SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. JOHN, THE BAPTIST
NEWS: It was a glorious day in the Lord’s house yesterday! In our worship service we had two baptized into the kingdom of Christ: infant Evelyn and her father, Christopher. There were 72 in attendance, with more worshipping online. We thank all who served yesterday to help make this service as special as it was. We also give a big thank you to Pastor Joel for teaching our Bible study and leading our worship.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Pat and Bill Sperberg. We ask the Lord to protect them as they travel the next few weeks.
READINGS: Psalm 17; 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Blessed”
Psalm 1:1-2 – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His Law he meditates day and night.
As followers of Jesus, we want to be like the blessed man of the psalm. We do not want to walk, sit, or stand in fellowship with sinners, that is, we do not want to accept the counsel of the wicked or participate in the world’s sin and join unbelievers who scoff at God’s design for His creation. We, in the power of the Spirit, love God’s Word and we would much rather join the psalmist in his delight in the law, or teachings, of the Lord.
Still, in repentant humility and sorrow, we must admit that we do not always find delight in doing the will of God. We fall to temptation and listen to the misleading counsel of the wicked. We may think, speak and act in accordance with sinners and scoffers. Such things bring no blessing to our lives, yet God had mercy on us. Although we did not deserve such a blessing, He sent His Son to be our Savior. Jesus was born among us, but unlike us, He resisted all temptation. He lived among sinners and loved them. He called them to be His followers. Jesus delighted in the Law of the Lord. He faithfully followed His Father’s will. He spoke and taught all that the Father gave Him, saying, “The word that you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (John 14:24b).
According to God’s design and as foretold in the Law and Prophets, Jesus was delivered into the hands of the sinners He came to save. He stood in the way of sinners and was condemned to death by them. He walked among sinners as He carried His cross to Golgotha. Hanging helpless on the cross, Jesus listened to scoffers mock Him as Messiah and Savior. Jesus took onto Himself the sins of the wicked, the sinners, and the scoffers. He took our sins into His own body and suffered the penalty of death that should have been ours.
On the first Easter morning, Jesus rose in triumph over death, overcoming the world and its evil. Through faith in His name we have forgiveness for our sins. We live in the world among sinners like ourselves, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we do not seek to walk in their ways. Jesus prayed for His followers: “I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:15-16). Not of the world, but living in the world, we delight in our Lord’s commands. We seek to walk in the way of love. We stand with brothers and sisters in Christ, firm in faith, and sit down together to learn from the Word of God. Forgiven and restored in Christ Jesus, we are blessed!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, in You alone I have the blessings of forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you keep from following the crowd in questionable or iffy situations?
2. When do you find time to encounter God in His Word? Do you do this with others in your family?
3. How does God give us strength to stay close to Him in a world so full of evil and temptation?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 10-12 2 Corinthians 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 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
