SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

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

 NEWS: Yesterday was a great day in God’s house! There were 41 who worshipped in person with more online, like we needed to be. Thank you to all who served our congregation and thanks to Pastor Joel for his leadership and awesome sermon message.

Tomorrow evening the Tuesday Bible study resumes at5 the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman. It runs from 6:30 to 8 PM. All are invited to attend.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Ian Andrews in our prayers.

 READINGS: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Genesis 17:1-13; Romans 4:1-12

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Safely Held” January 8, 2024

 

Psalm 139:7-10 – Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. “Where shall I flee from Your presence?” The psalmist wonders where he might run to escape the presence of God. Is there a place he can go where God cannot find him? He is not really trying to escape from the Lord. The psalmist asks these questions as an expression of praise, knowing that God is with him at all times and in every place. We may wish at times to flee from the presence of God. We may try to hide from Him and cover our sin and guilt with excuses. We pretend that God does not know what we have done; it is a foolish pretense. He knows us as well as He knew the inspired psalmist, who humbly admits, “The wrongs I have done are not hidden from You” (Psalm 69:5b). God finds us in our hiding places and sees through our flimsy excuses. He calls us to repent of our sins and graciously forgives us for the sake of His Son, Jesus our Lord. Taking our sins onto Himself, Jesus was nailed to the cross. There was nowhere to hide, no place of safety to which He could flee. For the sake of our salvation Jesus willingly endured the just wrath of God against sin. It was as if God hid from Him, and the Savior cried out in anguish, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46b). God abandoned His Son to the suffering of the cross so that our sins would be forgiven. Jesus, who came down from heaven for us, made His “bed in Sheol,” the place of the dead. Yet God was there too and on the first Easter morning He raised His Son to life in victory over sin, death, and the devil. If we ascend to heaven, is God there? Of course He is! When we fall asleep in death, will He be there with us? Of course He will be there! Our Savior rose up from death and ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us. He will lead us through death into life in His presence forever. Wherever we go, as far from anywhere that we might be, God is present. Wherever we are, His right hand holds us, just as Jesus, our Good Shepherd, promised: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, keep me safe in Your care. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. When are you most likely to want to hide from God? 2. Why is there comfort in knowing we cannot hide from God’s presence? 3. How does our repentance serve to draw us closer to God when we sense we are far away?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Genesis 20-22; Matthew 6:19-34

 

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