SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023
A BLESSED APRIL TO EVERYONE!
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Please refer to the Shepherd of The Valley Church Newsletter that Allen Kolkman sent out yesterday.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Margie and Allen Latall. We both request prayers for good health.
READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16, 17; Psalm 85; Luke 9:1-9
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“PAIN KILLER”
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when He tasted it, He would not drink it. (Matthew 27:33-34)
Jesus refused to drink the painkiller they offered Him just before they hammered in the nails. I doubt the wine and gall mixture was very effective; still, He turned it down.
Why? I’m not sure. Some people think He wanted to keep a clear head for the rest of the time remaining to Him. That makes sense to me.
Because Jesus Himself wasn’t yet finished with His own work of killing other people’s pain. There was His mother standing right there in her grief, and His disciple John, too. There were the two men dying on either side of Him. All of these were in pain and needed something from Jesus. He had things to say and do before His final breath.
And so He did them—gave Mary into John’s care, so they could comfort one another; listened patiently to the ranting of the two dying robbers; and promised paradise to the one who changed his mind and asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. He was still Jesus—still killing pain and bringing new life, even as He hung there dying.
And now that He has risen from the dead, He’s still doing it—still reaching out to us in our pain, still strengthening and comforting us, making sure we don’t go through it alone. And to anyone who will trust in Him He gives life, forgiveness, and peace.
WE PRAY: Thank You, Lord, for helping me when I am in pain. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* When is the last time you felt pain?
* Which do you think is worse, physical or emotional pain? Why?
* Tell about a time when God cared for you through something painful.
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 23-25 Luke 6:27-49
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
