SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
NEWS: Please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Weekly Church Newsletter sent via email by Allen Kolkman yesterday.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Linda Johnson. Linda requests prayers for her medical needs and the lack of communication from her doctor regarding needed surgery. Also, for her brother who is dealing with back issues. Also for her brothers wife and her medical issues.
READINGS: Psalm 20; Psalm 25; Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Matthew 18:21-35
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Believing and the Word”
John 8:31-36 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
It’s a strange thing that’s happening here in this story. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees in the temple, and as He is talking, the Bible tells us, “many believed in Him” (John 8:30).
That’s a good thing, right? And yet, right away those new believers get into an argument with Jesus. He says to them, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But they’re offended by His Word. “What do you mean, we need to be set free?” they complain. They get even more offended as the argument goes on, and finally pick up stones to kill Him. And why? “Because My Word finds no place in you,” is what Jesus says (John 8:37b).
Whatever the Bible means when it first says they believed in Him, clearly it’s not the kind of faith they ought to have—the kind that trusts Jesus’ Word, the kind that abides in Jesus’ message and treasures His Gospel. We can’t separate Jesus from His Word. It is not possible to love and obey Jesus faithfully and at the same time to reject His Word. As Peter puts it, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life” (John 6:68b).
Instead of arguing and rejecting, Jesus calls us to abide in His Word—to make our home in it, to love it and treasure it. That is what the Greek word we translate as “keep” means—to guard something carefully, to protect it and watch over it. If we love Jesus, we will love His Word. It will become our lasting home—like light to our eyes, like honey to our lips.
After all, what does Jesus’ Word tell us? It tells us that He has come to be our Savior and to set us free from sin. Jesus’ Word tells us, “I am the good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15). His Word tells us, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. … Do you believe this?” (John 11:25b, 26b)
Yes. This is the Word we believe and abide in. We belong to Jesus forever.
WE PRAY: Lord, show me how to abide in Your Word. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean to abide in a home?
2. How is that different from a temporary stay?
3. How do you abide in Jesus’ Word, and He in you?
Today’s Bible Readings: Jeremiah 47-48 Hebrews 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
