SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SATURDAY, JULY 9
“All In!”
1 Corinthians 15:16-17 – For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
What an incredible verse! What a clear testimony to what this Jesus means to those who love and trust Him. What a verse to demonstrate to you how the cross and the resurrection of Jesus are God’s way of saying to the world “I’m all in” when it comes to your salvation, to your redemption, and your way of living by faith in the things that God has accomplished down through history.
All in! I used to be a basketball player back in the days of my youth. Oh, it was fun. Well, it was fun sometimes. There were times you didn’t want to practice; you didn’t want to run another step. The teams that I played on in high school and college emphasized a defensive way to play where we would “press” the other team from the time they got the ball until the time they would relinquish it back to us through a missed shot or a turnover. To get ready to play that kind of basketball, every person on the floor, every person on the bench, every person, every coach, every player—they had to be all in as it were. Such a winning game plan couldn’t work if some people were all in and others were not.
All in. That means no excuses; you do whatever it takes to make the defense work, to stop the other team in their tracks. It didn’t matter how tired you were or whether you had a good game last week. Game night was about being all in with your teammates; it was about engaging with those you were teamed with, encouraging them, challenging them, winning or losing with them. Why? Because you were all in for the cause, for those you were partnered with, for those you sought to engage as well.
And that’s the point Paul makes about Jesus and His team, the church. Jesus was all in for you. No cross got in His way to live your life, to die your death, and to give you His life as a gift. Do you hear me? God is all in for you in Jesus Christ. Not only did He not shrink back from this sinful world’s opposition, He took up that challenge to rescue and reconcile a sinful world back to the One who loves them.
His all-in commitment makes life possible for us again. It challenges us to look to others with that same commitment to love them as God loves us. So, the next time you think about the struggles you have at work, at home, or in your neighborhood—remember you have an all-in Savior who wants you to be all-in for those you love.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for Your all-in commitment to loving us, forgiving us, and leading us in Your truth. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
From “All In!” a message by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever been in an “all in” kind of situation? What were you doing?
2. Why is our faith futile if Christ has not been raised from the dead?
3. How does Jesus “all-in” attitude inspire you in your life?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Kings 7-9 James 3
NEWS: Today we have our monthly Men’s Bible study/breakfast at 9 AM in our Fellowship Hall. All men are invited to join us and participate in fellowship and discussion of God’s word. Then at 10, the monthly Work Party takes place and goes until Noon. One of the focus points today will be planting new plants. All are invited to come and help out for as long as they can spend.
Another week has passed and we pray all are looking forward to meeting in God’s house tomorrow. The day starts with our Sunday Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel is helping us study the Lord’s Prayer, with insights from the Small and Large Catechism’s. At 10 AM we are celebrating Sanctity of Life Sunday in our worship service. The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “My Unborn Neighbor,” and the text is based on Luke 10:25-37 Our other readings are Leviticus 19:1-18 and Colossians 1:1-14 After we’ve taken the Lord’s supper and our service is complete, please join us outside for our fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. Then, for those needing lunch, please meet up with us at In and Out burgers, by Mission and Frazee Rd.. Enter off of Mission by 24 Hour Fitness.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Berand Kirschner. Berand asks prayers for all those who are dealing with Covid.
READINGS:
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
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 hours: 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Allen and Margie Latall: aalatall@gmail.com OR mjlatall62@gmail.com OR Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
