SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JULY 17, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, JULY 17, 2023

 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV

 NEWS: Shepherd of The Valley Church! 50 years and counting now! Yesterday was such a great day all around in our anniversary celebration. There are so many people to thank for helping put this altogether and we appreciate every single one of you who helped and served during our service. We thank Reverend Doctor Mike Gibson for his inspiring message and our blessing to our congregation, Pastor Joel Luckemeyer, for leading the rest of our worship.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Gordon and Lois Friske in our prayers. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for God’s healing hand to be on children diagnosed with diseases and disorders here in Oceanside. We ask for wisdom and love from their medical providers and healing comfort and provision for their needs.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 36; Psalm 16; Acts 21:37-22:5

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Do Not Delay” July 17, 2023

 

Psalm 119:59-60 – When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to Your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep Your commandments. We can easily understand—from sad experience—how our eyes and hands lead us into sin. Our eyes may search out things that we should not see or read. Our hands can turn to stealing or to typing and texting hateful words and arguments. Jesus gives us a very serious warning about these dangers: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell … And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell” (Mark 9:43, 47). Jesus also warns against sinning with our feet: “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell” (Mark 9:45). How do our feet lead us into sin? We do not always turn our feet to obey God’s commands; we may even run the other way! Our feet may walk us into places and behaviors that are displeasing to God. Instead of hastening to obey God’s commands, our feet may take us away from those who need our help and compassion. The feet of Jesus our Lord always took Him along the path of obedience to His Father’s will. Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, He hastened and did not delay to keep the commandments. His eyes and hands turned to acts of compassion and healing as His feet walked along dusty roadways, taking him among the people to whom He ministered. When the hour of His death came, those blessed hands and feet were nailed to the cross as Jesus bore the weight of our sins in His own body, including our sins of running from what is good and towards what is evil. Our sins are washed away in Jesus’ blood and now we follow Him, led by the Holy Spirit to carefully place our feet into the footprints of our Savior. With eyes and hands and hearts and feet, we turn to others in compassion and care. We walk alongside those who are troubled and anxious, bringing to them the comfort of God’s Word. Our beautiful feet take us to people who need to hear the Good News of Jesus (see Isaiah 52:7). Our feet carry us as we go about our daily callings, serving our Lord by serving others in love. Moved by the Spirit of God, we hasten and do not delay to follow God’s will and keep His precious commands. The way before us is clearly marked: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Do not delay! WE PRAY: My God and Savior, turn my feet and hands and heart to obey Your commandments. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. We all have weak areas and blind spots in our obedience to God? How do you address those? 2. Turning our feet to God’s testimonies—what do you think that means? 3. How can we lovingly help others who fall down in their faith walk?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Kings 17-18; Galatians 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