SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
NEWS: Our beach party is Sunday. For those interested and not signed up yet, please contact Rick Adams.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Christian Galleisky. Also, a prayer for the mission of the church, taken from the LSB (Lutheran Service Book): “Almighty and everlasting God, you desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the church. Take away their iniquity and turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
READINGS: Psalm 1; Psalm 4; 2 Chronicles 34:1-4, 8-11, 14-33; Colossians 2:8-23
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Using Strange Gifts for the Lord”
\Luke 16:1-8 – He [Jesus] also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”
I love the story of the dishonest manager. It’s hilarious—the man has absolutely no morals, but he has a huge amount of creativity, and he knows exactly how to use it to get what he wants. I’m pretty sure his plan worked for quite a long time—grateful people would be willing to let him sleep on the couch in return for his dishonest help.
Of course, it would’ve been better if the man had used his creativity in an honest way. Jesus isn’t encouraging us to do wrong! But He does want us to use all the gifts that God is given us—including intelligence, creativity, and the ability to plan ahead. If wicked people can use these things, how much more should the people of God!
So look around you. What talents or gifts do you have that you might use for the Lord—things that maybe you never thought of? My husband, for instance, has a gift for teasing people, even to the point of irritation. You might not think that was a gift from God, but I’ve seen him use it to pull people out of times when they are very unhappy or just want to give up. Some of them get better just to spite him!
Think about your own life. Do you have a quirky sense of humor—are you gifted at brewing coffee or beer—can you calm down frightened children and animals? Whatever strange quirks God has gifted you with, consider giving them back to Him. After all, they are reflections of the loving, creative God who made us all—and who did the most outrageous, creative thing we can imagine to save us from the power of evil. Who could have ever imagined a God who would become a human being, live a difficult life, and allow His own creatures to torture and crucify Him—all to bring us home to God, restored to God’s family as His own children?
That’s creativity. That’s love. That’s Jesus—who died and rose to make You His own.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, open my eyes to see new ways for me to serve You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Name three gifts or talents you have, however minor.
2. What blessings do these gifts bring to your life?
3. How do they reflect the God who made you in His image?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 11-13 Ephesians 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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
