SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3
NEWS: It appears our rainy weather is past, at least for a little while. It’s a good time to worship[ together again tomorrow in God’s house. The day will start will Bible study at 9 AM. Pastor Joel will review the third week of our five week study in the book, “Why Pray.” I believe there are still copies available for anyone who hasn’t picked one up. It’s a daily devotional which takes 5 to 10 minutes at most to read through each day.
Our worship service follows at 10 AM and the title of Pastor Joel’s sermon this week is, “Teach Us To Fish.” It’s based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 4:12-25 Our other readings are Isaiah 9:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 After we’ve taken the Lord’s Supper and our service is complete, please join us for fellowship time with coffee and goodies. Our fellowship then continues at the Pit Stop Diner, off Mission Ave., near El Camino Real. It’s a great place to catch a late breakfast or lunch!
PRAYERS: Today we pray fir Charlotte Neblett. Charlotte gives thanks to the Lord for the good health he has blessed her and her family with.
READINGS: Psalm 20; Psalm 13; Joel 1:1-20; Romans 10:1-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“God Reigns Over All”
Genesis 1:2-3 – The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
As God reigned over the darkness at creation, so He still reigns, hovering over the darkness that sin has brought into this world. The Word that God speaks over our chaotic world is nothing less than His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the eternal Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5). Jesus Christ is God’s Word of light sent into the chaos of our world.
Jesus died so that our corrupted human nature could be restored to holiness and purity. That’s why St. Paul says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). When you believe that, you start to trust the Bible when it tells you that there’s a new day coming for you.
In fact, God in His goodness is moving everything toward a new day. The corrupted world of nature will also be set free from its bondage to sin. Paul writes in Romans: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (Romans 8:19-22).
So, when you begin to doubt whether God really cares for you, then it’s time for faith. Let the Word of Light, the Word that is Christ, be decisive in your life. God the Father gave so much for you. He gave His Son to restore your fallen nature to holiness in His sight. By Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, you can have full confidence that God cares for you and that over the darkness in your life—God still hovers. Let His Son, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, scatter your doubts and assure you that the Heavenly Father cares deeply for you.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, illumine our hearts and dispel our fears with the light of Your Son Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.
Taken from “Over The Darkness, God Hovers,” a sermon by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever been out at sea in the dark? Where were you and what was that like?
2. What do think of when you read “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”?
3. Is there comfort in knowing that though life in this world can be chaotic God is still in charge?
Today’s Bible Readings: Job 32-33 Matthew 14:1-21
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/
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
