SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JULY 10, 2023

by | Jul 9, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, JULY 10, 2023

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

 NEWS: Yes, we’re back in the saddle again! Yesterday was a wonderful day in the house of the Lord. We had 37 who attended worship in person, with more joining us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation. Thank you also to Pastor Joel for leading our Bible study and for his excellent message and for leading our worship.

We have a THURSDAY BIBLEV STUDY which begins this week on July 13th. It’s taking place at the home of Kay Berni. It meets starting at 6:30 PM and the title is, “How Happiness Happens.” For more information you can email Kay, kberni@aol.com 

 PRAYERS: Today we remember David and Melissa Carlisle in prayer. In our Summer of Prayer, we pray against the occult (demonic worship), false teachers and religions that claim to worship Jesus but don’t. We also ask that God would strengthen and protect the faithful pastors and their families in Oceanside.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 32:1-15; Psalm 9; Acts 19:11-20

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Springs of Living Water”

July 10, 2023

 

Psalm 65:9-10 – You visit the earth and water it; You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.

God visits the earth and waters it, as we might water gardens or irrigate thirsty farmland. The gifts of water and rain are reminders of our Creator’s continuing care for the world and the people He made. God did not create the world, set everything in motion, and then abandon His creation to run on its own. He is still very “hands on” with the world He made. God sends rain to the earth, providing for the growth of grain and other crops. He waters the furrows of farmland and softens the soil with showers. His care for creation is a witness to His goodness, “giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17b).

To dry and thirsty land, God sends the gift of water. To the arid, sinful landscape of our lives, God sent an even more precious gift. He promised to visit the earth Himself and water it with His Spirit, as the prophet foretold: “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3).

Jesus, God the Son, walked across an earthly landscape, bringing the refreshment of forgiveness, healing and the Good News of the kingdom of God. To a woman drawing water from a well, Jesus offered living water: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). During a festival remembering Israel’s journey through the desert, Jesus called out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37b-38). That river of living water welling up to eternal life is the Holy Spirit, who creates faith in our hearts, calling us to believe in the Savior who died and rose from the dead to refresh us with forgiveness and eternal life.

In repentant humility, we confess our vain attempts to satisfy our thirst with earthly things. We confess the dusty dryness of our sinful lives and receive the welcome refreshment of forgiveness purchased by Jesus’ blood. In joyful hope we look forward to eternal life in Jesus’ presence, where we will never again know hunger or thirst. Our Savior and Shepherd will guide us to eternal springs of living water and wipe away every tear from our eyes.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, in You alone I have the refreshment of forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been in a desert? If so, did it change the way you look at water?

2. Watering a parched landscape can produce dramatic results. What kind of changes occur when God pours His Spirit into our lives?

3. What does it mean when Jesus says that to drink the water He gives will satisfy our thirst forever?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Kings 10-12; James 4

 

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