SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, MAY 12
NEWS: Please refer to the Weekly Church E-News sent out yesterday by Allen Kolkman.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for the Neemia family: Mike, Fale, Easter, Penny, Josephine and Jeremiah.
READINGS: Psalm 17:7-15; Psalm 89; Leviticus 17:1-16; Luke 10:23-42
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Hearing from God”
John 16:12-15 – [Jesus said] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.”
Have you ever heard someone say, “I just wish I could hear God talking to me. I wish He would tell me what to do”? A lot of people feel that way. And of course, Jesus knows that we need that guidance and sense of connection.
In today’s text, Jesus is talking to His disciples. It’s the night before Jesus is crucified, and they are all walking on the way to Gethsemane. Jesus is telling them His last words—taking the last chance to say to them what they will need to know as they go out into the world and begin to plant the Christian church.
But of course, there isn’t much time left—only a couple of hours before Jesus is arrested. And the disciples are not ready to hear many of the things Jesus wants to tell them. Much of it will make no sense until He dies and rises from the dead again. Some of it might terrify them—for example, finding out how many of them will give their lives for the sake of Jesus.
And therefore Jesus promises to send them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will know the right time to teach Jesus’ followers what they need to know. He will help them to understand things they can’t possibly grasp now: the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion, the gift of the resurrection, a deeper understanding of the Trinity. And He will help them with the very practical things, like knowing what to say when they are brought up on charges in the court system, in danger of their lives because they follow Jesus.
But the disciples then are not the only people who would get this gift. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to us as well. The Spirit works inside of us, giving us faith in Jesus and showing us how to follow Him. He also reminds us of the things that Jesus said. That’s why it’s so important for us to read or hear the Bible; it gives the Holy Spirit more to work with. He can remind us of what we have already learned.
God the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift to us—God Himself living in us, helping us to know and trust our Savior Jesus, the One who died and rose again to rescue us. We are not alone. We have God living in us. And we can trust Him to take us by the hand and teach us and guide us and care for us. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is One God, and the love They have for us is one love. You share in that love every day.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When someone you love is away from home, how do you stay close to them?
2. Are there any of those methods you can apply to your relationship with God?
3. How does the Holy Spirit help you when you are troubled or in crisis?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 10-12 John 3:1-15
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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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
