SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

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

 NEWS: This Saturday is our Beach Party! We are meeting at the church at Noon to carpool together for an afternoon of fun and fellowship! If you haven’t signed up yet and would like to go or you need more information, please email Rick Adams, daddams@hotmail.com

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Noah Adams in our prayers.

In our Summer of Prayer series, we p[ray for those who do not attend services regularly. We ask the Lord to lead them back to God’s house at SVLC, that we may reach out to and welcome them.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 16; Psalm 78:1-35; 2 Timothy 3:1-9

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Higher Than My Thoughts” September 19, 2023

 

Isaiah 55:6-9 – Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. I am so glad that God’s thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are higher than mine! Imagine what the world would be like if I were god. No, forget that—that’s a nightmare. I’m sorry I put that image in your head. Erase, erase, erase! Seriously, we need a God who is greater than us. We need a God who is so wise, He can see the messes we get ourselves into, and all our evils, and figure out a way to rescue us. We need a God who is so great He can care about us, living on this tiny planet in this huge universe, and still care about the details of our daily lives. We need a God who is so loving He will come into our world to become a human being like us—and that’s exactly what we’ve got. It’s not what I would have invented as a god. I’m not that creative. Imagine a God who comes to us in weakness and dependency, a tiny baby crying in a manger? Not me. Choose a God who knows what it’s like to be homeless and footsore, who works long hours healing and teaching, who lives His life always looking over His shoulder, knowing that His enemies will get Him in the end? Believe in a God who lays down His life in shame and nakedness, hanging on a cross between two criminals? Who would come up with that? But who doesn’t need that?—because that’s the way that Jesus rescued us from the powers of sin, death, and the devil. His pain becomes our healing, and His shame becomes our glory. Because of what He has done, we who trust in Him are now welcomed as children of God Himself; and because Jesus has risen from the dead, we know that we, too, will live forever with Him. We couldn’t have imagined it, but God did—and carried it out, because He loved us. That is our salvation. WE PRAY: Dear Father, I’m glad Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts—and Your love for us is past imagining. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. Name one thing God has created that you find surprising. 2. What is one thing God did in the Bible that you wouldn’t have expected? 3. What is one thing God has done in your life that puts you in awe—of His creativity, His wisdom, or His love?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 23-25; Ephesians 5:17-23

 

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