SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022
NEWS: There were 37 who gathered in person yesterday in God’s house, with more joining us online. Thank you to all who served our congregation and to Pastor Joel, for leading our Bible study and conducting our worship service.
Tomorrow the Tuesday evening Bible study resumes at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 with a devotion, followed by the study material, then fellowship time with coffee and some goodies. Things wrap up about 8. All are invited to attend.
THANKFEAST happens this Saturday. If you missed signing up to bring something, please contact Allen Kolkman by email and he will help you out. We are having a brief service this year, starting at 2:00 PM sharp, in our sanctuary. For those bringing food or drinks, please drop that off in our Community/Fellowship building before 2 so it can be sorted and made ready. Our service will last 30 minutes and include the Lord’s Supper. Then we’ll proceed to have our meal together.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Charlene Simpson.
READINGS: Psalm 53; Psalm 55:12-19; Jeremiah 29:1-19; Matthew 26:36-56
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Safely Held”
Psalm 46:6-7 – The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Sadly, we have become accustomed to seeing frightening news. We hear endless reports of nations raging and modern-day kingdoms tottering on the brink of collapse. As frightening as these events are, we should not be surprised at any of it because Jesus said that these things would happen. The terrifying events do not necessarily indicate the immediate end of the world, although that will come according to God’s perfect plan. The raging nations serve as an early warning, a call to pay attention: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). To our earthly point of view these raging kingdoms appear to be out of control, but they are firmly under the Lord’s authority. It is God who “makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and leads them away” (Job 12:23). The earth melts at His voice.
While all of this is raging around us, what are we to do? We cannot pretend that these events are not happening, but we do have a safe place to hide, as the psalmist declares: “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Yet while we are surrounded by that safe place, we have work to do. The Lord who holds kingdoms in His hand is the Lord who loves this raging world. He suffered and died for the sins of all people and He has commanded us to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations. God sends us out among those raging nations and tottering kingdoms armed with the good news of salvation in Jesus’ Name. The LORD of hosts, that is, the LORD of the armies of heaven, goes with us, surrounding us with His love and care and empowering us with His Spirit. God is our fortress, but He is not a place of retreat. He is a fortress on the move!
We long for the day of Jesus’ return, the day when people of every nation and kingdom must bow before the King of kings. Until that great day, and through these difficult times, we are called to remain faithful—and to look up! The rage of the nations is another reminder that our Lord is coming soon, but in these frightening days Jesus tells us, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). The Lord who keeps the raging nations under His authority holds each one of us in His strong hand. We are safe there and we have work to do.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, keep us safe in Your care as we proclaim the Good News of salvation. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Though we “hear of wars and rumors of wars,” why did Jesus say we should not be alarmed?
2. Can you give any current examples of nations raging and kingdoms tottering?
3. How is it possible to draw courage from even the difficult circumstances going on around us?
Today’s Bible Readings: Daniel 11-12 1 Timothy 1
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
