SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023

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

 NEWS: Tomorrow evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting, online via Zoom, at 6 PM. Please look for theemail that Bruce Woodward sent out yesterday. It contains the link.

This Saturday the Men’s Bible Study/Breakfast takes place. It’s one week earlier than usual. The time is 9 AM.in the Community building. The monthly Work Party follows at 10 and runs until Noon.

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

 READINGS: Psalm 110; Proverbs 1:20-33; James 4:1-10

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“GIFTS” January 3, 2024

 

And behold, the star … went before them until it came to rest over the place where the Child was. … They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9b, 10b-11) It’s a charming picture—Jesus reaching out His toddler hands to touch the gifts the wise men offered, the gold and spices. I wonder if Mary had to stop Him making a mess with the myrrh and frankincense? These were precious gifts, but not exactly calculated for a toddler’s use. And yet, they acknowledged the truth of who Jesus is on a deeper level. Gold is a gift fit for a king; myrrh and frankincense were precious spices used to make incense for God’s temple, and so it makes sense to give them to a Child who is God incarnate. I don’t know how much the wise men understood of all this, but it may be that the Holy Spirit guided the gift-giving just as He brought these Gentile wise men from far away to worship the King of the Jews. For Jesus is God’s Gift to the world—more precious than gold, more holy than the spices of the temple. Because He gave Himself up for us all, we have life, forgiveness, and peace with God. Because He has risen from the dead and will never die again, we too will live in happiness and joy with Him forever. What more could we want? WE PRAY: Thank You, Father, for Your good Gift! Amen. Reflection Questions: * What is one of the best gifts you ever got? * Why do you say so? * Why do you think God’s Gift of Jesus came to us in such humble wrappings? Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Genesis 7-9; Matthew 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