SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023

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

 NEWS: The Tuesday Bible study takes place this evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM and runs to around 8; The title is, “Jesus Says: A Study of The Sermon on the Mount.” Things start with a short devotion. The study material is then taught, followed by fellowship time with coffee and goodies. All are invited to attend.  

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Glen and Deb Strassman in our prayers. They give thanks for 30 years of marriage that they are celebrating.They also request prayers for the places of unrest in the world, that the Lord may bring peace.

 READINGS: Ezra 3; Psalm 108; James 1:1-18

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

Make the Gospel Known”
October 24, 2023

 

Revelation 14:6-7 – Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And He said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Can you imagine anyone so depraved that they would choose to hide the Gospel from another human being? Something like this happened in the 1760s, when certain people wanted to stop others from translating the Bible into the Gaelic language used in the Scottish Highlands. Why? Political reasons aimed at keeping the local people down. The great scholar Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote them a scathing letter when he heard of it, asking if this was the way they loved their neighbors. The men became ashamed of themselves and the translation went forward.

The Gospel matters. There is no news in the world so important as this, that God has come into this world to become a Man, to live among us, and to suffer, die, and rise again from the dead, so that we might belong to Him forever. The Gospel is the story of how Jesus is remaking the human race, every one of us who trusts in Him, into children of God. What better news could there be? We need to share it!

And there are many ways that you can do that. You might have the pleasure of telling this story to someone you care about, a friend or neighbor. If you feel shy, ask the Lord to set up a situation where it happens naturally. He is able to do that easily.

We can also support missionaries and mission organizations that take the Gospel to people where we ourselves cannot go—whether that’s overseas, or just downtown, to people who come from different cultures and languages than ours. We can help publish Christian books and broadcasts, and train Christian pastors and teachers. The Gospel came to us because someone loved us enough to tell us. Let’s tell the rest of the world!

WE PRAY: Dear Father, send out people to share Your Gospel around the world; and use me too, however You see best. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever talked to someone else about Jesus?

2. If so, how did it go? How did you feel about it?

3. If not, would you like to? Lutheran Hour Ministries has excellent booklets to help and encourage you in sharing your faith. Go to www.lhm.org/projectconnect where you can download and read, listen to, or purchase copies of these resources.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Jeremiah 18-19; Colossians 3

 

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