Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Sapulpa OK

09/08/2026

Daily Devotion:

"I will satisfy the weary, and all who are faint I will replenish." ~ Jeremiah 31:25.

There is a tiredness that sleep doesn't fix. Yet, you have done everything right. Go to bed at a specific time, wake up at a specific time, all planned to get the right number of hours of sleep. For some reason, it didn't go like you planned. The sleep you got was not restful.

There are 2 times of tiredness in this verse; weary and faint. The state of weariness is being worn down. Faint is the state of run out. God is doing something for both. Refreshment and satisfaction.

Which one are you this morning? Weary or faint?

Accept this day, no matter what or how you feel. Faith is trusting God in your circumstances, in the demands you find yourself within. Days like this present 2 options, give up or rely on God.

The choice is yours, don't follow through, or allow the world to spin around you. God invites you into his rest, that brings refreshment and satisfaction. Allow yourself to find what God has to offer.

May we pray together:

Heavenly Father, there are days when I struggle. There are moments when I first wake, I wonder if I can make it through the day. Send your Holy Spirit to me, and let me see the joy you offer. Guide me into the moment of refreshment and satisfaction, so I can be the servant, offering my gift to someone who is struggling just like me. I pray these words in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 29:1-20
Psalm 45
Acts 14:1-18
John 10:31-42

09/07/2026

Daily Devotion:

"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." ~ Proverbs 16:3

We often think that our successes belong to us. Our egos have a tendency to get in the way. I don't know of anyone who is not guilty of this fact.

Our gifts and talents come from God. When we realize this, we begin to see the world differently. We start to recognize others and their gifts. We realize that out gifts are only a small part of the world. But when we combine our gifts and talents, with those around us, we can accomplish greater things.

May we pray together:

Gracious Lord, I thank you for the blessings, gifts, and talents you have provided me. I thank you for those who surround me in my life, who have different gifts. Thank you for setting us on a path of discovery and discernment, so that we can combine our efforts, with your gracious hand, and make the world a better place for not only us, but for all those whom we know. May our love for one another grow, so it may change for the better. These words we pray in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 32:1-10, 19-33:1
Psalms 41 & 52
Acts 13:44-52
John 10:19-30

09/05/2026

Daily Devotion:

"And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." ~ Romans 1:6

If you have surrendered your life to Christ. No matter where you are in the world, you belong to Christ. You are not empty, for Jesus fills your heart. Knowing this, walk in joy. Share the joy of your heart with those who are around you, for Jesus is the light of the world, and you should become that light, and share it too.

Gracious Lord, I surrender to you. I pray that you will shine your light upon me and that I may reflect that light upon others in your Holy Name. I pray these words through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and our salvation. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 22:1-4, 21-23:7
Psalms 30 & 32
Acts 13:26-43
John 10:1-18

09/04/2026

Daily Devotion:

"If Jesus asked you right now, 'What do you want me to do for you?'"

What would you pray for?

We should never stop asking for big wonderful things in our lives. As we walk with God, he is interested in us following him, representing him, and loving those who come into our lives. So why not ask for the skills to do what you think you can't do?

Let us pray:
Gracious Lord, giver of life and health, guide us as we journey in this kingdom. Give us wisdom to know where we should be and what we should be doing. Lord, give us the best of things that will allow us to be your servants in this world. May we say these prayers in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 19:1-7, 14-27
Psalm 31
Acts 13:13-25
John 9:18-41

08/31/2026

Today at Redeemer we celebrated the feast of Saint David Pendleton Oakerhater.

Oakerhater, or “Making Medicine”, was born circa 1847 in Western Oklahoma. He was a warrior, possibly involved in the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, and a spiritual leader. His name can also be transliterated as “Medicine Man.” He was imprisoned in St. Augustine, Florida in 1875. While a prisoner, he drew pen and ink art in ledger books, signing his name Making Medicine** often with a glyph of a dancer in a Sun Dance lodge. This glyph is now depicted as a stained glass window at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City.

Captain Pratt, the camp officer, saw Oakerhater’s leadership skills and how his fellow prisoners respected him and made Oakerhater a trustee. The former Cheyenne warrior led the prisoners in daily military drills using dummy rifles.

In 1877, Mary Douglass Burnham, an Episcopal Deaconess, made arrangements to sponsor the education of several prisoners, including Oakerhater. David was sponsored by Senator George Pendleton of Paris Hill, New York, and ultimately moved in with Rev. John B. Wicks, the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paris Hill. There, he received instruction in agriculture, scripture, and current events.

He was baptized about six months later, in early 1878, and adopted the Christian name David, after King David of the Bible, and Pendleton, in honor of his sponsor.

He was ordained a Deacon in July, 1881 and returned to Western Oklahoma. He served near Anadarko for Sunday services and spent weekdays visiting and caring for sick members of various tribes.

He began his work at Whirlwind Mission of the Holy Family in 1889, near Fay, Oklahoma, about 17 miles west of Watonga. In one of his first sermons, he preached, "You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes first, and all He tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go with me now in this new road, a war that makes all for peace."

He remained among the Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples until his retirement in 1918. Even in retirement, he continued to preach and serve as a Chief and holy man. During his 50 years of committed service on his home reservation in western Oklahoma, the devout deacon was at times the single ordained presence in all of what was then known as Indian Territory. Oakerhater passed from this life on August 31st, 1931 at the age of 84. He was named a Holy Person, or Saint, in the Episcopal Church in 1985. His feast day is September 1.

Source: https://www.epiok.org/saint-oakerhater

Saint Oakerhater Find a Church Contact Us The Rev. David Pendleton Oakerhater Oakerhater, or “Making Medicine”, was born circa 1847 in Western Oklahoma. He was a warrior, possibly involved in the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, and a spiritual leader. His name can also be transliterated as “Medi...

08/31/2026

Daily Devotion:

​"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." ~ Proverbs 3:5

We all need to learn to develop trust. Jesus calls upon us to trust him. We cannot be tied down to earthly things. Trusting Jesus calls us to serve. Our call is to serve, to live, and to share his love with those we encounter.

Guide us, O Lord, to see our gifts, so that we will know our role in your kingdom. Lord, we trust you to guide our hearts and minds to share our gifts in your kingdom. We pray these words in Christ's Holy Name. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 12:1-6, 13-25
Psalm 25
Acts 11:19-30
John 8:21-32

08/30/2026

Daily Devotion:

W​hat is something that has happened in this past week that helped you grow spiritually?

We all try our best to become healthier, stronger, and resilient. Have you ever asked yourself about how you are growing spiritually?

We all make choices in which we decide which is important. One choice we need to always consider is the choice to become closer to God in our walk in this world. So where would you begin, if you are not a regular church attendee?

God constantly reminds us that he will never leave us alone. No circumstance could separate us from his love.

​Heavenly Father, you formed me, and you know me. There have been times I didn't think of you, or make you a priority in my life. Send your Holy Spirit to us, guide us, and show us your love. May we be reminded that chasing you is a daily priority. We pray these words in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 11:1-9, 13-20
Psalms 148, 149, & 150
Revelations 5:1-14
Matthew 5:1-12

08/29/2026

Daily Devotion:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." ~ Proverbs 16:3

In several of the stories, Jesus went off by himself to pray. Time alone with the Lord gives us so much more than we realize. Today, the world is filled with the rush of life. We hurry to get something together, work to polish it so it is presentable. We worry whether it is satisfactory enough to present.

Proverbs reminds us of Jesus' stories as he went by himself to pray. Alone time with God is essential for us to live a happy and healthy life. But it takes commitment. That is our cost. Are you willing to cover that cost?

Heavenly Father, guide us in your kingdom. Remind us that we need to commit ourselves to you. That our purpose is to serve others, but in order to accomplish that service, we need rest. Send us to a quiet space, so that we can refresh ourselves to become better servants in your kingdom. These words we pray in Christ's Name. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 9:1; 10:1-9
Psalms 20 & 21:1-14
Acts 11:1-18
John 8:12-20

08/28/2026

Daily Devotion:

The Beauty of God's creation surrounds us daily. Do you ever notice? The mystery of God surrounds us, do you see the mystery?

In Genesis, we hear the word....good. This is creation; we are His creation, and He looked at each of us and said it was good.

It is good.

O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Readings:
Job 9:1-15, 32-35
Psalms 16 & 17
Acts 10:34-48
John 7:37-52

08/28/2026

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7

It sounds like a cliché: give your worries to God. In Matthew, we hear the words, 'Come to me, all that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'.

Something we need to do. Worry can destroy our hearts and keep troubling our minds. The reality is that when we release our worries and pray to God, giving him our story, we can truly find rest.

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you. We may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, may we release all our worries to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen

Job 8:1-10, 20-22
Psalm 18:1-20
Acts 10:17-33
John 7:14-36