SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2023
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
NEWS: We had a wonderful Sunday in God’s house as there were 52 who attended in person for worship, with more joining us online. Thank you to all fpr participating in our service and thanks to thosel who served our congregation. Thank you to Pastor Joel too for leading our Bible study and service. We are truly blest to have him as our pastor.
Tomorrow the Tuesday evening Bible study takes place at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM with a short devotion. Then the study takes place and the Parables of Jesus are the topic. Following that is fellowship time, with coffee and goodies. It all wraps up around 8 PM. All are invited to join in!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Daria Roth.
READINGS: Psalm 33; Zechariah 9:1-17; 2 Timothy 2:1-26
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Good News”
Psalm 112:6-7 – For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
There is more than enough bad news to go around. We do not like it, but we hear it every day. Bad news may have national or worldwide implications—war, pandemics, natural disasters, or economic collapse. Some news strikes closer to home, through illness, job loss, financial woes, troubled relationships, and grief.
It is very easy to be afraid of news like that, yet the righteous, those who belong to the Lord, do not have to be afraid even when faced with bad news. We trust in the Lord who knows every bit of news before it happens. He makes news. God “makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and leads them away” (Job 12:23). He says, “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).
We are not afraid of bad news because our God is the God of good news. According to His gracious promises, He brought to the world the best news ever heard. An angel told shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). More than thirty years later, Christ the Lord suffered and died on the cross to atone for the sins of the world. Then, on the first Easter morning, an angel announced the astonishing news to the women who came to Jesus’ tomb: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay” (Matthew 28:5-6). (Sometimes even good news—and the angels who bring it—can be frightening, so the heavenly messengers remind us, “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid.”)
As long as this fallen world endures, we will hear bad news. In fact, as Scripture warns, the bad news will become increasingly worse as the Last Day draws near: “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world” (Luke 21:25-26a). Surrounded by bad news, even frightening news, we will not be afraid. We know the good news—and the news gets better: Jesus is coming back! Our Lord tells us what to do when we hear bad news: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, lead me to opportunities to share the Good News. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Much in the news is truly awful. Do you do anything in your life to intentionally counter all that negativity?
2. Why is it Christians can stand firm in the face of bad news?
3. What is the best news you’ve recently shared with someone?
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 31-32 Matthew 20:1-16
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
