SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024

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

 NEWS: Link of the Week: 13 minutes.  “Repentance: Four Wrong (but Popular) Ways.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeFhlsHUOuU

 PRAYERS: Today we remember K Berni in our prayers.

 READINGS: Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Isaiah 41:14-20; John 1:29-34

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Live Free” January 10, 2024

 

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 – “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. “Live Free, or Die.” You’ve heard that saying, haven’t you? We usually hear it in the context of politics, but it works just as well in our Christian lives. Because the very first thing sin does, after sneaking in the door, is set itself up as king. And then it’s very, very hard to kick it out the door again! It doesn’t matter much what kind of sin it is. Gluttony, illicit sex, any kind of addiction—even things like gossiping, backbiting, or speaking ill of the people God has set over you. It’s so hard to stop, isn’t it? We need someone to set us free. Of course, it’s Jesus Himself who said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). He Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He will get us out of the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into! Through His own suffering, death, and resurrection, He has set us free forever from the power of evil. Not that we have no further problems, but the end is in sight—and, in the meantime, Jesus is with us as we learn to live as free people. But what are we supposed to do with our freedom? Live in joy and blessedness as children of God. Grow every day to resemble Jesus, our elder Brother. Reach out with God’s love and mercy to people who have never had a chance to know Him—or how deeply He loves them and wants them to be free. WE PRAY: Dear Father, Your Son Jesus has set me free. Use me to bring others to His freedom, too. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. Name one thing that tries to enslave you. 2. What makes it so hard to leave it behind? 3. Tell about a specific situation where Jesus set you free.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Job 3-4; Matthew 8:1-17

 

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