SVLC DEVOTION, EASTER TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023

by | Apr 10, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

EASTER TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023

 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke 24:44

 NEWS: A blessed Easter Tuesday to everyone! Right now the plan is for Tuesday evening Bible study to begin again on April 25th.

 PRAYERS: Today we lift up Chris Roth in prayer.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, through the resurrection of Your Son You have secured peace for the troubled conscience. Grant us this peace evermore that trusting in the merit of Your Son we may come at last to the perfect peace of heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Daniel 3:8-28; Psalm 2; Acts 13:26-33; Luke 24:36-49

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“A Wise Bystander”

April 11, 2023

 

Acts 5:29-35, 38b-40 – But Peter and the apostles answered [the council], “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. … Keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go.

Gamaliel is very dear to me. It’s rare that you find someone who has such common sense and self-restraint in a time of conflict. It’s clear that Gamaliel does not believe in Jesus, at least not yet; but he has enough of an open mind to consider that maybe, just maybe, Jesus might actually be the Messiah sent from God. If so, Gamaliel doesn’t want to oppose Him.

This kind of wisdom is a gift from God. Oh, it’s not the heavenly wisdom which the Spirit gives us to recognize and believe in Jesus. This is something lower—an earthly wisdom we might call it, a temporary middle ground between rejecting Jesus and embracing Him as Messiah, Savior, and Lord. Gamaliel’s wisdom is not enough to save him, but it is enough to serve as a temporary standing place—until the Holy Spirit does His saving work.

Today it seems more common to find people living at the extremes of love and hate. Gamaliel reminds us that there are other people out there—people who are currently bystanders, people who have not yet made up their minds what to believe. They are people to pray for—and people to keep in mind as we live our lives in the service of Jesus who lived and died and rose for us all. Who knows? Perhaps the Spirit will use your words and behavior to draw someone like Gamaliel to Jesus today.

In the meantime, let us love the Gamaliels in our own lives. We are privileged to know the God who came into our world to be our Savior and to give His life as a ransom for us all. Pray, that soon the same will be true for the bystanders in your life.

WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for the wisdom of Gamaliel. Please turn the hearts of those who share his wisdom to know Your Son Jesus Christ in the fullness of His love and truth. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been a bystander watching a conflict between two other people or groups?

2. Why is it a good idea sometimes to avoid taking sides?

3. How can we help those we love to move from being bystanders to trusting fully in Jesus?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Joshua 16-18; Luke 11:1-28

 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 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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org