SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024

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

 NEWS: It was a great day in God’s house yesterday with those who attended our new Bible study and worship service! Thanks to those who attended in person and joined us online. Thank you also to Pastor Joel for his teaching and leading. It is a blessing!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember the Jerome family in our prayers: Denae, Christopher and Evelyn.

 READINGS: Psalm 69:19-23, 32-33; Joel 2:1-17; Romans 11:1-24

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Remembered” January 22, 2024

 

Psalm 111:3-4 – Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. We circle days on calendars, write appointments in day planners, set alarms and reminders on smartphones, and cover tables and countertops with notes on scraps of paper. We go to great lengths to remember all that we need to do. Our gracious and merciful God has gone to great lengths to cause “His wondrous works to be remembered.” He called prophets, shepherds, kings, and others into His service as writers. God inspired them, that is, He breathed into them the words they were to write as they recorded His words and wondrous works. God warned His people and called them to repentance. He acted in judgment and grace. He promised to send the Messiah, and the inspired writers recorded it all. The Old Testament Scriptures were written not only for people long ago, but for us as well: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Yet God’s wondrous works did not end with the Old Testament events. There was so much more to come! The writer to the Hebrews summed it up in this way, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The words and actions of God’s Son, the promised Messiah, were also recorded. The words and works of Jesus were not carved in golden letters or inscribed by angels, but written down in ink by ordinary people called to extraordinary work. God’s inspired writers of the New Testament included fishermen, a tax collector, a doctor, and a Pharisee who had persecuted Jesus’ followers. Just as with the Old Testament writers, under the Spirit’s inspiration these people faithfully recorded the wondrous works of God. The inspired Scriptures are “breathed out by God” and are able to make us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” and to train us in righteousness (see 2 Timothy 3:15-16). God wants us to remember and rejoice in the splendor and majesty of His works, from creation to the promised new creation, from the saving act of the Exodus to the redeeming sacrifice of His Son. Still today the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives, helping us to grow in faith as we hear, read, learn, and remember God’s Word. God caused His wondrous works, and especially the saving work of His Son, to be written down “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name” (John 20:31b). WE PRAY: My God and Savior, guide me in the study of Your Holy Word. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. Reflection Questions: 1. How do you stay on schedule? Are there ways you’d like to improve your use of time? 2. Can you give three items from Scripture that are “written for our instruction,” to give us encouragement in our lives? 3. How does Jesus’ birth show the Father remembered His ancient promises to send a Savior?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Job 34-35; Matthew 14:22-36

 

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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Allen and Margie Latall: aalatall@gmail.com OR mjlatall62@gmail.com