SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: A VERY BLESSED THURSDAY TO ALL!
PRAYERS: Today we remember David and Melissa Carlisle in our prayers,
READINGS: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Judges 2:6-15; 2 Corinthians 10:1-11
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
| “Come and See”
January 11, 2024 |
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| John 1:43-51 – The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
There are some questions where the only possible answer is “Come and see.” For example, “How does the soup taste?” Or “How are the kids doing on their project?” Or Nathanael’s scornful, “Jesus of Nazareth? Can anything good come out of there?”
Philip could have gotten into a huge argument with him, but he didn’t. He was sensible. He said, “Just come and see.”
We have situations like this too, don’t we? And quite a few of them involve Jesus. I mean, if someone asks you why you go to church, and starts arguing with you about whether that’s a good thing or not, you can fall for the argument—or you can say simply, “Come and see.” That stops the argument, doesn’t it? If they come, either they will like it or they won’t. They will make up their own minds. And you won’t have to wonder if something you said turned them off to the Lord!
That’s why, when someone starts an argument with me about Jesus, I basically give them the facts: “We think that this Man is God Himself, become a human being. We believe that He suffered and died on purpose to set us free from the power of evil, and we believe He rose from the dead and is still alive today. If you want to know more about Him, you can read about Him in the Gospels. See what you think. Make up your own mind. Come and see!”
Anybody who can read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and still come out the other end not believing in Jesus—well, they’re a tough nut to crack, and that’s not my responsibility! The Holy Spirit will keep working on them. In the meantime, I’ll carry on like someone who just found a wonderful new food or game. I’ll tell people briefly about Jesus, and add: “Try for yourself! Come and see.”
WE PRAY: Lord, I’ve never found anybody better than You, or anyone who loves me more. Thank You for bringing me to know You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is something wonderful that you just naturally tell people about-a game? A food? A book?
2. Would it be easier to tell people about Jesus if you could just physically point and say, “Come and see?”
3. How can you invite people to “come and see” Jesus now, when he’s not physically visibly walking around on earth? |
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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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
