SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023

 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2 ESV

 NEWS: What a great Sunday we had in the Lord’s dwelling yesterday! We are thankful for all who attended in-person, 41, and for those who watched online with us. Thank you to all who served our congregation and especially to our Pastor Joel, for his teaching, leading and preaching! We are very blessed to have him and his family as part of our church.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember K Berni in our prayers. In our Summer of Prayer series, we ask the Lord for a thriving economy in Oceanside, one that would provide sustainable jobs and the needed support for families.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 52:1-11; Psalm 42; Philippians 1:12-30

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“To Every Nation” August 14, 2023

 

Psalm 67:1-2 – May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. God chose the offspring of Abraham, the children of Israel, to be His own people: “You shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5b-6). The promised Messiah would be born among them, but He would not only be the Savior of Israel. In His covenant with Abraham, God said, “In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). The Lord chose His people and made His face to shine on them so His way would be “known on earth” and His “saving power among all nations.” God said to His Son, the Messiah: “I will make You as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6b). God loved the world and sent His Son as a light for Israel and for the nations, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus the Messiah was crucified to atone for the sins of all people, raised to life and exalted as the Lord of every nation. He is the Good Shepherd who said of His sheep, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd” (John 10:16). The crucified and risen Lord Jesus sent His followers to make disciples of all nations, to baptize in the Name of the Triune God and to teach all that He commanded. All who trust in Jesus for salvation are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9a). Having received the blessings of forgiveness and eternal life, we are to make God’s saving power known, to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9b). This is our task today, to be witnesses for Jesus and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring Christ to the nations and the nations to the church. Some of us may never travel to distant nations to teach the Good News of Jesus, but we can offer financial support for missionaries and other Kingdom workers and pray for them. We can speak of the Savior’s love to lost sheep who live near us, to a family member or friend, to a co-worker or neighbor. We pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten them through the Gospel as sheep near and far, sheep from every nation, and are brought into the Shepherd’s fold. WE PRAY: Jesus, I pray that my words and actions will reflect the light of Your love. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. How does God show that He loves the whole world and not just the people of Israel? 2. What did God mean when He told Abraham that all the nations of the world will be blessed by his offspring? What offspring was He referring to? 3. Can you think of at least five different ways you can help make God’s saving power known to others?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Chronicles 10-12; 1 Corinthians 8

 

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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org