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 21.8-19 (note: today’s
reading picks up right where yesterday’s left off)
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.
9 When they got out on land, they saw a
charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus
said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So
Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of
them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus
said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the
disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus
came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This
was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was
raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus
said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than
these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to
him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a
second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my
sheep.” 17 He said to him the third
time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because
he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to
him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to
him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I
say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk
wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and
another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This
he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after
saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, you don’t just
fill our nets, you fill us with forgiveness, life, and salvation in the
resurrected Christ; thank you! Repent me and my congregation of not tending to
your sheep, especially the lost ones. You’ve already dressed us in the new
clothes of daily death and resurrection… carry us right to our neighbor with
your truth and love. In Jesus’ name I ask this, 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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