SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022
NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors meet, via Zoom, at 7 PM for their monthly meeting. Please refer to the email Bruce sent out on Tuesday with the link.
Tomorrow evening Wine on the Patio takes place at the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND! Please bring a beverage and appetizer, hors d’oeuvres or snack to share. This may take place indoors, depending on the weather. Their address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside.
For additional news, please refer to the Weekly Church Newsletter sent out yesterday by Allen Kolkman.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Charlotte Neblett. Charlotte gives thanks for the Lord’s help and her family’s help in recent recent medical struggles.
READINGS: Psalm 15; Psalm 26; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Matthew 22:1-22
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Inheriting the Earth”
Matthew 5:1-2, 5 – Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying … “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
If you’re like me, you’ve heard a lot of jokes about the meek inheriting the earth. The jokes exist because there’s definitely something strange here—people who are meek and humble in heart often lose things, because other, meaner people take them away from them!
But Jesus says very clearly that His promise will happen. The people who are gentle and humble in heart—who don’t stomp over other people’s rights, but treat others with care and concern—those people will inherit the earth. How can this happen? Only by inheritance.
If you inherit something, you aren’t buying it, making it, or taking it by force. You aren’t doing anything at all, really. Someone else has already done what’s necessary to get whatever you’re about to inherit. Then they die, and you receive the gift.
And that’s exactly what has happened to us, isn’t it? God made the world and all creation—Jesus redeemed it, especially us sinners (see Romans 8:19-24)—and the Holy Spirit made us God’s children through faith in Jesus. Nothing is left but the death—Jesus’ death and resurrection, by which He passed so many wonderful gifts to all of us, absolutely free of charge. We have done nothing—He has done everything. And so we will inherit the earth because of Jesus—yes, and forgiveness, joy, and new life forever as the people of God.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, thank You for the inheritance You have given us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you inherited something, big or tiny? What was it? From whom?
2. Name some of the many gifts you have inherited from Jesus.
3. Normally an inheritance is a mixed blessing because we have to lose someone to get it. What does it mean to you to have Jesus alive and well to share your inheritance with you?
Today’s Bible Readings: Jeremiah 33, 21 Hebrews 9
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
Allen and Margie Latall: aalatall@gmail.com OR mjlatall62@gmail.com OR Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
