SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023

by | Nov 3, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023

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

 NEWS: THIS MORNING! The Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast takes place at 9 AM in our Community building. It’s a great time for all the men to have fellowship while eating breakfast and studying God’s word. At 10 AM the monthly Work Party takes place. This is where all can pitch in to help spruce up our church and property. It goes until Noon.

Tomorrow, we celebrate All Saints Day in God’s house. To learn more about the meaning, please read the insightful and informative article Allen K. put in the most recent Church Newsletter that was sent on Thursday.

Our Sunday begins with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel continues to lead us in studying the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Children of Assurance, Children of Righteousness, Children of God.” The basis is our Epistle reading, 1 John 3:1-3 The first reading comes from Revelation 9:9-17 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 149  The Gospel lesson is Matthew 5:1-12

After we have taken the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then comes to El Polo Loco, near Target on College Ave., for continued fellowship time.\

Also serving our congregation and Lord tomorrow are:

Techies:  Bruce Woodward, OPEN

Reader:  Keith Neblett

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Carole Woodward

Ushers:   Rick Adams, Keith Neblett

Flowers:  Bruce & Carole Woodward

Fellowship:  Rick & Gail Adams

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Doan family in our prayers: Marika, Chad, Lucille and Lydia. I, Allen L. give thanks to the Lord for my baptismal birthday on this day in 1962.

 READINGS: Ezra 9; Psalm 116; 1 Peter 2:1-12

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“There’s a Resurrection on the Horizon!”

November 4, 2023

 

Acts 17:18, 30-32 – Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him [Paul]. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. … [Paul said] “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

No doubt the apostle Paul had many scoffers in Athens over his conversations about Jesus, sin, God’s mercy and grace, and especially the resurrection. Now while Christians may be labeled as closed-minded to believe something like the resurrection, it is really God’s Holy Spirit who opens our minds to embrace the Good News of Jesus Christ—and that includes His bodily resurrection.

The book of Job gives us one of the most popular texts on the subject of resurrection. Job said it well: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth … yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another” (Job 19:25, 26b-27a).

Jesus also spoke of the resurrection to the Jews who were seeking to kill Him: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will. … Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:21, 28-29).

Statements like these—and there are many others in the Bible—led the church long ago to say, “I believe in the resurrection of the body,” thus rejecting those who teach otherwise or deny what the Bible says. And by the way, the Bible does not teach reincarnation either. Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”

What a great future awaits you and me when we embrace the words of the Savior who lives and in whom we shall live. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” With the Holy Spirit keeping our devotion wrapped around Jesus’ words of life, let us together and with great confidence, move into the wonderful future that God has prepared for those who love Him.

WE PRAY: O Holy Spirit, give us hearts of faith, trusting in Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Amen.

From “An Open Mind for the Future,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. Why is talking to people about Jesus’ resurrection such a challenge?

2. The men in Athens who questioned Paul about Jesus and the resurrection were leading thinkers of their day. How did Paul stay on point in his conversation with them?

3. Why is prayer always a good place to begin before sharing our faith?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 34, 37-38; Hebrews 10:1-18

 

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/

 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org