5 Day Devo

Pastor Danny Eggold • January 19, 2026

Sermon by Pastor Danny Eggold

Embracing Grace Through Failure

Day 1: The Honesty of Love

Reading: Matthew 16:13-23

Devotional: Jesus' rebuke of Peter reveals a profound truth: love speaks honestly, even when it hurts. Peter wanted Jesus without suffering, glory without the cross, a Jesus on his own terms. How often do we do the same? We want God's blessings without discipline, transformation without sacrifice. Jesus calls Peter "Satan" not to condemn, but to redirect him toward God's purposes. True discipleship requires setting our minds on divine things, not human comfort. This January, ask yourself: Am I seeking Jesus as He is, or as I want Him to be? God's honest love exposes our self-deception so we can experience genuine transformation. His correction is never rejection, it's the pathway to becoming who He created us to be.

Day 2: The Pattern of Our Failures

Reading: Mark 14:27-31, 66-72

Devotional: Peter's three denials weren't isolated incidents, they revealed a pattern of misunderstanding throughout his discipleship. The disciples consistently got it wrong: arguing about greatness, blocking children from Jesus, falling asleep during prayer, abandoning Him at the cross. Sound familiar? Our failures often follow patterns too. The same sins resurface because, honestly, we enjoy them. We like what they offer, how they feel, the control they give us. January's broken resolutions expose this reality: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Yet recognizing our patterns isn't cause for despair, it's the beginning of healing. When we stop making excuses and honestly name our struggles, we position ourselves to receive the grace that alone can change us.

Day 3: Grace That Pursues

Reading: John 21:1-19

Devotional: After denying Jesus three times, Peter returns to fishing, back to his old life. But Jesus pursues him to that beach, prepares breakfast, and offers something remarkable: three opportunities to confess love where he had three times denied. What Peter experiences as accusation is actually absolution. Jesus doesn't abandon failures; He redeems them. Notice Jesus doesn't ask, "Why did you deny me?" but "Do you love me?" He's not interested in shame but restoration. Your failures (past, present, or future) don't disqualify you from God's purposes. They become the very places where grace does its deepest work. The same Jesus who pursued Peter to that beach pursues you today, not to condemn but to restore, commission, and feed His sheep through you.

Day 4: Setting Our Minds on God's Things

Reading: Romans 8:5-11

Devotional: Jesus told Peter his problem was setting his mind on human things rather than God's things. Paul echoes this: those who live according to the flesh set their minds on fleshly things, but those according to the Spirit set their minds on spiritual things. This isn't about trying harder—it's about redirection. What captures your attention captures your heart. Where do your thoughts naturally drift? What do you rehearse mentally? Transformation begins when we deliberately focus on God's truth, His character, His promises. This requires discipline: Scripture reading, worship, prayer, fellowship. But it's not legalistic striving—it's positioning ourselves where grace can work. Like turning your face toward the sun, setting your mind on God's things allows His light to transform you from one degree of glory to another.

Day 5: Life Full of Grace

Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Devotional: Paul discovered that God's grace is sufficient, His power perfected in weakness. This is the Gospel's great paradox: our failures become showcases for divine grace. Peter's denials weren't wasted. They taught him dependence, humility, and compassion for other struggling believers. Your broken resolutions, repeated sins, and persistent weaknesses aren't the end of your story. They're opportunities to discover that Jesus never lets go. Bring your failures to the Holy Supper where everything is honest love, where sins are confessed and forgiven. Don't fear trying, struggling, or falling, as long as you bring it all to Jesus. Only grace can change us, and life is full of grace. This year, let your weakness become the canvas on which God paints His masterpiece of redemption.

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August Happenings

By Amy Widener • July 27, 2026

August Opportunities for Fellowship & Learning (In alphabetical order) Altar Guild Annual Potluck Meeting Wednesday, August 19th @ 6:00 pm in the Cornerstone Room If you're one of the ladies in our Altar Guild thank you. Be sure to join us for our annual potluck supper with a meeting following. Bible Studies (click for details) New Sunday series continues, but summer plans for weekday studies will be ending soon. Stay tuned for dates of when those will start to meet regularly again. Christian Education Weekend (Backpack Blessing) During all worship services August 8-9th Rededicate our faculty and staff to their teaching ministry as well as rededicate ourselves as a congregation to praying for them, encouraging them, and supporting the work God has given us to do together. Students may also get their backpack blessing tag for this school year. School starts August 12th! At the 10:30 AM service, we will also install Janet Bahr as our assistant principal and Dianna Bultemeier as a called teacher of St. Peter's. Please join us for a reception honoring Janet and Dianna on the church's front porch following this service. Confirmation Kick-Off Sunday, August 9th during the Bible Study hour @ 9:15 am in the Sanctuary Parents and students (7th & 8th graders) of our day school and public school will meet to prep for the upcoming year with Pastor McDowell. Plan to attend and remember the Confirmation Site on The Hub will be updated soon with everything you need to know as far as expectations, handbook, assignments, deadlines, and event dates. Collections/Fundraiser (ongoing) The Compassionate Care Collection is prepping hygiene kits for the Lutheran World Relief: The LWR collection will be through July and August--details can be found on the LWR.org/kits site or HERE . Needed are: light weight bath sized towels (between 20" x 40" to 27" x52"), bath-size soap bars in original wrapper, adult toothbrush, sturdy comb, metal nail clippers--all items must be new and NOT have religious symbols or patriotic decoration. Special Monthly Offering: This month we collect for our Preschool which is so appreciated by the faculty and students. You'll also see their annual Giving Tree displayed in the Ministry Center soon. Take a letter of the alphabet off the tree and bring back the supply listed. Stay tuned for a video from our Preschool Director, Barb Christian, next week about these two opportunities to support our Preschool. Drums Alive Drums will take a break in August and come back in September with an updated schedule. Stay tuned! Monday Night Worship Summer Monday night worship ends August 31st. The following Monday is Labor Day and the church offices and schools will be closed. Senior Saints Monday, August 10th @ 11:30 am in the Cornerstone Room REGISTER HERE for this month's Lunch N' Learn featuring our own Tina Acosta who does amazing work through Turnstone. Turnstone is a place unlike any other and anyone who knows about it only has good things to say. If you'd like to know another reason Fort Wayne is such a great place to be, come listen as Tina will offer an overview of Turnstone and their services. Serving in the Church Offering your talents or acts of service is often something we all want to do, but not always sure where to start. Opportunities present themselves, but it's hard to remember them all or keep track of something that called to you at one point. The Serve tab in the Realm Connect app continues to add areas that are open and looking for someone just like you. Log in on your computer or through the app on your phone and scroll through the Roles to see if one is a good fit for you. Remember, signing up doesn't commit you to it, but does share that you'd like to be contacted about it. Sisters in Christ: Simple Quilting Craft Saturday, August 15th starting at 10 am in the Cornerstone Room REGISTER HERE FREE Regret never learning how to sew? Or haven’t picked up a needle and thread in a long time? Do not miss this opportunity to learn from ladies who’ve been sewing since 2nd grade! It’s nearly a lost art, but we’re bringing it back with Linda Thiele, Debbie Haenftling, Carol Nahrwold, and Jan Bultemeier who have curated a perfect practice project to teach you sewing and the basics of quilting in the form of a pot holder or trivet. Coordinate colors with your kitchen! It’s made for beginners, but any sewing ability is welcome. There’s so much knowledge combined in this room, if you have a question about anything related to needle and thread, they can answer it! We also gather the last Wednesday each month (July 29th this week and August 26th) at 5:00 pm Kekionga Craft Co, 7328 Maysville Rd. Come & go. Enjoy a little fellowship, prayer idea, and grab something to eat if you’d like. Young Adults Second Sundays, August 9th starting at 6 pm @ Pastor Nate's house Hosted by Ben & Gwyn Corley, we'll have dinner together, games, and devotion. Bring a friend and fellowship with us. REMEMBER August 9th is also the last day to sign up for Combat Ops Laser Tag. REGISTER HERE. You can pay later, but sign up today! Don't miss out! Get on the text thread to be sent reminders and invites. Text 'stpfw' to 94000 and follow the prompts.