SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023
A VERY BLESSED JUNE AND SUMMER TO ALL!
I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Psalm 119:174 ESV
NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting atm 7 PM. Be on the lookout for an email from Bruce Woodward that contains the Zoom link.
PRAYERS: Today we remember Kay Berni in our prayers.
READINGS: Jeremiah 6:16-30; Psalm 119:161-176; Acts 4:1-22
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Some Doubted”
Matthew 28:16-20 – Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
I love the picture that Matthew paints of Jesus giving His final instructions to the disciples. There they are on the mountain, looking at their resurrected Lord. Jesus is giving them the instructions that are going to propel the church into 2,000 years of sharing the Gospel about Jesus. He tells them exactly what to do—to make disciples, and how? By baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to do everything Jesus has commanded us. This is their mission going forward.
And yet, even at this historical moment, there are still some doubters among them! I don’t know exactly what that means—maybe these are people who still can’t believe their eyes and trust that Jesus is really alive again and not a ghost or spirit. Or who knows? Maybe they’re not entirely sure who this Jesus is, even now!
It doesn’t really matter, I suppose. Whatever the problem is, they have doubts—and Jesus had to know that. But what did He do? He went ahead and gave them His mission anyway.
This comforts me, because it shows that even when the church is messed up, Jesus still loves us and trusts His work to us. He doesn’t wait for us to be perfect. He doesn’t say, “Well, some of you still have doubts, so let’s call the whole thing off!” No, Jesus is willing to work with us, messed up as we are. Sometimes it looks like He has more faith in us than we have!
But He can do that, can’t He? Because Jesus knows who we are. We are the people Jesus suffered and died for, to make us children of God. We are the people Jesus rose from the dead for, so that we could live forever with Him in His kingdom. We are the people Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to, so even though we have no power in ourselves, God’s power will flow through us.
Are we broken? Sure we are. But Jesus delights in us and does His wonderful work through us. And at the end of time, everyone will be amazed to see what God has accomplished through His imperfect people. And they will glorify the Lord.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for trusting me and using me when I can’t even trust myself. Let Your Holy Spirit work through me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you think Matthew knew that some of those people were doubting?
2. Do you ever have doubts? If so, what do you do to find help?
3. When is a specific time in your life when God trusted you to do something you didn’t feel ready for?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 39-41 John 12:27-50
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
PastorJoel, pastor@svlcchurch.org
