SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, FEBUARY 11, 2023
23 Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how to [i]encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 NASB (New American Standard Version)
NEWS: Tomorrow is the day we return to God’ house. At 9 AM Pastor Joel leads our Bible study and will continue the discussion of, “Why Pray.” There are copies available for anyone to pick one up. In our 10 AM worship the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon is, “Thank You, God, for Your Grace.” It’s based on Matthew 5:21-42, which is the Gospel reading for the day. Our Old Testament lesson is taken from Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Our second reading comes from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 After we’ve celebrated the Lord’s Supper an d our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Then our family Super Bowl Party happens in our sanctuary at 3 PM…it’s got the biggest screen on the property! Soft drinks will be provided. If you care to, please bring some snacks or food to share. There will be board games too (or bring your own to share) so the kids and adults who aren’t into football can have some fun!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for David Clem.
READINGS: Psalm 147; Job 7:1-21; John 4:7-26
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Life That Is Real Life”
Luke 12:31 – [Jesus said] “Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
Friends, life is more than merely meeting our physical needs. Real living, real life means to rest in the forgiving arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. Real living is knowing every hour that our blessed Heavenly Father has not treated us as we deserve because of our sin (see Psalm 103). Instead, in Jesus Christ, God has loved us. In Jesus Christ, God has forgiven us all of our sins. In Jesus Christ, God will always take complete care of us. Therefore, we must not allow the devil to chart out our future based on the love of money. It will never work. Rather, we must let the Word of God fill our hearts with the blessed assurance that Jesus will graciously provide all our needs.
It was on the cross of Calvary that Jesus made an eternal investment for you and me. This is also why the apostle Peter wants us to know “that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18b-19).
As God calls us by His Word and Spirit. As He seeks to give us the gift of faith instead of materialism, as He desires fervently to draw us to Himself, we must not pull back, saying, “First, I have to think it over.”
The apostle Paul tells us plainly: “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12).
Yes, may God’s living Word reign over our lives. Then old worries and new anxieties will be driven away. The concerns of earning our righteousness before Him will be totally—and forever—replaced by the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God will plant into our hearts a love for Christ that will totally replace our love for the illusions of this world. When Jesus died on the cross, all our sins were cleansed by His blood. This is something all the money in the whole world could never do!
There is a way out of the weeds we get so easily entangled in. Against the enticements of the world, James gives us practical advice: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). God gives us the strength to move beyond the world’s temptations to place our trust in money or materialism. As His Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see with right vision the truths of God’s love, we behold the priceless beauty of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified for our sins and raised again to guarantee each of us the hope of heaven.
May your eyes become fixed on Jesus Christ given for you today.
WE PRAY: O Lord, please focus our hearts and minds on Your Son Jesus, our greatest treasure. Amen.
From “Beware of Greed,” a sermon message from Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have a favorite possession? What is it?
2. How is the blood of Christ more valuable than gold or silver?
3. What do you need help guarding against so you do not lose sight of Jesus?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 12-13 Matthew 26:1-35
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
