SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:21
NEWS: This evening the Board of Directors meet online, via Zoom, at 7:00 PM. Please look for the email Bruce Woodward sent out on Monday that has the link. If you didn’t receive it, please contact Bruce. For all the rest of the news, please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Church Newsletter sent yesterday by Allen Kolkman.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Daria Roth. Daria requests prayers for yours truly, Allen, that his eye surgery goes well next Tuesday.
READINGS: Micah 4:1-5; Psalm 63; Luke 2:1-21
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“WHAT MATTERS”
[Jesus said] “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of My Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14)
Do you ever feel like there’s just no way you could really matter to God? You see the greatness of the universe and the holiness of God, and then you look at yourself and—well, it doesn’t make sense. How could God care about someone as small and as messed up as I am?
It’s a natural feeling, and it might be why Jesus told the story. After all, from a business point of view, a single lost sheep is no big deal. Why run the risk of leaving 99 other sheep on the mountains just to climb over rocks and through thorns and get tired and sweaty and possibly injured, all for a single silly sheep?
But the shepherd doesn’t think this way. To him, this sheep is precious—infinitely precious. It isn’t just another entry in the ledger book. He loves the sheep, and he will do whatever he must to bring it back safely.
So too with God. He isn’t looking at you from a business point of view. He’s looking at you with eyes of love—the same love that drove Him into this world to become your Savior, to live and to die and to rise again—for you.
WE PRAY: I can’t understand it, but thank You, Lord, for loving me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Tell about a time when you saw someone really cared about you, yourself, as a person.
* Who or what do you care about, even though it’s unreasonable?
* Why do you think God cares so much about us, though we are little?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Leviticus 26-27 Mark 11:19-33
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
