SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023

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

 NEWS: It was a blessed day in God’s housen yesterday and we appreciate all who attended in person as well as those who joined us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation and thank you to Pastor Joel for his Bible study teaching and worship leading. We are very blessed at Shepherd of The Valley!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Margie and Allenn Latall in our prayers. Our health concerns are the main focus right now. Thanks for all the prayers sent our way! In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray that hearts in all the citizens of Oceanside would be washed clean of all hatred. We pray that there would be a racial reconciliation for those who are victims of real racism.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 41; Psalm 22; Acts 25:1-12

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Mount Zion” July 24, 2023

 

Psalm 125:1-2 – Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore. After a fig tree withered at His command, Jesus told His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen” (Matthew 21:21b). Trees are one thing, but a mountain? We really have no reason to move a mountain, not to mention our lack of faith in asking that it would be done. When Jesus taught His disciples about forgiving others (an entirely different kind of mountain), they cried out, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5b). That is our prayer as well! The verses of today’s psalm are not about forgiveness or moving mountains but about a mountain that cannot be moved: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” After David was anointed as king over Israel, he “took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David” (2 Samuel 5:7b). Zion, or Jerusalem, was regarded as a strong city, a fortress, but it was not strong simply because of its walls or because it was surrounded by mountains. Zion was the holy city, the place where the temple was established as a dwelling place for God. It was a fortified city for His people because the Lord Himself surrounded them. Those who trust in the Lord, who place their faith in Him, are like that fortified, immovable city. The people of God are built into a holy temple, a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Mountains may crumble and earthly cities—even Jerusalem—can fall, but those who trust in the Lord are immovable because God dwells among them and His love surrounds them. Jesus our Lord came to Zion to teach and heal, and finally, to carry His cross through the streets of Jerusalem to the place where He was crucified. He is the stone rejected by the builders, the living stone who was raised and exalted as the cornerstone of our lives: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6). Our enemies, sin, death, and Satan, lie crushed in defeat beneath the feet of Jesus, our chosen and precious Cornerstone. Our lives are built on Jesus and we are surrounded by Him, like the mountains surround Jerusalem. We are immovable, in days of joy and in times of sorrow, shielded by His holy will until that bright day when we stand in His presence in the heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal city that God has prepared for us. WE PRAY: Lord, You are my Fortress, my place of safety. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. Have you ever asked God to increase your faith? What did you feel was lacking? 2. How does God surround His people? 3. How is Jesus the cornerstone on which our faith is built?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 89, 91-92; Philippians 3

 

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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org