingThe most systematic of Paul’s epistles. This letter explains the plan of salvation for the Gentiles and the Jews. Filled with deep theological concepts in lofty language, Romans proclaims the gospel as the power of God and challenges our ideas of human wisdom. Meditate on the passage and put a key verse into your own words. How will it help you in your walk with God today? Romans 13Submission to Governing Authorities 1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Love Fulfills the Law 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. The Day Is Near 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Prayers of IntercessionGospel Identity
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. BenedictionMay the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14) Wonder what your next step in spiritual formation is? Consider getting involved in a community group. For a handy guide to the devotional elements and an archive of past issues, visit redeemer.com/daily. |
Biblical summaries by David Whitehead, author of Making Sense of the Bible.
You are subscribed to receive these full devotionals. To switch to the abridged version or unsubscribe, These devotionals are brought to you by Formation, an initiative to help you grow as a disciple. Redeemer Churches & Ministries | 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Fl | New York, NY 10036 |