SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
NEWS: “Pastor AL,” Allen Kolkman is back doing our weekly E-News. Refer to his email from yesterday for all you need to know about our church for the next week or so. Much thanks to Bruce Woodward for handling this task since last year!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Virgil and Marti Young. We pray for the Woodward family and Eric as it has be challenging to get him in for dental work. We also keep Nylene Naegele in our prayers as she deals with heart issues
READINGS: Psalm 38; Job 6:14-30; John 3:22-4:6
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
- Feb. 10, 2022
“Full Circle”
Luke 6:17-26 – And He [Jesus] came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for power came out from Him and healed them all. And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”
Jesus has a way of turning things around. He’s got the people in the palm of His hands. His words are golden; His healing touch is becoming legendary; He can do no wrong in their eyes. They’re probably thinking, “Now our horizons are brightening! Enough of this second-class, no-account life we’ve been living under the heel of Rome! Here’s someone who can turn it all round for us!”
And turn it around Jesus does, but not the way the crowd expected—or wanted! He blesses them in their current condition—not some fantasy vision they imagine with Him at the helm. If they’re poor, hungry, mourning, reviled, they are blessed. For one day, not right now, but in the future—one day they will laugh and be satisfied and rejoice, for to such is the kingdom of God.
How perfectly this is in keeping with how God works. The Ancient of Days (see Daniel 7:9, 13, 22) is not slow to keep His Word or lagging in His promises (see Psalm 138:8; Isaiah 46:9-10). At the right time, God intervened in our daily affairs, sending His Son into the world, on our behalf. “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).
“Weak.” And it’s full circle back to Jesus—the Champion of the poor, hungry, mourning, and reviled. While all are welcome in God’s kingdom, the rich and well-to-do will have a decidedly harder time turning the reins over to Jesus. Still, God’s promises in Jesus are for everyone, rich or poor. He has told us so. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see how our needs are met in Jesus—and nothing else. In His Name we pray. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber.
Reflection Questions:
1. Has there been a time (perhaps now) when you’ve felt blessed in tough circumstances?
2. Why do you think Jesus calls the poor, the downtrodden, the hungry “blessed”?
3. How do you resist relying on your own strength when you should lean on God?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 9-11 Matthew 25:31-46
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.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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
