SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4
NEWS: Tomorrow evening we will open our church at 5:30 PM for prayer time. This will include our church, surrounding neighborhood, Oceanside, our county and state and whatever other prayer needs are on someones mind. At 6 PM we have our first midweek Potluck meal of the Lenten service. This takes place in the Community/Fellowship Hall. At 7 PM we have our second Lenten service, back in our sanctuary. The theme for Pastor Joel’s sermon’s are the Old Testament book of Jonah. Please plan to join us!
The Board of Director’s usually meet the first Thursday of the month. This coming month, March, we will meet on the second Thursday, March 9th, to be exact. Please plan accordingly.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Charlotte Neblett. Charlotte asks prayers for continued good health. Tom and Gloria Mo0rofski also give thanks to God for healing them from severe colds they had been dealing with for a couple of weeks.
READINGS: Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 54; Galatians 5:1-15
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“ARMS AND LEGS”
And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. These twelve Jesus sent out … (Matthew 10:1-5a)
Very early in His ministry, Jesus called disciples to learn from Him. But they would do more than that—they would go out into the cities and villages ahead of Him and teach and preach and heal. They would get things ready for Him to come there. You could call them His arms and legs. They did the work that a single man could never do.
So early on we see Jesus assembling the body of Christ around Him! These are the people who will serve Him, yes; these are the people who will be eyewitnesses to His suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection. And these are the people who will ultimately carry the Good News to the ends of the earth—to you and to me, so that we can believe.
I am so glad Jesus chose these people! If He had not, how would we know about Him at all? They told us the Good News faithfully, and gave their lives to make sure that we would hear it.
Now it’s our turn. Who will hear about Jesus from us?
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, use me so that others will trust in You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What kind of people did Jesus choose for His disciples?
* Why do you think He chose these kinds of people?
* How is Jesus using you right where you live?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 11-12 Mark 7:1-13
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
