SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, JULY 4th, 2022
A BLESSED INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!
NEWS: It was a wonderful day in God’s house yesterday and we are grateful for all who were able to attend, in person (43) or online. We give thanks to Pastor Joel for his leadership in our Bible study and worship. Also, for all who served in our worship.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Diane Finley. She requests prayers for her son Dwayne, especially in his spiritual life. We also pray that the Lord will shine his light on our nation, to bring our strife to an end and open the hearts, minds and souls of those who would otherwise reject the Word of the Lord.
READINGS: Psalm 50:1-6; Psalm 113; Joshua 10:1-25; Acts 11:19-30
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Delighted”
Psalm 41:11-13 – By this I know that You delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But You have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in Your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
“By this I know.” God’s delight in us is a sign of His favor. We know He delights in us because our enemy, the devil, will not shout in triumph over us. We happily agree with the psalm up until this point, but we run into a bit of a snag with the psalmist’s next remark: “But You have upheld me because of my integrity.” We must, in repentant humility, admit that integrity is not always displayed in our lives. We are not always as honest and upright as our Lord commands us to be. As Scripture says, “None is righteous; no, not one” (Romans 3:10b). God does not uphold us against the foe because of our integrity. He upholds us because of the integrity of our Savior.
The inspired, prophetic words of this psalm point to Jesus, the promised Messiah, the Father’s delight. During the Lord’s earthly ministry, the Father’s praise for His Son echoed from heaven. At Jesus’ Baptism, the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17b). As Jesus drew nearer to the cross, three disciples watched as He was transfigured in glory. They heard the Father’s voice from a bright cloud: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5).
The innocent Son, who never failed in integrity and uprightness, was condemned to death and nailed to the cross. Jesus took onto Himself all of our sins—our unrighteousness and our lack of integrity—and suffered the penalty of death that we deserved. At Jesus’ death, the devil may have shouted in triumph, but the foe’s triumph did not last long. The sinless Son was upheld because of His integrity. It was the Son, not the enemy, who triumphed: “For You will not abandon My soul to Sheol, or let Your Holy One see corruption. You make known to Me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:10-11). Jesus was raised from the dead, exalted to the Father’s right hand, and set in His presence forever.
By faith, Jesus’ victory is our victory. Our sins are forgiven and the foe cannot shout in triumph over us. We are baptized into Christ Jesus, clothed with His integrity, His righteousness. For Jesus’ sake, the Father who delights in His beloved Son delights in us: His beloved sons and daughters. We will live in God’s presence forever and bless the Lord from everlasting to everlasting. These psalm verses are all about our Lord Jesus and, because of His saving work, these verses describe us, too!
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, through faith in Jesus I am righteous in Your sight. Help me to live with integrity in the world so that I might glorify You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you practice integrity in your life?
2. Why would God delight in us?
3. How has Jesus made us worthy before God the Father?
Today’s Bible Readings: 1 Kings 16-18 Acts 13:1-25
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 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 hours: 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 at pastor@svlchurch.org
