SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10
NEWS: Ash Wednesday is tomorrow and we will begin midweek Lenten services 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 Linda Johnson.
READINGS: Psalm 84; Psalm 64; Job 16:1-22; John 7:1-13
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Trusting Strangers”
Genesis 3:1-2, 4b-6, 14-15 – Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’? … You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So … she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. … The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
The story of Adam and Eve frustrates me, because the two of them make such obvious mistakes. Have they ever met this snake before? No? Then why do they just believe whatever he says? On the other hand, they are very familiar with the God who created them. He even comes to the garden in the evenings for the pleasure of their company!
And yet, they choose to go with the snake’s reading of their situation. “God is withholding good things from you,” he says. “Listen to me and you’ll get all the good things you really deserve.” And they fall for it. Ugh!
They didn’t even take the time to go back to God that evening and ask for an explanation. They could have done that, you know—said, “Lord, we met this snake, and he said things, and they’re disturbing us. Can You help us understand this?” That would have been the sensible thing to do. But no—they were in a hurry, afraid of missing out, anxious to impress a stranger. And they sinned. And we’ve been dealing with the consequences ever since.
But then the Lord came to the garden—no stranger, but their old friend who had created them and given them the garden to enjoy. And He called for them—why? Surely He knew what they had done! They had disobeyed God’s command and insulted their dearest Friend by trusting a stranger over Him. God knew that—but He still wanted them anyway.
So He set about cleaning up the mess. He heard their confession, provided Adam and Eve with clothing, and warned them of the future to come. And He did one more thing—He promised to save us from the consequences of our own sin. Not through a stranger—no, He would come Himself to be our Savior.
God came to us as one of us—Jesus, the promised Offspring of the woman, who would crush the devil’s head at the cost of His own suffering. And He kept that promise—dying on the cross to buy us back from slavery to sin and death. Now that He has risen from the dead, He shares that joyful victory with every one of us who trusts in Him. Jesus is our oldest and dearest friend—now our Savior forever.
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for being both Friend and Savior to us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever trusted someone you shouldn’t have?
2. When has a friend helped you out of a bad situation?
3. How can you tell that Jesus is a trustworthy friend?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 34-35 Mark 3:20-35
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
