SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, JUNE 18

by | Jun 17, 2022 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

 NEWS: Tomorrow is Father’s Day and we gather together in our heavenly Father’s house for Bible study, worship AND a great Potluck meal! The day starts at 9 AM with a new Bible study on The Lord’s Prayer. Led by Pastor Joel, this will include Martin Luther’s insights from the Small and Large Cathecism. At 10 AM we have our worship service, with the Lord’s Supper. The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Run Bullies, The Sheriff is in Town!.” The text is based on Luke 8:26-39 which is the Gospel reading for the day. Our other readings are Isaiah 65:1-9 and Galatians 3:23-4:7

After we celebrate the Lord’s supper and our worship concludes it’s time for our monthly Potluck in our Fellowship Hall. Whether you signed up to bring something or not, please join us for food and fellowship. You can always pitch in by brining something…a main dish, a side dish, a dessert or something for people to drink. You can also pitch in to help clean up after the meal is done.

Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:

Flowers:  Alba & Terry Reilly

Techies:  Bruce Woodward, Chris Roth

Reader:  Allen Latall

Acolyte:  Josphine Neemia

Greeter:  Open

Ushers:  Victor Dille, Keith Neblett

PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Chris Roth. Chris asks prayers as they list vehicles for sale.

 READINGS: Psalm 86; Proverbs 20:5-25; John 17:1-26

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Finding True Strength”

June 18, 2022

 

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

The assurance that St. Paul stresses in his letter to the Philippians is sobering. Please do not think for a moment that the apostle to the Gentiles exaggerates when he declares with certainty what he is capable of by the power of Christ. It is an unbelievable promise of many Scripture passages that the believer through Jesus has heavenly power.

Hear these pledges of the Lord: “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, … nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20) and “All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23b). You can know that heaven and earth shall pass away before these guarantees of divine strength are broken.

With Christ’s compassion fortifying your soul, you can face the foes that seek to tear you from your faith and declare, “I, too, can do all things through our Savior.” With Christ in me, and I in Him—together we can defeat the regiments of ruin surrounding me. This is done not with brazen boasting, but with a deep-rooted conviction, knowing that “through Him,” through Christ, we can do all things.

Because of this truth, the living knowledge that is ours, we can triumph over the adversity and loss that would bring us down and lay us low. Difficulties which make unbelievers surrender in despair can be the means of bringing us closer to God’s own Son, strengthening our faith, deepening our trust, purifying our love. How is this so? It is because we know that by the miracle of His mercy, “all things,” including the most staggering blows, “work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28b)

Jesus is the assurance of your victory over the things in life that would keep you down. Through His Easter conquest of the grave you have a title to your prepared place in the heavenly mansions. Pain, while difficult, is only a temporary annoyance for every disciple, as passing from sorrow to unspeakable joy. The decay of the grave gives way to the resurrection of the body. The separation at Christian funerals prepares for the never-ending reunion in our better homeland.

In short, my beloved in the faith, let all the enemies of your soul stand in array against you! Let the devil whisper that there can be no pardon for your sins! Let your conscience protest that you have sinned too often to be received and restored! Let the world mock and scoff—and it will! As you clasp your Savior’s hand more closely, cry out in this triumph of trust: “‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ With Him at my side, I can shatter all the opposition that earth and hell can mobilize against me.”

The question for each of us then is this: “Are you with Christ or without Him?” In reply, may our Heavenly Father grant every one of us the contrite, yet confident faith which answers, “I am with Christ, my God, my Savior, my Lord, from now to all eternity!”

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, help us find our strength in Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.

From “Are You With or Without Christ?” a sermon by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. What kind of physical exercises do you most like to do?

2. How has God’s strength carried you through a difficult time?

3. How can we be strong for others?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Proverbs 22-24; Acts 4:1-22

 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 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org