SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

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

 NEWS: We had a blessed first day of Advent in Gods house yesterday. There were 49 who attended in person with more who joined us online. Thanks to all who served before, during and after our servive. Thank you also to Allen Kolkman for teaching Bible study and leading our worship service.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Kathy Andrews in our prayers.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 8:13-18; Psalm 124; Revelation 3:1-6

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“WHO ARE YOU?” December 4, 2023

 

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ … Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers … and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:1a, 2, 15-16) “Tell me about your family,” we ask when we’re trying to get to know someone. What can we learn about Jesus from His ancestors? Start with Abraham—the “friend of God” who left his family to go wherever God would send him. He is a great man of faith, yes; but he abandoned his own son Ishmael in the desert, and allowed his wife Sarah to be taken into another man’s harem to save his own life. Isaac? We honor him as the young man who was willing to lay down his life, if necessary, at God’s command. But he’s also the father who played favorites and set up his sons to be enemies for years. Jacob? The man who tried to cheat his way through life, only to realize in the end that God was the one who would give him help and every good thing. We don’t have time to run through all Jesus’ ancestors—David, the faithful king—and adulterer and murderer; Rahab, the prostitute who saved Israel’s spies; faithful King Hezekiah, who fathered Manasseh, who offered his child as a human sacrifice! Good and evil, faith and faithlessness, appear on every level of Jesus’ family tree. And isn’t that the way it should be for someone who came to save us all? Jesus’ ancestors are like us. We too are mixtures of good and evil; and we cry out for a Savior to help us. By sending Jesus, God has heard our cry. WE PRAY: Come, Lord Jesus, to be Savior of us all. Amen. Reflection Questions: * Are you proud of your ancestors, if you know them? Ashamed? * Why do you think God didn’t pick only good ancestors for Jesus? * Jesus came for you personally. What does this mean to you? Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us