SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023

by | Jul 15, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY!

 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1

NEWS: Today we have our 50th Anniversary service at 10 AM. Note there is no Bible study due to our special event. Our guest preacher is Reverend Doctor Mike Gibson, President of the Pacific Southwest District, LCMS, with our Pastor Joel Luckemeyer officiating. The title of pastor Gibson’s message is, “Remembering – For Tomorrow!” Our Old Testament reading  comes from Isaiah 46:8-13 The Epistle lesson is 2 Timothy 2:1-13 Our Gospel is taken from Matthew 26:26-29 After we have taken the Eucharist and our service is complete, please proceed to the Community building for a wonderful, catered meal. Then there will be special activities, including a jump house for the kids as well as games for kids and adults!

We pray all can join us for part of their Sunday but for those unable to worship in person, we stream our service live. The link is here: www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside  Click on that, then click on the More dropdown arrow, then click Live. If you have a moment, please “Like” us and leave a brief comment about your online worship experience. Thank you! Also serving the Lord and our congregation today are:

Techies:  Ian Andrews, Bruce Woodward

Reader:  Allen Kolkman

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Daria Roth

Ushers:   Rick Adams, Keith Neblett

Flowers:  The Kolkmans

PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Diane Finley. In our Summer of Prayer, we pray for children in broken homes, that they may know they have a loving heavenly Father. Margie and I also request prayers, as we both went to Urgent Care the past three days. It’s been a very challenging week and yesterday they told me I have mild Covid. Margie has been dealing with extreme pain. We will certainly miss the fellowship of Shepherd’s anniversary celebration.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: Oh Lord, you granted Your prophets strength to resist the temptation of the devil and courage to proclaim repentance. Give us pure hearts and minds to follow Your Son faithfully even into suffering and death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

 Alleluia., Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries\

“Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear”

July 16, 2023

 

“Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through Your Word to me draw near; Let me Your Word e’er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain.

“Your Word inspires my heart within; Your Word grants healing from my sin; Your Word has pow’r to guide and bless; Your Word brings peace and happiness.”

The inspired Word of God is pure and holy, and in our hymn we pray that we would retain its purity, a purity that is often challenged in this fallen world. Contemporary worldviews may not agree with the pure teachings of Scripture. Those who reject Scripture as the inspired Word of God may ignore texts with which they disagree and disregard passages that condemn sinful behaviors. Unbelievers challenge the truth of Jesus’ life and teachings, trying to cast doubt on His words and His saving work. Some people study the sacred pages, yet reject the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and fail to see by faith the Savior to whom the Scriptures testify.

The prophets, apostles, and evangelists were inspired by the Spirit to write as they did: “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21b). The Holy Spirit is at work in the Word, glorifying Jesus and calling people to faith in the Savior. As the apostle John explains concerning his Gospel account, “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name” (John 20:31). In our worship and Bible classes, in personal devotions and study, the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives as we seek to retain the pure Word and keep its teachings. Our Lord draws near to us in the Word, comforting and encouraging us as we follow Him.

Through the promise of the Gospel Word, the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God grants healing from our sin. When the apostle Paul proclaimed that Good News in the city of Philippi, a businesswoman named Lydia was listening and “the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14b). Lydia believed and, with her household, was baptized. We pray in our hymn that the Lord would open our hearts to hear His Word, the inspired Word that proclaims our baptismal identity: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17a). We are children of God and heirs of eternal life. That is the pure truth of the Word and a treasure to be retained!

WE PRAY: Lord, draw near to me through Your Word to grant healing and peace. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear,” which is number 908 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some of the challenges the Bible faces today?

2. How does God’s Word comfort you in times of uncertainty?

3. Do you use the Daily Devotions as part of a small group Bible study? They make a great opening devotional.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Kings 15-16; Galatians 3

 

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 you 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.”

Now you can 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 Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/

 Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/

A very blessed Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.

 Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org