SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2023, REFORMATION DAY
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study at the Kolkman’s will NOT meet this evening. It will resume next week.
This Thursday the Board of Directors will have their monthly meeting onlione, via Zoom, at 6 PM. Please be on the lookout for an email with the link.
PRAYERS: Today we remember K Berni in our prayers.
READINGS: Revelation 14:6-7; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Happily Ever After”
Revelation 7:9-10, 13-17 – After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” … Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The aftermath of the Vietnam War was a terrible time for families. My husband was separated from his family by going to a prison camp, becoming a boat person, and then living on the other side of the world as a refugee. It was twenty years before he saw his oldest sister again—the one who raised him like a mother.
Can you imagine the looks on their faces when they finally saw each other again?
The tears. The delight. The overwhelming joy that couldn’t express itself in words. That’s the kind of thing that is going on in this picture of Jesus and His people, reunited at last in God’s kingdom.
Of course they shout! Of course they fall down before Him! Some kinds of love and joy need your whole voice, your whole body, to express. And they have reason to celebrate—for as the elder tells John, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
These are Jesus’ people, made pure by Jesus’ blood. He has rescued them from all death and evil and brought them safely home to His Father’s house. And now they see Him face to face. How can they not celebrate? Truly, as Jesus says on another occasion, “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out!” (Luke 19:40b)
This is “happily ever after” for Jesus and His people—the end of all their suffering, and the culmination of their love story. It is also the prologue to all the wonderful things they are going to do together in eternity. May we all be a part of it.
WE PRAY: Father, draw many more people to the love and salvation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have trouble relating to the description in Revelation? Why or why not?
2. What do you think that day will be like for you?
3. How do you think the story of Jesus and His people will continue?
Today’s Bible Readings: Jeremiah 50 Hebrews 6
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
