SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022
HAPPY VETERANS DAY!
NEWS: Especially to the men who receive this mailing, the men of our congregation and any friends they have: we are having pancakes and sausages for breakfast tomorrow morning, at 9 AM, in our Fellowship/Community building! It’s part of our monthly Bible study and breakfast for men. Just show up with an appetite, ready for good fellowship and a willingness to dive into God’s word.
At 10 AM Saturday our monthly Work Party takes place. It goes until Noon and it’s where anyone who wants to assist in cleaning up and fixing up our church and property can do so. You don’t have to stay for two hours but stay for whatever time you can.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Chris Roth.
READINGS: Psalm 143:1-10; Psalm 105:1-10; Jeremiah 23:21-40; Matthew 25:31-46
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Still Holding On”
Luke 21:16-18 – [Jesus was saying to His disciples,] “You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish.”
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lutheranhour.org.
Yosemite Valley, California, is a dangerous place, where devastating forces clear the way for new creation. On June 13, 1999, Peter Terbush was killed by a rockfall in Yosemite. Peter and two friends were rock climbing. One friend was perched 60 feet up the granite wall. Peter and the other friend were below. Peter and the climber were tied into a rope system called a belay. Peter was the belayer. It was his job to hold the tension in the rope and to catch his climber if he fell. Suddenly, a thousand feet above them, a 500-ton slab of granite cut loose and cartwheeled toward earth. The other friend on the ground saw it and ran for cover. He and the climber survived the rockfall. Peter could have run for cover, but it would have meant letting go of the belay. So, with boulders the size of Volkswagens crashing down around him, he stood his ground and held the rope. When they found his lifeless body lying in the rubble, Peter was still holding on, saving his climber’s life.
Long ago, a building collapsed; several people were killed by the falling stones. People wondered if this was God’s judgment, and if the deceased had gotten what they deserved. They asked Jesus about it. Jesus said to them, “Do you think that they were worse sinners than all the others? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4b-5). The Bible does not tell us why some people today are saved from tragic accidents and others aren’t. But the Bible does tell us that God intends to save us through His judgment (see Romans 8:3). God created the universe and crystalized His creation with an embedded order. But we find ourselves caught up in a spiritual rebellion against God. We tried to take God’s gifts on our own terms, but the natural world won’t rebel against its Creator. Like a horse that bucks off a thief, the natural creation comes undone under our rebellion. The walls come tumbling down. God, in His judgment, is leveling the ground for everyone to clear the way for something new.
Jesus once warned His people of the coming judgment. When He approached Jerusalem, He wept for the city. He knows they’ll be telling the Romans to crucify Him, but to release a man guilty of insurrection. It’s a sign of things to come. In the following decades, Jerusalem’s insurrection will lead them to war with Rome. The empire will send its legions. And the whole thing will come crashing down on their heads. That judgment on Jerusalem was a preview of the final judgment still to come when Jesus returns. And to all who trust in Him, He promises, “Not a hair of your head will perish.” Jesus is not saying “nothing bad will happen” to us in this mortal life. He i>is saying that whatever happens, He will hold onto you. He will raise you from the dead. He will bring you into His new creation. Jesus can make this promise because He went through the final judgment already, on our behalf, when He was crucified. And when God’s judgment on our sin came crashing down on Him, He was holding on to you. Now, He is alive again. And He promises, “I’ve got you. I won’t let you go, no matter what happens.”
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, You wept for a world in rebellion. Keep me in Your grip, so that I can hold the line for others. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.
Reflection Questions:
1. How has God sent people into your life to hold you through disaster or disappointment?
2. Read Luke 21:5-38. As these events (the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.) prefigured the future Final Judgment, which of Jesus’ warnings do you need to take to heart today?
3. Where in Jesus’ words do you find comfort and hope that can endure through judgment?
Today’s Bible Readings: Daniel 3-4 Titus 2
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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
