SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
NEWS: We celebrated Ash Wednesday last night, receiving ashes and celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Next Wednesday and all the following Wednesday evenings in Lent, we will have a Potluck meal at 6:00 PM in our Community/Fellowship Hall, then our Lenten services at 7 in the sanctuary. Please mark your calendars and join us! Please bring friends, family and neighbors as well.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Debbie and Allen Kolkman. They give thanks that Debbie is feeling better with the antibiotics she has been taking. Berand Kirschner requests prayers for the people of the Ukraine and the suffering they have been enduring.
READINGS: Isaiah 61; Psalm 49; Galatians 2:1-14
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“STANDING IN OUR PLACE”
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)
Why would Jesus get baptized? He never did anything wrong!
Jesus stands in our place as the one Man who represents all humanity before God the Father. He is not a sinner, but we are—and so He is baptized for our sake, so that the blessings of Baptism come to us.
And what are those blessings? “The heavens were opened to Him”—and now they are open to every one of us who belongs to Jesus. The Spirit of God came to rest on Him—and since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes also to us and lives inside us. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Yes indeed—because of Jesus’ death and resurrection on behalf of all of us, we, too, are God’s beloved children. He is well pleased with us—because of Jesus.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for standing for us, so that we can share in Your life and joy. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Who else stands for you in some area of your life?
* Why do you think Jesus chose to become a human instead of saving us in some other way?
* What other gifts that belong to Jesus has He shared with us?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 39-40 Mark 4:21-41
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 Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
