SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
SVLC DEVOTION, EASTER WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
NEWS: No updates have been provided as of this writing. A Blessed midweek to all.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Amy Terrill. Amy requests prayers for her aunt Pauline and her family as Pauline is in ICU in Missouri.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, You destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. Grant that we who have been raised with him may abide in His presence and may rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalm 61; Colossians 3:1-7; John 21:1-14
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“From Then Until Now”
Revelation 1:4-8, 17-18 – John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” … When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
How God provides for His church in His Word! This is truly one of the most spectacular texts in the whole Bible. Here John has an awesome vision of Jesus that is meant to be shared with seven specific churches in Asia Minor and, in turn—down through the ages—with us. And what a message it is!
We’ve just spent time in these devotions pondering the last weeks of Jesus’ ministry in the season of Lent. During that time we considered His words of encouragement to His disciples. We read how He comforted them and told them that His death was not His final act but, rather, His victory over the powers of darkness. And all this was done that in Jesus we might have peace in God’s Son who overcame the world for us (see John 16).
God gives us His peace. In this world so filled with tension and uncertainties, God has stepped into our lives. This He did in the life of His Son who loves us and gave Himself for us (see Galatians 2:20). This is the message of victory John received to pass along to those seven churches—that Jesus is God’s “faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, the Ruler of kings on earth.”
This is God’s message for us, too. Twenty centuries later these words are as fresh and full of life as they were when John first heard them on the isle of Patmos. Jesus will come again—in God’s time. This is what the early churches needed to hear—that He who is the First and Last, the One who “has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom,” it is He who is coming back—and no other. And when He does, He will take us—His blood-bought children—to live and be with Him forever.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which rings out to us through the ages. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber.
Reflection Questions:
1. What new or fresh understanding did you take away from Lent this year?
2. How does knowing that Jesus has the keys of Death and Hades empower you?
3. How does God catch the attention of and speak to His church today?
Today’s Bible Readings: Judges 16-18 Luke 15:11-32
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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:
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Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
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A very blessed Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
