SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68
NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study will be in session this evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM with a short devotion. Then the study will continue on the parables of Jesus, followed by fellowship time with coffee and some goodies. The evening will wrap up around 8 PM. Everyone is invited…no RSVP needed.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Doug Lara, son of Dee Dille. We thank the Lord for our rains but ask his help for all who have been adversely affected by flooding, rock and mudslides, those who have lost their homes and for those who have lost loved ones in the storms.
READINGS: Psalm 76; Psalm 137; Ezekiel 39:1-10, 17-29; Romans 7:21-8:17
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Son Rise”
Isaiah 9:1-4 – But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time He brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; You have increased its joy; they rejoice before You as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, You have broken as on the day of Midian.
I love this image—it’s the picture of a countryside in the darkness just before dawn. Then, suddenly, the first ray of light breaks over the horizon. The sun is coming! The whole country is alive with light.
But you can’t look at the sun for long, can you? And so Isaiah stops describing the light and starts describing its effects on the country, on the people. They are growing in number. They are happy and celebrating. Their burdens have been lifted.
Of course, Isaiah is not describing any ordinary sunrise. This is the coming of the Son of God, Jesus, the Light of the world. And it was dark indeed for Galilee in the days before He came. What light did they have, so far away from the temple in Jerusalem? And they were surrounded by Gentiles who worshipped other gods. Even their own countrymen didn’t expect much from them.
But God did. God sent His Son to Nazareth where He grew up—the Light of the world come all unexpectedly into a little village not far from the Sea of Galilee. And He made it glorious by His presence.
Jesus has come into our dark lives too, hasn’t He? And where He goes, He brings light. That can be painful at times, when our eyes are not used to it and our sins show up in painfully obvious ways. But it is so worth it. Like the people of Galilee, we rejoice. When Jesus is with us, it is like harvest time when God gathers us in, the people He planted for Himself. It is like the day after a dreadful battle, when Jesus has destroyed all the enemies that frightened us, and nothing is left but to divide the spoil.
Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has become the light that makes our lives worth living. We are His, and He is ours. Now that we have His light, let us walk in the light in ways that honor and love Him. Why? Because He has most certainly loved us first.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Son as a Light into our world. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you prefer dawn or sunset? Why?
2. Tell about a time of darkness in your life when Jesus came to you.
3. How does Jesus’ light make your life different from what it would be otherwise?
Today’s Bible Readings: Job 22-24 Matthew 12:1-23
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
