SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
NEWS: Yesterday we had 43 who attended God’s house and more who worshipped with us online. In the afternoon many of our congregation got together for an outing at Del Mar beach on Camp Pendleton. We thank Bill Sperberg and Rick Adams for helping put that together. We also thank all who assisted in our worship service yesterday. We are grateful too for our Pastor Joel, leading our Bible study and worship service.
Tomorrow evening we have the Tuesday evening Bible study at the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM with a short devotion, followed by the study, then fellowship time. All are invited to participate. T
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Linda Johnson. Linda requests prayers for her health needs as she is still waiting on communication from her doctor. She also gives thanks to the Lord that her sister is recovering well from an accident a few months back. Additionally, she asks prayers for her brother, who had recent back surgery. We also, pray for Berand Kirschner today.
READINGS: Psalm 136; Nehemiah 2:11-20 and Nehemiah 4:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:1-15
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Proven Identity”
Psalm 146:8-9 – The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.
This is what the Lord does. He opens the eyes of the blind and lifts up those who are bowed down. It is what the Lord, the Messiah, did when He came to live among us. When Jesus spoke in the synagogue in Nazareth, He read from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). That day, Jesus said, that prophecy was fulfilled in their hearing. It is the Lord’s work to heal and save and that is what He came to do.
Jesus’ miracles of help and healing not only demonstrated the love and compassion of God, but identified Jesus as the promised Messiah. His miracles called people to listen and believe in Him. With His first miracle of changing water into wine, Jesus revealed His glory and “His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:11b). When John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, asked if Jesus was truly the Messiah, Jesus told the messengers to report back to John about the miracles they saw and the teachings they heard. The blind received their sight and good news was proclaimed to the poor. The prophets had foretold that this was what the Lord’s Anointed would do, and it was exactly what Jesus was doing. People who listened to Jesus and witnessed His miracles wondered, “When the Christ appears, will He do more signs than this man has done?” (John 7:31b). Was Jesus really who He claimed to be? Jesus Himself told the crowds, “The works that the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about Me that the Father has sent Me” (John 5:36b).
By the greatest miracle of all, the crucified Savior “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:4). The disciple Thomas saw the marks of the nails and spear in Jesus’ hands and side and confessed the risen Savior to be his Lord and God. Jesus was and is who He claimed to be—the Son of God and promised Messiah. He is the Lord who loves the righteous and lifts up His people. He watches over those who are helpless and defends them from evil. We have seen, with eyes of faith, what He has done for us and what He continues to do in our lives. He has revealed His glory, and we believe!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Messiah and the Son of God! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever witnessed a miracle before? What was it?
2. How are Jesus’ words good news to the poor and liberty to those who are oppressed?
3. Do you think it’s harder to believe in Jesus’ resurrection today or back in the days of Thomas?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 23-25 Ephesians 5:17-23
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
