SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023

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

 NEWS: A blessed Thursday to all!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Linda Johnson in our prayers. Linda is doing pretty well in doing chemo twice a week. That will continue for a while, although here tumor mass is dissolving. She wants to thank her church family for their thoughts, prayers and kindness that they are showing her.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 32; Psalm 93; Hebrews 5:11’6:8

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Unreasonable” October 5, 2023

 

Matthew 21:33-42 – [Jesus said] “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Have you ever noticed how many of Jesus’ parables go right off the rails in one way or another? Here we have a story that starts off reasonably—until the tenants attack the owner’s messengers. In any normal story, we’d know what comes next. But if the tenants in this story are unreasonable, the owner is too! Because he doesn’t have them arrested and put to death. Instead, he sends more messengers—who suffer the same fate as the first group. And then does he come to his senses? No. He looks at the only man he has left to send, his only son, and says, “Go.” We all know what comes next. This is a ridiculous, unreasonable story—but then, you could say the same about reality, couldn’t you? Because look at what God did in real history! He sent His servants the prophets to His people, not just once or twice, but again and again and again—and every time, they were rejected, harassed, attacked, and even killed. A reasonable god would have rained down judgment after the first one or two. But our God—the true God—what did He do? He sent His Son. By any ordinary measure, God’s love for us is unreasonable. It leads Him to show a patience we can hardly understand with human sin and wickedness. It leads Him to show mercy, again and again, even to His enemies. And it led Him to send His Son Jesus—so that we, His enemies, might be forgiven, made new, and changed into children of God. This is not reasonable. This is a glory of love and compassion that goes so far beyond reason that nobody can comprehend it. All we can do is give thanks—and worship. WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Son—and for making us new through Him. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. What would you have done if you had been the owner? Why? 2. Is love usually unreasonable? Why or why not? 3. Can you think of any other parables Jesus told which go “off the rails” in unexpected ways like this one does?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 62-64; Romans 12

 

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