April 29: Morning Devotion



Good Morning, Lord!
I Am Baptized
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom. 6:3-5 ESV)

Make the sign of the cross as you say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

A Morning Prayer
Good morning, Lord! Before I begin this day I would remember all your blessings and promises. You have created me, given me life, placed me in a home, provided for my needs, and blessed me with abilities. You have given me a world in which to live that grows food, sustains life, and is remarkably resilient in the face of all that mankind does to and upon it. You have given me friends, neighbors, and community with systems of governance, justice, security and peace. More importantly, you have given yourself, Lord Jesus, to die for my sins and to rise for my eternal life. Help me receive the fullness of your blessings with joy and gratitude today. Help me to be a good witness of your love, forgiveness and salvation. Let my life show that your mercy and lovingkindness are at work in me, and let my works and words make known that your salvation is available to all who would trust in you. Amen.

I Believe …
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, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Bible Reading – Psalm 23

Question for Meditation
What does this reading teach you about Jesus, what He said and did, or what He wants His followers to believe? What does it teach you about God’s love and forgiveness?
What does this reading lead you to be thankful for?
What behavior, thought, or attitude does this reading challenge? What sin does it lead you to confess?
How might you pray for God to have a richer impact on your life through this reading?

Prayer
Pray about the creation. This certainly includes things like pollution and proper care for creation, but it also includes growing seasons, the bounty of the earth, food for the hungry, and every aspect of bodily life.

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.

Benediction
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Ps. 121:7-8 ESV)


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