SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

by | Sep 6, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

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

 NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting, online via Zoom, at 6:00 PM. Bruce sent the link out by email on September 2nd. If anyone still needs it, email me and I will forward it to you.

On the second Saturday of the month, we usually have our Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast at 9am and the Work Party at 10. This month it has been moved to the third Saturday, September 16th.Please plan accordingly.

 PRAYERS: In our prayers, we share the sorrow of death and the joy of resurrection with the Woodward family: Carole, Bruce and Denae, as the Lord has called Eric home to eternal rest with Him. Eric’s funeral is planned for Saturday, September 16th in our sanctuary at Shepherd of The Valley. There will be refreshments afterwards in our Fellowship/Community building.

In our daily prayers, we pray for Margaret Paton today. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for the nations of Europe, that the nations there would return to the Lord and his word.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 4; Psalm 66; 1 Timothy 1:1-11

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“The Little Ones”
September 7, 2023

 

Matthew 18:1-6, 10-14 – At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in My Name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. … See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of My Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

Who are these little ones? Are they children? Yes, but I think Jesus means us to look beyond that. Who are these “little ones” who are so dear to God, the ones He protects with terrible judgment on anyone who leads them astray? Who are these lost sheep He refuses to see perish?

I have some guesses. For example, there’s somebody at church who annoys me. It’s his voice, I think. Something about it gets on my nerves, and I want to get away from him. There was a girl I knew in school who wanted friends desperately, but if you were kind to her, she followed you around forever, even to the bathroom! There was an older man I used to know who was brilliant, but he was just super slow in everything he did. People went out of their way to avoid working with him or even walking behind him.

These are the vulnerable people of any age—the ones who get overlooked—shunned—even harmed by those who have more status or power or abilities. They are the lonely, the missing, the unnoticed. And they are a special concern to God, because they cannot defend themselves. They are dear to Him, because God made them and Jesus lay down His life to redeem them.

If you are one of these little ones (and who isn’t, at some point in our lives?), be glad. You are beloved by God, and He is paying attention to you. And if you know someone like this, be happy, because Jesus has given you the opportunity to love Him by loving that person. You have the high honor of serving Jesus Himself.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, open my eyes to see the little ones around me whom You love so much. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Can you think of a “little one” you know whom you might serve?

2. How? Think of a specific thing you might do.

3. How do you think Jesus reacts to your efforts to show love? (See Matthew 25:31-40.)

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

 

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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org