SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023
In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Psalm 119:88 ESV
NEWS: Thanksgiving Worship! We will celebrate this on Saturday at 2:00 in the chapel. Be sure to bring those neighbors, friends, relatives, and co-workers.
Thankfeast 2023! A nearly 50 year tradition of our church. It begins at 2:30. Enjoy… and please don’t just “eat-and-run” but make a point to fellowship, share, talk – especially with our guests and perhaps with folks you don’t know that well.
Donating Food for the Thankfeast? Please bring your contribution to the Community Building between 1:45-1:55 – ready to be served. Amanda Cerny will be there to set out your contribution. Then proceed to the Chapel; worship begins promptly at 2:00.
Set Up for the Thankfeast will be on Saturday at 10:00. Please help with cleaning, set up and decorations. Thanks!!
PRAYERS: Today we remember Charlotte Neblett in our prayers. Charlotte asks prayers that a med the doctor gave her is going to work.
READINGS: Daniel 10;, Psalm 119:81-88; 1 John 2:1-14
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
| “Until That Day”
November 17, 2023 |
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| Revelation 22:7a, 12a, 20b – Jesus boldly proclaims three times: “Behold, I am coming soon.” … “Behold, I am coming soon.” … “Surely, I am coming soon.” This is followed by the author’s deep reply, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at LHM.org.
It can be hard to be hopeful about the future, especially in today’s world. The headlines are filled with turmoil and uncertainty. News agencies and social media platforms constantly presenting fresh tragedies and traumas from around the world. And while I would like to think that it’s simply a matter of consuming less media, studies have found that a person’s ability to have hope in a better tomorrow is complex. Factors such as socioeconomic status, education, family history, mental health—all of these things play a role in determining if a person looks to the future with a sense of expectant joy or paralyzing uncertainty. And we as Christians, we’re not immune to the complexities of life nor the uncertainty those complexities bring.
You see, regardless of one’s faith, it’s difficult not knowing how every situation will turn out in the end. And while it’s true that we as Christians don’t know the outcome of every situation life can bring our way, there is one thing that we can be sure of, and that is how it will end. For we have hope, hope in the promise that Jesus will return and that when He does, the fullness of the life He has won for us will begin. The dead will be raised. The new heavens and earth will emerge, and our home with God will be revealed. And this hope is not based on a rumor or wish. No. Jesus Himself has assured us that once He has prepared a place for us in His Father’s house, that He will return.
In fact, Jesus’ final words in the book of Revelation are about this very thing. After all that’s happened, the creation, the fall, the promise of redemption, the waiting for a Savior, Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, the birth and ministry of the early church, all capped off with the book of Revelation’s panorama of salvation history and Jesus Himself saying, “Hold on, I’ll be right back.”
You see, Jesus hasn’t forgotten us, nor has He abandoned us to the uncertainties of life. For His advent is approaching, His return is imminent. And though we do not know when that day will come, we are called to live with vigilance, to live as children of the light. We are called to wait with patience, keeping our eyes fixed on the horizon, expectantly watching for the return of our King, embodying the values of God’s kingdom, extending grace, living with integrity and standing firm in the faith, even amidst life’s uncertainties and trials.
Now that Thanksgiving and the Christmas season are just around the corner, I don’t think it’s too early to leave you with a selection from my favorite Advent hymn: “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” a beautiful hymn which perfectly captures our thankfulness for the salvation Jesus has won for us and our confidence that one day He will return.
This is how it begins: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free. From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.”
While it is true that it can be hard to be hopeful about the future, and that the headlines are filled with turmoil and uncertainty, our hearts are filled with something, Someone, very different. It’s the joy of Jesus and the certainty in His promised return to which we cling.
WE PRAY: And we pray, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Tony Cook.
Reflection Questions:
1. It’s hard to escape the pull of social media. How do you sensibly manage it?
2. Jesus said He was coming soon. How soon do you think He meant when He said that?
3. Do you find peace in knowing Jesus will be returning at any time? Or do you hope He holds off long enough for you to accomplish all the things you want to do? (I know, tough question, right?) |
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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 Friday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
