SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
NEWS: The Storm baseball game is Friday evening -and just remember to meet up with those you may be carpooling with. For your downtime on these warm, muggy days, here is a link where you can find a crossword on Jonah The Prophet: http://biblecrosswords.org/
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Linda Johnson. Linda needed to change doctors and is waiting on word from a new physician regarding surgery on an arm issue.
READINGS: Psalm 51; 1 Samuel 26:1-25; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Urgency”
Luke 12:49-53 – [Jesus said] “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a Baptism to be baptized with, and how great is My distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Have you ever wondered what it felt like for Jesus, to walk the earth and do His ministry and look forward to its ending at the cross? Here is one of the rare cases where we hear Him talking about His feelings. And the main thing He seems to feel is urgency. He says, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!” Those are the words of a man in a hurry.
Or again, He says, “I have a Baptism to be baptized with, and how great is My distress until it is accomplished!” He knows what is coming—His own suffering and death on the cross—and He’s having a hard time enduring the wait. He calls it distress, and that’s right.
Jesus is distressed, partly no doubt for human reasons—no human being likes to look forward to death in such a horrible way. And yet He is also concerned about the people He came to save—because His salvation will lead to even more trouble. Families are going to be broken up—two will believe in Jesus, while the other three won’t. Relatives will be divided on the question of Jesus. Who is He? Is He a liar? Is He a blasphemer? Is He exactly who He says He is, the Son of God, our Savior?
Jesus’ urgency came to a head on the night when He was betrayed and arrested, and put on trial for His life. By 9 o’clock the next morning He would be hanging on a cross, and by 3 p.m. He would’ve finished everything necessary to save us—and given up His spirit to God, and died. The mad rush was over. At least for Jesus!
For the people who trusted in Him, their rush was just beginning. They had time to take a breath on Holy Saturday when Jesus rested in the tomb. But with Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead and those who saw Him started running—running to tell the others, running to spread the news to everyone. They were urgent. Jesus’ urgency had passed to them.
The church is still running today, isn’t it? We are running every time someone shares their faith with friends or family. We are running when missionaries go overseas or to those in our own country who haven’t had a chance to hear about Jesus. We run with urgency, because we know that soon Jesus will come back and bring a glorious end to all our running. All the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, and we will celebrate together in His kingdom.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, help us to share Jesus’ urgency as we wait for His coming. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What situations in your life make you feel most urgent and distressed right now?
2. Why do you think the Prince of Peace divides families?
3. What are you looking forward to in God’s kingdom?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 1-3 1 Corinthians 6
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 can go about your day 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.”
You can now go to bed quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Below is our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
