SVLC DEVOTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 NEWS: Link of the Week: 7 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5MixnfieIQ&list=PLDuiZ9TONKRRW33rAGG6fRpb5cNEBq9jg&index=1

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Debbie and Allen Kolkman in our prayers. Prayers are requested for Debbie’s sister Gail, dealing with lung issues. Also for their grandchildren.

 READINGS: Psalm 131; Joel 3:1-21; Romans 12:14-13:14

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Who Cares?” January 24, 2024

 

1 Corinthians 8:1-4, 7-13 – Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” … However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. That was the question that was always in our minds in the early days of our Vietnamese mission work—who cares? Who is going to be confused or surprised or angry because of the choices we make, the words we speak, the foods we eat? Vietnam is a very different place than mainstream America, and it was important for us to avoid giving offense while we were telling people about Jesus. And so it was important for me, Kari, to avoid drinking beer in public when I was among the Vietnamese. Not that there’s any sin in drinking beer—but by custom, Vietnamese women do not drink alcohol in public, and if I did such a thing, I would make it really hard for anybody to pay attention to what I had to say about Jesus. So for love’s sake, I would ask for a Coke or tea. Then I could talk about Jesus and people would be ready to hear. Paul recommends that we think carefully about what we do for the same reason. Our rights are not that important, compared to Jesus. They need to hear about Him. They need to hear about the One who is God Himself, come down from heaven to be a Man. They need to know that He loves them so much that He gave Himself into death for their sake, so that they could be forgiven and cleansed and healed and made new. They need to know that He rose from the dead and promises to share that same new, everlasting life with everyone who trusts in Him, for free. This is the Jesus we know. Let’s live in such a way that other people come to know Him, too. WE PRAY: Dear Holy Spirit, use me so that others will come to trust in Jesus. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. What little things offend you so that you can’t pay attention to a message? 2. When have you been able to share your faith in Jesus with someone? 3. How far will you go to change your free choices to make it easier for someone else to believe?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Job 38-40; Matthew 15:21-39

 

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