SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

by | May 29, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire[c] in his temple. Psalm 27:4 ESV

 NEWS: The Tuesday Bible study is this evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. The topic is, “Life in The Year One: The Holy Lands.” They start at 6:30 PM with a short devotion. The study then takes place, followed by fellowship time with coffee and goodies, ending around 8 PM. All are invited and the Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside.

This Thursday is the first Thursday of June and that means the Board of Directors will be meeting online at 7 PM. Be on the lookout for an email from Bruce with the link to Zoom.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Ian Andrews in prayer.

 COLLECT FOR PENTECOST TUESDAY: Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your SAon, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Isaiah 32:14-20; Psalm 27; Acts 8:14-17; John 10:1-10

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Creation and Re-Creation”

May 30, 2023

 

Genesis 1:1-5 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

If you read this story carefully, you can see that God enjoys creating. He takes His time about it, the way you might take time over something beautiful you are making. God has a carefully ordered process, and everything unfolds according to His plan.

And look at how it happens! God says the words, “Let there be light,” and suddenly there is light. God’s Word makes it happen.

And God is delighted! Again and again we hear the words, “And God saw that the light was good … And God saw that the earth, the ocean, the sun and the moon, each one of them was good … And God saw everything that He had made, and it was very good.”

This includes us! God makes human beings last of all, and gives us responsibility for the world He has placed us in. Like God, we are to take care of the creatures around us—to deal with them in justice and kindness, as God deals with us. God made us in His own image, and the other creatures of the world should see God’s truth, mercy, and goodness reflected in human beings.

Of course, now that humanity has rebelled against God and fallen into sin, our world is a broken place. We don’t care for the world the way God intended us to. We don’t love each other the way God wants us to. And the bad behavior of the human race is pushing our world toward disaster.

Who can help us? Who has the power to remake us, to change our evil hearts and restore the image of God in us? Only one Person—God’s Word become flesh, our Savior Jesus Christ.

God did not give up on His broken creation. He came into our world as one of us—the Word of God born as a human Child. He allowed Himself to be betrayed and nailed to a cross—a cross made of the wood from the trees He once created, with nails from the iron He once spoke into being. And there He used His own blood to remake His shattered world.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus broke the power of death over everyone who belongs to Him. In Him we are a new creation—and He will use us to bring help in healing to the rest of His creation.

WE PRAY: Lord, thank You for remaking me as Your child. Use me in Your service. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does it make you feel, to know that God delights in you?

2. If you believe in Jesus, what new name has God given you?

3. Name one way God is using you to help heal His creation.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 31, 35; John 11:30-57

 

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