Daily Devotions from Confident.Faith

* Psalm 71 * Judges 13:1–25 * Galatians 2:1–21 * Augsburg Confession, Conclusion

Readings Psalm 2 Psalm 51 Genesis 27:1–29 Mark 8:22–38 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:27–38 Commemoration Today we commemorate Perpetua and Felicitas, Martyrs. In the third century AD, Roman Emperor Septimus Severus forbade converting to Christianity. Among the many who disobeyed his edict were Perpetua and Felicitas, a noblewoman and her maidservant. During their imprisonment, they witnessed to others in prison, even the jailer, who himself became a Christian. Executed on 07 March 203, Perpetua and Felicitas are remembered for the firmness of their faith — even unto death.

Readings Psalm 118 Psalm 38 Genesis 24:32–67 Mark 8:1–21 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:24–26

Readings Psalm 28 Psalm 32 Genesis 24:1–31 Mark 7:24–37 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:18–23

Readings Psalm 66 Psalm 6 Genesis 22:1–19 Mark 7:1–23 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:14–17

Readings Psalm 126 Psalm 127 Psalm 143 Genesis 21:1–21 Mark 6:35–56 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:9–13

Readings Psalm 91 Psalm 130 Genesis 18:1–15 Mark 6:14–34 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:5–8

Readings Psalm 139 Psalm 102 Genesis 16:1—17:22 Mark 6:1–13 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration II:1–4

Readings Psalm 32 Psalm 3 Psalm 51 Genesis 15:1–21 Mark 5:21–43 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:58–62

Readings Psalm 73 Psalm 133 Psalm 38 Genesis 13:1–18 Mark 5:1–20 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:50–57

Readings Psalm 107 Psalm 47 Psalm 32 Genesis 11:27—12:20 Mark 4:21–41 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:43–49

Readings Psalm 74 Psalm 126 Psalm 6 Genesis 8:13—9:17 Mark 4:1–20 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:33–42

Readings Psalm 104 Psalm 124 Psalm 143 Genesis 7:11—8:12 Mark 3:20–35 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:16–32 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle. A lesser-known apostle, Matthias was one of the seventy-two sent out by Jesus and was selected by lot to replace Judas. Early Church tradition is split on Matthias, with some contending that he journeyed to Ethiopia and others contending he journeyed to Armenia. However, it is in Trier, Germany, at the Church of St. Matthias, that the body of the apostle is interred. He is the only apostle buried in Europe north of the Alps.

Readings Psalm 2 Psalm 77 Psalm 130 Genesis 6:1—7:5 Mark 3:1–19 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:5–15 Commemoration Today we commemorate Polycarp of Smyrna, Pastor and Martyr. A disciple of John, Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna for many years before he was arrested, tried, and executed for his faith in approximately AD 155. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, an eyewitness narrative, continues to encourage believers, particularly in times of persecution, even to this day.

Readings Psalm 79 Psalm 42 Psalm 102 Genesis 4:1–26 Mark 2:18–28 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:1–4

Readings Psalm 12 Psalm 14 Psalm 51 Genesis 3:1–24 Mark 2:1–17 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm, 14–20

Readings Psalm 9 Psalm 38 Genesis 2:4–25 Mark 1:29–45 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm, 9–13

Readings Psalm 8 Psalm 128 Psalm 32 Genesis 1:20—2:3 Mark 1:14–28 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm, 1–8

Readings Psalm 136 Psalm 90 Psalm 6 Genesis 1:1–19 Mark 1:1–13 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Introduction Observation Today we observe Ash Wednesday. During the forty days of Lent, the baptized children of God cleanse their hearts through repentance, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the like. During Lent, we prepare our hearts for the Paschal Feast — Easter. Traditional Christian denominations will hold services that include the imposition of ashes. The ashes remind us of the wages of sin, of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and of our mortality: “[F]or dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Commemoration Today we commemorate Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor. Born on 10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Germany, Martin Luther originally studied law. After a close brush with death during a storm, Luther switched to studying theology and entered an Augustinian monastery in 1505, when he was twenty-one years old. Luther received his doctorate in theology in 1512. Teaching at the newly established University of Wittenberg, Luther began to question some of the doctrines of Rome. Luther’s investigation of the Scriptures and of Roman doctrine led to the posting of the “Ninety-Five Theses” on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg — the spark that started the Reformation.

Readings Psalm 37 Psalm 77 Job 13:1–12 John 6:1–21 Smalcald Articles III:IX–XIII