SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023

 Awesome is God from his sanctuary: the God of Israel -m he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! Psalm 68:35 ESV

 NEWS: The Lutheran Witness Magazine has interesting articles for those who are interested. Here is the link: https://witness.lcms.org/

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Berand Kirschner in prayer. Berand requests prayers for pea e to come to the Ukraine.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 15:1-9; Psalm 133; Acts 9:19-31

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Loving Us at Our Worst” June 14, 2023

 

Romans 5:6-11 – For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Think of the person you are closest to—a spouse, a parent or child, a good friend. What would you be willing to let that person see of you at your unloveliest? Are there body processes you’d not want them to see—vomiting or using the bathroom? Are there times when you are mentally or spiritually awful—when you’re horribly cranky, for instance, or when you’re indulging in some appetite you ought not to? Most of us hide ourselves, at least part of the time, even from the ones who love us most. Deep down inside we fear they’ll love us less if they see the truth about us. And we may feel that way about God, too. After all, He’s perfect. And us, well, we’re … not. And so we behave like Adam and Eve after they disobeyed God, and we hide ourselves from Him. But Paul tells us there’s good news! We don’t need to hide ourselves from God any longer, because “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus lay down His own life to give us forgiveness, clean hearts, and new, joyful lives. And when did He do this amazing, unthinkable act of love? When we were still sinners—when we were weak—when we were ungodly. In other words, when we were at our very worst. That’s when Jesus died for you. That’s when He rose for you—and reached out to make you God’s own child. When you were at your worst, He wanted you. And that has never changed. This puts us in a very strange and wonderful position, doesn’t it? Logic says that God is the one Person in the whole universe we should feel the shyest of; but the opposite is now true. Because He loved us at our worst, He is now the one Person we can trust to know everything—even the ugliest and most embarrassing parts of our lives. He has seen us at our worst and still loved us. After that, how can we ever worry about His reaction to us again? WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You that I can be at peace, because You know all of me and still love me. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. What is one thing you hide from the people you’re closest to? Why? 2. Is it a hardship or a blessing to know that God sees everything? Why do you think so? 3. When has somebody seen you at your worst and still cared for you?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Proverbs 10-12; Acts 1

 

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, pastor@svlcchurch.org