SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7

by | Feb 6, 2022 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7

 

NEWS: We thank Pastor Eric Kaelberer for serving us yesterday. We had 38 in attendance. We give a big thank you to all those who helped us out the last 10 months or so while we were in search of a new pastor: Pastor Kaelberer, Pastor Beryl Droegemuller, Pastor Tom Meyer, Pastor Robert McDonald, “Pastor Al” Allen Kolkman, Pastor Naegele once or twice, Pastor Paul Martin from Faith Lutheran in Vista plus a couple of their Deacons when we needed a Sunday leader (please forgive me for not remembering names there). Hopefully I didn’t leave anybody else out. Anyway, the Lord truly blessed our congregation when we needed people to fill our pulpit. The Lord has also blessed us in finding our new pastor, “Pastor Joel” Luckemeyer as quickly as we did! We keep him in our prayers as we look forward to his installation this Saturday, February 12 at 3:00 PM. We also keep praying for the Luckemeyer’s housing needs.

 

PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Pat and Bill Sperberg.

 

READINGS: Psalm 4; Psalm 18; Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12

 

DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Trees and Pathways”

February 7, 2022

 

Psalm 1:5-6 – Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

We have seen in personal experience or in news reports the spectacle of a huge tree, uprooted and fallen in a storm. Although outwardly the tree appeared healthy and firmly rooted, inwardly the fallen tree was likely diseased, rotted, and dying. Its roots could not hold it upright in rain-saturated soil. It could not stand against dangerous winds and crashed to earth, causing damage to property and perhaps even loss of life. That, says the psalmist, is what will happen to the wicked—the unbelievers—on the Day of Judgment. They will not stand.

As he contrasts the righteous with the wicked, believers with unbelievers, the psalmist notes that the wicked—unrepentant sinners who reject the saving work of Christ—will not be found among “the congregation of the righteous” on the Last Day. Those who believe in Christ Jesus will stand in righteousness before God on the Day of Judgment. Now and on that great day, the righteous are like trees “planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:3b). They will not be condemned, because they stand in Christ Jesus, “rooted and built up in Him and established in faith” (Colossians 2:7a).

“Rooted and built up in Him”—these words describe a life of faith that is growing and thriving in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus is our Source of life; He is the true Vine (see John 15:1). Apart from Jesus, we would be like trees that crash to the ground in a storm. Apart from Him, we would find ourselves eternally lost “in the way of the wicked.”

The Lord knows the way of the righteous because He set our feet on the path of righteousness, a way foretold by the prophet Isaiah: “A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it … the redeemed shall walk there” (Isaiah 35:8a, 9b). That holy highway of faith stretches out before us because Jesus walked a terrible path for us, the way of the cross. Rooted in Christ Jesus, we walk by faith as we travel that holy, heaven-bound way.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus placed His healing hands on a blind man, who first responded with an unusual observation, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking” (Mark 8:24b). Jesus laid hands on the man again and his sight was fully restored. This psalm presents people who look like trees walking. Rooted and built up in Christ, like trees planted by streams of water, we will stand on the Day of Judgment. Yet for now, we are on the move as we live to love and serve others in Jesus’ Name. We are like trees walking in the way of the Lord.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to walk in love, as You walked. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does your faith steady you against life’s trials and temptations?

2. What do you think it means that sinners will not stand in the congregation of the righteous?

3. How do you stay “rooted and built up” in God?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Exodus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28

 

 

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 are to go to your work 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.”

Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.

 

OTHER RESOURCES:

 

www.svlchurch.org

www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside

 

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 hours: 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.