SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5
NEWS: We return to the Lord’s house for our third midweek Lenten service this evening. The doors open at 5:30 PM for prayer time. Anyone can come and join us. Prayers could be for our church, the community surrounding our church, for Oceanside, our county, our state… Or if there are personal needs, that can be included as well. At 6 PM we have a Potluck meal in our Community/Fellowship Hall. Feel free to bring a dish, appetizer or soft drinks tom share. Then we proceed back to our sanctuary for our 7 PM service. Pastor Joel will continue his midweek service sermon theme on the book of Jonah.
Tomorrow evening the Board of Directors have their monthly meeting, online via Zoom, at 7 PM. Please look for the email that Bruce Woodward sent out on Monday with the link.
Saturday morning is the monthly Men’s Bible study/Breakfast at 9 AM in our Community Building. All guys are invited to join in for the great fellowship, food and learning of God’s word that we always have! Then at 10 the monthly work party takes place and goes until Noon. This is where we fix up, clean up and tidy up our church and property. Anyone is welcome to pitch in for as much time as they can spare
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Chris Roth. Chris requests prayers for friends of his who will be travelling by air coming up. We’ll ask prayers for Chris safety as hen is a Fed Ex driver and delivery person. We include Kyle Ross as well as he continues driving north to help his elderly parents each day.
READINGS: Micah 3:9-12; Psalm 62; Luke 1:67-80
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“GLORY OR SUFFERING?”
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:21-24)
How embarrassing for Peter! He thought he knew better than Jesus. But he was wrong. His eyes were on glory—but Jesus’ eyes were on the cross.
In our world, nothing lasts forever—nothing comes to glory—unless it dies first. As Jesus said in John 12:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Jesus intended to bring back the whole human race to God the Father as His forgiven and dearly loved children. To make that happen, Jesus would be the seed that died and was buried; we would become His fruit.
As followers of Jesus, we share in His sufferings. We struggle with temptation. The Holy Spirit teaches us to put God’s kingdom first. And we lean on Jesus for strength and comfort—because He is our Savior, and He will never let us down.
WE PRAY: Keep my heart set on You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What other examples do you know where suffering results in blessing?
* Why does Jesus talk about our lives as taking up the cross and following Him?
* When did Jesus help you through suffering?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 25 Mark 11:1-18
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
