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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

Setbacks and speed bumps are common in church planting. A survey of the book of Acts would include setbacks because of persecution, betrayal, internal conflict, popular resistance, and incarceration; that’s not an inspiring list! It has been observed, however, that despite a wide range of setback experiences, the mission of Jesus always seems to advance over the long run. This is the meta-narrative of Acts and of church history. We could say that it is also likely to be our personal narrative and our ministry experience. Setbacks will come. In those moments, Jesus would have us return again to the place he first called us and where he reminds us to stay fishing.

—Ben Ingebretson, Plant Like Jesus: The Church Planter’s Devotional (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

How does remembering God’s call in your life help you during setbacks? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus] said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
—John 21:6, NIV

Prayer for the Week

God of love,
plant me in the soil of your grace.
Nurture me with the strength of Christ,
the vine of everlasting life.
Enlighten me with the wisdom of your Spirit,
which flows through me today and all days.
Abide in me,
that I may abide in you
and live in your love.
In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

(Based on John 15 and adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012.)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted April 8, 2021 7:08 am

    When I had my “heart warming’ experience two decades ago, I read the whole Bible twice. I have returned to that and in a year will have read the whole Bible again. I don’t think one can ever become too familiar with the Bible. Helpful counseling session yesterday and the results encourage me that a better relationship with my son is possible. My model is also progressing as parts are painted and reassembled. Prayers for continued progress vaccinating against Covid and persistent patience until the tide is turned. Encouraged too by the prospects of an improved economy and the resolution of many problems. The needs and concerns of the New Every Morning community of faith are in my prayers: Julie’s leg and legal struggle, Jill’s Dad and school, Ally’s job search, David’s recovery, the health and welfare of Marcy, Lou’s job, home, and family. Thank You, Lord. We are, because of You, Easter people.

  • April Posted April 8, 2021 8:17 am

    This week’s thoughts are so “spot on” with what is happening in my life and the world. Robert, it is great to hear that you are reading through the Bible this year. I am just finishing 2 Samuel as I read through, but only my 2nd time. I am reading about David now and I love to think that God identified him as a man after His own heart. I have much to learn from him but the underlying message, to me, is that David always relied on God and came back to Him time after time. The version of this book is to integrate the Psalms along with 2 Samuel so that I read the Psalms David sang/cried out to God along his way in life. I am learning so much this time through the Bible and I look forward to this time of study each evening.
    Set backs….I am reflecting on the Mental Health Mondays that I listen to. The last one was on flourishing after traumatic events in our lives. Such a different way to think about such events, but great to be open to hearing the testimonies of others who have come through these events and where their lives are today. I look to God and am confident that He who began a good thing in me will bring it to fruition. Philippians 1:6-7 King James Version
    6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
    7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
    I pray that God will look down and uphold each of us with His love and grace today and every day. Thanks be to God.

  • Julie Posted April 8, 2021 8:47 am

    I have read through the Bible once and am beginning to feel like joining Robert and April. April, I would love to have the name of the Bible you are currently using. It seems valuable. I also have one that has historical information regarding the time of each part of the Bible. I would like to delve into that also.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich as they work together with the help os a counselor to mend their relationship.
    Prayers for April as she reads the Bible through again, may God continue to illumiate His word for her. Prayers for Ally as she follows the job lead, may she be successful and may David continue to heal through therapy. Prayers for Marcy’s continued recovery. Prayers for Jill and Larry as they travel throughout Florida and recharge their souls. Prayers for Lou’s family, may their travel be safe and prayers for Lou as she entertains them and rejoices in seeing them after the pandemic lockdown. Prayers for the UR, readers, posters, and administrators.

    • April Posted April 8, 2021 6:33 pm

      This is the Bible that I am reading: The Daily Bible New International Version Revised edition
      by F. LaGard Smith

      Yesterday was 2 Samuel 22: 1-51 and Psalm 18 if you would like to compare. Please keep us posted. Maybe Robert has a different book and would like to share.

  • Ally Posted April 8, 2021 2:20 pm

    During the last years, it seems setbacks come one right after the other. I try to remember that following Jesus doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride, but with God’s help I can make my way over the bumps. God promises in Hebrews 13:5 that God will never leave us or forsake us. I went to urgent care yesterday about my smashed thumb. It is broken. They drained under the nail and put a splint on. I’m taking naproxen for pain. David was discharged from home health today. He has made wonderful progress. Please pray he continues to grow strong and for healing for my thumb. Know I lift up each of you and thank God for you. Be blessed.

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