SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Saturday is the monthly Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast at 9 AM. It will be in our sanctuary this time and it’s a good opportunity for fellowship and discussing God’s word. At 10 AM the Fellowship team meets in the sanctuary. Our monthly Property Improvement event also takes place at 10. This is where all are invited to come and help tidy up our church and surrounding property.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Gordon and Lois Friske. They give thanks to the Lord for keeping them in good health.
READINGS: Psalm 7:1-5, 8-11; Psalm 14; Ezekiel 33:1-20; Romans 3:1-18
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries\
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 – Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
It’s surprising how often Paul uses the words “the Lord Jesus Christ” in this short passage. I count five cases of that exact phrase, with two more for “Christ Jesus” and another for “Christ” by itself. All this in only three sentences!
And it’s not just His name. Paul is super-focused on the Person of Jesus, exactly as he should be—as we should be. Why? Because we are the people who “in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s what makes us Christians—not our morality, not our politics or family heritage or the holidays we celebrate. We are Christian because Jesus is the One we cling to—He is the One we call for help, day in and day out as we live in this broken world.
Martin Luther reminds us what a god is: “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.” When someone nearly hits your car, what name jumps to your lips? When someone you love has a stroke or cancer—what do you call on for help? When you are in trouble at home or at work, and there is no justice, no safety, no protection—whom do you cry out to?
We cry out to Jesus. And we do it for good reason, because He is the One who came into this world to save us—God Himself, become a human being like us, to live and to die and to rise for us. He knows us better than anyone else. He loves us better than anyone else. And He has shown Himself faithful, all through His life on earth, all through our lives as we call on Him in every need and trouble.
The Bible tells us that “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). That friend is God Himself come to be with us—Jesus, our Savior. We call on His name with confidence, knowing that He will hear us and help.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that we can call out to You at any time and You will hear. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Other than Jesus, who is one person you call when you need help?
2. Why do you call that person in particular, and not someone else?
3. What do you see in Jesus’ personality and behavior that leads you to trust Him?
Today’s Bible Readings: Job 5-7 Matthew 8:18-34
“Calling on the Name of Jesus”
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
