SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: This evening the Tuesday evening Bible study takes place at the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman from 6:30 to 8 PM. The parables of Jesus are being studied and the evening starts with a short devotion. The study follows and then the evening completes with fellowship time, where coffee and some goodies will be served. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside.
This Saturday will be a busy day at Shepherd of The Valley. The men will meet for their monthly Bible Breakfast/Study. This will take place in our sanctuary, starting at 9 AM. At 10 AM, the Fellowship team will meet, also in our sanctuary. The monthly Property Improvement event will take place too and go from 10 AM to Noon. Whoever would like can participate and help tidy up our church and property.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Diane Finley. Diane requests prayers for Dwayne and his spiritual welfare.
READINGS: Psalm 85; Psalm 58; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Romans 2:17-29
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The Human Jesus”
Isaiah 49:1-7 – Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother He named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me a polished arrow; in His quiver He Hid me away. And He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.” And now the LORD says, He who formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him; and that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength—He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and His Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
This passage from Isaiah is an amazingly human picture of Jesus. So often we focus on Jesus as God—His power, His holiness and goodness, the way He provides for us. But here we have Jesus in His own words telling us what it was like to live His life as a Man, a Servant of God.
And what does He show us? He faces the same sort of conflict we face. God the Father has called Jesus to do a particular job, to bring the people of the world back to Him—and Jesus knows this. He mentions how God named Him when He was conceived in Mary’s womb, how God prepared Him like a weapon to be used against the powers of evil.
And yet. Jesus knows the same feelings we have of stress and fear and depression. All His hard work, all the healing and teaching and travelling and arguing—has any of it done any good? Like any man, He puts His trust in God, and leans on Him for strength. The incarnate Son of God is not ashamed to behave like any believer; He is our model in this, too.
And the Father says to Him: “It’s not enough for You to be the Savior of Israel only: I will give You as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth!” And Jesus counts it an honor that the Father has trusted Him to save all—through His own suffering, death, and resurrection.
I am grateful for this look at Jesus’ heart—to come close to His feelings and struggles as a Man as well as His power and glory as God. This human, divine Jesus is our Savior.
Thanks be to God!
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Your Son. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Did anything surprise you in this passage from Isaiah? What and why?
2. Did you ever think it must have been easy for Jesus to do what He did, because He was God?
3. If so, do you still think so?
Today’s Bible Readings: Job 3-4 Matthew 8:1-17
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
