SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023

by | Nov 15, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023

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

 NEWS: Please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Church Newsletter that Allen Kolkman sent out yesterday. It has great information, including everything one needs to know about Thankfeast on Saturday.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Tom and Gloria Morofski in our prayers.

 READINGS: Daniel 9; Psalm 119:73-80; 1 John 1

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Equality—or Need?”

November 16, 2023

 

Matthew 25:14a, 15, 19-23 – [Jesus said] “For it will be like a man … who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two … each according to his ability. Then he went away. … Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'”

It bugs me a bit that the master in this story gives the two good servants unequal amounts. Why? Is that fair? Especially when the master represents God giving gifts to His people?

Well, no. But then, I know that in the real world, employers do this all the time. They give one worker more responsibility and resources than another.

And it’s clear that God, too, doesn’t treat us equally. To one person He gives a sharp mind and education, and to another He gives strength and dexterity, and work that uses those gifts. To others He may seem to give very few gifts indeed—for example, a person who is very disabled from birth. Is it wrong of God to handle things this way?

The temptation is to answer “Yes!” We think of the world as a contest, and we want to see everyone start with the same advantages. But what if it’s not a contest? What if instead this is God creating and growing a body—the body of Christ?

In that case, it makes sense for Him to give different resources to different “organs” in the body. The heart and the liver don’t need the calcium that the bones need. By giving each Christian what they need to do their individual job, God blesses the whole body of Christ—and the world. No one succeeds alone and no one fails alone; and we all seek the same goal. We want to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!”

There is equality in the body of Christ—but it’s not what we start with. No, it’s what we end with—the loving praise of our Savior who died for our sakes and who rose again to make us His forever. Every one of us who trusts in Him is a part of His body and will hear His words of welcome and praise. And we will live with Him forever in joy.

WE PRAY: Lord, let me hear those wonderful words from You when I see You face to face. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. What do you think is your own function in the body of Christ right now?

2. What has God given you to do your work?

3. Jesus promises to put His faithful servants in charge of “much” in the future. What kind of work do you imagine we might do for Him in His kingdom?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 3-4; 1 Timothy 3

 

Pastor Joel is Here for You.  If you have a pastoral need or a prayer request for Pastor Joel, please call or text him at 775-336-9680 or email him at luckemeyerj@gmail.com

 

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

 Allen and Margie Latall: aalatall@gmail.com OR mjlatall62@gmail.com