SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2023

by | Oct 22, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2023

 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV

 NEWS: we had a wonderful day in the house of the Lord yesterday. There were 47 who attended our worship service in person, with more joining us online. Thank You to all who served our congregation before and during our service. Thank you to Pastor Joel for his teaching in Bible study and his leading us in worship, including his wonderful swermon message. Also, thanks to all who served for our Potluck: those who helped set up, those who brought food and served, those who attended and those who helped clean up afterwards.

The Tuesday Bible study takes place tomorrow evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM and goes to about 8; The title is, “Jesus Says: A Study of The Sermon on the Mount.” Things start with a short devotion. The study material is then taught, followed by fellowship time with coffee and goodies. All are invited to attend.  The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Pat and Bill Sperberg in our prayers.

 READINGS: Ezra 2; Psalm 107:23-43; Hebrews 13:17-25

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“A Secure Foundation”
October 23, 2023

 

Psalm 46:1, 11 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble … The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Reading through all of Psalm 46, we find disaster piled on top of terrifying disaster. The earth that we expect to remain solid and unmoving beneath our feet fails us and “gives way” in earthquakes and landslides. Mountains are “moved into the heart of the sea,” and the sea itself roars and foams with power that makes the mountains tremble (see Psalm 46:2-3). Added to the natural disasters are the catastrophes created by people. “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter” (Psalm 46:6a). All of these frightening events are beyond our ability to control. These solid, foundational things, the earth and the sea and the governments of our world, may suddenly give way at any moment. We are left searching for stability, for a firm foundation on which to stand.

The first and last verses of this psalm describe the only true, unmoving foundation possible for our lives. The psalm begins, “God is our refuge and strength,” and at its end we hear the comforting words, “The LORD of hosts is with us; God of Jacob is our fortress.” God is “a very present help in trouble.” Our Lord is with us now and always as a refuge and fortress. He is our place of safety, the One to whom we run in times of trouble. The Lord Jesus is “the Stone that the builders rejected” (Psalm 118:22a). Taking onto Himself the disaster of the world’s sins, the disaster of our sins, He suffered the penalty of death that we deserved. On the first Easter morning, Jesus rose up in triumph over sin, death, and the powers of evil, over every disastrous thing done to Him, over every eternally disastrous thing that threatened us. The risen and exalted Lord has become the Cornerstone of our lives, the solid foundation on which we stand. As the apostle Paul writes, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

The shuddering earth and the roaring seas, the raging nations and tottering kingdoms are frightening. Things we thought were solid suddenly shift beneath our feet. Their shaking unsettles us, but these same terrifying events are themselves subject to the authority of our Lord. He “utters His voice, the earth melts” (Psalm 46:6b). He is the LORD of hosts, that is, the Lord of the armies of heaven, who tells the raging nations, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations” (Psalm 46:10a). In frightening times, today and in the future, the God who redeemed us is present with us. He is our refuge and our fortress, our place of safety and the place to make a stand.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, You are my hiding place and my help in times of trouble. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. The earth gives us plenty of natural disasters to deal with—fires, floods, earthquakes, eruptions. Have you ever dealt with a disaster like one of these?

2. How is God our fortress in such circumstances?

3. How did Jesus Christ lay the foundation for the lives of believers?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 15-17; Colossians 2

 

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