SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: This evening is the monthly Board of Directors meeting. It’s online, via Zoom, at 7. Check your email for the link as Bruce sent that out on Monday.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for David Clem.
READINGS: Psalm 37:34-40; Psalm 10; Isaiah 65:8-25; Luke 3:1-20
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“PLANNING”
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth. (Matthew 2:19-23)
It looks very much like Joseph had been planning to take his family back to Bethlehem originally, instead of Nazareth. But Joseph felt uneasy about that. Herod’s sons had divided up his country to rule, and Bethlehem belonged to Archelaus now—and he was the worst of them all. Would he try to kill Jesus like his father? Then God sent a prophetic dream to Joseph, and that settled things. They went home to Nazareth, in far-off Galilee. And Jesus grew up in safety.
Joseph did right to use his common sense—and to listen to God’s direction as well. And we do right when we listen to both—and most of all, when we put our trust in Jesus, who “became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30b). No one who trusts in Him will ever be destroyed. He is our Savior and Keeper.
WE PRAY: You are my wisdom, Lord. Help me to trust in You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you tend to trust logic or intuition more?
* What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
* Tell about a time you got wise advice from a fellow Christian.
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 13-15 Matthew 5:1-26
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
