SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, MARCH 7
NEWS: A cool but beautiful morning led to 43 in attendance yesterday at our service, the first Sunday in Lent. Wednesday, we have our second mid-week Lenten service, led by our very own Pastor Joel. Things start with a Potluck meal in our Fellowship Hall at 6:15 PM, followed by our service at 7 in the sanctuary. We will be doing Potlucks before each midweek service for the duration of the Lenten season. Also, there are no midweek Bible studies during Lent. They will resume after Easter.
This coming Saturday we have our monthly Men’s Bible breakfast/study in our Fellowship Hall at 9 AM. From 10 to Noon we have our monthly work party to tidy up our church and the surrounding property.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Margaret Paton.
READINGS: Psalm 2; Psalm 77; Psalm 130; Genesis 6:1-7:5; Mark 3:1-19
DEVOTION:
“DENY YOURSELF”
And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26)
People talk a lot about self-denial. Sometimes it’s in connection with dieting or trying to get healthier; sometimes it’s during Lent. But many people make a big mistake—thinking that the whole point of it is the suffering they feel. “If it is hard for me,” they think, “that means I’m doing it right.”
But that isn’t why Jesus told His disciples to deny themselves. He told them to “follow Me.” The whole point was the following—the trusting—the obedient, loving life of a disciple who was glad to let God use him to bring others to faith in Jesus. If you live this way, losing your life for Jesus’ sake and for His mission, you can bet there will be suffering involved. You may have to do all sorts of things that are contrary to your normal wishes—big, small, even terribly painful. But the pain is not the point. Belonging to Jesus is.
How could it be otherwise, when we belong to the one who laid down His life on the cross for us—only to take it up again when He rose from the dead? “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also” (John 12:26a). And in the end, we will be with the Lord—in joy and blessedness.
THE PRAYER: Help me, Lord, as I learn to follow You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you “give something up for Lent”? If so, does it help you? How?
* What about “taking something up” instead—something that draws you closer to Jesus?
* Will there be self-denial in heaven? Why or why not?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 23-24 Mark 10:32-52
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” or “Download Linked File As”
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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
