SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024

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

 NEWS: Tuesday Bible Study Tonight!  We meet at the Kolkman’s, 6:30-8:00.  Topic: “Jesus Says – Discussing the Sermon on the Mount.”  The evening includes devotions and fellowship. All are invited to attend!

 PRAYERS: Today wen pray for our church and congregation and allm it’s members.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 38:1-23; Romans 7:1-20

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Relenting” January 16, 2024

 

Jonah 3:1-5, 10 – Then the Word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the Word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. … When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it. Poor Jonah! He really doesn’t want to be at Nineveh at all. In fact, he goes as far to avoid it as he could—getting on a ship heading for the other end of the world. And then, of course, the whole silly story happens—getting thrown overboard, winding up in a big fish, and getting spit up on the beach (poor fish!). And off to Nineveh Jonah goes, like it or not. I can’t really blame him. I mean, these people are his country’s enemies. They’ve done some horrible things during the wars. And now God wants to save them—and use Jonah to do that? No, thank You, Lord! Except that saying “No, thank You” to the Lord doesn’t work very well, does it? As Jonah finds out. So now he’s walking through the city, preaching gloom and doom, and hoping that nobody will listen. Because he doesn’t want these people to be saved. He’d much rather see them go up in a fizz of lightning bolts. That would be so satisfying. So he hopes they won’t listen. But they are listening. Even the king hears the message and gets down off his throne to repent. And Jonah can’t take it. Because he knows how God is. God can never resist a sinner who repents! He’s going to forgive them! And Jonah thinks, “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!” Jonah doesn’t want a kindhearted God—a God who relents from sending judgment—a God who would gladly see His prophet proved wrong if it means that the people are saved. And that is exactly the kind of God Jonah has—yes, and us too. Because that’s why we have Jesus, isn’t it? We have Jesus because God is exactly what Jonah said: “I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2b). Jesus is this God, God Himself, come down from heaven to become a human being—to live and to die and to rise again, all to save as many of us as He possibly can. Jesus will do whatever it takes to rescue us, no matter who we are or what we’ve been like—because that’s the kind of God He is. Who could be better? WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You that You relent from disaster and show mercy to Your enemies—even to me. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. Are there any people in the world you could wish God would not forgive? Or at least that He would give them a good spanking first? 2. Are there times when you are grateful that God is exactly the way He is? 3. How is the Holy Spirit working in your life to make you more forgiving?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Job 20-21; Matthew 11

 

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