SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023

by | May 24, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023

 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 ESV

 NEWS: Wine on The Patio returns tomorrow evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It may be indoors, depending on the weather.  It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM. Please bring some wine to share (or other beverage) and also some hors d’oeuvres, appetizer or snack to share. Questions?  Please email Allen K. at kolkmanallen@gmail.com The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside

 PRAYERS: Today we lift up Glen and Deb Strausman in prayer..They give than ks that their son has found gainful employment. Prayers are also requested for Deb’s brother in his medical and housing needs.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 3:19-25; Psalm 119:113-120; Acts 1:1-11

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Thirsty”

May 25, 2023

 

John 7:37-39 – On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

It’s very common for us to feel like something is missing in our lives. We long for something; we know not what—and we can’t really be content or at rest until we find it. And so we look everywhere. We might try pleasure—things like food or drugs or sex or alcohol. But none of that hits the spot. We might try work and power and prestige and fame. We might pour ourselves into our families, hoping to get back from them a kind of love that will leave us feeling whole and comforted. But even the best family can’t be everything to us, and we come up empty again. What are we really longing for?

The African bishop St. Augustine tells us. He says, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You” (Confessions Book 1). God has put a thirst for Him into our hearts, and we will never be happy, never truly be at rest, until we come to Him and are satisfied. This is the way God made us. We are meant to live on God and to get our life from Him. Nothing else will do.

And so Jesus calls to us, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” If you think about it, this is an amazing promise for a simple man to make. What, I can find all my needs and desires met in You, Jesus? You Yourself are enough? How can that be? It can only be true if Jesus is God—God come in human flesh, born among us, living and suffering and dying on a cross for us—yes, and rising again.

That God is enough for us. That God has been through the worst of what this world has to offer, and He still stands before us, holding out joy and satisfaction to us with both hands. “Come to Me,” He says, and we do. “Trust in Me,” He says, and we learn to rest the weight of our hopes and fears on Him—a little more each day—and we find Him faithful. He can handle us, all of us, even the darkest and most broken parts of us, the bits that hurt too much to acknowledge. “I will quench your thirst,” He says. “I will make My Spirit a river of living water flowing out of your heart. You will never be thirsty again. And I will use you to share the water of life with those around you.”

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, give me to drink of Your living water, and use me to bring that water to others, too. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. When were you desperate for something to drink? How did it feel when you finally got what you needed?

2. Have you gone down any wrong paths looking for satisfaction and wholeness in your life?

3. Name as many ways as you can that Jesus satisfies your thirst and meets your needs as a person.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 15-16; John 9:1-23

 

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