SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023

 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32 ESV

 NEWS: This evening the Tuesday Bible study, “Life in The Year one: The Holy Lands,” continues at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM with a brief devotion, followed by the study and then fellowship time. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside

 PRAYERS: Today we raise up Charlene Simpson in prayer. We also pray for Kyle Ross, as he continues to drive to the San Clemente area each day to help his elderly parents.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 2:29-3:5; Psalm 119:97-104; Luke 24:13-35

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“God’s Spirit in Us” May 23, 2023

 

Numbers 11:24-25a, 26-29 – So Moses … gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. … Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They … had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua … said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!” I always laugh at this story, because I sympathize with Moses. What church leader doesn’t dream of the day when all God’s people will be mature and loving, filled with the Holy Spirit, so he can lay down the hard work of the ministry and just go fishing? No wonder Moses said, “I wish God would put His Spirit on all the people!” If God did that, Moses would be free! Well, maybe. Because the fact is that God has sent the Holy Spirit upon all Christians at Pentecost, and now everyone who believes in Jesus has the Spirit living and working within them. We may not show it in flashy ways like prophesying or speaking in other languages, but He’s real—and He’s with us. So why aren’t our pastors out of a job? Whether we like it or not, the work of the Spirit is usually slow. Oh, sure, He could strike us perfect in a moment if He wanted—but that doesn’t seem to be God’s style. Instead, He works in the way Paul described in Ephesians: “Building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ … speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:12b-13, 15). Because the Holy Spirit gives us faith, we believe in Jesus who died for our sakes and then rose from the dead. We know that He has set us free from the power of evil and made us forgiven children of God. And now we spend our lives growing up in Jesus, becoming more and more like Him, as the Spirit works in our hearts. This is a kind of growth we can’t achieve on our own; but the Holy Spirit can do it in us, and He will. And we wait patiently for God to keep His promise and bring us to full maturity in Jesus our Savior. WE PRAY: Dear Lord, it seems like it’s taking so long for You to change me! Be with me and do Your will in me—and help me to be patient. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. When you were a child, was it hard for you to wait to grow up? Why or why not? 2. How have you seen the Holy Spirit work in the life of someone you know, to make them more like Jesus? 3. How do you think the Spirit is working on you now?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 9, 11; John 8:1-27

 

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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org