Verse for the week: “Like newborn babes, long for
the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; for you have
tasted the kindness of the Lord.” I Peter 2.2-3
Prayer of the week:
Lord God almighty, every year you renew the face of the earth, and
it is your will to renew the world fallen into sin and death. Grant us faith so that we may know in your
Son the dawning of the true life and daily be made into his new creation; for
he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.
Bible reading for the day: John 21.1-8 (note: printed
here today is the first half of this story… tomorrow, the rest)
After this
Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of
Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon
Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in
Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were
together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going
fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into
the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the
shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus
said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him,
“No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the
right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now
they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That
disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When
Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for
he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.8 The
other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were
not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, you know
everything, you even know where the fish are! It’s funny how we often don’t
recognize you until we obey you. Repent me and your whole church of our pride,
our self-sufficiency. Gift us with the new obedience of faith… and then we will
see what you do with our nets. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with
the Lord, we used to sing this one as kidsJ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL7uV5jF8Rk
I believe in Jesus Christ…
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the
Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin,
death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy
and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this
in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him
in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen
from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly
true! (from The Small Catechism, by
Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s
people for centuries.
**The T.R.I.P. approach to
prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray. It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid
Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria MN
T:
thanksgiving
R: regret
(repentance)
I:
intercession (asking God to take a specific action)
P:
plan or purpose
Reading a biblical text and
then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s
prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on
God’s Word and talk to God.
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