SVLC DEVOTION M ONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2023

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

 NEWS: We had a wonderful day in the house of the Lord yesterday. There were 44 who attended worship in person and more who joined us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation before, during and after our service. Thank you also to the Neemia family for providing treats during fellowship time. A big thank you to Pastor Al, Allen Kolkman, for leading our Bible study and worship while Pastor Joel is taking a vacation week.

Tomorrow evening the Tuesday Bible study resumes at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. The title is, “Jesus Says: A Study of the Sermon on The Mount.” The first of the twelve sessions is, Pass the Salt; Living a Blessed Life. Things start at 6:30 PM with a short devotion, followed by the study material. Then there is fellowship time. The evening wraps up around 8 PM. All are invited to attend.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Gordon and Lois Friske in our prayers. We also pray for K Berni whom is hospitalized, undergoing some tests. We continue to pray for Janessa, the daughter of Lori and Terry Dowe, dealing with serious medical issues since this past spring.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 29; Psalm 90; Hebrews 3:12-19

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“The True Vine” October 2, 2023

 

Psalm 80:8, 12, 14-15 – You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out the nations and planted it. … Why then have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruits? … Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that Your right hand planted, and for the son whom You made strong for Yourself. Israel was the vine brought out of Egypt and planted by God in the Promised Land. He set His people free from slavery and called them to obey the covenant He made with them. They would be His “treasured possession among all peoples … a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The people responded, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do” (see Exodus 19:5-6, 8). But the Israelites did not keep their word; the covenant was broken. Forsaking the God who had saved them and called them to be His own people, they turned to worship the false gods of the surrounding nations. As a result of their unfaithfulness, God allowed Israel to be conquered by foreign nations, like a vineyard with broken down walls, its fruit free for the taking by those who pass by. The psalmist prays for Israel, that God would turn from His wrath and have mercy on His precious vine, the vine that He planted and carefully tended. The psalmist prays that God would once again regard Israel as the strong son He had once called out of Egypt (see Hosea 11:1). Centuries later, God in His mercy would call another Son out of Egypt, His only-begotten Son. Mary and Joseph had taken the Holy Child Jesus and fled to Egypt to escape from the murderous wrath of King Herod. Called out of Egypt when it was safe to return, Jesus was the Son whom God made strong for Himself, the Son who did what Israel would not do. Jesus was the Son who lived in perfect obedience to His Father, “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8b). On the night before He died, Jesus told His disciples, “I am the true vine” (John 15:1b). The new covenant, a covenant of God’s steadfast love and forgiveness, was sealed in the blood of His faithful Son. By faith we are united to Jesus, our true vine. Abiding in Him, we bear the fruit of love and good works and so bring glory to our Heavenly Father. God in grace creates us anew as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9b). We are the sons and daughters God has made strong for Himself, called to proclaim the glory of the God who saved us and set us free. WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in faith, united to Jesus, the true vine. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. Have you ever helped someone only to be shunned by them later for some reason? How did that feel? 2. Why would Israel turn toward idols when they believed God had led them out of Egypt? Do we ever act the same way? 3. What are three things you can do to stay close to Jesus, the true Vine?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Isaiah 53-55; Romans 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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org  om