SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022
NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study is back at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. The start time is 6:30 PM and the focus for this study series are the Parables of Jesus. There will be fellowship time after the study and things will conclude at 8. The study will go for five weeks before taking two off for the Holiday season. Then the study will return after the first of the New Year. All are invited to come!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Pat and Bill Sperberg. Bill requests prayers for Pat, who will be travelling home from Texas on Wednesday. Also, for all those who are travelling or will be for the Thanksgiving holiday.
READINGS: Psalm 51; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Matthew 26:57-75
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Hurt”
Malachi 3:13-17 – Your words have been hard against Me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping His charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.'” Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed His Name. “They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession.”
It’s not how most people think about God in my experience. But you can hear the note of sadness in God’s voice—”Your words have been hard against Me, says the Lord.” And immediately I think: Wait a minute. You heard that? You care about that? Why? After all, You’re God and I’m just a human being on a small planet in an incredibly huge universe. How can You even pay attention to our world, let alone the things I say?
But God does. He is the Maker of the universe and all its endless galaxies, yes. He keeps track of all the stars. But He also keeps track of all the atoms—every cell in your body, every word you speak. And these things matter to Him. He cares.
Well, that’s a bit awkward, isn’t it? Suddenly I have the urge to revisit all the careless things I’ve been saying. “Um, I didn’t really mean that, Lord. Or maybe I did, but the mood has passed and I feel different now. I mean, I wasn’t thinking things through. I didn’t think You were listening.”
It’s time to give up justifying myself. Better to say just “I’m sorry, Lord,” and throw myself on His mercy. Because at the back of that hurt there is everlasting love—it’s the reason our words matter to Him, isn’t it?
If He didn’t love us, He could just squash us and be done with it. But He won’t. He loves us intensely and calls us back to Him. He will go to any lengths to bring us back to Himself—even taking our guilt upon Himself as a human being, even suffering and dying on a cross. Even rising from the dead and promising to make us alive with Him forever as His children. We matter that much to Him. Jesus is the proof that God cares—and that He is calling us back to Himself, whatever we have done or said. He wants you, and He loves you. Won’t you answer His call?
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I’m sorry. Bring me back. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you ever feel overlooked by God?
2. What makes it clear to you that He is paying attention—that He cares?
3. If our words can grieve Him, they can also please Him. What is a small thing you have done or said that you believe, by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, made Him happy?
Today’s Bible Readings: Psalms 137 Ezekiel 1-2 1 Timothy 2
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
