SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
NEWS: Tonight is our online Women’s Bible study. It’s via Zoom and starts at 5:00 PM. Led by Lori Dowe, the ladies are in, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus” by Max Lucado.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Ian Andrews.
READINGS: Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; Psalm 119:1-8; Job 12:1-6, 12-25; John 5:30-47
DEVOTION:
1 Corinthians 15:35-42 – But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as He has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.
In Western cultures we have a tendency to treat the human body as if it were not very important. Quite a few people, even Christians, think of the body as something we should be glad to leave behind at death—a barrier between us and God. They imagine that in the life of the world to come, people will be purely spirits, without bodies at all.
But this isn’t what God says. God made us to be spirit and matter both. He likes our bodies, and He considers them to be part of us. In fact, God Himself chose to take on a body—when He was born among us as the baby Jesus, our Savior.
It was through His body that Jesus saved us, when He lay down His life for us on the cross. It was in His body that Jesus rose from the dead—not just a spirit or a ghost, but a living Man again. He keeps His body to this very day—He has not laid it aside. It will be His forever.
And that is the joyful promise that Jesus makes to us, everyone who believes in Him. We too will have our bodies back again, on the day when He returns and remakes the universe. Just as Jesus keeps His body for all eternity, so we will have our bodies—free from sin and sickness and death, perfect and wonderful. At that time we will finally see what a human being is supposed to be—body and soul in perfect harmony, the whole human race in incredible diversity and beauty. No one will need to be ashamed or afraid or in pain. We will be like Jesus, and with Jesus—and nothing could be better.
Do we know the details of exactly how this will all work? No. Paul makes it clear that there will be some differences from what we know now—as he says, the garden plant isn’t exactly like the seed that was planted. Things will be different. But God has His plans, and they involve glory. Our bodies have been redeemed by Jesus, just as our souls have—and so our bodies will glorify God and be a source of joy to us forever and ever.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for giving me my body, and help me to look forward to what You’re going to do with it in the resurrection. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you like most about your body, right here and now?
2. What one change do you look forward to in the resurrection?
3. What does it mean to you, knowing that Jesus chose to take on human flesh and that He is keeping His body for all eternity?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 23-24 Matthew 28
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully.
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
