SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV

 NEWS: Bible study continues this Thursday at the home of K Berni. The title is, “How Happiness Happens” and it runs from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. For mkore information, contact K by email, kbernii@aol.com Her address is 1536 Peacock Blvd., Oceanside

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Luckemeyer family in our prayers: Amy, Pastor Joel, Jeremy and Lucy Joy. They ask prayers of Thanksgiving for Jeremy, who just turned 8, and that God will continue to work in his life so that he will grow into a man with strong faith. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for all people in Oceanside who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. Surround them with people who will help them and share your light into their darkness.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 42; Psalm 23; Acts 25:13-27

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Holy to the Lord” July 25, 2023

 

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 – [Moses said] “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set His love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that He swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.” When my mother was dying, one of the last things she did was to give me her jewelry box. In it were the things she treasured—jewelry from her marriage, from her parents, even a Lego construct my toddler son gave her! These were special to her, and she wanted them in good hands. That is a pretty good definition of “holy.” God’s people are special to Him—not because there are so many of them, not because they are valuable in the eyes of others—but because they are His, and He treasures them. He watches over them both day and night. They are never far from His thoughts; and He makes sure they stay in His care. It would be silly for the costume jewelry and even the Lego pieces to start trumpeting about how valuable they are. Their whole value lies in the love my mother had for them and especially for their givers. It would be silly for us, who belong to the Lord, to imagine He chose us because we were somehow in ourselves so valuable—”diamonds in the rough,” that sort of thing. We weren’t. Whatever value we have, we have because Jesus loves us. And what value is that? An incredibly high one—because God Himself came down from heaven and became a human being to make us His own. Because He bought us at the cost of His own life on that cross, with the price of His own blood. Because He rose from the dead so that all of us might live with Him forever, sharing the everlasting life that He offers to anyone who will trust Him. We are His jewels—because He has made us so. And we love Him. WE PRAY: Dear Savior, I am Yours and You are mine. Thank You. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. If you are Jesus’ holy, valued possession, what does that say about your worth now? 2. Does this give you any insight into why God refers to Himself as a “jealous God” when it comes to our worship? 3. How ought we to look at our fellow believers, especially the least of them?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 93-95; Philippians 4

 

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