WSVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023

 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:4 ESV

 NEWS: Tomorrow we have our last midweek Lenten service and Potluck meal. Our church doors 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. Next week is Holy Week and we will have services at 7 PM for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. There are no meals before those.

 PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Jerome family: Denae, Chris and Evelyn. They give prayers of thanks for being healthy now after dealing with bouts of flu or a bug of some type.

 READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10; Psalm 81; Luke 8:9-18

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“DREAMS AND TRUTH” March 28, 2023

 

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. … Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered Him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man, for I have suffered much because of Him today in a dream.” (Matthew 27:15, 17b, 18-19) I wonder about that dream that Pontius Pilate’s wife had about Jesus. Was it from God? Was it something she dreamed just because Jesus was in the news, and she was thinking about Him? God certainly can use dreams if He wants to. But then, of course, we run into the problem of knowing whether the dream is truly from God or not. We know if a dream contradicts what we know about God from the Bible, you should not pay attention to it. So a dream that leads us to do something wrong is definitely not from God. If we think we might really have a message from God, the best thing we can do is pray and consult with fellow Christians—especially the wise and experienced ones. Above all, we put our faith and hope in Jesus Christ, who lay down His life for us and He rose from the dead to make us God’s children. No dream is as important as Him. Jesus is the heart of everything for us; let’s hold on to Him, for He is certainly holding on to us. WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, keep my attention fixed on You forever. Amen. Reflection Questions: * Do you find dreams and prophecies exciting or scary? * Do they draw you closer to Jesus or further away? * Have you ever had a dream you thought was from God? Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Deuteronomy 11-13; Luke 4:31-44

 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