SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, ,APRIL 19,l 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023

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

 NEWS: Yes, we’re back in the saddle again! We had an awesome weekend touring the Grand Canyon with dear friends. It was my first time there, Margie’s second. I took pictures, but they can’t begin to really describe the grandeur, beauty and majesty of God’s creation. The second most marvelous thing was that I ALMOST had my Packer wife wearing my Bears jacket! That’s another discussion for another time.

 PRAYERS: Today we lift up Gail and Rick Adams in prayer. They ask prayers for Rick’s sisters, both of whom are dealing with health issues.

 READINGS: 2 Chronicles 27:1-28:4; Psalm 99; Luke 12:48-13:5

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Our Forever God” April 19, 2023

 

1 Peter 1:18b-25 – 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. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.” And this Word is the good news that was preached to you. Have you ever seen those little signs people put up in their homes that have the name of the married couple or family and, under that, the words “Established 1998″ or some other date? To be honest, they tend to make me laugh, especially when the date is only two or three years ago. But at least those signs show that the family involved has faith and hope for the future. They expect to be around, and together, for a long, long time. Of course, no marriage lasts forever. My grandparents were married more than 70 years, but death came at last. Families drift apart; people move or die or get divorced. Even nations and empires come to an end. Compared to eternity, they might as well be like grass or flowers. We need something permanent—something that will last forever. Our hearts cry out for a foundation that we can trust. And Peter tells us exactly what that is—”The Word of the Lord remains forever. And this Word is the good news that was preached to you.” The Good News is that God Himself has seen our distress in this broken world that is full of evil, and He has come to rescue us. He has come as the Man Jesus Christ. Jesus knows by experience what it means to work hard, to suffer, to feel the things that you trusted fall apart on you. He knows betrayal. And He knows death. But because Jesus lay down His life to rescue us, and then rose from the dead to live forever, now He has become the one permanent safe place for all of us. Jesus will never die again; that means that we can never lose Him. He will never betray or forget us or decide He doesn’t love us; when He died for us, He made that absolutely clear forever. When we are tired, we can lean on Him. When we are frightened, we can run to Him. He is our safe place, and He is our Rock. Jesus will always be there for us. And so we too will remain forever—because we are in Him. WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, that You are always there for me. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. What is something that you trusted in that didn’t last as long as you expected it to? 2. How did you feel when it came to an end? 3. What difference does it make in your life, to know that Jesus and His promises are permanent?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Judges 13-15; Luke 15:1-10

 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, pastor@svlcchurch.org