SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2023
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31
NEWS: Our fifth midweek Lenten service takes place this evening. The church doors open at 5:30 PM for prayer time. At 6 PM we have a Potluck meal for all in the Community building. We return to church at 7 for our Lenten worship service and to hear Pastor Joel continue his sermon series on the book of Jonah.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Doan family: Chad, Marika, Lucille and Lydia.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 6:28-42; Psalm 76; Luke 6:20-36
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“I MUST DO IT”
Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Matthew 26:50b-54)
There are a lot of excuses for what Peter did. He woke up suddenly—he panicked—an innocent man was in danger. He was defending the Son of God! So why did Jesus blame him?
Well, Peter is outnumbered and likely to die. Plus it’s ridiculous for a fisherman with a sword to defend someone with a zillion angels at His command!
But the deepest problem is one we share, too. Peter didn’t ask Jesus—he just pulled out his sword and started swinging. In his mind, everything depended on him. “I need to deal with this problem. I alone can fix it. I’m going to use force to make this come out the way God wants it to happen.” Sound familiar?
The truth is, we are not the Messiah. God can run the universe without us. He has all the power and wisdom—not us. And so when bad things happen, we look to Him in trust and obedience, asking what He wants us to do. Because Jesus is the Messiah—and He lay down His life for all of us, friends and enemies alike.
WE PRAY: Lord, keep my eyes on You instead of my own plans. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What you think of Peter’s aim?
* Do you tend to act first or think first?
* When something bad happens, how do you go about dealing with it?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Numbers 31-33 Luke 1:39-56
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
