SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS DAY
NEWS: Today we celebrate St. Michael and All Angels Day. Here is link to an article about this church feast that was published in The Lutheran Witness Magazine: https://witness.lcms.org/2011/st-michael-and-all-angels-9-2011/
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Leonard and Suzette Prokopin. We also pray for the people of Florida, their leaders, first responders, National Guard and all involved in the hurricane efforts.
READINGS: Psalm 19:7-14; Psalm 34; Deuteronomy 1:19-36; Matthew 5:21-48
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Little Faith”
Luke 17:5-6 – The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Okay, this bugs me. The disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, and what does He say in return? “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed,” you could do this and that marvelous thing. But they aren’t doing those things right now, are they? So what does that say about the size of their faith? It looks remarkably like Jesus is saying, “You think your faith is small? You’re right. It’s even smaller than a mustard seed!” Which doesn’t seem very helpful.
That may be unfair of me. After all, the disciples actually did do miracles when they were out on their preaching trips. They also did them after Jesus died and rose again, during the days of the brand-new Christian church. So maybe I’m reading this wrong.
But what it also says to me is that the size of our faith might not be the most important thing to worry about. The real question is, who do we have faith in? If we have monumentally huge faith, but it’s in the wrong god—a false god, an idol of any kind—well, that does nobody any good. But if we have tiny, tiny faith—smaller than a mustard seed, barely enough to be called “faith” at all—as long as that faith is in Jesus, that is all that matters. The Holy Spirit will do His work in our hearts, and eventually we will grow. But even from the tiniest beginning, we belong to Jesus—saved by His death on the cross, made alive forever by His resurrection power.
And so when Jesus refers to us as “you of little faith,” I will maybe hang my head a bit and blush. But He still has His hands around me, and around you, and everyone who trusts in Him—even the littlest of us. And He is great enough to keep us forever, this Savior who gave His own life for us, to make us God’s again.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, keep my faith centered in You, and cause me to grow in You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Just for smiles, what size would you rate your own faith at?
2. Do you think it has grown since you first belonged to Jesus?
3. How has God worked to increase your faith in Him?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 45-46 Romans 8:22-39
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
