SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
NEWS: Tonight we have our third midweek Lenten service. It starts with a Potluck at 6:15 PM in our Fellowship Hall. I was incorrect in saying there is no signup sheet for these. Anyone can still contribute food or a dessert item to share. Our service takes place at 7 in the sanctuary. Pastor Joel is talking about Psalms on The Way to The Cross in his Lenten sermon series..
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Bill and Pat Sperberg. We pray for Pat, dealing with an ongoing upper respatory issue and for their four year old granddaughter in Texas, having what is a minor health issue at this time.
READINGS: Psalm 66; Psalm 6; Genesis 22:1-19; Mark 7:1-23
DEVOTION:
“GOOD NEWS”
On the way to Jerusalem He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests. “And as they went they were cleansed. (Luke 17:11-14)
I wonder sometimes about the priests—you know, the ones Jesus sent the people He healed to visit. How did they react when those people walked in?
It wasn’t as if the priests had no idea what to do. In Leviticus 13-14, God gave the priests the responsibility to check on cases of leprosy and decide whether people were ill or not. People with leprosy would have to live as outcasts, away from family and friends. Leprosy did so much harm to people that in the Bible this disease is used as a symbol for sin.
If a person recovered, the priest could certify the recovery and send him or her home free. The healed person would wash and offer a sacrifice, and then be free to return to normal life—healthy, happy, clean.
But I doubt that happened very often. Leprosy was incurable before the discovery of modern drugs. For the priests, leprosy meant delivering bad news, again and again and again.
But not today. Today, the priests could give them good news. “Jesus has made you well,” they could say. It’s the same thing any Christian can say: “Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus makes you well from sin. Wash in the waters of Baptism and be clean. Because of Jesus, you have your life back again—everlasting life, Jesus’ gift to you!”
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for healing me from sin! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What do you think the healed people did first of all after seeing the priest?
* In what ways does sin resemble a disease?
* Tell about a time when Jesus brought healing to some aspect of your life.
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 15-16 Mark 14:54-72
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 Wednesdayday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
