SVLC DEVOTION THURSDAY, ,DECEMBER 29, 2022

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

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

 NEWS: No news to report as of this writing.

 PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Zarnesky family: Heather, Jeff, Jack, Siari, Angel and Aria.

 READINGS: Psalm 78:1-7; Psalm 93; Isaiah 55:1-13; Luke 1:1-25

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“DELIGHT” December 29, 2022

 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon … And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the Child Jesus … he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (Luke 2:25a, 26-27a, 28-30) What it must have been like, to have God’s promise that you would see the Savior some day! And then he saw them. Two parents trying to figure out what they were supposed to do next, one clutching a baby. And that baby was the Son of God. Simeon took Jesus up in his arms immediately. The Messiah, the Savior of the world, was here! And his joy burst forth in a poem of praise to God. This was the high point of Simeon’s life. We know nothing else about Simeon—not even his age. But we do know that he saw Jesus and took delight in Him. Let that be true of us as well—whether we are young or old, strong or weak, happy or troubled. Let us look at Jesus and take delight in Him. Let us look at Him—this baby, this God come in the flesh. Let us see the love that drove Him to come to be one of us, to live and work among us. Let us see the mercy that took Him to the cross to suffer and die for us. And let us see the joyful Man who rose from the dead for our sakes, who offers us everlasting life now, this very day, if we will put our trust in Him. Let us delight in Him. WE PRAY: Dearest Jesus, I love You. Thank You for coming to me. Amen. Reflection Questions: * Name one thing you delight in. * How do you show delight in a person? * What specific thing delights you the most about Jesus? Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Nehemiah 12-13; Revelation 20

 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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org