SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
NEWS: ATTENTION MEN: This morning we have our Men’s Bible study/breakfast at 9 AM. It’s in the Fellowship Hall and Pastor Joel will lead us as we have food, fellowship and study God’s word together.
Tomorrow, we gather in God’s house for Bible study and worship. At 9 AM Pastor Joel continues to lead us in our study of the Lord’s prayer. That’s in our sanctuary and includes readings from Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms. Our worship service begins at 10 AM and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “We are the Odd Ones.” Its based on our gospel reading for the day, which is Luke 12:49-56 Our other readings are Jeremiah 23:16-29 and Hebrews 11:17-31, 12:1-3
After we have celebrated the Lord’s supper and our service is complete, please join us outside for our fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then, for continued fellowship, join us at Carl’s Jr., by Mission and Old River, for lunch.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Allen and Debbie Kolkman.
READINGS: Psalm 68; 1 Samuel 31:1-13; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The Gift of Repentance”
Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
A “broken spirit”? A “contrite heart”? What kind of sacrifices are these?
King David is speaking of repentance here—of being sincerely sorry for our past sins and turning to God for mercy and forgiveness. But how does this work, really? How can our sin-ridden hearts seek to turn away from that “sin which clings so closely (Hebrews 12:1b).
Well, that’s part of God’s truly good news. Repentance isn’t something He is demanding that we “come up with,” or “generate” from within ourselves, through some religious effort or mystical experience. The good news is that it is God who gives repentance to us.
Writing to Timothy, St. Paul explains that God grants “repentance that leads to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25b). Here God gives repentance to each of us as a gift; this is the only way anyone can have genuine repentance.
In the book of Acts, we read that through Jesus Christ, God gives “repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31b). And later, in Acts 11, many early Jewish Christians learned from Peter that “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18b).
God gives us the gift of repentance through His cleansing, life-giving Word. In somewhat the same way, God graciously leads us to repentance through the power of His Law. In Romans, Paul writes that “if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known sin” (Romans 7:7b). This, too, is God’s gift, as the Holy Spirit works through God’s perfect Law, declaring to the world its sin. “And when He [Jesus] comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).
Through God’s Law and Gospel, the Spirit of God works in our hearts. He assures us that no matter what sin we have committed, no matter how far we’ve strayed from our Heavenly Father, He still loves us. It was God the Father who sent not just a son but “His only begotten Son” Jesus Christ (see John 3:16) to die on the cross and pay the supreme penalty for our sins. In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, His Father was satisfied with the offering Jesus made for all our sins. So much so that “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
These riches are for you, too, my friend. You can have a new and a better life going forward. There is no need to live burdened with guilt or regret over your past mistakes. Jesus took them all to the cross. As John the Baptist, said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).
Through His sin-cleansing and life-giving Word and Spirit, God is near you. He wants you to be part of His kingdom now! Like a parent draws a son or daughter close, so also through God’s gift of repentance, the Heavenly Father is drawing you close unto Himself. And, when there is repentance before God, there is forgiveness. And where there is forgiveness, there is life and salvation for you today.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, lead us unto lives of repentance each and every day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
From “Getting a New Start!” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is repentance important in the life of a Christian?
2. How is it that our “broken and contrite heart” matters to God?
3. How does God work in our lives through our repentance?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 7-9 1 Corinthians 7:20-40
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
