SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

by | Sep 8, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Psalm 68:19 ESV

 NEWS: We’ll return to God’s house tomorrow celebrating the 15th Sunday after Pentecost. At 9 AM Bible study takes place. Pastor Joel continues our study in the book of Genesis. In our 10 AM worship service, the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Childish Faith.” It’s based on our Gospel reading, Matthew 18:1-20 The Old Testament reading is Ezekiel 33:7-9 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 32 Our Epistle is taken from Romans 13:1-10 After we have celebrated the Eucharist and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship continues at the Chipotle Grill in the Mission Marketplace on College Ave.

Also serving our Lord and congregation tomorrow are:

Techies:  Ian Andrews, OPEN

Reader:  Margaret Paton

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Daria Roth

Ushers:   Victor Dille, Keith Neblett

Flowers:  Victor Dille

Fellowship:  Victor Dille

PRAYERS: Today we remember Brandon Reilly in our prayers.

In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray that the Christian church may continue to expand throughout the world.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 6; Psalm 68; 1 Timothy 2

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Eleventh-Hour Pardon”
September 9, 2023

 

Luke 23:39-43 – One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Just who was this blessed criminal who turned from his transgressions to the Savior, from death to eternal life? History and the Bible are silent, but tradition has given him a name: Dysmas. Christian chapels inside prison walls have sometimes been named in his honor: “The Church of St. Dysmas.” That’s not irony. It’s reassurance for those who are incarcerated. In the hour of his horrific execution, Dysmas, a great sinner, became a saint, that is, he became a child of God whose sins have been forgiven.

On the cross, Dysmas was in the presence of the Holy Christ. It is possible that Dysmas had been among the many publicans and sinners who had come to hear Jesus. The seed of God’s Word can lay dormant in a man’s heart for a long time and then sprout unexpectedly, growing quickly. Dysmas must at least have heard about the “prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:11b). For three years there had been a great deal of talk about Him. And, no doubt, this day Dysmas was watching Christ with extreme interest ever since their death march began along the Via Dolorosa to Calvary.

As Dysmas gazed at Christ from his cross, the picture changed as a scene on a screen fades from one image into another. The innocent Christ became the diehard sinner’s Comforter, his life-giving Savior. Dysmas knew that Jesus would be able to help him. For Dysmas there was no time to atone for his sin, so he cast himself completely at the mercy of the Savior.

And Jesus’ reply to this last-minute plea? “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Human justice was saying, “Punish the criminal severely.” God was saying, “Forgive the man completely.” Most of us would consign such a man to hell or certainly to jail; instead, Christ took him to heaven. Many would say he would first have to be purged before God would accept him. But Christ’s forgiveness is complete. His mercy sweeps aside all thought of atoning for one’s sin. Therefore, rather than condemnation, the Savior welcomed this man into heaven.

This is the same love and mercy God has for you and me! No matter what our sin, God’s forgiveness is greater. On the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins of the world. With His triumphant resurrection from the dead, God declares the believer forgiven, so that like Dysmas, you and I can live forever in the presence of God.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for the forgiveness made possible for all of us through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

From “The Savior Takes a Sinner Home,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Armin Oldsen, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you know someone who has been forgiven of a great many sins?

2. Have you ever identified with one or the other of the two criminals who were being crucified with Jesus?

3. Should Jesus’ offer of forgiveness to the seeking criminal impact the way we think about those big sinners we may know?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 5-6; 2 Corinthians 13

 

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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org