Monday May 1, 2023

Today is Monday, May 1 and we continue to study the Post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus.

I center myself to be in the presence of my loving Savior. I calm my breath, inhaling and exhaling deeply. I quiet my restless thoughts and fix the eyes of my soul on Jesus.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, Savior and Friend, I turn to you in the morning stillness and long to feel the comfort of your touch. Open the ears of my heart and help me hear your voice speaking into the events of the upcoming day. Amen.

As a new day dawns I praise the Lord my God with the words of Psalm 143.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8

Pause and Pray

The second time Jesus appeared to his disciples in the Upper Room, he invited Thomas to touch the nail marks in his hands and the wound of his pierced side. Later he appeared on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. There were seven disciples gathered together on the rocky shoreline – Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and two other disciples whose names were not recorded. Following Peter’s lead, the seven men decided to return to their favorite pastime and frequent occupation – fishing.

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He 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 21:3-6

The disciples return to a familiar activity. They likely found comfort in the warm sunshine, the salty sea air, the rock of the boat on the waves, and the rhythmic tossing of the net. They fished all night and caught nothing. Now it is early morning. I also find life’s routines comforting, my morning coffee, the opening of my Bible, the quiet of the dawn stillness. But have I caught anything during my times of prayer? Is my net continually coming up empty? Perhaps I have failed to recognize Jesus standing upon the shoreline of my heart, calling my name and inquiring of my failure or success. Maybe I am going through familiar devotional motions but fishing on the wrong side of the boat.

Ask: How close have I felt to Jesus this week? How often have I recognized his presence?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, I scan the margins of my daily life and search for you on the horizon. Help me see you standing in the midst of my routines. Enable me to hear your voice calling me above the busy waves of daily activity and numerous conversations. You know what it is I am seeking. Guide me to find what my heart longs for. Show me where to cast my net and bless me with an abundance. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He 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 21:3-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

There is something God wants to reveal to me through the Holy Spirit as I study his sacred Word. Whatever image or phrase that stands out to me – I jot it down in my journal and carry it with me throughout my day. Perhaps God wants me to recognize what I am fishing for in the course of my life. Maybe God wants to guide me to try a new approach. Perhaps God is encouraging me to fish for something else. Maybe there is a relationship or circumstance in my life in which I continually “come up empty”. Where might God want to help me discover a treasure that is lying close at hand that I cannot see?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, I invite you to examine my life and my heart. Reveal the places where I am lacking your peace, your joy, your love, your hope, your forgiveness, or your power. Help me realize the emptiness of my fishing net despite my endless lonely efforts. Teach me a different way to cast my net. Amen.

He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:4b-6

I leave this time of prayer looking for Christ in my midst, I go to follow his lead and serve others in his name.

Amen