SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023
The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. John 12:23 ESV
NEWS: Our Maundy Thursday service is two days away. Maundy is the shortened version of the Latin word, mandatum (command.) See John 13:34 Our service starts at 7 PM and the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated. Then our solemn Good Friday service takes place, again at 7 PM.
PRAYERS: Today we lift up Charlotte Neblett in prayer.
COLLECT OF THE DAY: Almighty and everlasting God, grant us by Your grace so to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s passion that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:23-50
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“WORDS OF ANGER, WORDS OF TRUTH”
And those who passed by derided Him … So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now, if He desires Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:39a, 41-43)
It takes something special—something horrible—to make fun of a dying man. Jesus had done no harm to any of them, and wasn’t likely to do any in the future. A man nailed up on a cross is surely the most harmless of men.
It would have made far more sense for the angry words to be going the opposite direction.
But that’s not Jesus’ way, with them or with us. He came to us out of love, to rescue us—it was love that took Him to the cross. As the priests put it, “He saved others, He cannot save Himself.” They were right. He could not save Himself, because by His own choice He was making His lifeblood the ransom for our lives. And they were right, too, when they said, “He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now.” God did deliver Him, three days later when He raised Him from the dead. And when Jesus rose, He raised us too—all of us who trust in Him, who will receive everlasting life from His hand on the day He returns.
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, thank You for saving us at the cost of Your own life. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Have people made fun of you? How hard was it to bear?
* Do you see the words “Let Him come down from the cross and we will believe in Him” as a real temptation? Why or why not?
* Why do you think God waited three days to raise Jesus?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 30-31 Luke 8:1-25
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
