SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023

by | Nov 19, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023

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

 NEWS: Tuesday Bible Study meets tomorrow evening at 6:30 at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman.  Topic: “Jesus Says – Discussing the Sermon on the Mount.”  Includes devotions and fellowship.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Margaret Paton in our prayers.

 READINGS: Daniel 12; Psalm 119:105-112; 1 John 3:11-24

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“In the Beginning”

November 20, 2023

 

Psalm 95:3-5 – For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.

We begin where all created things had their beginning. As we confess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed, we begin with the words, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” God is our Creator, our Maker. In His hand He holds the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains, and everything in between. The sea and dry land are His because He made them. He created human beings, male and female, in His image, making “from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26b).

Many people refuse to acknowledge God as their Creator, refusing to admit that God even exists. As fallen human beings, we like to think of ourselves as “self-made.” In sinful pride we do not want to be responsible to the Maker who created us. We do not want to give account of our actions or admit our shame and guilt to our Creator. We would rather, as sinners, exchange “the truth about God for a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25b). We prefer to serve and worship ourselves and other created things.

God our Creator loves the world He made. He sent His Son into the world as the Savior, the Son who was and is God, the Word through whom all things were made (see John 1:1-3). Jesus, God the Son, took on human flesh and lived in the world that was made through Him and for Him. He came to suffer and die as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven and our relationship to our Creator is restored. We joyfully confess our belief that God is our almighty Father and “the maker of heaven and earth.”

God continues to care for the world He made. He causes rain to fall and crops to grow. “He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names” (Psalm 147:4). It was God’s plan, through Jesus Christ, “to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20b). Our crucified and risen Lord sends us out to all nations, to a world full of the people He created and loves, to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus’ Name. As the apostle Paul wrote, “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20a). This is our appeal: Repent and believe in Jesus. Be reconciled to God, your Creator and Redeemer!

WE PRAY: Almighty Father, help me to speak and live in ways that bring glory to You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. What do you love most about your favorite outdoor locale?

2. How has God shown He loves the world He has created?

3. Why is the idea of divine creation a difficult thing for many to accept?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 14-15; 2 Timothy 1

 

Pastor Joel is Here for You.  If you have a pastoral need or a prayer request for Pastor Joel, please call or text him at 775-336-9680 or email him at luckemeyerj@gmail.com

 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 hour  s: 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