SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023
Oh come let us worship and bow down; lt us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. Psalm 95:6
NEWS: We we’re all blessed in God’s house yesterday with 45 in attendance and more worshipping with us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation and much thanks to the Lord, blessing us with Pastor Joel, who led our Bible study and worship. HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY with Shepherd of The Valley Pastor Joel! ALSO: thank you to all who helped put together our Super Bowl party yesterday!
Tomorrow evening the Tuesdasy Bible study takes place at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM and the topic is the Parables of Jesus. All are invited to attend. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Doan family: Marika, Chad, Lydia and Lucille.
READINGS: Psalm 95:1-7; Psalm 70; Job 9:1-35; John 4:46-54
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“King of Kings”
Psalm 2:6-8 – [God said] “As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession.”
David the psalmist, himself a king, is moved by the Holy Spirit to look forward across the centuries to a King yet to come. This psalm foretells the reign of the Lord’s Anointed, the promised Messiah. The prophecy does not begin with the Messiah’s triumph, but with the rage of nations. When the Messiah came, people plotted against the Anointed One as earthly kings and rulers joined forces to free themselves from the Lord’s reign. The apostles referred to this psalm as they spoke of the raging nations, saying that in Jerusalem, “there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel” (Acts 4:27b).
The religious leaders of Israel, King Herod and the Roman Governor Pilate united against the Savior, but the psalmist records God’s response to the schemes against His Messiah: “He who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:4a). The plots and plans were carried out according to God’s design. The raging nations were allowed to overcome the Anointed One—at least for a short time. Jesus was condemned to death, crowned with thorns, and lifted up on a cross. God set His King on a hill we call Mount Calvary, and the innocent, obedient Messiah suffered and died to atone for the sins of the world.
The Lord’s Anointed died as the Scriptures foretold. Then on the first Easter morning the crucified King was raised in triumph and “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:4). The risen Messiah, exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords, told His followers, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18b). The nations are His heritage and all of the earth is His possession because “in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). The crucified and risen King, who claims the nations as His own, sends us out as His ambassadors to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in His Name.
We pray that through our witness and in the power of the Holy Spirit, many people will come to faith in Jesus, the Lord’s Anointed. They will join us one day with all of the redeemed in the “great multitude … from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” praising the King of kings: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9b, 10b).
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, reign as King in my life until I stand before Your throne. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. If you have children, what makes you most proud when you see it in their character?
2. How did Jesus respond when He was conspired against?
3. Does being an ambassador for God carry with it any duties?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 16-18 Matthew 27:1-26
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
