SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

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

 NEWS: Link of the Week:  “The Wrong Door Out of the Suffering Room”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P7sA7ioBTc

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Keith Neblett in our prayers.

In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for all those servin g in our armed forces, that they may seek the Lord form guidance and be given just discretion when it comes to fulfilling their vocations.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 2; Psalm 64; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Loving Your Neighbor” September 5, 2023

 

Ezekiel 33:7-9 – So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” This has to be one of the hardest things to do for someone you love—to inform them, straight out, that they are doing something sinful and they need to stop. At least it’s difficult if you love the person and don’t want to hurt their feelings. But then, what’s worse—hurting their feelings temporarily, or allowing them to continue without warning until they wind up in a world of hurt? Because that’s what sin does. It hurts people—the person doing the sin maybe most of all. And those of us who love someone who is involved in a major sin can’t just stay silent and do nothing. That wouldn’t be love, would it? So what can we do? We can go to the Lord and pray for the courage and the right words to speak to the person we love. Then we can speak, or write, or text, or whatever it takes to say, “Hey, I love you, and that’s why I’m telling you that this thing you’re involved in is no good. You need to stop it. Please.” Once we’ve done that, it’s out of our hands. The person will listen or not listen, just as they choose. We can’t force them to do the right thing. But we have to at least let them know what we’re seeing. To really love someone takes courage, sometimes. And when we can’t find the courage to do this ourselves, we can cry out to Jesus to supply it—because He’s been down this road before. He loves us dearly, and for that very reason He came into our world—to confront us with our sin, and then to take it away from us forever, if only we will let Him—to replace it with His own love and forgiveness and mercy and eternal life. That’s what the cross was about. It wasn’t easy. It cost Him His life. But that’s how much He loves us. And that’s how much He can love others through us—when we ask Him to help us. WE PRAY: Dear Lord, give me the courage and wisdom to speak to [name] in this really difficult situation. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. Do you find it easy or hard to speak to someone who’s caught up in a major sin? 2. Why do you feel that way? 3. If you feel comfortable telling the story, when has someone been a blessing to you by telling you that you were on the wrong road?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 2 Chronicles 23; Joel 2-3; 2 Corinthians 10

 

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