SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023

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

 NEWS: Christmas Eve is coming up this Sunday and we will have TWO worship services. Our regular Sunday morning service will take place at 10 AM. Then we will have our Christmas Eve “Candlelight” service at 5 PM. We pray everyone will have the chance to join us for one, the other or both!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Chet Laird in our prayers.

 READINGS: Zechariah 8; Psalm 140; Revelation 15

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“WHY?” December 20, 2023

 

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20) Why does God wait so long to let Joseph in on the secret? He doesn’t tell him when Mary finds out; He doesn’t even spare him the painful scene when he learns that Mary is pregnant. Joseph goes through that meeting and hours of pain afterward, trying to think what to do now. But when he finally falls asleep—and how long did that take?—then finally God tells him. “The baby is from the Holy Spirit. Mary hasn’t been unfaithful to you. Go ahead and get married, everything is okay.” I’m sure Joseph was grateful. I wonder if he was a bit frustrated? Maybe not. Joseph is doubtless a better person than I am! But I admit I’ve been frustrated when God seems to leave me in anxiety. “Oh, thank God, it’s not cancer,” I think. And then I’m cranky because the scare happened at all. Still, it comforts me to see that God hasn’t changed. If He does it to me, He did it to people in the Bible, too. I’m certain He loved them, and I believe He loves me—and so I can trust Him for what I don’t understand. Jesus Himself is the absolute proof that God loves us—because He came to suffer on our behalf, so that we might live with God forever. When it was a choice between our suffering or His, He said, “Let it be Me.” A God who accepts the cross and empty tomb on my behalf is a God I can trust—and love. WE PRAY: Lord, I trust You. Help me to trust You more. Amen. Reflection Questions: * Do you ever get frustrated with God? * If so, when? * How do you trust God in the face of things you don’t understand? Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Esther 1-2; Matthew 1; Luke 3

 

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