SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: This evening we continue the study of the Parables of Jesus at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM and starts with a short devotion, followed by the study, then fellowship time with coffee and some goodies. All are invited to participate. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside.
This coming Sunday we have our Super Bowl Party in our sanctuary. The festivities start at 3:00 PM and it’s a family event. Drinks will be provided; bring some snacks to share and enjoy. Games will be available too ifn you aren’t so interested in football. It’s a good time to enjoy more fellowship and you can bring family, friends and neighbors too…our door will be open!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Ian Andrews.
READINGS: Psalm 4; Psalm 18; Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Experiment”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – [Moses said] “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
I think of ancient Israel as a kind of experiment. God takes a group of people and lays out exactly how they should live. They don’t just get the Ten Commandments; they get detailed explanations, all the way down to the level of “If you see your enemy’s donkey overloaded and fallen to the ground, don’t just pass by. You have to help him get the donkey back on its feet again!” (Exodus 23:5)
So now, after 40 years of teaching and demonstrating, Moses gives it one last try. He says to them, “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, … then you shall live. But if your heart turns away … you shall surely perish. … I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life!”
You can’t get much clearer than that! And yet, the whole history of the people of Israel tells us how impossible it was for them to make that simple choice. They did not choose life. They did not keep the Law. They couldn’t. They were sinners.
And that’s our dilemma too, isn’t it? We too are sinners. We might imagine we can live perfectly—but trying proves otherwise. And that’s why I think of ancient Israel as an experiment—because while God knew the truth, the human race didn’t. Until He proved it.
So now, what do we know? We know that we are helpless. We know that we aren’t going to get out of our desperate situation on our own. Sin is too strong for us. We need a Savior.
And that’s what God has given us. He didn’t send an angel to help us—no, He came Himself to be one of us, to live and to suffer and die on the cross for our sake. Jesus Christ rescued us from the trap of sin. He has risen from the dead. And now He offers true, everlasting life to anyone who trusts in Him, anyone who will receive it. And that includes you and me.
WE PRAY: Thank You, God, for giving us life. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever tried to be perfect?
2. If so, what happened? How long did it take?
3. How does the forgiveness of sins change your daily life?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 1-3 Matthew 24:1-28
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
