SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
NEWS: “Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”
― Martin Luther
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Margaret Paton. We continue to pray for all those in the path of hurricane Ian, including Lori and Terry Dowe and personal friends of Margie and I
READINGS: Psalm 145; Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Matthew 5:1-20
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Not Ashamed”
2 Timothy 1:8-14 – Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Have you ever been ashamed of being a Christian? That might sound like a strange question, so let me ask in a different way. Chances are that being a Christian has created differences in your life that other people notice and wonder about. For example, you may live on a lower income, because out of love for Jesus you are giving part of your money to support somebody in need. But that can result in raised eyebrows when you have the oldest car in the neighborhood, or when your child doesn’t have the same electronic gadgets that everyone else in school has. That can cause a real temptation to feel ashamed.
Or take another scenario. You may find yourself the only person at your work or in your group of friends who is not getting involved in some popular sin. Maybe you aren’t gossiping about the office grouch, or maybe you’re dating someone but not sleeping with them. And the people around you stare and think you’re weird! That can certainly lead to feelings of shame, even though you’ve done nothing wrong.
And then there’s the shame of being associated with what looks like the losing side! In Paul’s case, he was actually in prison for the sake of Christ. He had good reason to be concerned that Timothy might be ashamed of that.
But Paul is not ashamed, and he wants us to be free from shame also. Why? Because in spite of what the world thinks, we know what is actually good and important and true—and wonderful. We know that God has sent His only Son into the world to be our Savior, to live and to die and to rise again so that everyone who trusts in Him may become a child of God. We know that God gives His Holy Spirit to us, transforming us to be more and more like Jesus. As the psalmist says, we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good! (See Psalm 34:8.)
When we keep our eyes on the Lord and on how much He loves us, it stops bothering us when other people mock or ask questions or treat us like weirdos. Yes, we will stick out, and other people will wonder why we do what we do. But our eyes are on Jesus, and He is our joy and our hope. And who knows? In time, some of those who laugh at us now may begin to ask us about the hope and joy we have. Then they, too, might come to believe in Jesus.
WE PRAY: Lord, when I am tempted to feel ashamed or awkward about You, help me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Tell about a time when your faith made you feel out of place.
2. How do you deal with those feelings?
3. What advice would you give a child who felt embarrassed or out of place as a Christian?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 43-44 Romans 8:1-21
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
