SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2023

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

 NEWS: Tomorrow evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting at 6:00 PM, online. Bruce Woodward sent out the Zoom link yesterday som please look for the email from Bruce.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Terry and Alba Reilly in our prayers. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for all those in Oceanside who struggle with pornography addiction, that they would seek Christian accountability and know that there is grace from Jesus when they confess their sins to God. We pray the Lord would break this demonic hold that affects so many peoples lives, men and women.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 48:21-47; Psalm 31; Acts 28:17-31

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Loving Non-Christians” August 2, 2023

 

Romans 9:1-5 – I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Do you have someone in your family or among your friends who does not know Jesus or trust in Him? I think most of us do. And how much grief that causes us, to love them and wish the best for them—and be completely unable to change that situation. The apostle Paul is facing that grief in our passage for today. He has spent years preaching and teaching people about Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles alike; and he has seen a lot of people come to faith in Jesus. What wonderful joy that brings! But he has also seen a lot of people reject Jesus, including the ones to whom he feels the closest—his own relatives and countrymen, the descendants of Israel. If being damned himself would help them, Paul would volunteer. But of course it won’t; God deals with people as individuals, and He doesn’t make deals. So what is left for Paul to do? What is left for us, who love non-Christians? Simply this: To go on loving them, through everything we say or plan or do. To treat them with great respect, as Paul does in this letter. To continue to share our faith with them in gentleness and respect, when the Holy Spirit gives us the opportunity. And to pray that God, who loves them even more than we do, will open the door for them to recognize and trust in Jesus, their Savior. This is our hope, isn’t it? We know that God loves them so much He lay down His own life for them on the cross, to make them His own beloved children. The fact that they don’t yet believe doesn’t change that great act of love. And if God has loved them that much, we can be sure He won’t give up on them. Neither should we. Let’s continue to show them that love in everything we do and say, following the Lord who loves us and them the same—and who calls us all to be His own. WE PRAY: Dear Father, please bless [names of those you’re concerned for here] and help me to love them. And bring them to faith in Your Son Jesus. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. Whom do you pray for, that they might come to trust in Jesus? 2. How can you show God’s love for them through your daily interactions? 3. If you don’t know any non-Christians, how can you get to know some?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 119:89-176; 2 Thessalonians 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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org