SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24
NEWS: Here is the link to an article from the March issue of The Lutheran Witness magazine entitled, “Money and the People of God.” We pray you find it a good read. https://witness.lcms.org/2022/money-and-the-people-of-god/
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Terry and Alba Reilly.
READINGS: Psalm 27; 1 Kings 5:1-18 You can also read 1 Kings 6:1-7:50; 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:17
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Contentment”
Hebrews 13:5-8 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
One of the great gifts of God is something most people don’t think about—contentment. What exactly is that? It means the way you feel and act when you know that you have enough for your needs—enough food, enough money, enough love, enough power and honor.
Now there’s a trick to that. For most people, enough is never enough. I have spoken to people with half a million socked away in investment accounts, and what was preying on their minds? Not enough money. And these were good people! Others work like crazy to climb the corporate ladder, hoping to make their jobs secure, because we all know that jobs can vanish in a heartbeat nowadays. Still others seek the admiration and love of others—sometimes by overdoing, like folks in church who can never say “no” to any request, however outrageous.
Of course, they never find contentment. They are looking in the wrong place.
Because the truth is, there is no top to the ladders they are trying to climb. There is always someone richer, someone more powerful, someone more beloved. You can throw away your life in that climb, trying to reach the point where you can finally sit down and rest.
Or you can turn to the Lord and say, “Please help me.”
The Lord is the right one to be asking. He knows what we need and what will satisfy us, even when we don’t. He has the power to give us what we need as well. When we lean on Him and confide our lives to His care, wonderful things happen. We may not get that job, no—but we discover that, with Him, our lives are good or better than if we had. We may not get the love and admiration of the people around us—or we may, which is a different problem. But we know for certain that we have Jesus’ love, Jesus’ concern—and that He values us as His own family, the ones He redeemed by giving His life on the cross. And with the Holy Spirit’s help, we come to a place where we realize that this is what we wanted, what we really needed, all along.
God is capable of providing miraculously for our needs. I have seen Him do it, and you probably have, too. But He is also capable of providing us with hope, trust, and happiness even in stressful times—even when we don’t get what the rest of the world is striving for. If we have God, we have enough. If we have Jesus, we have everything. And we can finally rest.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, help me to lean on You, content to trust my life into Your hands. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the number one “hole” in your life that you’re trying to fill?
2. Would you say that you are mostly content, or mostly discontent?
3. How has Jesus helped you to find contentment even in situations where other people would expect you to be discontent?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 26-27 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
