SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
NEWS: Perhaps consider today the quiet before our big weekend at Shepherd? Tomorrow at 9 AM we have our monthly Men’s Bible Study/breakfast at 9 AM in the Community building. From 10 AM to Noon we have our monthly work party, especially in preparation for the afternoon. At 3:00 PM we install our new pastor, “Pastor Joel” Luckemeyer. This is a big event and there will be many people at church. Plan on it being a very warm day too, so dress accordingly. After our service, proceed to the Community building for our celebration meal, which includes lasagna and breadsticks from one of Oceanside’s finest. Fratelli’s Italian. Salad will also be served. Then on Sunday, Pastor Joel conducts his first service as Shepherd of The Valley’s pastor, with fellowship time afterwards. Please remember to wear your name tags on Saturday and Sunday as Pastor Joel, his wife Amy, son Jeremy and eventually daughter Lucy get to know everyone.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Heather and Jeff Zarnesky.
READINGS: Psalm 147; Job 7:1-21; John 4:7-26
DEVOTION:
Luke 6:20 – And He [Jesus] lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
What follows, in this scene from the Gospel according to Luke, are teachings from Jesus for His disciples, which reflect His unique relationship with them.
As His disciples today, how should we understand this relationship? Is it like trying out for a sports team? When I was a freshman in high school, I tried out for the basketball team. The coach told us there would be cuts. Now at the time, I was five-foot-two. And I wasn’t exactly “Pistol Pete” when it comes to shooting. So, as you can imagine, I was stressed out about my performance during tryouts. And yes, I got cut. Is that what it’s like as a disciple of Jesus? The answer is no. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 5:32—”I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Being on Team Jesus doesn’t depend on your performance. It’s not a try-out. It’s non-performance-based belonging.
But that doesn’t mean it’s non-participatory. For example, I’m a member of a club that is non-participatory. There was no try-out. I just gave them my email address and now they send me updates. Nothing is required of me; nothing is expected of me; no performance, no participation. This, also, is not what Jesus had in mind for His disciples. If you’re on Team Jesus, it’s non-performance based, and full participation.
Okay, so what does that look like? It looks like the time my friend Paul taught our friend Jeff how to snow ski. Paul loves skiing and he’s happy to teach anyone who’s willing. He says, “Even if all you can do today is put two turns together, in my book, that’s a win.” Paul is an expert skier. But Jeff had never even seen a mountain, let alone skied one. And on the first run that day, it took us two-and-half hours to get down the mountain. I lost track of how many times Jeff fell. And I was frustrated. I was frustrated with how poorly Jeff was performing. But Paul wouldn’t give up on him. At one point, to keep Jeff’s knees from buckling, Paul is skiing backwards in front of him, holding him up. And Jeff is leaning his full weight on Paul. For Jeff, it was non-performance-based full participation.
That’s what it’s like being a disciple of Jesus. It’s not like a try-out, but it is participatory, like a team, or better, like a family. Read the rest of Luke 6 today and see what Jesus expects of His family. There is some challenging teaching in there—challenging enough to make your knees buckle in prayer and say, “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” But Jesus won’t give up on you. Even if all you can today is put a couple of turns together, you don’t need to stress out about your performance. Just lean your full weight on Jesus and keep turning back to Him. Keep repenting. Keep participating.
THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for being so patient with me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is another example of “non-performance-based participation”? Do you have story?
2. What’s the greater risk for you—stressing out about your performance or failing to participate?
3. Reading Luke chapter 6:20-49, what reassures you? What challenges you?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 12-13 Matthew 26:1-35
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
