SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 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: 10 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyaetsR_FvI Dr Cooper explores the issue of “Who Founded the Church?”
PRAYERS: Today we remember Darryl Finley in our prayers.
READINGS: Ezekiel 39:1-10, 17-29; Romans 7:21-8:17
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
| “What Matters Most”
January 17, 2024 |
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| 1 Corinthians 7:29-31-35 – This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
Have you ever played that game where you imagine what three things you would grab if your house was on fire? It forces you to focus on what’s really important. No time to deal with the dirty dishes—I need to grab the baby pictures. We can replace the plates, but I want Grandma’s casserole dish. And for goodness’ sake, take the dog!
It’s harder to play that game on a daily basis—to sort through your mountain of errands, concerns, and busywork to figure out what truly matters, what is the one thing God wants me to be doing today. And yet, that’s part of our mandate as Christians, isn’t it? Figuring out what Jesus wants us of us, so our one precious life here on earth gets used for His glory as effectively as possible.
I think Jesus must have done much the same thing, given the fact that He would only be with us on earth for thirty-some years. That’s a really short time to do all He wanted to do—to teach, to preach, to heal, to convert, and best of all, to save us from the power of evil through His own death and resurrection. Such an urgent mission didn’t leave Him time for a lot of extras; obviously He never married or had children, and He arranged His life so that He could be as free as possible to do what God wanted from Him.
What, then, is God asking from us? That’s going to be between each of us and the Holy Spirit to figure out. In my case, it involves being married, raising a son, and caring for a refugee church, as well as writing. In your case, what? Whatever it is, God will guide you to it. And you can do it with gladness, knowing that it helps more and more people to hear about Jesus—because He is the One who matters most of all.
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, set my heart and my eyes on You, so that I do the really important things—the ones that make a difference for You and Your people. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you prioritize things in your life?
2. Paul highlights the differences between those who are married and those who are single. Why do you think he points to that distinction?
3. Do you try to begin each day with a gameplan, so to speak, in respect to your Christian life and how you will spend your time? |
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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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
