SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
NEWS: Saturday the men meet for their monthly Men’s Bible study/breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. It starts at 9 AM and includes food, coffee and juice, as well as a study of God’s word. At 10 AM the monthly Work Party takes place and goes until Noon. This is a chance to help with maintaining our church property, inside and out.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for David Clem.
READINGS: Psalm 71:12-16; Psalm 69; 2 Kings 5:9-27; Philippians 1:1-20
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Party Time!”
Luke 15:1-10 – Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
You can just see the happiness of these people. The man has back his sheep—the woman has found her coin again. And for both of them, their first reaction is to be happy—and to throw a party. Their joy isn’t complete until there are other people to share it.
I find it interesting that God apparently feels the same way. I mean, we are His lost sheep, His lost coins. And He came into this world as the Man Christ Jesus in order to die for us and rise for us, so that He could bring us back to Himself forever. So far, so good. But why the party? Why not be happy alone?
There seems to be something in God, just as there is in us, that wants to share joy. Something that is never completely happy unless others are happy, too. With God, this may be a reflection of the Trinity, because of course He is both One and Three at the same time. But still God created the angels, and one of their purposes is apparently this: to witness and share in God’s joy when one of us—even the least of us—comes to faith in Jesus.
How amazing that is, that God would be so happy about us! How wonderful, that the angels of God would join in that celebration, even though we aren’t the same kind as them, and they have no reason to care except for love!
But this is love—that God Himself, having lost us, would come down into our world searching for us, and bring us home by the means of His own life, death, and resurrection. This is love, that God, having found us, would show us off with joy to the other inhabitants of creation, not as the sorry creatures we feel like, but as His treasure—His beloved people. You, you personally, are a cause of joy to God. You make Him happy, because He has found you.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for honoring me by making me a cause of Your joy. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you found something you had lost?
2. How did you react when you found it?
3. How does it make you feel to know that you are a cause of God’s joy?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 3-4 2 Corinthians 12
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
