SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JANUARY 31

by | Jan 30, 2022 | Daily Devotions

 

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION

MONDAY, JANUARY 31

 

NEWS: We are grateful to Pastor Eric Kaelberer for serving us yesterday. We had 38 in attendance on a beautiful Lord’s Day! Pastor Kaelberer will be with us next week again. In two weeks (February 13th), “Pastor Joel” Luckemyer begins what we pray will be a long, successful ministry with us at Shepherd of The Valley. Don’t forget his installation service on Saturday, February 12th, at 3 PM in our church. Afterwards we will have a celebration dinner in our community building. Please plan to be there!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the Kolkman’s begin a monthlong Bible study at their home. Titled, “Living, Dying, Living,” it explores these three from the perspective of our risen Lord and Savior, who lived, died and then rose and lived again (and still lives eternally.) The study runs each Tuesday in February from 6:30 to 8 PM It starts with a short devotion, followed by the study and then fellowship time with refreshments. It does end promptly at 8. For further information, contact Allen Kolkman.

 

PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Brandon Reilly.

 

READINGS: Psalm 135:1-7, 13-14; Psalm 68; Zechariah 10:1-11:3; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

 

DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“His Holy Name”

January 31, 2022

 

Psalm 138:2-3 – I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your Name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word. On the day I called, You answered me; my strength of soul You increased.

As sinful human beings, we wish to exalt ourselves. Even the very shy and retiring among us do so. Our efforts to satisfy our own desires are, in fact, part of what sin is all about. God commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3), but in sinful pride we set ourselves before God, doing what we want instead of what God wants for us. Yet as His First Commandment shows us, our worship belongs, not to ourselves, but to God alone. He is God, and He has “exalted above all things” His Name and His Word. We, as fallen people, often exalt ourselves through idolatry. God exalted His holy Name and Word through the astonishing self-sacrifice of His saving work.

The people of Israel had sinned against the Lord by exalting themselves and their own desires through idolatry and bloodshed. In response to their sin, God “scattered them among the nations,” sending His people into exile as captives of their enemies (Ezekiel 36:19a). The inhabitants of those foreign lands ridiculed the exiled Israelites and their God. The Israelites were God’s chosen people, yet their mighty God had sent them away! The conquering nations mocked the God of Israel, so God acted in power to exalt His holy Name. He told the Israelites, “I will vindicate the holiness of My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:23a). For the sake of His holy Name, to show Himself holy and blameless, God would gather His people and cleanse them from their sins.

This cleansing from sin would be brought about through God’s self-giving sacrifice. At the right time, Jesus, God the Son, humbled Himself to take on human flesh. He sacrificed Himself, submitting to a shameful death on a cross for the sake of our salvation. Our sins are washed away in Jesus’ blood. God’s holy Name was vindicated, His promises kept.

Our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. We respond with worship and praise, exalting God’s holy Name and giving thanks for His steadfast love and faithfulness. As God hears and answers our prayers, our “strength of soul” is increased. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we seek to exalt, not ourselves, but God’s holy Name and His Word. We repent of our idolatrous ways and rejoice: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your Name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1)

THE PRAYER: Mighty Lord, help me by Your Spirit to give of myself to others, offering service in Your holy Name. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. How can we exalt ourselves, or other things, over God without even being aware of it?

2. Give all the names you know for God besides “Lord” as found in the Old Testament.

3. How do you revere God’s Name in your conversation?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Genesis 33-35; Matthew 20:17-34

 

 

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 are to go to your work 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.”

Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.

 

OTHER RESOURCES:

 

www.svlchurch.org

www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside

 

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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us. The church email is above under Other Resources.