SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 ESV

 NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study takes place this evening at the the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 as “Jesus Says: A Study of the Sermon on the Mount” continues. All are invited to attend!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Suzette and Leonard Prokopin in our prayers.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 1; Psalm 119:113-120; 1 John 4

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Rescued from Our Fellow Sheep” November 21, 2023

 

Ezekiel 34:11, 12b, 14a, 15a, 16, 20b-24 – “Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out. … I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. … I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. … I Myself will be the Shepherd of My sheep …. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. … Behold, I, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue My flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.” We’re used to thinking of God as judging the wolves who prey upon His sheep—outsiders harming Christians. But here God talks about sheep that are harming other sheep. And God takes this very, very seriously. What kinds of harm are we talking about? God describes it in terms of physical violence—pushing and thrusting with horns. This isn’t just a minor tiff over the altar flowers! God also describes it as a kind of inequity—one sheep becomes fat and strong, while another is malnourished. The strong sheep no longer see the weaker ones as brothers and sisters; they see them as prey animals to be devoured. It’s the kind of harm that results in other Christians being “scattered abroad” instead of staying safely inside God’s flock; people leave the church and possibly even Christ Himself. If you have been a victim of serious harm in the church, know that God has not forgotten you. He knows what has happened to you, and He cares. He will not just smooth over the evil that has happened! A day of judgment is coming, when God will put all such evils outside His kingdom forever. But what do we do in the meantime? God says, “And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David.” This refers to Jesus, our Good Shepherd. He sees what is going on in His flock, and He will not ignore it! Run to Him for help. Cling to Him as closely as you can; He knows what it is like to suffer at the hands of those who made Him a prey, too. Let Him care for you and comfort you. He who lay down His life to make you His own will not ignore you now. WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, You are our Shepherd. Have mercy on Your sheep who suffer, and stop those who do evil. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. Briefly, what kinds of evils have you seen committed within the church? 2. Why do you think such things can happen among people called by Jesus’ Name? 3. What could you do to prevent this kind of harm and to care for those who have already suffered?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 16-17; 2 Timothy 2

 

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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us