SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: A very blessed Thursday to all!
PRAYERS: Today we remember the Cerny family in our prayers: Amanda, Josh, William and Daniel. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray that the Christian children in Oceanside would be able to recognize lies and not spread them when they hear them.
READINGS: Lamentations 1; Psalm 45; Philippians 3:1-11
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Failure”
August 17, 2023 |
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| Matthew 15:21-28 – And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And He answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
God bless this lady! She had strong faith. Though it doesn’t surprise me, as she had a child to take care of—and there’s just no way this mother is going to leave Jesus alone as long as she has the smallest hope He might agree to heal her.
I’m sure Jesus knew that. I suspect it’s the reason He felt safe doing what He did—that is, testing His disciples. He knew the woman wasn’t going away no matter what He said. But the disciples—what about them? In all their time with Him, had their hearts gotten any softer? Had they learned anything yet about love and mercy, during all the times they’d seen Jesus healing the poor, the foreigners, the women, the children?
I’m afraid not. Just look at what happens! When this Canaanite woman comes asking and Jesus is surprisingly silent, none of the disciples ask, “Lord, why are You being so weird today?” They don’t even say, “Would You please heal her daughter so she’ll stop bugging us?” No, they say, “Send her away.” That is a failure right there.
But Jesus gives them another chance. He says two more things that sound really discouraging, even rude—in fact, exactly what the disciples probably wish He would say all the time! And what happens? Do the disciples say anything—are they even surprised? Nothing. The woman keeps asking, the disciples say nothing—and finally, Jesus gives up on them and reverts to His usual merciful Self. He praises the woman, promises healing, and sends her home.
Failure. And yet, Jesus will heal the disciples, too. Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, He will change their stony hearts into hearts full of His own love and mercy. They too will learn to love the people of the world—all the people, including the Gentiles, women, and children. They will heal, they will show kindness, and they will take the message of God’s lovingkindness to all of us throughout the world. We can see it start on Pentecost Sunday.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, be patient with me when I fail to love, and give me a heart like Yours. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What kind of people do you personally feel most uncomfortable with?
2. When you think about Jesus’ acts of love toward you, does that change your attitude?
3. In what specific ways is Jesus teaching you to show kindness and mercy to them? |
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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
