SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: We were blessed with a great day in the house of the Lord yesterday. There were 40 who attended in person and more who joined us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation. Thank you also to Pastor Joel for his teaching and leading us through Bible study and our worship service. Wee are very blessed to have him as our Pastor!
PRAYERS: Today we remember Berand Kirschner in our prayers.
READINGS: Zechariah 6; Psalm 138; Revelation 13:11-18
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“PAIN”
When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with Child from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18b)
I wonder how much pain hides behind those simple words: “She was found to be with Child.” Listen to the wording. It doesn’t sound like Mary had a chance to choose her time, to sit her family down and tell them about the angel’s visit. No, “she was found to be with Child.” Somebody noticed.
And that somebody probably yelled, don’t you think? Mary was supposed to be a virgin. Her wedding was coming up. The family would be disgraced. I suspect there was a painful scene, and a lot of disbelief, and then Joseph was notified.
Maybe it’s a good thing that Jesus came into the world in such a thoroughly human, painful, and messy way. Shame, conflict, fighting—all these were a part of His life even before His birth. It makes Him a good Savior for us, doesn’t it? Because we carry the scars of shame and pain, too.
Jesus knows our shame, every bit of it—all the pain, all the grief. But He does not add to it. No, He does the impossible and takes it upon His own shoulders, and carries it all the way to the cross. With His own shameful death He takes it out of the world forever, and with His resurrection He gives to us a new life—clean, unstained, marked by peace and love. We don’t need to carry that pain any longer. Jesus takes it for us.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, take my shame and pain from me, and help me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Take a moment to identify a painful episode from your own past.
* Privately pray, asking the Lord to help you with that memory.
* Thank Him for knowing and loving you completely.
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 107, 126 Revelation 10
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
