SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

by | Oct 17, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

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

 NEWS: Spiritually Vibrant Households.  Faith Lutheran Church in Vista will be hosting a free “Households of Faith” workshop will be on Saturday, October 21, 10:00-2:00.  This Lutheran program is about creating strong spiritual households.  It’s created by Lutheran Hour Ministries and lead by two LCMS pastors.  www.LHM.org/vista  Both the workshop and the lunch are free.  Faith Lutheran is located at 700 East Bobier Drive in Vista.  A sign-up sheet will be available on Sunday on the Fellowship Counter. For questions contact Victoria at vwaufle@aol.com

PRAYERS: Today we remember Terry and Alba Reilly in our prayers.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 45; Psalm 105:1-22; Hebrews 11:29-40

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries\

“Imitators”
October 18, 2023

 

1 Thessalonians 1:1-2, 5b-7, 9b-10 – Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, … You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. … You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

It makes me squirm a bit, the way Paul comes right out and says, “You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” He’s talking about the example he and the other Christian missionaries set for the new believers, and he isn’t a bit shy about it. He just points to himself and says, “Follow this example!”

That seems strange to me, probably because I was brought up in a culture where we are taught to downplay our own good qualities. I can’t imagine going to my local congregation and saying during Bible class, “Look at me, look at the way I live. That’s what you should be doing, too!”

But maybe I should. Or maybe I should at least get over my embarrassment, because we all know that people learn best from example—from watching what other people do, people that they trust and love. My family has spent more than 30 years living among the Vietnamese immigrants of the St. Louis area, loving them, caring for them, doing the practical tasks that make life easier for people who are still in the process of learning English. And why? Because we love them. Because God called us to do this for them. Because we want them to know Jesus. Maybe we really should point to ourselves, just this once, and say, “Look at what we’re doing.”

Because the whole reason we’re doing all these things, is so that they should know Jesus—so they see the way He loves them, all He does to care for them. We want them to see that though Jesus is God Himself, He loves them all so much that He lay down His own life and then rose again, to rescue them all from the power of death and the devil.

So, if they can see Jesus through my life, then … well, I want them to look. Let them see Jesus—through me, through you, through every Christian. May our lives reflect Jesus so brightly that they all come to know Him and trust in Him forever—our new brothers and sisters in Christ.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, shine through my life so that others will come to believe in You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you shy or not? Why do you think so?

2. How do you feel when someone praises a good thing you did? How do you respond?

3. When have you seen Jesus living through the life of someone you know?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 1-2; Acts 26

 

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