SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023

by | Aug 28, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023

 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 57:10-11 ESV

 NEWS: “Wine on the Patio” will be on Friday, September 1, 6:30-9:00 at the Kolkmans on their back patio.  Bring wine (or other beverage) to share plus also an hors d’oeuvres, appetizer or snack to go with that to share.   All are welcome!  Questions?  Email kolkmanallen@gmail.com

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Berand Kirschner in our prayers. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for local farmers as well as those in the state of California, that the Lord would provide rain when needed. We also ask the Lord to grant leaders wisdom in regards to water storage and regulation.

 READINGS: Ester 5; Psalm 57; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Cranky”
August 29, 2023

 

Jeremiah 15:15, 16b-19 – O LORD, You know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your forbearance take me not away; know that for Your sake I bear reproach … O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because Your hand was upon me, for You had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before Me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as My mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.”

Poor Jeremiah. He went through so much—speaking as God’s prophet, only to be thrown in a cistern, get kidnapped, and have his life threatened. And though Jeremiah loves the Lord with all his heart, he is angry with Him too, sometimes. As he says in verse 18, “Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?”

Now that’s going a little too far. Jeremiah knows perfectly well that God has never failed him, no matter how often he’s been put in danger. But Jeremiah feels like a hissing cat, and he takes his anger out on the one nearest to him—on the Lord.

Oops! But God is patient with him, and calls him back to the true facts of the matter. God is not the problem here—the sinful people are. And Jeremiah needs to adjust his attitude. “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before Me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as My mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.”

What good is a prophet who allows his hearers to sway him? Not much. But what prophet, even the greatest, can stand against the pressure of angry, dangerous people? None at all—unless the Lord Himself lives in him.

And this is true for us, too, isn’t it? In ourselves, we have no power. As Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5b). No pastor, no parent, no teacher, no Christian of any sort can do the jobs God has given to them to do on their own. The work is too much for us, and the pressure of the devil too strong.

But with Jesus, things are different. We are still weak; yes, but the One who died and rose again for our sake is living inside us. Those that strike at us get a big surprise when we don’t immediately keel over and give up. Not because we are wise, or great, or clever, or powerful—but because God’s Holy Spirit lives in us, and He does His work through us.

WE PRAY: Dear God, do Your work through me, especially now, when I am too weak to do what is good on my own. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you ever get crabby with God? When?

2. Should you try to hide your anger and crankiness from God, or not? Why?

3. Tell the story of a time when you consciously leaned on God’s strength to do something you yourself could not handle.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Chronicles 10-12; 2 Corinthians 3

 

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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org