SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19
NEWS: This coming Sunday is our German Potluck! It’s after our worship, in the Community/Fellowship building. Marika Doan has German food recipes to share if you are in need of ideas.
“Lutheranism 101” It’s now all online at www.svlchurch.org/about-us/lutheranism101/ This series, written by yours truly (Allen Kolkman), has evolved from the Adult Confirmation Class I’ve taught for years, as well as the Doctrine Class I’ve taught for the Pacific Southwest District of our Synod. I’m currently teaching it at Faith Lutheran Church in Vista where it has been very well received. It’s now a resource on our church’s website (go to the site, click on “about us,” a drop down menu appears, click on Lutheranism 101). There is an index by subject. Check it out!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for the Doan family: Marika, Chad, Lydia and Lucille.
READINGS: Psalm 80; Deuteronomy 18:1-22; Matthew 14:22-36
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Leaving a Wake”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 – For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.
When I was a child, we had a swimming pool, and one of my favorite things to do was to create wakes. What I mean is this. I would put my feet on the side of the pool, and then I would push off as hard as I could, arrowing through the water like a boat leaving a wake behind it. I would see how far I could go on the strength of just one push. How long of a wake could I leave? The disturbance in the water did not last very long, but it was beautiful.
I think about that sometimes as I grow older, because our lives on earth are very much like wakes, aren’t they? When we are young, we have strength and energy and we push off as hard as we can, changing the world behind us. But sooner or later we run out of power. The big push is over, and things are slowing down. And we look back to see how we did.
This is where Paul is—coming to the close of his life, thinking about what lies before him. Soon he will be with Christ, and that will be joy. But what about his wake? What has God done through him, during the short years of his life?
Paul’s answer is the answer we all wish for ourselves: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” You can hear the joy in Paul’s voice. Not that his life was perfect—after all, he had been a persecutor and a murderer in his day. And even after Jesus brought him to faith, there were still regrets, like the disagreement he had with Barnabas (see Acts 15:39). Paul’s life was like our lives, and the wake he would leave was nowhere near perfect. But God would use it.
No matter what time of life you are in, you are in God’s hands. Have you done everything you wanted to do? Probably not. But you are in Christ, who died for you and rose again to give you new, everlasting life. You are a child of the Father, who will use you—even you!—to further His kingdom. And you are a person in whom the Holy Spirit lives, doing His work even when you don’t notice. Your wake is in God’s hands. Trust yourself to Him.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, you see what I have made of my life. Thank You for what is good, and please forgive and mend what is broken. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where are you in regards to your wake—at the beginning, middle, or end?
2. How do you find hope in God for the regrets that you have?
3. What do you thank God for? How have you seen Him use your life for His work?
Today’s Bible Readings: Jeremiah 3-5 Acts 27:1-26
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
