SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023
***WHY PRAY***: We are studying this book together, as a congregation, for the next five weeks. For those who already picked up a copy, Pastor Joel would like to share this following DISCUSSION GUIDE AND POINTS:
What stood out to me in today’s reading?
Do I have a new way of seeing prayer?
Was there anything in the reading I didn’t like? (There is some bad theology in this book, not much, but some. And we can learn from that too.)
How am I going to apply this reading to my own prayer life with God?
How should I pray for my Church today?
Who comes to mind that could use prayer?
NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study is resuming TONIGHT at the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman. The start timen is 6:30 PM and the parables of Jesus are being studies. Things start at 6:30 with a short devotion, followed by the study material. Then there is fellowship time, including coffee and some goodies. The evening winds up around 8. All are invited to participate. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside.
The Board of Directors have their first meeting of the year Thursday evening, online, at 7:00 PM. Bruce Woodward sent out the Zoom link via email on Monday, so please check your inbox.
CONGRATULATIONS to Petal Pushers and the Lutheran Hour Ministry float: “Lutheran Hour Ministries “A New Day with Jesus”: Director’s Award for most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral
Thank you to all of our amazing Petal Pushers for their help on ALL of the floats & flower prep. Without YOU none of this would be possible.”
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Kay Berbi and her family.
READINGS: Psalm 108:1-6, 12-13; Psalm 110; Isaiah 63:1-14; Luke 2:21-40
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“TRUSTING”
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” (Matthew 2:13-15)
Look at the trust Joseph shows here. There’s no “Are you sure?” or “Can we wait till the morning?” He just gets up, wakes Mary, and they get on the road. That’s what you want in the man in charge of Jesus’ safety. He gets his orders and he does it.
Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to overlook the number of miracles in which Joseph has a part. I count four prophetic dreams overall—and Jesus’ birth, of course. But Joseph does his part so faithfully that he makes it look ordinary. For him, it probably was ordinary. There would have been no way to survive Jesus’ infancy without a strong trust in God.
I’d like to trust God like Joseph did. And knowing Jesus, I can start learning. Because He has never let me down—and He never will. He saw all of us struggling in this broken world under the power of death and evil, and He had compassion on us. He came to us. He lay down His life for us. And He rose again so that we could live forever with Him, in trust and joy.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me to trust You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* How do you know when someone is trustworthy?
* Who do you know who sets a great example of trusting the Lord?
* Tell about a time when you really had to trust in God to make it through.
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 7-9 Matthew 3
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 Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
A very blessed Tuesdayday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
