SVLC DEVOTION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023

by | Nov 10, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

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

 NEWS: Tomorrow is the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost as we enter the Lord’s house. We’ll start with Bible study ay 9 AM and Pastor Joel will continue to lead us in studying the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service the title of Pastor Joel’s sermonis,”The Light Has Come, He Is Here, He Is Coming In All Fullness.” It’s based on our Psalm of the day (where our Psalmody is taken from), Psalm 43  The Old Testament reading comes from Amos 5:18-24 The Epistle is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Our Gospel reading is taken from Matthew 25:1-13

After we have celebrated Holy Communion and our service is complete, please join us for a brief fellowship time. Then please plan to stay for our twice-yearly All Member Meeting. Our Six Ministry Teams will report on their goals and ministries of this past year and plans for next year.  The Officiers will give their reports, including concerning our finances.  We will also discuss our budget for 2024.  We have just two regular meetings a year, and we keep them short and focused.  Each is very important so please participate!  Questions?  Contact  Bruce at bruce_woodward@hotmail.com  

Also serving our congregation and Lord tomorrow at Shepherd are:

Techies:  Victor Dille, OPEN

Reader:  K Berni

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Rick Adams

Ushers:   OPEN & OPEN

Flowers:  Rick & Gail Adams

Fellowship:  Leonard & Suzette Prokopin

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Berand Kirschner in our prayers. We also pray for all who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces of our country. We thank the Lord for all the sacrifices they have made or are making.

 READINGS: Daniel 4:19-37; Psalm 119:33-40; 2 Peter 1:16-21

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Straight Talk”

November 11, 2023

 

Luke 16:13-15 – [Jesus said] “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Do you remember the phrase, “Flattery will get you nowhere”? Originally, it meant that despite one’s sweet talk and lavish compliments, the receiver would not be swayed. Well, I’ve read that an early film star who was being complimented turned it around and said it this way: “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

This way of saying it implies that we are a people who love to be flattered, who may even need to be flattered. And that leaves us open to temptation, manipulation, and worse. It can lead us to a life that demands that even God stroke our ego if He wants our love.

Jesus, however, tells us to be careful who we’re listening to. There is the voice of God, the One who loves you, who calls you to repentance for the sake of your forgiveness, life, and salvation. And there’s the voice of the enemy—the world, money, power, sinful self-interest, ego, and flattery. Jesus says you are listening to one or the other, and there are ramifications to both.

What’s hard for me in this passage is that for many, including myself, we’re not always sure who we’re listening to. The people in Jesus’ time thought the Pharisees, the outward religious leaders, were the voices to be heard. Jesus says they are not. Today, we hear voices promising economic success, political power, temporal peace—as if they are the only voices that can do it. They stroke our egos by telling us it’s entirely up to us; we can solve all our problems.

But we can’t. We can’t exalt ourselves among men and justify ourselves before God.

Jesus came to destroy all of that. That’s why He bore His cross for our sins, died, and rose three days later. That’s why there is a life to be lived for us now in His Name for others. That’s why a new heaven and new earth are coming, because this one is passing away.

When it comes to serving God—and Him alone—sorrow and repentance for our sins, and trusting Jesus’ sacrifice for our redemption is what matters most. But don’t just trust me on this; trust the straight-talking Jesus of the Scriptures.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, give us hearts that trust in You because we know You really care for us. Amen.

From “Flattery Will Get You Everywhere?” a devotional message from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. Have your loyalties ever been divided between people? Did you find a workable compromise?

2. Why is impossible to serve God and money?

3. How can we stay on guard against the world’s many temptations to stroke our egos?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Daniel 3-4; Titus 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/

 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