SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023
Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, forevermore. Psalm 93:5 ESV
NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting. Its online, via Zoom, at 7 PM. Bruce Woodward sent out the Zoom link by email on Tuesday. Please contact6 him if you did not receive it.
This is the last devotional email that will be sent out for a few days. Margie and I will be travelling and the next email will be sent out for Wednesday, April 19. Blessings to all!
PRAYERS: We pray for our Board of Directors as they meet tonight, We also lift up Charlene Simpson in prayer. On Friday we remember Pat and Bill Sperberg. On Saturday we pray for Glen and Deb Strasman. On Sunday we lift up the Terrill family, Amy, Abby, Lot and Asha. We pray for the Woodward family, Carole, Bruce and Eric on Monday. Next Tuesday we have Noah Adams on our prayer list. We include Margie and I too, as we travel, that we may be safe and healthy.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 24:1-19; Psalm 93; Luke 11:14-26
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Does He Notice?”
John 20:19-20, 24-29 – On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, … Jesus came and stood among them … Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. … Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Does God notice when I’m having trouble?
I think a lot of us wonder that, especially if we belong to a church where everyone else seems to have their life going smoothly. Here we are, struggling with doubt or temptation or just overwhelmed with the trouble in our lives, and we wonder: Is God paying attention? Does He care that I’m struggling?
The story of Thomas says that He does.
Think about it. Thomas is gone when Jesus comes to His disciples and shows that He is alive again. We don’t know why—maybe Thomas is buying groceries, or using the outhouse, or running errands for the group. But he’s not there. And he misses Jesus’ visit.
When he gets back, his friends are all happy and celebrating. Thomas is still grieving—and now he’s confused and upset, on top of that. Have his friends gone crazy? Are they pulling some kind of terrible practical joke? And what if it is really true—why would Jesus leave Thomas out of something so important? Does it mean Jesus doesn’t really care about Thomas, after all?
In so many ways, Thomas is in trouble. And Jesus knows it!
So Jesus makes it his first priority to take care of Thomas on His next visit. It’s the first thing He does after saying hello. He repeats Thomas’s own words back to him—yes, Jesus was definitely paying attention, even when Thomas couldn’t see Him!—and He tells him to go ahead and test Jesus’ reality just the way he said he would, by sticking his fingers in the wounds. If Thomas really needs that kind of proof, Jesus is up for it!
Yes, Jesus noticed Thomas. And He notices when we are in trouble, too. You matter to Him, even if you’re the only one in the whole group who has a problem. You have His attention, and you will have His care as well. The same Jesus who laid down His life to rescue you and bring you into God’s family—He’s not going to overlook you in your need now.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, see what I’m struggling with and help me! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do people get overlooked in your church?
2. Tell about a time when you were struggling and God made it clear that He saw you and would help you.
3. Is there someone you know who is struggling right now? How can you help that person?
Today’s Bible Readings: Joshua 22-24 Luke 12:1-31
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, pastor@svlcchurch.org
