SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, JULY 23
NEWS: It’s time to be in God’s house again tomorrow! At 9 AM Pastor Joel will continue to lead us in our study of the Lord’s Prayer. Our worship service follows at 10 and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Preparing for Battle, Receiving Peace.” It’s based-on Luke 11:1-13 which is our Gospel lesson for the day. Our other readings are Genesis 18:20-33 and Galatians 2:6-15 After we finish the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies outside. Then, for those desiring lunch, we’ll continue fellowship together at El Pollo Loco, in the Mission Marketplace on College Ave. It’s right by Fitness19 and close to Target. Also serving us tomorrow:
Fellowship: Chad & Marika Doan
Flowers:
Techies: Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward
Reader: K Berni
Acolyte: Josphine Neemia
Greeter: Allen Kolkman
Ushers: Victor Dille, Doug Lara
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Daria Roth.
READINGS: Psalm 119:113-120; Psalm 141; 1 Samuel 6:19-7:17; Acts 19:1-22
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Priceless Thorns”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – But He [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
If you think you have trouble and know what it is to bend under the weight of affliction, take a look at the apostle Paul’s list of trials. Five times he had been severely whipped, each time receiving 39 stripes across his bare back. Three times he had been beaten with rods. Once he had been stoned so viciously that those who threw the stones were certain they had killed him. Three times he had been shipwrecked. He had suffered sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, cold and exposure. Especially trying had been the daily pressure of anxiety for all the churches he loved and served. Talk about trouble! He was a missionary, one of God’s heroes, ready to risk and sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the building of the Savior’s kingdom.
One thing, however, seems to have distressed him more than anything else. What his thorn in the flesh was (see 2 Corinthians 12:7), we do not know exactly. Some say he had trouble with his eyes; others think he may have had malaria. At any rate, his thorn interfered with his work and it annoyed him. Here he was, burning with zeal and love for his Savior, consumed by a holy boldness and a sanctified restlessness to serve his Master, but this thorn, this persistent irritant, cramped his style, driving him to pray to God for its removal.
But God said, “No!” and instead gave the apostle a truth for all mankind down to the present moment. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” That is to say, “Paul, the more you appreciate your own weakness, the less you’ll be tempted to be proud, and the more you’ll find strength in Me.”
To be sure, life sometimes feels like a journey through a dark tunnel. And it may be that for the Christian, too, but believers see a bright opening at the other end. More than that, Jesus’ followers hold His hand, walk with their Savior, and trust in His abiding love. Jesus knows something about suffering. He saw all kinds of it in the people who flocked to His side for relief. And on the cross, He experienced the pain that none of us could endure.
But notice what came of Jesus’ suffering! It turned to imperishable gold: the salvation of the world. As you by faith learn to know Christ as your Savior, may you accept in humility whatever suffering must be borne, as it draws you closer to God. Then may you, like the apostle Paul, echo his remarkable confession: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, draw us closer to You through the pains we suffer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
From “The Gift of Suffering,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Armin Oldsen, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have a thorn in your flesh (or mind) that impacts your quality of life?
2. What’s the relationship-to-God idea behind Paul boasting in his weaknesses?
3. Paul endured so much for the faith-do his perils and afflictions empower your faith in any way?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 67, 71 Philippians 2
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
