SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2023

 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 ESV

 NEWS: Gospel Adventure for Kids!  This new ministry of the Lutheran Laymen’s League is a weekly podcast where kids learn of Bible characters, hear the Gospel, learn activities and hear vibrant songs and meet other kids like them!  It’s fun and it’s both biblical and Gospel centered!  You can find it at Spotify, Google, Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio and at gospeladventures.org/show

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Diane Finley in our prayers, Diane continues to have issues with her CPAP machine and sleep apnea and she requests prayers regarding that. We continue to pray for the Woodward family: Eric, hospitalized with pneumonia and other issues, along with the medical professionals who are caring for him. Also, for Carole and Bruce, as they spend time at the hospital with Eric. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for all the citizens of Oceanside to have wisdom regarding their healthcare and that the Lord would help them find the physicians they need.

 READINGS: Lamentations 4; Psalm 51; Colossians 2:6-15

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Minding Your Own Business” August 23, 2023

 

Romans 12:1, 4-8 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. … For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. There’s a phrase you’ve heard, “Mind your own business.” It means different things to different people, but it has a useful meaning for us Christians as we think about a world where there are so many needs, so many screaming disasters that we can’t figure out what to do first. Do we send money to Ukraine? Feed and house the homeless? Work against natural disasters? Educate children? Care for a single elderly person who is lonely and shut-in? Type up the church bulletin? What first? We can be so overwhelmed we do nothing at all! Against this, Paul tells us to focus on the gifts and functions God has given each one of us. We should consider our stations in life. Are we married or parents? Then we must care for our spouses and children well. Are we students, workers, retired? In each of those areas of life, we have responsibilities and opportunities that God has given us, and we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we figure out what to do next. I say this because it’s incredibly easy to soak up all the guilt and despair of the world, especially if you read or watch a great deal of news media. No one could cope with it all, not even for a single day. And God doesn’t expect us to. We are not the Messiah, after all. We are not the Savior of the world—but we are His body. Jesus met the needs of the whole world, completely and finally, when He lay down His life on the cross for all of us. His resurrection means everyone who trusts in Him has eternal life starting now. This is the work of Jesus as the head of the body, and we can never match it—nor should we try to. Our jobs are smaller but very important—to meet the needs God has put before us individually, to carry out whatever responsibilities He has placed in our hands right now. One may be called to politics, while another is called to serving the poor. The Holy Spirit will coordinate everything. It is a thing to be happy about, that Jesus gives us so many different assignments as the members of His body—and He Himself is at work in all of us. What an honor! And what a relief, to have the weight of the world where it belongs—not on us, but on Jesus. WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, show me what You have for me to do—and help me to rely on You as I do it. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. When in your life have you tried to do too much? 2. How did that turn out? 3. When have you seen God using His people to meet the needs of the world?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Chronicles 23-25; 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

 

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