SVLC DEVOTION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023

by | Nov 18, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS AND PRAYERS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023

 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! Psalm 122:1

NEWS: Thank you to all who contributed to, served and took part in our Thankfeast yesterday. It was a great gathering with excellent food and fellowship!

Today we celebrate the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost in our return to God’s house. The day starts with Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel continues to lead us in studying the book of Genesis, which is approaching its conclusion. At 10 our worship service takes place and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “What Faith In God Means.” It’s based on Psalm 90, where our Psalmody is taken from as well. Our Old testament reading is Zephaniah 1:7-16 The Epistle lesson is 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 The Gospel comes from Matthew 25:14-30

After we have taken the Eucharist and our service draws to a close, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then, fellowship continues at Carl’s Jr. on Douglas and River Rd.

We pray all can join us for part of their Sunday but for those unable to worship in person, we stream our service live. The link is here: www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside  Click on that, then click on the More dropdown arrow, then click Live. If you have a moment, please “Like” us and leave a brief comment about your online worship experience. Thank you! Also serving the Lord and our congregation today are:

Techies:  Bruce Woodward, OPEN

Reader:  Allen Kolkman

Acolyte:  Josephine Neemia

Greeter:  Margaret Paton

Ushers:   Victor Dille, Keith Neblett

Flowers:  Allen Kolkman

Fellowship:  Allen Kolkman

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Neemia family in our prayers: Fale, Mike, Easter, Penny, JoJo and Jeremiah.

 COLLECT OF THE DAY: O Lord, by your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 READINGS: Daniel 11:20-45; Psalm 119:97-104; 1 John 2:28-3:10

 Alleluia. The one who endures to the end will be saved. Alleluia.

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“The Day Is Surely Drawing Near”

November 19, 2023

 

“The day is surely drawing near when Jesus, God’s anointed, In all His power shall appear as Judge whom God appointed. Then fright shall banish idle mirth, And flames on flames shall ravage earth as Scripture long has warned us.

“O Jesus Christ, do not delay but hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way in fear and tribulation. O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty Judge, and set us free from death and ev’ry evil.”

“Then fright shall banish idle mirth.” Our hymn is not condemning light-hearted laughter. It is describing the reaction of the world to Jesus’ sudden and unexpected return. The Lord said that His return would be like “the days of Noah” when everyone was going about their lives, eating and drinking and, no doubt, enjoying idle mirth, “until the flood came and swept them all away” (Matthew 24:39b).

While we who trust in Christ Jesus are not unaware of the fact that He is coming back, we may not often think about the day when this world’s history will come to a startling, abrupt end. Yet after describing what will happen on that Last Day, the apostle Paul tells us that we are to “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). We should not only think about our Lord’s return, but talk about that great day to encourage and strengthen one another in faith!

The Last Day “is surely drawing near.” God appointed His Son as Judge, having “given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man” (John 5:27b), that is, He is the Messiah, God’s Anointed One. We pray in our hymn, “Come, mighty Judge, and set us free from death and ev’ry evil.” We joyfully await Jesus’ return because our Judge on that day will be the Savior who took our sins into His own body on the cross and endured the penalty of death that we deserved. Our sins are forgiven, washed away in His blood. On the Day of Judgment, by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, we will stand before our mighty Judge dressed in His righteousness.

In this earthly life we endure “fear and tribulation” in the troubles we face each day, as well as the disdain, and even hatred, with which the unbelieving world regards our faith. With gentleness and respect, we witness to our faith in Jesus so that others will come to believe in Him and eagerly await His return. All who confess Jesus as Lord look forward to His Second Coming with a joy far greater than idle mirth. We are encouraged as we remind each other that our Savior is coming back, and we pray that He would “hear and grant our fervent plea.” Come, Lord Jesus!

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me to share the Good News of salvation so that others will confess You as Lord and welcome Your return. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “The Day is Surely Drawing Near,” which is number 508 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you keep a healthy focus and perspective on God’s coming Judgment Day?

2. How are believers comforted by Christ’s Second Coming?

3. How can God’s final Judgment be a motivator in bringing people to repentance and faith?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 11-13; 1 Timothy 6

 

WE HAVE TWO LIBRARIES AT CHURCH! One of them is in the back of our sanctuary. That has many books,m DVD’s and (I believe) CD’s that are available to check out and return on the honor system. We also have our “Little Library” just inside the driveway to our parking lot. Please feel free to take a book or leave a book. The main focus is childrens or Christian material, but other, appropriate for a church setting, is acceptable.

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 you 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.”

Now you can 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/

A very blessed Lord’s Day and Sunday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.

 Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org