SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
NEWS: Tomorrow is the Fifth Sunday of Epiphany as we return to God’s house. Pastor Joel will be reviewing the last week of our study in the book, “Why Pray,” in our 9 AM Bible study. There will also be a sign-up sheet for those who would like Pastor Joel to walk through their neighborhood to pray for their neighbors. One can also do this by phone with Pastor.
At 10 AM our worship service starts and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “I Am Not Ashamed of the Law.” It’s based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 5:13-20 Our Old Testament lesson comes from Isaiah 58:3-9 Our second reading is 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 After we’ve participated in the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, our fellowship time takes place, with coffee and goodies. Then come to In N Out Burger off of Mission Ave. to continue fellowship time with our church family. A Coke and burger or shake and burger is always good there!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Zarnesky family: Jeff, Heather, Jack, Siari, Angel and Ana.
READINGS: Psalm 127; Psalm 128; Job 1:1-22; John 1:1-18
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“When Life Is Hard”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
God is good, and He cared enough about our pain to share in our suffering. This is the way He disclosed Himself for all the world to see. From heaven above, He sent down His Son to be a human being like us, to endure our pain, to die the death that each one of us has to die. Yes, the very Son of God came to us, and in Him there was light instead of darkness (see 1 John 1:4-7).
It was a strange light, too, not the kind most people were looking for. But there it was! Christ our Savior. The cross of Christ is the answer from God to those all-too-human questions we have: “Why, Lord? Why me? Why am I experiencing this?” Once a person knows Christ, the answers to these and a host of other questions find their resolution in God’s divine purpose: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
Before Christ came, the sick and the unfortunate were commonly thought to be under the curse of God. No one wanted to help them because even God had turned His back on them, or so it was thought. The suffering of Christ changed all that. He was made to be a curse for us (see Galatians 3:13), so that every person might know themselves as a beloved child of God, a son or daughter of their Heavenly Father.
Some of you may be saying to yourselves, “My pain is not a small one, nor is it momentary. I have been miserable for years.” Indeed, the tests of life are not pleasant, nor are they wanted, but they can lead to wonderful growth and maturity. God does not insulate His people from troubles but gives us the power to press on. “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
We can take a lot in this world of ours if we know that it has a purpose. Your life has a purpose in Christ. Cling to the Savior and know that it is true: “this light momentary affliction,” these fleeting troubles you experience now are preparing you for a permanent and glorious reward out of all proportion to your pain. Christ has come to us. His life, death, and resurrection has sealed our eternal home in the heavens. In that place, there will be no more “mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4b).
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, teach us to trust You when life is hard to take. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
From “A Good God in a World of Pain,” a message from Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it say about God that He would share our suffering?
2. How is it possible for our outer self to be wasting away while our inner self is being renewed?
3. Is it easy for you to empathize with those who are ill or suffering?
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 43-45 Matthew 22:23-46
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 Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
