SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023

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

 NEWS: Gospel Adventure for Kids!  This new ministry of the Lutheran Laymen’s League is a weekly podcast where kids learn of Bible characters, hear the Gospel, learn activities and hear vibrant songs and meet other kids like them!  It’s fun and it’s both biblical and Gospel centered!  You can find it at Spotify, Google, Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio and at gospeladventures.org/show

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Woodward family in our prayers: Carole, Bruce and Eric. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray  for our Oceanside businesses, that they would pay their workers fair and honest wages. We also ask the Lord to help our city prosper, to his glory.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 51:1-11; Psalm 38; Ephesians 5:1-21

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Fears” August 10, 2023

 

Matthew 14:22-27 – Immediately He [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” I hate it when Jesus does this to me. No doubt you do, too. I mean the thing where He tells you to go and do something that gives you a little mild anxiety, like getting into a boat and going somewhere without Him for a few hours—and then it turns into a huge mess, and you’re stressing out wondering where He is and why would He put you through this in the first place? And just to put the cherry on top, you see something supremely scary—and scream—and suddenly He’s saying, “No, no, it’s Me, don’t be afraid!” and everything is fine again. And it really is. Except for a crazy wish to yell at Jesus for giving me white hair one more time. Oh, I’m not talking specifically about boats here. But this kind of mess happened to me when I was choosing a career—when I was thinking about getting married—when I was expecting a child—when the church hit a rocky patch. Every time, mild anxiety escalating to overwhelming fear as things went wrong—and then, Jesus. Just Jesus, saying, “It’s Me. I’ve got you, calm down.” And I’m so glad to see Him, but at the same time, I want to yell, “Where were You?” I’m sure He knows this. I suspect He smiles at me sometimes, knowing I want to fall at His feet and scream in His ear at the very same minute. And yet, the problem is really with me, isn’t it? If I actually trusted Him the way I wish I did, I’d not have that white hair. I wouldn’t be surprised when He showed up at the very last minute, walking on the water. I’d be like, “Oh, there You are, Lord. Having a nice stroll?” and we’d just move on. Ha! I expect to be at least 100 years old before I develop this kind of faith. Maybe 200. Thank God He’s so patient with me. Thank God that He loves us so much that our fears and freak-outs never upset Him, that He is patient with us when we are not patient with Him. But then, He loves us-and has proved that to the uttermost, when He stretched out His arms on that cross to suffer and die for us all. He will not send us anywhere He Himself isn’t going; and when it comes to death, He’s been there before. He knows the way—He is the Way!—and He is our resurrection. And frightened as we are, the Holy Spirit will keep us clinging to Him through all our little and big fears, until the day Jesus comes to bring us safely to Himself forever. WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, when I’m afraid, be with me! Come quickly, please? Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. What kinds of things give you mild anxiety? 2. How do you seek help when things get worse? 3. When did you go through a storm in your life, and Jesus came to rescue you?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 149-150; 1 Corinthians 5

 

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