SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 ESV
NEWS: Crafternoon! Crafternoon will be on Saturday, September 30, beginning at 2:00 in the Community Building. This is an opportunity to get together and complete a craft. Step by step directions will be given. Bring a snack to share. Questions? Contact Amanda at amandareneecery@gmail.com
The Tuesday evening Bible study is returning a week from today, on October 3rd. It will take place at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman and the title of the twelve session study is, “Jesus Says: A Study of the Sermon on the Mount.” More information will come here. Also, check the Church Newsleter that Allen sends out.
PRAYERS: Today we remember Victor and Deanna Dille in our prayers. They ask prayers for good health. Dee asks prayers for her three boys and Victor for his two daughters.
READINGS: Ezekiel 23; Psalm 84; Philemon 1
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Scandalized”
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-29 – The Word of the LORD came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine: the soul who sins shall die. … “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is My way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are My ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?”
God sounds utterly scandalized. How dare the people of Israel use a proverb that boils down to “the parents sin, and the children pay for it”? No way! God isn’t having any of that in His kingdom! There will be justice—and there will be mercy. The one thing there will not be is injustice, because God hates that with all His heart.
Yet human beings have a problem, because all too often we can’t tell the difference between injustice and mercy. We recognize justice—justice is getting exactly what you deserve. We have no trouble with that. But what about cases where people don’t get what they deserve? Then we have to think carefully. Because you can go two ways—you can fall beneath justice, or you can soar above it.
In Jesus Christ, God soars above justice. He takes the weight of the world’s sins and loads them upon Himself—on God in human flesh—and He carries them all the way to the cross. This is not injustice, even though Jesus is totally innocent. This is generosity. This is mercy—because Jesus has volunteered to do this out of sheer love and compassion on us. He willingly takes the pain, and we receive the benefit.
If we are the ones who benefit from His love, how can we deny that kindness to the people around us? They, too, are in need; they too are sinners. Jesus has died and risen from the dead for them, too. And if they trust in Him to forgive them, they too will have new life, a life and joy that lasts forever. This isn’t injustice, no matter what they have done—or what we have done, for that matter. This is mercy.
Let’s tell them about Jesus, so they can share His mercy with us.
WE PRAY: Holy Father, thank You for Your generous mercy to us all in Jesus, Your Son. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. If you want God’s mercy for yourself, can you reconcile yourself to seeing Him have the same mercy on others?
2. Why or why not?
3. Why is this so hard at times?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 39-40 Romans 6
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org
