SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023

by | Apr 23, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: It was a beautiful day to be in God’s house yesterday. We had 38 who attended in person, with more joining us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation. Thank you to Pastor Joel too, for teaching our Bible study and leading our worship.

The Tuesday evening Bible study resumes tomorrow evening at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. The start time is 6:30 PM and the topic is, “Life In The Year One.” It’s about the worldn in which Jesus lived, life in the Holy Land and where Jesus walked. The evening starts with a short devotion, followed by the study, then fellowship time. Things wrap up around 8 PM. All are invited to participate in this intriguing study. The Kolkman’s address is 710 Fredricks Ave., Oceanside

 PRAYERS: Today we lift up the Cerny family in prayer: Amanda, josh, William and Daniel.

 READINGS: 2 Chronicles 30; Psalm 104; Luke 15:1-10

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Follow in His Steps”

April 24, 2023

 

Psalm 23:5-6 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Jesus often summoned people to faith with the simple call, “Follow Me.” He said to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19b). Some did not answer the call. The idolatry of greed kept a wealthy man from seeking true treasure as he turned away from Jesus’ invitation, “Come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21b). The risen Savior foretold the way Peter would glorify God in death and called His disciple to leadership and martyr’s faith with those same words, “Follow Me” (John 21:19b).

What does it mean to follow Jesus? This psalm of a shepherd offers insights—one sheep to another—about following. Sheep follow their shepherd, not knowing exactly where they are going, but understanding that they will be led to green pastures and refreshing still waters. The sheep trust their shepherd to keep them safe from predators. The sheep will be carefully counted and any wayward sheep will be found and rescued. Finally, the flock will follow to the security of the sheepfold, where the shepherd will lie down across the open door to keep watch through the night. To follow the shepherd is to lead a life of humility, trust, and security.

The Holy Spirit calls and enlightens us through the Gospel and sets us on the path of following Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the devil, the evil predator who wants to take us away from our Shepherd. Jesus feeds us in the green pastures of His Word and refreshes us with the living water of the Spirit of God. When we wander in sin, as we often do, our Shepherd calls us to repentance and forgives our sins. Finally, one day, we will live with Jesus in the safety of His eternal sheepfold. The apostle Peter, who would one day follow His Savior into death, wrote, “To this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Closely following Jesus’ steps means that we may suffer; cross-bearing is part of following this Shepherd: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24b).

As we, in joy and humble trust, follow Jesus, what follows us? “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Our Shepherd’s goodness and gentle care, His mercy and forgiveness, follow right along with us until finally we enter His eternal fold and “dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

WE PRAY: Jesus, my Shepherd, watch over me as I follow You in faith. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. How would any good shepherd care for his sheep? How does our Good Shepherd care for us?

2. What does it mean to you that God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies?

3. What example has Jesus set for us to follow in how we are to live and love?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 18:1-23

 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, pastor@svlcchurch.org