SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

by | Jan 17, 2024 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 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 Diane Finley in our prayers.

 READINGS: Ezekiel 40:1-4; 43:1-12; Ezekiel 40:5-42:20; Ezekiel 43:13-27; Romans 8:18-39

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Hand-Off”

January 18, 2024

 

Mark 1:14-20 – Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him.

Jesus started preaching very openly after John went to prison; I wonder how much that frustrated King Herod? If he thought to put an end to the Gospel message, it didn’t happen. Jesus carried on where John left off, and even more; and He identified twelve disciples to help Him in the work.

And it didn’t stop there, of course. The twelve disciples handed off the message to others, who passed it to others, and finally it came to us, today. What is this message, that’s so important God would go to all that trouble to keep it going?

It’s the message of Jesus, God Himself who became a human being. It’s the message of how God came down from heaven to rescue human beings from the power of sin, death, and the devil. How did He do it? Not by force. He did it by laying down His own innocent life on the cross in our place, and giving us His own goodness, innocence, and holiness in return. He did it by rising from the dead, never to die again—and now He shares that victory over death with us as well.

Because Jesus rose, we too will rise. That’s a message worth passing on!

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, help me to pass on Your message to others. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are important messages besides the Gospel that people have entrusted you with?

2. How did you pass them along?

3. How do you know that the Gospel message is true and worth believing?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Job 25-27; Matthew 12:24-50

 

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