SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, JULY 11
NEWS: Our Sanctity of Life Sunday was a great day in God’s house. We had 41 in attendance, plus those who worshipped online. We give thanks to Pastor Joel for his leading of Bible study and his awesome message on life issues and what our response as Lutherans and Christians should be. We also thank those who assisted in our service and fellowship time. We are a truly blessed congregation.
This Wednesday the Women’s Bible study takes place, online, at 5 PM. Please contact Kay Berni for more information, kberni@aol.com
This Saturday, please plan to attend our EAT-O-VISION at 4 PM in our sanctuary. We will be viewing the movie, “Meet Me In St. Louis,” (in Technicolor) starring Judy Garland! The great thing is, food will be served, related to certain scenes in the movie. We’ll enjoy a great flick and no one will be leaving hungry!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Margie and Allen Latall. We request prayers for the various health issues each of us is dealing with.
READINGS: Psalm 5; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 15:6-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“One Thing”
Psalm 27:4 – 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 in His temple.
A character in a folk tale is sometimes granted three wishes by some magical figure, perhaps a genie or a leprechaun. This does not necessarily lead to a happy ending, as the character usually misuses or wastes the wishes. David the psalmist seeks something far more substantial than three imagined wishes. He only wants one thing and he makes his request of the Lord of heaven and earth.
When David’s son Solomon was enthroned in Israel, God said to the new king, “Ask what I shall give you” (1 King 3:5b). Solomon asked for just one thing, an “understanding mind” so that he would be a good king. Pleased with this request, the Lord gave Solomon both wisdom and wealth. During the Lord’s earthly ministry, a blind man named Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, David’s greater Son. The Lord asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51b). The blind man only wanted one thing—to receive his sight. Jesus healed him and, seeing clearly, Bartimaeus followed his Lord.
As He did for David, Solomon, and Bartimaeus, the Lord hears our prayers and mercifully grants our requests according to His will. If you were to ask one thing of the Lord, as David does, what would you ask? Would you ask for wisdom or wealth? Would you ask for help and healing? The psalmist seeks only the one necessary thing that, centuries later, Martha’s sister Mary would seek when she “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching” (see Luke 10:39-42). The psalmist wants to dwell in the house of the Lord always. Where his Lord is, that is where David wants to be, “to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.”
Our Lord is present among us in His Word and His Sacraments, and where He is, that is where we want to be. In His Word we gaze upon His beauty, even on the dark day when His beauty was marred by cruel nails and a crown of thorns. We gaze upon the beauty of our risen Savior as we encounter Him at the empty tomb and marvel at His nail-scarred hands and feet. We come together in worship and prayer, inquiring in the Lord’s temple, learning from the Scriptures, and receiving the wondrous, beautiful mystery of His body and blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
Like David and Solomon, Bartimaeus and Mary, we ask of the Lord just this one necessary thing: to dwell in His presence for all of our days. Our gracious Lord grants our request, now and for all eternity. He has promised, “I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3b). We want to be where Jesus is, and He wants that, too.
WE PRAY: Lord, grant that I might see Your beauty in the Word and dwell in Your presence now and forever. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have any favorite folk tales or fantasy figures that have influenced your thinking?
2. What would be an example of inquiring after the Lord in His house?
3. Is there one thing in particular you most seek from the Lord?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Kings 13-14 James 5
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
