SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, MARCH 10
NEWS: Thanks to all who participated in our Potluck and attended our Lenten service last night. We had 30 in attendance!
Saturday morning the guys meet for their monthly Bible study and breakfast at 9 AM in the Fellowship Hall. After the study, breakfast and coffee, the monthly Work Party commences. It goes from 10 AM to Noon and anyone can help us fix up, tidy up and maintain our church and property.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Chris Roth.
Also, from the Lutheran Service Book (LSB): Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is your gracious will that your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed and, according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred and enmity. Help us, by your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
READINGS: Psalm 107:23-32; Psalm 47; Psalm 32; Genesis 11:27-12:20; Mark 4:21-41
DEVOTION:
“ATTACK!”
Now He was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons.” … But [Jesus], knowing their thoughts, said to them … “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.” (Luke 11:14-15, 17a, 20-22)
When is it a good thing to be a robber? When you’re robbing the original robber, of course!
And that is the way Jesus describes Himself when it comes to the devil and his power. The devil is strong, very strong, and he has many stolen things in his power. They include men, women, and children—human beings whom God made and loves, but whom the devil has enslaved and kept in darkness. He doesn’t want to let them go free. He guards them day and night.
But then Jesus comes—and He is much stronger than the devil. He attacks the devil and overcomes him. He breaks Satan’s grip on us and sets us all free. And now whoever belongs to Jesus is not a slave, but a child of God.
This is a good way to look at what Jesus was doing on the cross. Through His own death and resurrection, He overcame the power of evil. He broke Satan’s grip on us. And He set us all free.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for setting me free. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Does it surprise you to think about Jesus attacking and fighting and winning? Why or why not?
* When have you felt like a slave?
* How has Jesus helped you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 1-2 Mark 12:1-27
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
