SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

by | Nov 27, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

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

 NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study continues atb the home ofn Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM and goes to around 8. It includes devotion, study and fellowship time.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Deb and Glen Strassman in our prayers.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 6:1-14; Psalm 119:169-176; Revelation 1:9-20

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Calling Out for Help”

November 28, 2023

 

Isaiah 64:1, 2b-4, 5b-6, 8-9 – Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence … to make Your Name known to Your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at Your presence! When You did awesome things that we did not look for, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who wait for Him … Behold, You were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away … But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all Your people.

Long ago I had a job which went very badly for me, and I was desperate for help. So I put the first line of this passage in a place where I would see it daily—”Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down!”—because that was exactly how I felt: “O Lord, come quickly. Come now. Help me.”

It’s natural for us to take refuge in God when other people are treating us badly, or when we can’t understand why everything we do makes matters worse. Of course we plead with the only One who knows the full truth, the One who has the ability to set things right.

But what about other times—times when we actually created our own mess? We are the ones who did this or that sin, and now the results of our bad behavior are raining down on us. Can we cry out to the holy God for help when we ourselves are so unholy?

Yes, even then. Isaiah does it in this very passage. He admits the truth. He says, “In our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? … We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

But he doesn’t end there. He calls out to the only One who can save us: “But now, O LORD, You are our Father … Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all Your people.”

How can he call God our Father, though God is holy and we are not? Only through Jesus. Only through the Son of God who gave Himself for us, who lay down His life on the cross so that we might become the children of God through Him. Only through the One who rose from the dead for us, so that we might share in His life and live at peace as God’s people forever.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, when I am in trouble, come quickly and save me! Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you ask God for help, does it make a difference if you caused your own problem or not?

2. If so, how?

3. If not, why not?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 33-34; 1 Peter 5

 

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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us