SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
NEWS: A big Thank You to all who brought food to our Potluck meal last night and participated in our midweek Lenten service. We also thank Pastor Joel for his message on confession and the forgiveness of our God, using King David as an example. See Psalm 32
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Gordon and Lois Friske.
READINGS: Psalm 82; Psalm 18; Genesis 45:1-20, 24-28; Mark 13:1-23
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“TRUTH AND LIES”
Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against Him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” (Luke 22:52-53)
There is a thing called “gaslighting.” It means messing with someone else’s head—lying and acting in a way that makes the other person doubt their senses, their own ability to tell what is real.
Jesus points out that this is what the people arresting Him are doing. They have come out to arrest Him heavily armed—even though He never did a single bit of harm to anybody, and in fact has been teaching the people peacefully every day in the temple itself! Their behavior is not just violent, it is a lie, and no wonder—for they are doing the work of the devil, who is the father of lies (see John 8:44).
Jesus’ protest seems to make no difference in the moment; they still arrest Him, take Him away, and ultimately kill Him. And yet it does make a difference, because it is a statement of truth by the One who is Truth incarnate (see John 14:6). It shows us, even years later, that what was happening that night was not an ordinary arrest, or a mistake, or even a political kidnapping; it was the devil opposing God Himself.
And why? Because God was doing something wonderful for us, the people the devil had taken captive with his lies. God was working to rescue us—by laying down His own life on the cross to break the power of darkness and rescue us. Now that Jesus has risen from the dead, all of us who trust in Him are free—children of God, alive forever.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for rescuing us. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you think there is such a thing as a “little white lie”? Why or why not?
* If you are willing, tell about a time when lies made trouble in your life.
* What does it mean to you personally, to know Jesus as the Truth?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 20-22 Luke 6:1-26
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.
