SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life John 6:68
NEWS: We celebrated Transfiguration Sunday yesterday, with 39 worshipping in person with us and more online. Pastor Joel started a new Bible study in the book of Genesis and that will continue for several weeks. We give thanks to the Lord for his service to us and also to all who served our congregation yesterday. We also thank those who helped set up and clean up after our Potluck.
We are entering the Lenten season nd so the Tuesday evening Bible study is now on hiatus until after Easter.
Ash Wednesday is two days from now and we will begin midweek Lenten services this Wednesday at 7:00 PM. We will celebrate the Eucharist and we hope you can attend. On the following Wednesday’s we will serve Potluck meals in our Community/Fellowship building at 6:00 PM, with our services at 7 PM in the sanctuary. Please mark your calendars!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Jerome family: Denae, Christopher and Evelyn.
READINGS: Psalm 16; Psalm 90; Job 15:1-23, 30-35; John 6:60-71
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Blessed Are You”
Psalm 32:1-2 – Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
“Blessed” can be a difficult word to pin down as far as definitions go. In Scripture, the word blessed is sometimes used to praise and glorify God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Peter 1:3a). We may speak of being blessed with family, friends, or good health, and we give thanks for those gifts of God. To be blessed can mean to be happy, although it is much more than that. To be blessed is to receive the favor of God. We are blessed as God turns His shining face towards us, as we so often hear in the benediction at the close of worship: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
The psalmist speaks of an even more important gift of God, a blessing beyond all others: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Forgiveness is gift of divine favor, of God’s grace. It is a blessing that we could never earn by our own efforts. The apostle Paul uses these psalm verses to describe “the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works” (Romans 4:6b).
The Lord Jesus, whose blood cleanses us from all sin, spoke of the blessed in the Beatitudes of His Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:3-10). Although the Beatitudes may be considered in many different ways, they also reflect the blessings that are ours when our sins are covered by Jesus’ blood. The poor in spirit, the mourning and the meek are brought into the kingdom of God’s Son and humbly receive the comfort found in forgiveness. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are fully satisfied, blessed to be clothed by faith in the righteousness of Christ.
The merciful seek to forgive as they have been forgiven. Purity of heart belongs to those who are cleansed of sin by Jesus’ blood. The psalmist describes the blessed pure in heart as people “in whose spirit there is no deceit.” The peacemakers know that in conflict, forgiveness can bring healing because they have been healed by the Savior’s wounds.
In what is perhaps Jesus’ most astonishing pronouncement in the Beatitudes, the persecuted are also called blessed. The good news of repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ Name is not always welcome among those who hear it. Sadly, many will choose to reject the blessing of that blood-bought forgiveness. Yet in the power of the Holy Spirit, those who hear and believe receive forgiveness for their sins and join the eternal ranks of the blessed!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, lead me to bless others with the good news of forgiveness through faith in Your Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are five blessings God has given you?
2. How does God make us righteous before Him apart from our own effort?
3. Can we be persecuted and blessed at the same time?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 31-33 Mark 3:1-19
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:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Below is our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
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
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
