SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, MAY 23
NEWS: Yesterday was a great day in God’s house as we are blessed tom have Pastor Joel for our pastor and leading our Bible study and service. In our congregational meeting the following people were elected tom two year terms on the respective Boards listed:
Care and Worship: Allen Latall
Growth and Outreach: Rick Adams
Education: Kay Bernie
Stewardship: Ian Andrews
Property: Bruce Woodward.
Since there was no one to toss their hat into the ring for Hospitality/Fellowship, that will be done by committee, the members of the Board of Directors. A big THANK YOU to all who agreed to serve or continue serving!
Tomorrow evening a brand new Bible study begins at the Kolkman’s home, “The Two Kingdoms of God.” Things start at 6:30 PM with a short devotion, then the study, followed by fellowship time.
Wednesday evening the ladies have their online Bible study at 5 PM. Lori Dowe is leading the study on Max Lucado’s book, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.”
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for the Woodward family: Bruce, Carole and Eric. Prayers for their daughter Denae as she is now overdue in her pregnancy. Also, for her husband.
READINGS: Psalm 103:6-14; Psalm 70; Numbers 8:5-26; Luke 15:11-32
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Like Precious Oil”
Psalm 133:1-2 – Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
We readily agree that it is good and pleasant when brothers—and sisters—dwell in unity. But as for precious oil running down Aaron’s head and beard and collar, well, that does not sound very pleasant. It sounds a little sticky and smelly.
Aaron and his sons served as priests of ancient Israel. Before beginning their priestly service, the high priest Aaron and his sons were washed, dressed in holy garments, and anointed with oil. God said, “Their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations” (Exodus 40:15b). The oil used for the anointing was not just ordinary olive oil. God Himself provided a recipe for the precious liquid, listing the ingredients in their proper amounts. The anointing oil was a blend of liquid myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, aromatic cane, cassia, and olive oil. The finished oil could not be poured on an “ordinary person,” and the recipe was not to be reproduced for any other purpose (see Exodus 30:22-33). This precious oil was poured over Aaron and his sons as a sign of holiness and the rich blessings of God, a sign that they were set apart for service.
We, too, have been anointed and set apart for service in Christ Jesus. We are God’s holy priests: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Anointed in Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit, we are set apart to proclaim the goodness of God, who brought us from the darkness of sin into the light of Christ. As Aaron was washed and dressed in holy garments, we are washed clean of our sins and clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Within the baptismal call to holy service, we receive the gift of unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28).
Shortly before Jesus took up His cross, He prayed for those who would believe through the witness of His apostles, asking that the new believers would “all be one” just as Jesus and His Father are one (John 17:21a). This unity with our Savior and with one another is a gift given to us in Baptism, a rich blessing of oneness poured out by the Holy Spirit, as rich and precious as the sacred oil that once ran from Aaron’s head, down onto his beard and the collar of his robes!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I give You thanks and praise for the precious unity that is the Spirit’s gift. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean to be anointed?
2. Besides Aaron and his sons, can you think of others who were anointed in the Bible?
3. How does God “anoint” us through Baptism?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 9, 11 John 8:1-27
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
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:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
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A very blessed Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
