SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, APRIL 4
NEWS: A beautiful day in and around God’s house yesterday for our Fifth Sunday in Lent. It’s hard to believe that next week is Palm Sunday already! We have one more midweek Lenten service, this Wednesday. We’ll do a Potluck at 6:15 PM again (the last one for this Lent) with Pastor Joel leading our church service at 7. This Friday is, “Wine on The Patio” at the Kolkman’s house from 6:30 to 8n PM. Inside or outside? We’ll see, but the weathger is supposed to be HOT later this week. Stay tuned!
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Berand Kirschner.
READINGS: Psalm 31:9-14; Psalm 116; Psalm 130; Exodus 2:1-22; Mark 14:32-52
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“GETTING OUT OF IT”
[Then the religious leaders] began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this Man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a king.” And Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said … “I find no guilt in this Man.” But they were urgent … And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. (Luke 23:2b-5a, 7)
It’s clear that Pilate wants nothing to do with Jesus’ case. He does a brief examination, and when the religious leaders won’t stop yammering, Pilate finds another dodge. He ships Jesus off to King Herod on the grounds that He is a Galilean. Maybe Herod will take care of the problem for him.
You might recognize this game from your workplace—or your community, or even your church. “It’s not my problem, someone else can deal with it.”
What a good thing that God does not take the same attitude with us! When we are in deep trouble, He pays attention. He involves Himself. He focuses His wisdom and concern on us, and He stretches out His hand to pull us out.
That’s what Jesus was doing that very day as He stood before Pilate. He was God in the flesh, getting involved, pulling His people out of the power of sin, death, and the devil. Nobody else could help us, but Jesus could. His suffering, death, and resurrection would remake our world and redeem us to be free, blessed, living children of God.
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for making us Your problem. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What is a problem you have tried to get out of handling, big or small? Did it work?
* Why would you choose to handle a problem rather than sloughing it off on someone else?
* By analogy, what does God’s choice say about His character and attitude toward us?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 30-31 Luke 8:1-25
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.
