SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023

by | Nov 6, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023

  Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! Psalm 119:1-3 ESV

 NEWS: The Tuesday Bible study takes place this evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It’s titles, “Jesus Says: A Study of The Sermon on The Mount.” The start time is 6:30 PM and the evening begins with a short devotion. The study material is then covered, followed by fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Things then wrap up around 8 PM. All are invited to participate. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside

Next Sunday we have our twice-yearly Congregational meeting taking place after our church service. The Board of Directors will give their reports from the last six months, along with Pastor Joel giving his report. We will discuss the 2024 Budget and other news and issues pertaining to Shepherd of The Valley. We pray all will set aside some time to participate in this semi-annual event.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Diane Finley in our prayers. Diane asks prayers for herself as she grows older and deals with life’s issues.. Darryl requests prayers for strength and guidance.

 READINGS: Daniel 1:1-2:16; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Peter3:8-22

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Law and Gospel”

November 7, 2023

 

Amos 5:18a, 20-22a, 23-24 – Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day of the LORD? … Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; … Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

There are some people who just assume that God is on their side all the time, and consider themselves best buddies with Jesus. The prophet Amos has a message for them in today’s passage: Do you really want Jesus to return tomorrow? How sure are you that Jesus will be happy with you?

Amos isn’t talking to ordinary Christians who fall into sin and repent, as we all do daily. He’s talking to people whose lives are full of injustice and evil. These people are deluded about their own spiritual state, and the sooner they get rid of their delusion, the better.

To be honest, this terrifies me. When I see someone so blind that they can abuse their family members, mistreat their neighbors, and badmouth co-workers who never did them a bit of harm, and yet they’re convinced they’re on God’s side … well … it makes me wonder if I could be fooling myself, too.

I think a little of this terror does no harm. If it inspires us to cling more tightly to Jesus, our only Savior from evil, that’s a good thing. But that’s where it ends. If we are the kind of people who worry endlessly about our standing with God, and have trouble trusting that He forgives us even though we know Jesus lay down His life and rose from the dead for our sakes—well, then, this passage is not addressed to us. People who are already keenly aware of their sin need to hear about Jesus and His gracious forgiveness. They don’t need more Law; they need to hear the Gospel.

This is why Luther said it was such an important thing to “rightly divide Law and Gospel.” People who are complacent about their sins, who don’t think they need Jesus, who confidently say that “I live a good life”—those people need to hear the bad news of the Law. But people who admit they are sinners and desperately want God’s help and forgiveness—they need to hear the Gospel of Jesus.

If a passage like this makes you think, “Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a sinner like that!” it might be time to take a closer look at your life. But if passages like this one make you worry even more about whether God can or will forgive you—then you need to hear the Gospel instead. Don’t wait. Go and talk to your pastor, or to a wise and experienced Christian friend. Let them strengthen you with the comfort God intends for you.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, let me hear the part of Your Word that I need to hear, through Your Holy Spirit’s help. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Which side do you naturally tend toward—being too complacent or too worried?

2. How does God counteract that tendency in your life?

3. What part of the Bible is your favorite when you need to hear the Good News about Jesus?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 43-44; Hebrews 11:20-40

 

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

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org