SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 133:2-3 ESV
NEWS: Your Board of Directors have their monthly meeting this evening,. Online via Zoom, at 7 PM. For board members, please refer to the email Bruce Woodward sent out by email yesterday.
For all other news, please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Church Newsletter that Allen Kolkman sent by email yesterday.
PRAYERS: Today we raise up Pam Gosdis in prayer. We also pray for the Board of Directors as they go about leading our congregation and have their monthly meeting this evening.
READINGS: Nahum 1; Psalm 113; Luke 19:11-27
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Reassurance”
John 14:1-6 – [Jesus said] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Look at how simply Jesus speaks to His disciples! He uses short sentences and words that are so clear a child can understand Him. In fact, He reminds me of the way I once spoke to my own child when I was dropping him off at preschool. You may remember how it goes: “Mommy and Daddy have to go to work now, but we will come back. We will come back and take you home with us. You will see us soon. And we will go home together.”
Parents talk to their children this way because they understand that the child is nervous about the separation. They don’t like to see Mommy or Daddy going out the door! And Jesus’ disciples would face something far more difficult in just a few hours. They would see their dear Lord betrayed, arrested, and put to death on a cross. How terrifying that would be! Jesus knew they were not ready, though He had tried to prepare them. And so, out of deep love, He reassured them again. “I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Now that Jesus has risen from the dead, we understand better why He had to go away. We know that through His death and resurrection Jesus rescued us from the power of the devil and brought us into the kingdom of His Father. And we know that He keeps His promises, because He rose from the dead, just like He said He would. This makes it easier for us to trust Him now that He has returned to the Father, and we see Him no more. We can be certain that He will come again in glory at the end of the world, and bring us and all His people to live with Him forever in the kingdom of God.
Look at the wonderful kindness of our God, who cares for our feelings when we are afraid and anxious, even when He Himself is about to face death! If God so loved us then, He will certainly take care of us now when we are anxious and afraid. We can count on Him to keep His promises forever.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, when I am anxious and afraid, be with me and strengthen me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you had to comfort a child who was worried about separation? If so, how did you do it?
2. When you are anxious, how do you turn to the Lord for help?
3. Tell a story about a time when you were worried and afraid, and Jesus helped you.
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 23 Psalms 54 Psalms 63 Luke 22:47-71
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
