SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023
…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 ESV (verse abridged)
NEWS: It’s the day the Tuesday Bible study takes place at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM and the Parables of Jesus are being studied. The evening begins with a short devotion, followed by the study material, then fellowship time with coffee and some goodies. All are invited to attend and enjoy the good company! The address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Charlene Simpson. Charlene asks prayers for her daughter Amy Terrill, as she seeks full-time employment in her degree field, Public Health.
READINGS: Psalm 135:1-7, 13-14; Psalm 68; Zechariah 10:1-11:3; 2 Timothy 3:1-17
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Repentance”
Isaiah 58:3-9a – “Why have we fasted, and You see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You take no knowledge of it?” Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, “Here I am.”
Ouch! This is not a comfortable passage to read. Imagine what it would be like for us if, on the way to Holy Communion, we heard God’s voice saying to us, “Actually, there’s an issue I’ve been meaning to bring up with you …”
What would it be? God calls out several bad things that His people are doing. Some of them are oppressing their employees. Some are getting violent with other people. Some act religious but the only thing they are really thinking about is their own pleasure. Do we still have problems like this today? Of course we do!
So it helps to consider just what God might say if He put His finger on a single concrete issue in our lives. For example, have I developed a habit of gossiping about someone I don’t like at work? Maybe I’m losing my patience a lot more with my family. Maybe I’m lying to someone to make my life easier. Or God forbid, maybe I have a really major problem going on—violence or adultery or stealing or addiction.
No matter what it is, big or small, there’s only one thing to do. The prophet Joel tells us: “‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster” (Joel 2:12-13).
God will not refuse us or turn us away. He calls us back because He loves us—because He wants us back as His beloved children, forgiven and made clean by Jesus our Savior. Whatever stands in the way He will remove. It’s not our job to clean ourselves up for Him first. God will do that with His own power. Only return. Only call out to Jesus for help. He will surely answer.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, bring me back to You in whatever way You see I need it. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is it so hard to admit when we have sinned?
2. How do you know Jesus will welcome you with open arms?
3. Why do Christians need to be reminded of God’s mercy just as much as non-Christians?
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 33-35 Matthew 20:17-34
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
