SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022, ELECTION DAY
NEWS: NO Tuesday evening Bible class will take p[lace this evening at the Kolkman’s house. It will resume next Tuesday, November 15.
A change of plans for the Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast this Saturday: Bruce Woodward will NOT be bringing bagels, so please don’t put in a bagel order to him. Instead, Terry and Alba Reilly, in their generosity, will be preparing pancakes and sausage. That starts at 9 AM, although getting there a bit early is a good thing too! After we’ve filled up and the study is complete, the monthly Work Party will take place at from 10 AM to Noon. All are welcome to pitch in for as much or little as they can.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Terry and Alba Reilly.
READINGS: Psalm 143; Psalm 144; Jeremiah 20:1-18; Matthew 24:29-51
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Joy”
Malachi 4:1-3 – “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My Name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.”
I’m not a farm girl, but some of the best videos I’ve seen are the ones that show farm animals coming out of their barns in the spring for the first time. The calves jump and leap; they look like kids let out of school. They run on the new grass—so happy you can’t help but laugh to see them.
This is the picture God gives us of how it will be when Jesus returns. Then, God says, “You who fear my Name … will go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act.”
Wait a minute—what’s all this about treading down the wicked? They’re going to be ashes—what? Suddenly we might not feel so happy anymore.
But that’s a mistake in our perspective. As Christians, we are aware that we are sinners; we have the habit of self-evaluation. So when we think about God’s judgment, we automatically put ourselves in the position of the wicked. And we are afraid when we read passages like this one.
Let’s try readjusting our viewpoint. Think of a time in your life when you were severely mistreated—not just once, but again and again, by someone who really had no excuse for what they did to you. (If you can’t think of such a time, give thanks to God!) Your life was a burden to you. You could see no end in sight. In fact, you were pretty sure you wouldn’t survive it.
And then suddenly, miraculously, the Lord comes and sets you free. Wouldn’t you feel like dancing? Wouldn’t you rejoice to see God stop the ones harming you, and take away the burden that you’d carried for so long?
This is the promise God makes to His people—that when Jesus returns, all wickedness and all evildoers will have a complete stop put to them. He will take out the trash, if I can use that metaphor. There will be no more suffering in the kingdom of God. And those who cause suffering and refuse to repent will also be gone. Jesus is our sun of righteousness, and He brings healing in His wings. We will be at peace at last.
Even though we may still be suffering injustice in this world, we can look forward to that day with confidence. The same God who died on a cross to rescue us from the power of evil has promised we will see His victory complete someday. The same Jesus who rose from the dead will raise us from the dead as well—and we will live with Him in joy and peace forever.
WE PRAY: Lord, help me when I suffer. I look forward to Your coming. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When you think of the Last Day, what feelings do you have?
2. Why?
3. When has Jesus helped you survive suffering?
Today’s Bible Readings: Lamentations 1-2 Hebrews 12
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/
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
