SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

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

 NEWS: Saturday is our beach party and we are meeting in the church parking lot at Noon to carpool there. If myou would still like ti sign up,m please contact Rick Adams by email, daddams@hotmail.com

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Ian Andrews in our prayers.

In the last of our Summer of Prayer series, we thank the Lord that he is our Heavenly Father and that he has given us the giftn of prayer. We ask his help never to forsake it.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 18; Psalm 79; 2 Timothy 4:1-8

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Whatever Is Right” September 21, 2023

 

Matthew 20:1-5a – [Jesus said] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. …” When I was young and looking for summer jobs, the managers would often ask me, “How much money do you want?” Remembering this parable, I would answer them, “Give me whatever you think is right.” They were always fair and just. Now, as an adult, I think that might be a risky way of negotiating a salary. Not everyone is fair and just! But God is—and better than that, He is generous. Look at these workers, the ones who come in the middle of the day. They don’t stop to argue with the master about their wages. They know they are lucky to get a job so late at all. And so they go into the vineyards—and they’re agreeably surprised at the end of the day, when they make the same money as the people who got hired first. They probably wondered what got into the master, to make him so illogical! But they weren’t about to argue with him. They took their gift wages and were happy. The same is true for us, isn’t it? We have come to Jesus as laborers in His vineyard. Some of us came early, baptized in infancy. Some came very late, first believing in our sixties or seventies—or even on our deathbeds. No matter. Jesus gives His gift of life, salvation, and forgiveness to all His people. He is generous. And His generosity is our salvation. Jesus calls us to Him whenever He sees us standing idle—unemployed, unclaimed, unredeemed. He makes us His own through His death on the cross for us. He puts His own resurrection life inside us, to go out and care for other people as He has cared for us. And when we come at last into His kingdom, we will receive our gift-wages—not what we have deserved, but what He has deserved, and given to us freely as a gift of love. What a wonderful Lord! WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, send me out into Your vineyard, and use me however You see best. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. How do you think the late-hired workers felt about the master in the future? 2. Do you think he had any difficulty hiring workers from that point on? 3. Would you be happy to see everyone get the full measure of God’s generosity? Or would there be a stab of jealousy in there for you? Why or why not?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 28-29; Romans 1

 

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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org