SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: On Saturday the Kolkman’s invite the church family to their home between 3 and 5 PM as a kind of an open house. While the focus is primarily on adults, kids are more than welcome! Debbie and Allen will provide drinks (including “adult” ones) and sandwich stuff. YOU are asked to please supplement that with perhaps a salad or dessert, or any holiday goodie. Dress? Holiday fare. No need to sign up or RSVP, just please come if you can! Questions? Contact me at kolkmanallen@gmail.com
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Charlotte Neblett.
READINGS: Psalm 146:1-7; Psalm 80; Isaiah 30:27-31:9; Revelation 3:1-22
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“SAVED FROM OUR ENEMIES”
[Zechariah said,] “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He … has raised up a horn of salvation for us … that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us … that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.” (Luke 1:68b-69a, 71, 74-75)
Ugh! Who wants to think about enemies at Christmas time? But unfortunately, enemies are a fact of life—and they are a major reason Jesus came into the world.
I’m not just talking about human enemies, though God cares about those as well. But we have spiritual enemies, too—namely, the devil and those who serve him. They hate whatever God loves—and that includes us. And they have power—though it isn’t limitless!—power to try to make our lives miserable.
We are not in a good position to fight these enemies. How would we even start? But Jesus can do it for us—and He does. How? Through His birth, life, death, and resurrection.
Jesus came into this world for that very reason, to put an end to the works of “the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12b). This tiny baby, God and Man in a single squirming package—He is our Champion, our Savior. He fought the battle on behalf of us all—and we have the benefit. Now we can “serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”
WE PRAY: Help me to trust in You, dear Lord, and rest in Your peace. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you have enemies? If so, how do you cope with them?
* What makes the devil and his angels so hard for us to cope with?
* How do you take refuge in Jesus when you suspect you are under spiritual attack?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 79-80 Revelation 7
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Allen and Margie Latall: aalatall@gmail.com OR mjlatall62@gmail.com OR Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
