SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
NEWS: Today we commemorate Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture. Here is a link to learn more about the man, Jerome: https://www.learnreligions.com/st-jerome-bible-translation-for-masses-118028 The article mentions differences between Jerome and Augustine. To dig deeper into that, here is a link: https://modernreformation.org/resource-library/articles/jerome-augustine-and-the-fall-of-rome/
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Brandon Reilly. We continue to pray for the residents of Florida affected by hurricane Ian and others in the southeastern U.S. A prayer of thanks to God that our dear friends Paul and Nancy and their son Peter are safe. They are in Lee County, near Fort Meyers, among the hardest hit areas. No word yet how their home fared, but that’s secondary. Got a message through to Terry and Lori, to see how they’ve fared in the Tampa area.
READINGS: Psalm 119:161-168; Psalm 63; Deuteronomy 1:37-2:15; Matthew 6:1-15
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“You’ve Got It In You”
2 Timothy 1:13-14 – 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 within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
Stir up the good gifts of God deposited within you. Fan them into a flame. You’ve got it in you, but remember, you didn’t put it there. It’s pure gift. These words of wisdom were from an older missionary named Paul and the recipient of the letter was his much-loved mentee named Timothy.
God deeply desires to be up to something good in everyone’s life. Because God’s love possesses saving power for everyone, radiating from the cross of Jesus, overflowing with forgiveness and wholeness. God doesn’t want to lose anyone along this sin-strewn jigsaw path of life. God is in pursuit of everyone with his goodness and mercy. But this is far from meaning that humans are basically good. We have more personal and social problems than we can solve.
How did the ancient prophet Habakkuk express it: legal systems seem paralyzed; injustice seems to have won; justice is unavailable to those who need it the most. “Destruction and violence are everywhere,” Habakkuk cries out with a defiant shout of lament. And that’s why we need to look beyond ourselves, and beyond what’s within us, beyond political prescriptions for peace.
The psalmist redirects us. “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him” (Psalm 62:5). The answer is not found within you nor within anything human. Look to God alone. He alone deposits in us the hope we need. God is the ultimate hope dealer through the Holy Scriptures, which plants hope in our hearts, and through the blessed Sacrament, which places that same saving hope on our tongues. Christ within you in bread and wine, and you and I are beggars for these treasures.
Yes, God has had a life-plan for you since “before the ages” Paul tells Timothy and us in 2 Timothy 1:9. You can find the answer in Christ Jesus. Because of His persistent, consistent investment of love for you. You’ve got it in you.
WE PRAY: Thank You, dear Father, for never giving up on me, for forgiving me, and for giving me gifts of grace through the merits and the mercy of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. John Nunes.
Reflection Questions:
1. Think of someone who passed on the faith to you. Give thanks to God for their life and their sacrifice.
2. Human love will fail. How has the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord proven itself to be persistent and consistent in your life?
3. What gifts has the Holy Spirit deposited into your life that you need to spend more time curating and developing?
Today’s Bible Readings: Isaiah 47-49 Romans 9:1-15
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
