SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: We had a very blessed day in the Lord’s house yesterday. There were 38 who attended in person, with more worshipping online. Thanks to all who assisted in our worship service and to Pastor Joel, for leading our Bible study and worship service. We are very blessed and SVLC to have him as our pastor!
We look to Wednesday evening now as we will have our next midweek Lenten service. Our church will open at 5:30 PM for pray time, followed by a Potluck meal at 6 PM in our Community building and then our service at 7 in the sanctuary. Pastor Joel will continue the sermon series on the book of Jonah. Please plan to join us!
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Terrill family: Amy, Abby, Lot and Asha.
READINGS: Micah 6:9-16; Psalm 67; Luke 3:23-38
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“HOUSE-CLEANING”
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant. (Matthew 21:12-15)
This is a decisive moment. Jesus’ enemies have long been looking for a way to get rid of Him. But when He cleans out the temple they have turned into a marketplace, He attacks them on what they think of as their own ground.
It isn’t, of course. It is God’s house, and God has every right to say what is done in it. And clearly God prefers the blind, the lame, and small children over cheating merchants. Wouldn’t you?
So Jesus cleans house. And His enemies will kill Him for it this same week.
But they don’t realize that Jesus’ suffering and death will cleanse more than just the temple. By laying down His life, Jesus will cleanse the hearts of God’s people—my heart and yours. He will throw out the evil that has lived there far too long, and replace it with healing, teaching, and praise. What we cannot do, Jesus does for us—making us the clean temple of God.
WE PRAY: Lord, make me clean and live in me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Would you be able to worship with an animal market going on beside you?
* What are some modern ways people abuse the worship of God?
* What is the place of small children in worship? Why?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 7-8 Mark 13:21-37
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
