SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, JULY 19
NEWS: Here’s a nice review for us from Lutheran Hour Ministries on what Lutherans believe. https://www.lhm.org/about/whatlutheransbelieve.asp
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Leonard and Suzette Prokopin. We include Suzette’s sister, as they have found a new mass in her.
READINGS: Psalm 82; Psalm 136; 1 Samuel 2:18-36; Acts 15:22-41
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Intimacy”
Genesis 18:17-18, 23-32 – The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? … Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will You then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will You destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again He spoke to Him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of the twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
There is the strangest mixture of reverence and cheek in this story, and I absolutely love it. God is planning to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah—but He doesn’t just go ahead and do it. Instead, He deliberately stops at Abraham’s tent, and why? So that Abraham can try to talk Him out of it, apparently.
And that’s what Abraham does. Oh, he is reverent enough. He is always aware that he is talking to the Almighty God. But look what he does! He bargains God down. What about 50? What about 45? And so forth and so on, until he’s talked God down to ten people. He sounds like a used car dealer!
How can Abraham get away with this? The answer lies in intimacy. Abraham is a child in God’s family, and children can say things to their fathers that no outsider could ever say. And God welcomes it.
This is the kind of relationship God invites us into, as well. He is not looking for distant worshippers, people who are afraid to say “boo” to Him. He is looking for people who will trust Him as a child trusts a good father. This is why Jesus suffered, died, and rose again—so that all of us who trust Him may become children of God and live in this sort of love with Him.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, teach me to trust You and love You with this sort of closeness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Tell about a time when you said or did something to a friend or family member that outsiders would consider cheeky, but in your relationship, it was right.
2. Does God make you nervous? Why or why not?
3. Do you ever argue with God? Why or why not?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Kings 22-23 Galatians 6
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 at pastor@svlchurch.org
