SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WE#DNESDAY, AUGUST 10
NEWS: For those going to the Storm baseball game, it’s Friday night! A blessed Wednesday to all!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Gunti and Barb Galleisky. Prayers are requested for Christian in his health needs and that the Lord would send rain this way. We also lift up Marika Doan and her family at the passing of her father.
READINGS: Psalm 14; Psalm 53; 1 Samuel 25:23-44; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Looking to Jesus”
Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I was a child, we had to do a lot of running in physical education classes. I was no good at it. I had asthma and very loose joints. It was a struggle for me to make it to the end of the course—far, far behind all my classmates, who laughed at me. Often I was purple in the face at that point.
To get through it, well—I imagined much the same scenario that the writer of Hebrews describes in this passage. He says, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.” What can motivate us to run hard and keep on running? What can get us through the gasping, the falls, the pain, the endless time before we reach our goal?
Only Jesus. With Him in view, we will get there. Because He is our prize, right? Just as we are His prize—the “joy set before Him” that led Him to endure the cross. He went through all that thinking of us, the ones He loved and intended to save. We, in turn, go through our lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly—thinking of Jesus whom we love, who saved us and who calls us to Himself, sharing His own everlasting life with us forever. He is our goal and our delight. What more could we ask for?
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, let me have You, and that will be enough. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Did you have to run in school? Were you any good at it?
2. How do you get through challenging times in your life?
3. What is the goal you look forward to at the end of your race—whenever Jesus takes you home to be with Him? How would you describe it to a friend?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 149-150 1 Corinthians 5
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 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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
