SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: We had a blessed Sunday in the Lord’s house yesterday. Besides those who joined us online, we had 38 who worshipped in person. Thank you to all who served us during worship. Thank you also to Pastor Joel for leading us in Bible study and worship, along with his sermon message.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Jerome family in prayer: Denae, Christopher and Evelyn. They are all dealing with illness now and we offer prayers for their speedy recovery.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 13:15-27; Psalm 131; Acts 8:26-40

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Steadfast Love and Faithfulness” June 12, 2023

 

Psalm 100:4-5 – Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His Name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. We know that earthly love can sometimes fail. Individuals who profess love for one another can become unfaithful. Family members may quarrel over politics, faith, or finances and refuse to settle their disagreements. Scripture speaks of the unexpected failure of a mother’s love, contrasting that possibility with divine love than cannot fail. God asks His people to consider that shattering loss and then speaks of His comfort: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). The psalmist calls on us to give thanks for the enduring, steadfast love and faithfulness of God. God’s steadfast love is the forgiving love of His new covenant, in which He says, “I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34b). His steadfast love exists from eternity, because “God is love” (1 John 4:16b). This steadfast love for us is not based on our worthiness. It is not determined by how deserving we imagine ourselves to be. God’s love is not just a pleasant “feeling” or warm thoughts. This covenant love is expressed in the self-sacrifice of God Himself. God first spoke of that sacrificial love in Eden, promising that the Offspring of the woman would come to destroy the tempting serpent. Down through the centuries, the promise of the Savior was repeated in the words of the prophets. Finally, when the time was right, God’s steadfast, self-sacrificing love was expressed in the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9). God the Son, the God who is love, was born and lived among us. He came to die as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, for every loveless thought, word, and action. By God’s grace through faith, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we have been brought into His kingdom. Together we enter God’s presence to worship and bless His Name, giving thanks for His steadfast love and faithfulness. He calls us to share the Good News of His steadfast love with others and to reflect that love of Jesus in our lives. The faithfulness of God, which existed before the creation of the world, extends into eternity. One day we will enter His heavenly courts with praise and give thanks forever for the steadfast love that still endures. WE PRAY: Lord, Your steadfast love was expressed in Your saving death and resurrection. Lead me by Your Spirit to reflect Your love in my life. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. Who do you know that shows love to others far beyond most people’s expression of love? 2. How is God’s love made known to us through Jesus? 3. What’s the next thing you can do (right now) to show someone the love of God?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Proverbs 5-7; John 20

 

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, pastor@svlcchurch.org