SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023

by | Jul 21, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023

 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! Psalm 20:1 ESV

 NEWS: In our return to God’s house tomorrow we will celebrate the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Our morning begins with Bible study at 9 AM .We continue to review the book of Genesis as Pastor Joel leads us. At 10 AM the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Hope for All of Us Together.” It’s based on Romans 8:18-27  the second lesson of the day. Our Old Testament reading is Isaiah 44:6-8 The Gospel comes from Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 After we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship will continue at El Pollo Loco in the Mission Marketplace. We look forward to everyone joining us!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Debbie and Allen Kolkman in our prayers. We also lift up Linda Johnson, who has a biopsy scheduled for August 4th. Doctors are concerned about possible breast cancer and malignancy in her lymph nodes. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for just enforcement of law against murderers and other violent criminals. Wev also lift up our police department to be safe as they serve and protect us..

 READINGS: Jeremiah 39:11-18; Psalm 20; Acts 23:23-35

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“This Glorious Light”

July 22, 2023

 

2 Corinthians 4:4-5 – In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Who is “the god of this world” who, the apostle Paul says, “has blinded the minds” of unbelievers? To be sure, the deceiver of minds comes in many forms. It is said the Hindus worship millions of gods. Now while that’s staggering to think about, that number can’t compare with the countless gods man has made for himself through the ages, such as money, power, lust, pleasure, ambition, and control. These are the gods of our own making—as infinite at the Hindu pantheon and as powerless to save.

Where then in the blindness of our self-indulgence are we to look? How are we even to know there is a place to look, a Person to whom we look? That is the saving work of God’s Holy Spirit. He alone can address our blindness. When the Spirit removes the scales from our eyes, then—and only then—can we see “the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Therefore, St. Paul says, “what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.” He is the divine Ruler possessing all the might and magnificence, truth and triumph, love and longing for our souls which God alone has. “The light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ” takes from our eyes the scales of despair and lets us see ourselves as we are in Jesus, cleansed by His blood, sinless in His Father’s sight, stainless because our transgressions have been removed from us—farther than the east is from the west.

God’s glorious light is an errorless guide for the uncharted pathways ahead. If we place our feet in Jesus’ footsteps, as His saving Gospel reveals them, we are walking in the way the Savior walked. His love will brighten our sin-darkened life. Though we may fail, Christ our light will never fail. Even if decades ago our faith was shipwrecked and we lost our way and our reliance on Jesus, it is never too late to return to the Lord of light for grace and guidance.

This glorious light is the illumination we need for the deepest darkness we face: death. Jesus tells us, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12b). This is Jesus speaking to you and me. Lay your sins beneath His cross, and in humble, penitent, confident faith, trust in His redeeming compassion. Let the crystal-clear Gospel of glory shine into your soul, and you will see your sins—though black as night—lose their guilty stains and become white as fresh-driven snow.

WE PRAY: Blessed Savior, open eyes that are dim to You, so they may receive You in faith and find forgiveness for their sins. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

From “Christ, Open Our Eyes!” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. What are the gods of this world we encounter today?

2. How do such gods blind us to the one true God?

3. How can we keep our eyes open and stay alert to the things of God?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 33, 43, 66; Philippians 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 hour  s: 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org