SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Crafternoon! Crafternoon will be this Saturday, September 30, beginning at 2:00 in the Community Building. This is an opportunity to get together and complete a craft. Step by step directions will be given. Bring a snack to share. Questions? Contact Amanda at amandareneecery@gmail.com
PRAYERS: Today we remember the Doan family in our prayers: Marika, Chad, Lydias and Lucille. Also, I overlooked praying for Margaret Paton as she was travelling home today, my bad. We pray Margaret returned home safely.
READINGS: Ezekiel 24; Psalm 85; Hebrews 1:1-7
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Dearly Beloved”
Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18 – So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. … Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
My husband got a phone call last month from a man in another state. He said, “Do you remember many years ago when you were visiting the Vietnamese people in prison? I heard about Jesus from you. Now I am a pastor serving a church here.”
My husband was walking on air for a week. Somewhere there is a church full of people we’ve never met who trace their spiritual ancestry through us. That’s amazing and humbling all at once.
There is something wonderful in looking at other human beings—whether they are church members, students, or even your children and grandchildren—and knowing that God has used you in some way to bring them to faith in Jesus. Whoever they may be, they are dear to you—just as the Philippians were to Paul. And you wish with all your heart to see them growing strong in Jesus—living for Him, trusting Him through hard times, and passing on their faith to others. Like Paul, you will even lay down your life if necessary, to see them safely in Jesus’ kingdom.
Where does this love come from? From Jesus, of course, the great Shepherd of the sheep, who lay down His life for us all. It is His love that binds us together as one flock, one people, learning to live in grace and forgiveness with each other. As we grow up into the fullness of maturity in Jesus, we will learn to love one another better—and to extend that love to others who don’t know Jesus yet. All of this comes from the Holy Spirit, who brought us into the faith and who continues to work through each one of us, making us more and more like our Heavenly Father. Children of God, we begin to look more and more like the Son of God who died and rose for us all, because He loves us.
WE PRAY: Lord Holy Spirit, please help me to love the people of God You have placed around me, and to show it through my life. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Who was instrumental in bringing you to Jesus? Tell the story, if you like.
2. Name a group of Christians you love and have close ties with.
3. When they annoy or hurt you, how does that relationship get healed?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 41-42 Romans 7
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org
