Tag: Daily Reading

Morning Reading: Luke 5.1-11 NLT – fishing

Reading: Luke 5.1-11 NLT

fishing for people
fishing for people

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Break into my ordinary activities… so that I can listen to you and seee you at work… in the world around me… today.  And when I have listened… and taken it to heart… compel me – by the power of your Spirit – to respond without hesitation or reservation. All to the glory of God, the Father. Amen.

Hymn: “Jesus Calls Us, O’er the Tumult” – by Cecil F Alexander (1852)

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Note from The Peanut Gallery: You may already realize that the “Daily Readings” are taken from a slow reading through the “Gospel of Luke.” Upon completion, my intention is to continue reading through “Acts of the Apostles”… since it continues the story begun in the Gospel. The idea is to reflect first on what Jesus said and did… and then on what those who followed him said and did.

On Sundays, however, I will return to lectionary readings from the USCCB… since many churches follow the same lectionary readings.

Morning Reading: Luke 4.42-44 NLT – preaching

Reading: Luke 4.42-44 NLT

Kingdom-of-God Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

Prayer: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” and, partucularly, in me today. Amen

Hymn: “The Lord’s Prayer” – (YOUTUBE)

Morning Reading: Luke 4.38-41 NLT – healing

Reading: Luke 4.38-41 NLT

After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

healing rainAs the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Spiritual Song: “Healing Rain” – Michael W Smith (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 4.31-37 NLT – authority and power

Reading: Luke 4:31-37 NLT

Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

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Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—began shouting at Jesus, “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.

Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

Prayer: Lord God – All authority and power come from you. Give me the wisdom and discernment to employ them as an expression of your lovingkindness. No more, no less. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “More Love, More Power” (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 4:22-24, 28-30 NLT – familiarity

Reading: Luke 4:22-24, 28-30 NLT

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

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Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown….”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – May each new day with you be filled with wonder and expectation. Drive away any spirit of familiarity that would lead to complacency and rob me of joy. And fill me with your Spirit, for your name’s sake. Amen.