SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 ESV
NEWS: A very blessed Wednesday to all as we prepare for Thanksgiving.
PRAYERS: Today we remember Brandon Reilly in our prayers. We also pray for all who are travelling over this Thanksgiving holiday.
READINGS: Nehemiah 2; Psalm 119:121-128; 1 John 5:1-12
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“The Firstfruits of the Dead”
1 Corinthians 15:20-26 – But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a Man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
I absolutely love cherry tomatoes. Because of the deer, we have five pots this year on the deck—even though I’m the only one who eats them! And every summer, as the seedlings shoot up, I wait with anticipation for the first of the year—the one my husband will hand me after he comes in from early-morning watering. What could be better?
That tomato is the firstfruits—the very first to be ripe and red, the one that guarantees the rest of the harvest. When I taste it, I know that within weeks, I’m going to be drowning in tomatoes. My husband won’t bring me my daily tomatoes in his hand at that point; he’ll use a bowl. If I’m lucky, he’ll give up and tell me to pick my own ridiculous tomatoes. There are just too many of them!
This is how God feels about Jesus, the firstfruits from the dead. He is the first of the whole human race to rise to the new, everlasting resurrection life God intends for us—a life in which there is no more dying, no more tears, no more sadness, no more sin. Jesus is the first, but He will not be the last. He is the promise that guarantees the rest of the harvest—all believers who die knowing that God has promised to raise us, body and soul, through Jesus our Savior.
You, too, are a part of that harvest. All of us who die in Christ are going to come up like cherry tomatoes in July—”a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9b). I’ll be there, and so will you, all of us celebrating the Lord who loved us and gave Himself for us—He who died like a single seed falling into the earth, and now “bears much fruit” (John 12:24b).
WE PRAY: Dear Father, make me part of Your Son’s harvest, and use me to bring others to Him, too. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Did you ever plant seeds? How did it go?
2. What kind of harvest is God expecting? Use as many different words or phrases as you can think of.
3. What feelings do you think Jesus had as He thought about His own death and the harvest to come from it?
Today’s Bible Readings: Ezekiel 18-19 2 Timothy 3
Pastor Joel is Here for You. If you have a pastoral need or a prayer request for Pastor Joel, please call or text him at 775-336-9680 or email him at luckemeyerj@gmail.com
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 hour s: 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
