SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:7 ESV
NEWS: It was a cool but wonderfully sunny day as we worshipped our Lord yesterday. There were 42 who attended in person with more joining us online. Thank you to all who served and thanks to Pastor Joel for his teaching us more about Genesis and for leading our worhip…a great message he had too in the sermon.
Wednesday evening we have our last midweek Lenten service and Potluck meal for the season, with Holy Week starting next Sunday. Our church doors will open at 5:30 PM for prayer time, followed by the meal at 6 in our Community building. We’ll be in our sanctuary at 7 for the service. Pastor Joel will base his sermon once again on the book of Jonah.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Barb and Gunti Galleisky.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 9:13-31; Psalm 80; Luke 8:1-8
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“KING OF THE JEWS”
And they bound Him and led Him away and delivered Him over to Pilate the governor. … The governor asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. (Matthew 27:2, 11b-14)
There are times when talking will do no good. Pilate asks, “Are You the King of the Jews?” and gets less of an answer than he expected. For Jesus to answer that question fully, it would take hours … maybe days. A king in what sense? By whose standards? Why do you want to know? It would take a theology lecture!
Pilate isn’t much interested, anyway. But we ought to be—because who Jesus is makes all the difference to us. Who is this King of the Jews? Isaiah gives us the answer: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer … I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you'” (Isaiah 44:6a, 22).
Jesus is the Lord, the King of Israel and Israel’s Redeemer. He has come in Person to save His people—and not just Israel alone, but all the world. He is our Redeemer too, because He Himself took away our sins on the cross. Because of His death and resurrection, all our sins are like mist that blows away on the wind—gone forever.
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for becoming our Redeemer. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What do you think Pilate was thinking of when he said “King of the Jews”?
* In what sense is God “King” of Israel?
* Why do you think God came Himself instead of delegating our salvation to someone else?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 8-10 Luke 4:1-30
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
