11 Apr Daily Devotion Saturday 4/11/20

Vigil of Easter

Scripture of the Day:  Romans 6:3-11

Daily Reminder:  “So we too…walk in newness of life.” (v. 4)

When my sons were toddlers, I loved squatting down at their level and taking a little walk hand-in-hand.  We stopped every few steps to examine a blade of grass, an ant, a bit of paper.  “Ooo!” my sons exclaimed, pointing at their discovery and looking to be sure I too saw the new treasure to consider and enjoy.

God’s gift in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus invites us to see everything – including ourselves – as new.  We thrill to the new knowledge that we are fully loved by God, despite our sins.  Our newness lets us see afresh the treasures of the world;  sunsets, raindrops, a warm piece of toast on a cold day, holding hands with an elder.

Rising anew in God brings new perspective – like seeing life through a toddler’s eye’s.  Much of what we once valued holds less importance; what used to seem small we now embrace as precious.  And God’s gift of grace in Jesus Christ supersedes all other gifts.

Thank you, Jesus, for revealing your huge gifts of love and life in seemingly small ways.  Amen.

Prayer Concern:  The newly baptized

Daniel 3:1-29; John 20:1-18

Daily Prayers

Morning:  Your death and resurrection are my strength and life, O Christ, raising me from fear into the joy of knowing that you are always near. May streams of peace and grace flow through my heart to all I touch this day.  Amen.

Mealtime:  Jesus, you blessed bread and broke it to open the eyes of faith to your loving presence.  Open our eyes to your presence at this table, that we may taste your goodness in the gifts you give and the love we share.  Amen.

Evening:  You, Lord, are my rest.  Only in you do I know the peace I crave.  I release every thought and care into your love.  Grant gentle rest this night, that I may rise to know you in the beauty of a new day.  Amen.

Worship With Us.

This has been a daily devotion from the “Christ in Our Home” devotion book Vol. 67 No. 2.  Credit given to Heidi Hyland Mann, Laurie J. Hanson, and Julie O’Brien (editors) and devotion writers David L. Miller, Jenifer Ohman-Rodrigues, Christine Hallenbeck Ask, Nathan Baker-Trinity, Carla Thompson Powell, David Iversen, and Michael Walker.  Scripture readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary (c) 1992, 2012 Consolation on Common Texts.  Used by permission.  Texts specific to festivals and commemorations are used when appropriate. For more information about these days, see “More Days for Praise:  Festivals and Commemorations in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, available for purchase at www.augsburgfortress.org.  CHRIST IN OUR HOME (ISSN 0412-2968), published by Augsburg Fortress, 510 Marquette Ave., STE 800, Minneaplolis MN 55402.  Copyrighted material (c) 2019 Augsburg Fortress.  All rights reserved.  Printed in the USA.  USPS Publication Agreement Number 1631527.  Canadian Publication Agreement Number 40030418.