SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27 ESV
NEWS: For those interested in diving deeper into Lutheran theology, the website Steadfast Lutherans is a good source. The link to their website is, https://steadfastlutherans.org/
PRAYERS: Today we remember Debbie and Allen Kolkman in prayer.
READINGS: Jeremiah 15:10-21; Psalm 134; Acts 9:32-10:8
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“More Hands to Help”
Matthew 9:35-38 – And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Have you ever seen a sheep without a shepherd? Occasionally a domestic sheep gets lost and turns up years later, and you see photos of them in the news. They are lucky to be alive! With no shepherd, the sheep is in constant danger from predators like coyotes and wolves. It has no medical care, so it probably has parasites, and a broken bone or infected cut could kill it. It has no one to guide it to places where there is good grass and water to drink, so it may die of hunger or thirst. And its wool goes unshorn, possibly for years—which is the reason these pictures turn up on the news media. A sheep can’t shear itself. And wool that goes on growing year after year is wool that gets matted, dirty, and very, very heavy. It is a burden to the sheep. One sheep found in 2015 was carrying 90 pounds of extra weight in fleece alone!
No wonder Jesus is concerned for the people He is seeing every day. God didn’t make them to live on their own. They too need a Shepherd, the God who made them and knows them and wants them to be healthy and blessed. Jesus has come to gather them in, all these lost sheep from God’s flock. He will heal them, protect them, provide for them, and keep them safe. And He will do all these things at the sacrifice of His own life—because a good shepherd loves his sheep and will die for them if necessary, so they may live.
But gathering up all God’s human sheep is going take a lot of manpower. Jesus has no intention of doing it on His own. He calls disciples to help Him, and sends them out to teach and preach and heal. And He calls us, every Christian believer, every sheep that God has already found, saved, and tended.
Now it’s our turn to seek out other sheep and bring them home. Jesus will do for them what we cannot—save and heal and forgive. We will help however He directs us—listening and caring and finding housing or medical care or jobs or counseling, whatever is necessary for the people God values so much. And we will pray—because Jesus, our crucified and risen Shepherd, tells us to pray that God will send out more laborers. There are still many lost sheep in need of loving care. And God has honored us—you and me—with the chance to reach them.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I don’t really know what I’m doing, but You can care for lost people through me. Please make whatever use of me You see best. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers who are not believers in Jesus?
2. If so, what are you doing to love and care for them? Name a few specific things.
3. What are some skills or gifts you have that could be put to the benefit of your neighbors?
Today’s Bible Readings: Proverbs 13-15 Acts 2:1-21
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
