SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, MARCH 1st
A HAPPY, BLESSED MARCH TO ALL!
(In the Midwest we said March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb!)
NEWS: Tomorrow evening we begin the Lenten season with our Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 PM. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and for those who desire, Pastor Joel will apply ashes to the forehead. Starting next week, we will have Potluck meals before each Lenten service, starting at 6:00 PM, in our Fellowship Hall, before our 7:00 PM services. Also note that the Women’s Wednesday evening Bible study is now on hiatus until after Lent.
Thursday evening our Board of Directors meet, in person, at 7:00 PM in our Fellowship Hall. This is our first in-person meeting since the Covid crisis began two years ago.
Friday evening, “Wine on The Patio” takes place at the Kolkman’s house but it will be in the living room this time! Please bring something to share, adult or all-ages drinks, finger foods, treats or deserts. It goes from 6:30 to 8 PM.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Linda Johnson. She is still dealing with left elbow problems and we ask God’s help and healing. We pray for Keith Niblett’s friend, who’s 12-year-old son is in Rady’s Children’s Hospital with diabetes. We lift to the Lord Krag Ross, who had a heart procedure yesterday. Also, for Margaret Paton’s son-in law, who has a drainage tube in him after recent brain surgery. Continued prayers for the people of the Ukraine, their friends, family and relatives and the leaders of their country. Also, for other free world leaders with their decision making regarding the crisis and for Vladimir Putin, Chinese leaders and North Korea, that the Lord can turn their hearts and minds to him.
READINGS: Psalm 82; Psalm 140; Job 33:1-18; John 10:22-42
DEVOTION:
“Saying Thank You”
Deuteronomy 26:1-4, 11 – “When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make His Name to dwell there. And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.’ Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God. … And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.”
Moses gave the Israelites an instruction to follow once they made it to the Promised Land; they were to take some of their first harvest, put it in a basket, and take it to the Lord’s house. Then they were to formally confess that God had kept His promise—that He had brought them safely out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, and led them safely to their new home. And then they were supposed to celebrate!
This is a great model for us to follow, too. Because we, too, have been slaves—not in Egypt, but slaves to sin. We have been prisoners under the power of evil, people without hope and without help, doomed to death. Then Jesus came to rescue us with an outstretched arm and with mighty power. He came down to us from heaven and became one of us, so that we would be His people and He would be our relative, our Redeemer. He suffered and died for us on the cross, breaking forever the power of death and evil. And He rose from the dead to share that freedom with us—every one of us who believes in Him.
So it is right for us to look around us and remember everything God has done for us. We too can come to the Lord in prayer and say: “I and all my family were in trouble, oppressed by the power of the devil. But You, O Lord, saw our suffering, and You came to us. You set us free at the price of Your own life, and You brought us safely into Your kingdom. And now I come to You to remember this and to give You thanks with my whole heart. This is what You have done for me, and I am Yours forevermore.”
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for delivering us and bringing us into the freedom and joy of Your kingdom. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When was the last time you said thank you to someone? For what?
2. Can you remember a time when you were not part of the family of God? If so, what was it like?
3. What is one specific area in which you have seen God setting you free from evil?
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 13 Mark 7:14-37
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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:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
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.
