SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4
NEWS: This coming Sunday we will celebrate Transfiguration Sunday and next Wednesday our Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday. We will have a worship service at 7:00 PM. Then each following Wednesday we will have a potluck meal in our Fellowship/Community building at 6:00 PM with a Lenten service at 7 in our sanctuary. The texts for Pastor Joel’s sermons will come from the Old Testament book of Jonah.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Diane Finley.
READINGS: Psalm 91; Psalm 119:1-8; Job 12:1-6, 12-25; John 5:30-47
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Jesus Only”
Matthew 17:1-9 – And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”
What an amazing and glorious day that was! Imagine seeing Jesus transformed, with Moses and Elijah visiting. It was a day they would remember forever—a day Peter, at least wanted to last forever, with his talk of building a tent for them to stay in.
But it didn’t last forever—wasn’t meant to last forever, maybe in part because human beings are not capable of handling that sort of glory. Look at their reaction when God the Father spoke from heaven! They fell facedown in terror. And God wasn’t even saying anything scary. His presence was just that overwhelming.
It’s a problem for us, isn’t it? Caught between love and fear, between a desire for God and a level of awe that terrifies us—how are we going to cope? No wonder even the pagan myths said that people could not look on divine glory and survive. We’re not built for it.
But God knows this—after all, He is our Creator!—and He supplied the answer for our need before we even felt it. Matthew writes, “But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
Jesus only is what we need. We can’t handle God’s unfiltered glory, but when God comes into the world as a human baby, wearing our flesh and blood—we can handle that! We can come near to Him without fear. We can see how God lives and acts among us, and understand His heart. We can watch Jesus treat poor people with respect—comfort the grieving—heal the sick—be patient with the doubting, confused disciples. We can see God’s love on display as Jesus walks among us—as He suffers and dies on the cross, all for our sake. We can see His power as He rises from the dead—and rejoice in His generosity, as He gives that same everlasting life to everyone who trusts in Him.
Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. Jesus only is exactly what we need.
WE PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Son! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When you are nervous like Peter, how do you behave?
2. How do you think the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah?
3. What is one specific thing you know about God by watching Jesus?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 23-24 Matthew 28
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
