SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, MAY 10
NEWS: This evening the Tuesday Bible study takes place at the Kolkman’s house. The topic is, “Christian Caring: Where Salvat5ion is Doubted,” and goes from 6:30 to 8 PM. All are invited to attend as the evening starts with a devotion, then the study followed by fellowship time.
Tomorrow evening the ladies have their online Women’s Bible study. It starts at 5 PM and Lori Dowe is leading the study of Max Lucado’s book, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.” For more information or for the Zoom link, contact Lori by email, loridowe@gmail.com
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Charlotte Neblett.
READINGS: Psalm 25:1-10; Psalm 141; Leviticus 10:1-20; Luke 9:37-62
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Uncomfortable”
Acts 11:1-2, 4, 16-18 – Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him … But Peter began and explained it to them in order … “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Dear Peter—what a mess he is in! Peter has just allowed a bunch of Gentiles into the baby Christian church, and the people back home are upset. He didn’t even make those people get circumcised! They don’t have to keep the Jewish law! What is Peter doing?! Is he trying to turn the church upside down?
But it was actually God Himself who was turning the church upside down. Jesus had already told His disciples that God’s salvation was for the entire world; and of course, that was going to include people who were not Jewish. But somehow, a lot of the first Christians never really thought it through. They expected the newcomers would act and think exactly the way they themselves did.
We still have this problem today, don’t we? We get used to doing things a certain way in our churches. We have music and customs and procedures. “We’ve always done it that way” is the battle cry of many congregations.
And then God comes, and with a single gust of His Holy Spirit turns our world upside down. He sends refugees to us, people from another country. Or maybe He sends people who are poorer than us, or richer than us. Maybe He sends university students, or people of a different race. And we are uncomfortable. Is this really the work of the Holy Spirit?
But Peter points out the one thing that unites the newcomers and older Christians. He says, “If then God gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” There is one thing that all Christians share, no matter how different we are. Through the Holy Spirit’s work, we all trust in the same Lord Jesus Christ. We all believe in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us, even to the point of dying on the cross. And then He rose from the dead, never to die again, and He offers the same life to all of us who trust Him.
This is why the Christian church is one—no matter how different we may look or sound or dress or behave. Our unity is Jesus. May the Holy Spirit make this clear through our actions so that the world looks at us and says, “See how they love one another!”
WE PRAY: Lord Holy Spirit, use me to welcome and love others, just as Jesus has loved me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you think outsiders would describe your congregation—the kind of people who go there?
2. Are there people near you who are different from you?
3. How might God be calling you to reach out to them with Jesus’ welcome?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 6-7 Psalms 30 John 1:29-51
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
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:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
