SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: This evening a short, three-week Bible study begins at the home of Kay Berni. The title is, “How Happiness Happens.” The start time is 6:30 PM. For more information, please contact Kay by email, kberni@aol.com
Sunday is the 50th ANNIVERSARY of Shepherd ofn The Valley Lutheran Church. Please plan to join us right after our service for food, fun, fellowship and games!
PRAYERS: Today we remember the Doan family in prayer: Marika, Chad, Lydia and Lucille. In our Summer of Prayer, we pray that every faithful congregation in Oceanside would grow in number and their faith.
READINGS: Jeremiah 33:1-13; Psalm 12; Acts 20:17-38
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“In a Hurry”
Matthew 13:3-8, 19-23 – And He [Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying, “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. … When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the Word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Just look at the sower in this story! He’s really moving fast. He isn’t digging individual holes and putting the seeds in one by one; he isn’t even watching where he throws it! This man is in such a hurry that he throws the precious seed everywhere—even on the path, even into the weeds and rocks. If they had concrete parking lots in those days, you can bet this man would throw the seed there, too.
Why do that? What a waste of the precious seed! But the sower—who is God—doesn’t care. He’s got no time to waste and He wants the entire field—the entire world—to get the seed of the Gospel. And so He throws it everywhere—into prisons and schools and homes, among the rich and the poor, the educated and the not—to every human being. He tosses the story of Jesus across the world in books and movies and conversations, sowing the seed of faith with a generous hand.
This is what God wants every human being to know: That Jesus has given His own life on the cross to rescue us all from the power of evil, and that He has risen from the dead. Now anyone who trusts in Him will receive His overflowing love and mercy. We will become part of the harvest—a forgiven, free, joyful child of God who reflects God’s own love and grace.
And you? It doesn’t matter if you are good soil or poor, thorny or rocky ground, or even a concrete parking lot! God’s power can remake you, too. “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself” (Acts 2:39).
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, make me part of Your harvest—and then use me to spread the good Word, too! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you usually plant seed—broadcast far and wide, or one by one? Why?
2. What does God’s hurry say about the value He places on human lives?
3. What does it say about how He values you?
Today’s Bible Readings: Amos 1-3 Acts 15:22-41
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
