SVLC DEVOTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023

by | Dec 1, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: It is the first Sunday in Advent tomorrow and “Pastor Al,” Allen Kolkman will be leading us. Bible study is at 9 Amand our worship service at 10. The sermon is based on Titus 3:4-5 The Old Testament reading is Isaiah 64:1-9 Our Psalmody is taken from Psalm 90 The Epistle reading is taken from 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 The Gospel lesson comes from Mark 13:24-37

After the Eucharist and the close of our service, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then fellowship will continue at In “N Out burgers on Mission, near Frazee Rd.

Those serving our Lord and church tomorrow are:

Techies:  Bruce Woodward, OPEN

Reader:  Kathy Andrews

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Margaret Paton

Ushers:   OPEN, OPEN

Flowers:  David & Melissa Carlisle

Fellowship:  Bruce & Carole Woodward

 Please note we have openings for Ushers

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Gail and Rick Adams in our prayers.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 8:1-12; Psalm 123; Revelation 2:18-29

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“In Training”

December 2, 2023

 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

If St. Paul ever watched the Isthmian Games at Corinth, I don’t know, but I would not be surprised if he did. One thing he knew was the people to whom he was writing at Corinth knew all about those games. In that Greek city there were, no doubt, fans of the games among his audience, and a few of them may have even gone through the physical rigors of participating in the games themselves.

So, to the Corinthians (and to us), the apostle is asking if we have ever noticed how athletes prepare for these games? It begins with commitment. They are all in, applying their training and self-control to their sport, striving to be the best they can be. So too, in our Christian walk, in our seeking after the Savior, we are all in, following the One who gave His life for us, who rose from the dead to conquer the enemy and win for us the wreath of eternal life.

St. Paul had a game plan for his own life. He was going to follow Christ, closely. As a man, Paul was not all strength with no weaknesses. Not at all. He was just like us. In fact, part of doing our best is knowing where our weaknesses are. Weak or strong, however, Paul was pursuing a life in Christ. He was not going to run without direction, flailing away at the air with no real intention of defeating his opponent. No, he was in training and like an Olympic athlete, he was out to win.

Paul knew that without Christ life is “No contest. Game over. You lose.” With Christ, life is purposeful, focused on Him, and shared compassionately with others. In Christ, there is an incentive to live as life was meant to be lived. Because of Christ we know our sins and failings were all dealt a deathblow on the cross. With His third-day resurrection, we know forgiveness of sins can be ours. It’s God’s gift to us by faith given through the Holy Spirit.

This is the life we were born to live. This is the victory God offers you and me through His Son Jesus.

WE PRAY: Holy Spirit, grant us the faith to follow Jesus and the strength to press on through life’s difficulties. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

From “Playing the Game,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. What are the lasting benefits of physical training? Spiritual training?

2. What spiritual “exercises” do you think the apostle Paul did in his training for service to Jesus?

3. How do you apply things like self-control, persistence, forgiveness, and prayer in your daily life?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1

 

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/

 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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org