SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023

A BLESSED AUGUST TO ALL!

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

 NEWS: Thur4sday evening our Board of Directors meet online, via Zoom, at 7 PM. Be on the lookout for an email from Bruce Woodward that contains the link.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Brandon Reilly in our prayers. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for Christians that are dating, that they may honor God’s will and will repent if and when they fall. We ask the Lord to help them understand that it is His will for them to marry another Christian.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 48:1-20; Psalm 30; Acts 28:11-16

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Come, Buy and Eat!” August 1, 2023

 

Isaiah 55:1-5 – Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to Me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, My steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you. The beginning of this passage is odd. It says, “He who has no money, come, buy and eat!” That doesn’t make sense. I could understand it if God said, “Come, take this for free and eat” or even “Come, grab and eat.” But God doesn’t say that. He says, “Come, buy and eat.” How can you buy something if you have no money—if you can’t pay the price? There’s only one way I can think of, and that’s if somebody else gives you the money. If your father or best friend gives you the price of the bread you want, then you can go and buy it, sure. It isn’t your money you’re handing over—but you still get fed. Okay—but God’s clearly offering more than ordinary food and drink here. The bread and wine stand for something much greater—God’s forgiveness, love, mercy, and everlasting life. They stand for what we usually call “salvation.” That is what we are to buy—and it will satisfy us forever. If we can only come up with the price! And that’s where Jesus comes in. Like a good father or a best friend, He takes the price of what we need most and puts it in our hands. “Go ahead,” He says. “Get what you need. I’ve already paid for it.” And of course He has—through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus has given Himself as the price of our salvation, and we will never go hungry or thirsty again. Thanks be to God! WE PRAY: Lord, thank You for giving me what I need the most, at the cost of Your own life—because You love me. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. When did someone lend you the money to get what you needed? Tell the story. 2. Why did they do that for you? 3. Why do you think God refuses to take human hard work—even a lifetime of it—as the price for forgiveness, life, and salvation?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Thessalonians

 

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