SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors are meeting online through Zoom at 6:00 PM. This will be the new meetin g time for the BOD for the foreseeable future. Bruce Wodward sent out the Zoom link on Tuesday, so please check your email.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Kyle Ross in prayer. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for those in Oceanside who are victims of human and sex trafficking. We pray for their rescue, their healing and that those who have abused them would be brought to God’s divine justice for their evil.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 49:1-6; Psalm 32; Ephesians 1:1-14

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“You Give Them Something to Eat” August 3, 2023

 

Matthew 14:13a, 14-21 – Now when Jesus … went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. I wonder what the disciples’ faces looked like when Jesus said that to them—”You give them something to eat.” They knew they didn’t have what it took to do the job. Why was Jesus asking, then? And yet, God does the same thing today, doesn’t He? One phone call or letter, and your life is changed forever. “You want me to raise that child, Lord? I haven’t got the first idea what to do.” “You’re going to dump that project in my lap, God? You know I don’t have those skills.” Or my own favorite from young adulthood: “You’re calling me to be a what?” Jesus has a habit of calling the unqualified to do the impossible. (I’ve always suspected it has something to do with His sense of humor.) And it makes for some terrifying moments. But in the end, it comes out all right—for the disciples and for us. Because Jesus supplies what we lack—whether it’s wisdom, money, courage, or miracle-working power. The disciples told Him honestly what they had, and Jesus worked with that. His instructions were plain and simple, and in the end, everyone was fed. When God faces us with the impossible, we can do what the disciples did—tell Him honestly, “This is all I can bring to the situation,” and then wait. Because in the end, it isn’t us in charge. It’s Jesus. This is the God who planned to save the entire world, including us, from the power of sin, death, and the devil—and how? Using only a single human life—His own. He lay down that life for all of us on a cross outside Jerusalem, paying the price for all our evil. And three days later, He rose from the dead, breaking the power of death not just for Himself but for all of us who trust in Him. That’s a lot to do with so little! And He can do extraordinary things with us limited people as well, if we will trust Him. WE PRAY: Dear Lord, help me to trust You when You call on me to do something for You. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. When has God asked you to do something that feels impossible? 2. What happened? 3. What did this experience do for your attitude toward Him?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 120-122; 2 Thessalonians 2

 

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 hour  s: 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