SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Tomorrow evening our fifth midweek Lenten service takes place. Our church will open at 5:30 PM for prayer time. At 6 PM we have a Potluck meal for all in the Community building. At 7 we are in our sanctuary for our service and to hear Pastor Joel c ontinue his sermon series on the book of Jonah.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Dee and Victor Dille. Dee requests prayers for her sons in their individual needs. They also request prayers for their health. We pray too for the family of Dee’s niece Tricia. Tricia passed away a week ago after being hospitalized with a serious illness.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 6:12-27; Psalm 75; Luke 6:12-19
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“KISS OF LIFE”
While He [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs … Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize Him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed Him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” … (Matthew 26:47a, 48-50a)
It’s really weird that Judas chose a kiss to indicate the man he intended to betray. Oh, I know that in those days, kissing was the way that you greeted people, much like a handshake today. But still, how could he stand it? To get that close to someone you were handing over to die, actually touching Him—it gives me the creeps.
But human kisses can be like that, aren’t they? So many marriages, so many friendships, even the relationship between parent and child—our love is tinted with betrayal. We break faith, we tell lies, or we just turn cold to the people who depend on us. And we can’t seem to stop it.
Who can help us? Only Jesus. He can take betrayers and remake us as faithful, loving human beings. He can do this miracle because He took all of our faithlessness upon Himself and carried it to the cross. He destroyed it there forever. And now that He has risen from the dead, He offers us the kiss of life—everlasting life, as God’s true and dearly loved children.
WE PRAY: Lord, give me a faithful heart full of Your love. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What does a kiss mean to you?
* What does it feel like when someone betrays you?
* How does it feel to know that Jesus will never, ever let you down?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 28-30 Luke 1:21-38
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
