3 Devotions based on upcoming Trinity Sunday

HOLY TRINITY-Old Testament                                     

TEXT: Gen.1-2:4a

TITLE: A Good Place To Start

 

         “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.”  Gen.1:1

 

A scene from the movie, “Sound of Music,” has the Governess (Julie Andrews) about to teach the Von Trapp children how to sing when she asks this question, “Now where do we begin?” Her own answer; “The best place to start is at the beginning!” From there it was, “Do-a deer, Ray-a drop of golden sun, Mi-a name I call myself, etc. That is a good place to start-‘In the beginning!’ In our case-God’s creation! God-the Father, created the heaven and the earth. We see God-The Holy Trinity in the beginning. As we cross reference another ‘In the beginning’-John 1:1 and 14, we see Jesus. “In the beginning was the Word” and “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Both are very good places to start!

 

On the one hand, God started things by creating the universe and we in it…perfect! On the other hand, our fall into sin corrupted the world which led God to create a plan of salvation, a.k.a. Jesus and the cross! Then in Gen.1:2, we see The Holy Spirit; “And the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.” There we have it; a basic fundamental doctrine to our Christian faith. It does take faith to believe this doctrine as well as the 3 persons/one God it describes. Just as it takes faith for some to believe we came from monkeys. Regarding the beginning of our faith, Jesus says, “No one can come unto me unless The Father who sent me draws him.” For most of us, in our beginnings, that ‘drawing’ occurred in our Baptisms. We’re drawn by the grace of God who’s will it is “That all be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.” God’s Word is truth and always a very good place to start!   

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us life! Help all Your Children come to the knowledge of Your truth, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

HOLY TRINITY-Epistle

TEXT: Acts 2:14a, 22-36

TITLE: The Fearless Fire-tongued Fisherman Preacher

 

“Then Peter stood up with the eleven and raised his voice addressed the crowd”                 

                                                                                                                Acts 2:14a

 

Not long ago, a Philadelphia newspaper did a survey on the top 3 things people feared most. Their findings: #1-cancer, #2-heart disease, and #3-public speaking. No surprise for 1 and 2, but how about #3? I heard of a scale once for degrees of fear. The lowest level included; shyness, timidity, alarm, then fright. The next level included; cold sweat, fear, then to trepidation. The next highest degree included; horror, terror, then to utter terror. And the highest level of fear included mortal terror, in which people are literally ‘scared to death.’ Our text speaks of a fisherman turned Preacher. Peter had no formal education or experience with public speaking. Yet, this Peter fearlessly delivered one of the greatest sermons ever spoken. 

 

 On the one hand, we fear anything because we are sinners without God. On the other hand, we needn’t fear anything for Jesus says, “Lo, I am with you always!”

Peter’s message spoke of the Holy Trinity. Peter proclaimed, “Exalted to the right hand of God, He (Jesus) received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Peter’s boldness and eloquence came not from his natural abilities but rather from the Holy Spirit working through him; the same Holy Spirit that’s in us. God doesn’t call everyone to be great speakers. However, He does call all believers to be faithful speakers; faithful speakers of His Gospel when we’re given opportunity.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, may Your Spirit give me words and courage that I may share Your Gospel with others, and thank you for taking my fear away, in Jesus Name, Amen.

 

HOLY TRINITY-Gospel

TEXT: Matt.28:16-20

TITLE: Godly Tribonds

 

“Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matt.28:19

 

Tribond is a game that mentions 3 things that have one specific thing in common. For example; what do Frosty the Snowman, Wicked Witch of the East and the wings of Icarus all have in common? Answer-“they melted! Or what do eggs, eyes, and a load of laundry have in common? Answer-they all have whites! Or, what does a tennis match, an earthquake, and a sinner all have in common? Answer-they all have faults! Finally, what do the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have in common? Answer-they’re all God. Not everybody or religion agrees with that tribond or what’s commonly known as the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

 

On the one hand, people don’t believe that because they are sinners separated from God. On the other hand, we believe it because God in His grace draws us unto Himself (see John 6:44). As God, Jesus says these words just prior to those recorded above. “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” In other words, He is God and He goes on to say, “Go in the Name of God who is three in one and one in three and make disciples.” That Trinitarian statement is also known as The Great Commission-a command to all Christians. We do so by sharing the Gospel and love of our Triune God with others. A final tribond; forgiveness, life now, and life eternal…They’re all gifts (of our Baptism)!

 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the faith You’ve given me. May Your Spirit help me to believe in the Holy Trinity and wisdom and courage to obey Your Great Commission, in Jesus Name, Amen.