SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023

by | Apr 26, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023

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

 NEWS: Birth Choice Baby Shower!  On Saturday, May 13 (the day before Mother’s Day) at 1:00, all ladies are invited to a fun “Baby Shower” to benefit the ministry of BirthChoice.   You can learn more about BirthChoice here:  www.birthchoice.net   We’ll have all the usual fun activities and some great food plus we’ll hear about the important, loving work of BirthChoice.  Please bring an unwrapped baby gift and/or contributions for the money tree.  They have a gift registry here:  https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/birthchoice-ofsanmarcos-december-2022-sanmarcos/3HYNXQTV8GQKI   Mark your calendar.  Be sure to attend – and please bring several guests!  There will be a special gift for all the teens who participate, please especially invite them.  For planning purposes, lease register at the church or email Debbie at debbiekolkman@yahoo.com or 760.433.4885.

Our semi-annual Congregational Meeting is coming up, on Sunday, May 21st. It will happen right after our Sunday service and a short fellowship time. All the boards that serve our congregation and you will give their reports as well as Pastor Joel. Please mark your caolendar and plan to attend. Our pastor and board members need everyone’s support in their ministry work.

 PRAYERS: Today we lift up Theodora Elias in prayer. Theodora requests prayers for her health needs. We pray for her husband Rod, whom is a professional limo driver but is out of work now. Prayers are also asked for their son and daughter.

 READINGS: 2 Chronicles 32:20-33; Psalm 106:24-48; Luke 17:1-19

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Recognizing Our Shepherd”

April 27, 2023

 

John 10:1-5, 7b-10 – [Jesus said] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. … Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Some years ago, we had a fellow in town who claimed to be the Messiah and got people to trust him. Some even moved internationally to be close to him. Eventually he left town with all the money and another man’s wife. His followers were shocked. But for those who had eyes to see, it was clear all along that he was a liar. Nothing about him was like Jesus—not his words or his actions.

Jesus warned us that people like this would come (see Luke 21:8). And so He told us how we could tell the difference between Jesus and these liars.

The first is by actions. No real shepherd climbs over the fence! No real Jesus does un-Jesus-like things—making a profit for himself off people, doing them harm, or just bending the rules. When we meet someone who claims to speak for God, we look at these things. Is the person honest? Kind? Merciful? Truthful? Obedient to the proper authority? If he doesn’t act like Jesus, it’s time to run.

The second way we know our Shepherd is by His voice. Does he talk like Jesus—does he say the things Jesus says in the ways Jesus says them? Or does he contradict Jesus—add to His teaching—take away things Jesus told us? This is why we read the Bible regularly, especially the Gospels. Read them to your children! You will soon develop an ear for His voice. Then, if somebody sounds “off” to you, he probably is.

Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” How? By giving Himself into death for our sake, to rescue us out of the power of sin, death, and the devil. By rising from the dead, so that all of us who trust in Him will rise also, and live forever with Him in joy and peace. We are His sheep, and He is our true Shepherd. What better shepherd could we have?

WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Son Jesus to be our Good Shepherd. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever had a pet who recognized your voice and came running?

2. If so, how did that make you feel?

3. How do you think Jesus feels about you when you listen for Him and try to stay close, even if you make mistakes?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 19:28-48

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