SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Saturday we have our Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5:00 PM. Please bring family members, neighbors and anyone you’d like to have see our beautiful church and meet the wonderful people there. The same goes for our Christmas Day service, Sunday at 10 AM!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Brandon Reilly.
READINGS: Psalm 102; Isaiah 42:1-25; Revelation 9:1-12
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“SENDING A BABY TO WAR”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:22-23)
Why did God choose a virgin to conceive Jesus? It certainly wasn’t because there’s something bad or terrible about sex, as some people think. And it has nothing to do with His status as the Son of God. He isn’t some half-and-half creature!
No, this is the fulfillment of a promise God made to a very frustrating king named Ahaz years ago through the prophet Isaiah. Ahaz was facing war, and he was trying to cope with it on his own instead of asking God for help. God promised that help anyway—and even invited him to name a miracle as proof and God would do it! But Ahaz actually refused. Can you believe it? So God chose the miracle instead: A virgin would conceive and bear a Son, and call His Name Immanuel (see Isaiah 7).
Who sends a baby to war? Only the Lord—the God who delights in using the weak to overturn the strong. And in this case, He came Himself—not some lesser person or messenger. God came as a human baby into this world to overcome all the power of the devil. Through His life and death on the cross, He rescued us and set us free. And through His resurrection, He gave us everlasting life with Him forever.
Who else would think of such a thing?
WE PRAY: What You do amazes me, Lord. Thank You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* If God offered you Ahaz’s choice, what would you pick?
* When in your life have you seen God use something weak to defeat the strong?
* Read Psalm 2, which is about Jesus. Does anything surprise you about the way they describe Him?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Esther 3-5 Revelation 12
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 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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
