2016 lenten devotionals - first united methodist church ... · some activity like worrying,...

20 1 6 L e n t e n D e v o t i o n a l s

Your pastors have taken the time to develop these weekly lent devotionals to help guide you in prayer and study during the season of

preparation. Spend each week reflecting,

praying and studying on the topic of the weekly devotional.

During Holy Week, there is

a devotional each day ending on Easter Sunday.

We pray this booklet helps guide you closer to God during this Lent season.

Lent 101What is Lent?

Lent is a season when Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God.

At Jesus’ baptism the sky split open, the Spirit of God, which looked like a dove, descended and landed on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, My Beloved, with whom I am pleased.”

Afterward, as told in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was sent into the wilderness by the Spirit. Where he fasted and prayed for 40 days. During his time there he was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. He was then

ready to begin his ministry.Why ashes?

In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance. Mortality, because when we die, our bodies eventually decompose and we become dust/dirt/ash.

Repentance, because long ago, when people felt remorse for something they did, they would put ashes on their head and wear “sackcloth” (scratchy clothing) to remind them that sin is pretty uncomfortable and leads to a sort of death of the spirit. This was their way of confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness.

On what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem while people waved palms and cheered him on. Less than a week later, Jesus was killed. The palms that were waved in joy became ashes of sorrow. Why should I “do” Lent?

Lent is a great time to “repent” — to return to God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It’s a 40 day trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart.

There are many ways we can become more in tune with God. How will you use the time to grow closer to God?

Fasting: You can fast by cutting out

some of the things in your life that distract you from God. You can skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. Or you can give up some activity like worrying, watching TV, using Facebook, texting, tweeting or emailing and spend that time outside enjoying God’s creation.

Service: Some Christians take

something on for Christ. Serving others is one way we serve God. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry, etc.

Prayer: Christians also use Lent as

a time of intentional prayer. Spend 10 minutes a day in silence and prayer. Read a daily devotional for the season of Lent. See how it can help you add spiritual practice to your daily life beyond Lent.

Also, each day of Lent, look at the prayer concerns listed in the bulletin and pray for someone new each day.

Try one of these practices for lent

Lent 101 is copyright © 2010 The Upper Room, PO Box 340004, Nashville, TN 37203-0004, www.upperroom.org. All Rights Reserved; used with permission.

how to use this devotional booklet

2.10 Ash WednesdayWORRY

SCRIPTUREMatthew 6:25,33

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

DEVOTIONThe season of Lent is a

time for preparation – a time to prepare our hearts for the grand celebration of Easter. Jesus gave his life for us on Calvary. How can we give him any less than our very best? Yet we often do give him less. At least, I know I do. I often fall short of giving my best to Jesus. So, during the weeks of Lent, I plan to work on that. I’m going to be more intentional about my discipleship —how I follow

Jesus and serve him faithfully day by day.

A good place for me to start is to remember that he said, “Don’t worry.” I need to take those words to heart, because I do worry. I worry about the future. I worry about the stock market and how it will impact my retirement account. I worry about the challenge of aging. I worry about things big and small, many that are outside my control. Yet Jesus tells me

not to worry. Throughout chapter 6 Jesus challenges us to consider what motivates our behavior and how we set our priorities. If my first priority is to “strive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” all those earthly worries really do begin to fade away. My prayer during this season of Lent is that God will help me to trust him more and worry less.

Rev. David Bell

PRAYERAlmighty God, you are

always faithful and ever ready to lift my burdens. Help me to cast all my cares upon you, for you are my strength and my redeemer. Amen.

2.14 Week 1

TRUST

SCRIPTURERomans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

DEVOTIONSo many of us truly find

God in times of trouble or grief. My real journey with God began when I went through the abuse of my stepfather when I was a teen. I didn’t realize it then, but God was working through the prayers of many others to make sure I was safe. I began to pray for protection and looking back now I see how God’s

prevenient grace moved me through that experience. I finally realized God had not forsaken me.

All the difficult experiences I’ve been through — the abuse, my divorce, etc. — and how God got me through those experiences, are how I can continue to trust God each and every day now.

I always find support

from friends, and my church family Even when there are tears, I feel God’s comforting arms around me.

Although we will never completely understand God’s plan for us in this life, we can be sure that He walks with us daily and that His compassion never fails.

Pastor Natalie Faust

PRAYERDear God thank you for your unfailing love every day. We put our trust and hope in you. We ask for your love, protection, and guidance as we face the future. Please walk with us daily and show us your way. Amen.

2.21 Week 2PRAYER

SCRIPTURE1 Thessalonians 5:17Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

DEVOTIONHave you ever thought

about what this looks like? What does it look like to be in a constant state of rejoice? What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Or giving thanks in all circumstances?

Back in the days before satellite radio or streaming music on our phones, I remember driving from Lamar to Denver and realizing how dead the airwaves were at certain times of the day. In the three hour trip, there would be nights when I only got radio for about thirty minutes outside of Denver. So at that point instead of just listening to static I started to turn off the radio and this set of verses popped into my head. Specifically verse 17, where Paul says, “...pray without ceasing,” so I just started

to pray everything that came to my mind. After about an hour I was done. I could not think about any other needs for our country, my community, my family, or even my own selfish needs. So there I sat in silence and listened to the car on the road and just waited until I could think about something else. Throughout the rest of my road trip, I did think about other things, but for the most part I was quiet and just tried to listen. I think we have all had those moments in the car where it was complete silence and we didn’t know what to say or do. I also think, we all have moments when our prayer lives are about asking and requesting on others behalves or selfishly our own needs. Truth is, how much time

do we praise God, rejoice in what God is doing, and give thanks for the circumstances God gives us. I know I don’t nearly enough. But I also know that sometimes I don’t just shut up and listen to God who is trying to speak into my life with a still small whisper. Prayer is a conversation with God and too often we are doing all the talking whether it be praise or requesting things, but we are not listening. We do need to to rejoice always. We need to be lifting others up in prayer and listening to God’s response. We do need to give thanks to God for all circumstances. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. The second part is we need listen for God voice for our lives.

Pastor Brian Faust

PRAYERGod, may we listen for your voice in our lives this week. May we not only be in a constant state of rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks for all circumstances, but also sit and listen for your voice. Amen.

2.28 Week 3SOLITUDE

SCRIPTUREMatthew 14:13-14Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

DEVOTIONI emphasized withdrew

as it begins a pattern we see throughout the Gospels: 1) Jesus withdraws to spend time with his Father 2) Jesus engages in great moments of ministry. As I think about this pattern, I also find my mind drifting to a quote from Dietrich Bonheoffer that has echoed in my head since college:

“Let him who cannot be alone beware of community ... Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.”

One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair (Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in

Community).God is about impacting

our lives, and impacting others through our lives and community. But God is also about impacting our hearts. He impacts our hearts when we come alone before God with our thoughts and let Him shape us solitude.

Unfortunately — even for an introvert like me — solitude can be hard to find.

Busyness often deprives us of both the richness of community and solitude, but the fact that our culture tends to celebrate the extrovert often makes it easier to push solitude from our lives.

Take a moment, slow down, and interact with our Father as you ask these questions:• How much do you allow yourself to slow down and

stop “productivity?” • How much time do you spend alone with God and your thoughts each day? • How much of your day is filled with other people? Music? A screen? A mind-numbing activity?• Is there something you are trying to avoid when shunning solitude?

If we can take the time to slow down and evaluate our lives with our Heavenly Father, we might find those fears melting into a meaningful time. Maybe praying won’t just be rattling off requests anymore. Prayer could become an opportunity for God to grow us and truly change us. Maybe in the solitude, we will find God transforming the way we respond to those around us.

Jeremy Hands

PRAYERAlmighty God, our prayer this day is to grant us the ability to recognize when we need to

pull away in solitude so you can impact our hearts or join in community to impact others’ hearts with your love. Lord, guide my heart in solitude, so I may grow closer to you. Amen.

3.6 Week 4

FASTING

SCRIPTUREMatthew 6:16-18

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

DEVOTIONFasting is a spiritual

discipline designed to draw us closer to God. We give up something from our normal routine and use the time and energy we would have given to that activity to spend time with God. It’s not about making a sacrifice so we can experience suffering; it’s about re-ordering

our priorities so we can give more attention to God. Jesus was critical of those who wanted to be recognized by others. He said our fasting should be private and personal, between us and God alone.

I want to invite you to consider fasting sometime this week and to devote

that time to prayer. Pray for our church, for our community, and for someone who needs to experience the love and forgiveness of God. Who knows? God may reveal to you someone you know who needs to hear a word of encouragement from you.

Rev. David Bell

Gracious Heavenly Father, your love for each of us, your children, is amazing! Help me to see how you want to use me this week to share your love with someone near to me. Give me the strength and the courage to serve you by serving others. Amen.

PRAYER

SCRIPTURERomans 8:7

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

DEVOTIONWe have all heard that

we humans are selfish and self-centered by nature. Maybe it is also true that in our natural state that we are similar to horses that have yet to be broken to bridle and saddle. Broken the right way, the horse will learn to trust that his trainer means him no harm. In the same way, we are not likely to submit to the will of God if we are not yet trusting of Him.

The truth is, we come to trust God in stages. Therefore, we also submit to His will in stages. I was in my early thirties and a Pastor for several years when I was sitting in a group sharing family problems. Suddenly, I was aware of a novel idea for me: surrender!

I asked myself, when had I ever really and truly surrendered myself to anything, even to God. I

hadn’t, and I knew why. I was too protective of myself; I had too many walls up between me and others, because people had let me down when I had trusted them before. I didn’t believe that I had all, or even most the answers for living successfully with others on this earth; much less with God. Yet, my way, was my way it was what I felt safe with.

Surrender: Did I even know what that meant? Or, how could I begin to learn how to do that. Thus, I began the part of my journey that I am still on today. It continues to be sometimes a daily struggle. Surrendering and submitting to God’s will has meant living with risk. If I was ever to learn to love others, or God, the way He wanted me too then I would have to get out of myself and risk being broken to

the will of God. Bridle and saddle are there to let a horse work with his master instead of against him. For me to be broken, I would have to risk letting others know me. I felt “less than”, and what if they saw me as “less than” also? How would I survive such scrutiny?

I knew that I couldn’t do this by myself, so like the horse, I had to take a leap of faith, and trust that God would walk that walk with me. I opened up in the group that I was in and shared the hurts and fears that my walls were built to keep others from ever knowing. Instead of shunning me, they loved on me, and thus began my willingness to submit to God’s will. Even now, I hold back, and even now He is teaching me submission. It is a journey, and I am happy to be on it.

Pastor Natalie Faust

Dear Lord, help us to learn to submit our lives to your will, to surrender our hearts to you. It all goes back to trusting that you have our lives in the palm of your hands and since you are good you will bring about good. Keep our focus on you and not earthly things and help us grow in our submission. Amen.

PRAYER

3.13 Week 5SUBMISSION

3.20 Week 6DEATH & LIFE

SCRIPTURE1 Corinthians 15: 19-26

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

DEVOTIONWhen I read these verses

written by Paul in the New Testament, I am reminded of the bridge and chorus by Matt Maher in his song “Christ is Risen” that we sung a few years ago on Easter.

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light! Our God is not dead, he’s alive! He’s alive!

Christ is risen from the dead Trampling over death by death Come awake, come awake! Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead We are one with him again Come awake, come awake! Come and rise up from the grave

Christ has conquered our death and trampled the grave for us to live in eternity with God forever!

Pastor Brian Faust

Heavenly Father, may our prayer be that of rejoicing knowing Christ has conquered our death and trampled the grave for us to live in eternity with God forever! Amen.

PRAYER

DEATH

SCRIPTURERead John 12: 1-11

There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12: 2-3

DEVOTIONBethany was a short

distance from Jerusalem. Very likely Jesus and his disciples stayed at the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha throughout the week of Passover. It was customary when guests arrived for the host to have a servant wash their feet. Mary assumes the role of a lowly servant and not only washes Jesus’

feet but anoints them with costly perfume. It was an extravagant expression of love and devotion to Jesus. She could not have imagined that Jesus would be arrested and crucified within the week, but Jesus knew what was ahead for him. He used her expression of love to point toward the ultimate sacrifice he would make

for us. Too often I take for

granted the enormity of Christ’s suffering for my salvation. This week, as I prepare for Easter’s joyful celebration, I will remember the horrible reality of Jesus’ death on the cross and humbly give thanks to God for his limitless love for me.

Rev. David Bell

Almighty God, your name is glorified even in the anguish of your Son’s death. In absolute surrender he poured out his life for our sakes. Hold us in your embrace, as we wait for Easter’s dawn. Comfort us with the promise that no power on earth, not even death itself, can separate us from your love; and strengthen us to wait until you are revealed to us in all your risen glory. Amen.

PRAYER

Holy Monday 3.21

Holy Week

SERVING

SCRIPTURERead John 12:20-36

Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12: 25-26

DEVOTIONEvery day people were

coming to see Jesus. They had heard rumors about him and they wanted to know more. They wanted to see him and hear him for themselves. True faith is more than curiosity but that is where it begins. Jesus said if we want to serve him we must be

willing to surrender our lives to him. We must give him control over our thoughts and actions.

There are people all around us who are curious about Jesus, who want to know more. If I am serious about serving Jesus, I need to help others meet him. Who

are the people I see each day or maybe only from time to time who are curious, who want to know more.

This week I will spend some time seriously considering who I can invite to join me for worship on Easter.

Rev. David Bell

Loving and Gracious God, it is not easy for me to step outside my comfort zone. Give me the strength to boldly serve you day by day. I know there are people around me who need to experience your love and grace. They are simply waiting for an invitation. Help me be like Philip and Andrew and bring them to you. Amen.

PRAYER

Holy Tuesday 3.22

Holy Week

BETRAYAL


After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. John 13: 21-22

DEVOTIONI find it very interesting

that when Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray him, they were “uncertain of whom he was speaking.” Perhaps they couldn’t believe that any of them would do such a thing. Perhaps they had suspicions about more than one of their brothers and weren’t sure

which one it actually was. Perhaps they questioned their own commitment and wondered: “Could it be me?” Certainly, before this evening was over each of them would run away when the soldiers arrested Jesus.

It makes me wonder how often I betray Jesus by failing to stand up

for him, by trying to “play it safe” and not risk anything for him. Following Jesus is serious business. It demands our full devotion and our complete surrender. Today I will confess my sins of betrayal and ask God to help me serve him more faithfully.

Rev. David Bell

Loving God, I confess that I have betrayed you by things I have said and done and by things I have left unsaid or undone. Forgive me, Lord. Help me to faithfully follow you and to lovingly serve you, that in all things your name may be glorified. Amen.

PRAYER

Holy Wednesday 3.23

Holy Week

HUMBLENESS

SCRIPTURERead John 13: 1-17, 31-35

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13: 34-35

DEVOTIONHoly Thursday is

also known as Maundy Thursday. The word comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. It is based on these words from Jesus: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. After washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus

told them they should be willing to wash each other’s feet. Following Jesus means loving others through humble acts of service. This is the hallmark of the Christian life. Jesus said that is the way others will know who we are. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love

for one another.”Everyday should be

lived in the spirit of loving service. It is the inner orientation that should guide our thoughts and behavior. That is what it means to be more like Jesus. That’s what it means to “have the mind of Christ.”

Rev. David Bell

Gracious Lord Jesus, you come among us as one who serves. Help me to humbly serve you and to see you in the people I encounter today and every day. Forgive my sin of pride and use me as you see fit. Amen.

PRAYER

Holy Thursday 3.24

Holy Week

GRIEF

SCRIPTURERead John 18: 1-19. 42

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19: 28-30

DEVOTIONThese two chapters of

John’s Gospel, chapters 18 and 19, are referred to as the Passion of Christ. They record the events of his final day, his arrest, his trial, the

brutal inhumane beating and his execution on a cross. Take time to read this story slowly and prayerfully. Meditate on each section. Allow the reality of his

sacrifice to sink in. Then spend some time in prayer, giving thanks to God for his amazing love for you and for all mankind.

Rev. David Bell

Thank you, God, for your amazing love for me and for the lengths to which you have gone to save me from sin. Help me to faithfully serve you all the days of my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

PRAYER

Good Friday 3.25

Holy Week

DEVOTIONSince we know all

about the resurrection, it is hard for us to imagine the overwhelming sense of loss experienced by the followers of Jesus after his death.

The women particularly wanted to properly care for his body, but they had to wait since all work had to cease for the observance of Sabbath. There was nothing

they could do until sunrise on Sunday morning. They were devastated. Along with Jesus all their hopes and dreams had been crucified on the cross.

Use this time to give thanks to God. Because of the resurrection we have nothing to fear. Death has no claim on us. We know our physical death is the threshold to everlasting

Christ. As the Apostle Paul

wrote: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

Rev. David Bell

WAITING

SCRIPTURERead Matthew 27: 57-66

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. Matthew 27: 57-61

Almighty God, Gracious Heavenly Father, you gave your life for us through your son Jesus Christ. He died that we might have life, abundant life, life with you throughout eternity. Thank you for your amazing love and grace. Thank you for your faithfulness to us even when we are unfaithful. Forgive us and help us to be all that you have created us to be. In the name of your Son Jesus we pray. Amen.

PRAYER

Holy Saturday 3.26

Holy Week

RESURRECTION


Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20: 15-18

DEVOTIONEaster is the greatest day

of all time. It is the central message of the Christian faith. Jesus is alive! He is

risen! Death cannot hold him. Satan could not defeat him. Because he lives our faith has meaning. Because

he lives we live with hope. Spend time this day giving thanks and praise to God.

Rev. David Bell

Thank you, God, for Jesus. Thank you for the gift of life — my life in time and space as part of your glorious creation and my life that is eternal in your never-failing love. Help me to live each day as your faithful servant. Help me every day to love you with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength. And help me to love my neighbor as myself. Amen.

PRAYER

Easter Sunday 3.27

Holy Week

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upcomingServices

EASTER SERVICESMarch 278:30 a.m. Traditional Service *(cc), Sanctuary10:45 a.m. Contemporary Service *(cc), Sanctuary

HOLY WEEK SERVICESMarch 21-25 (Monday through Friday)12:10 to 12:50 p.m.The Chapel is open daily for prayer during Holy week (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. - Thurs.) and (8 a.m. to noon Friday)

KIDS EASTER CELEBRATIONMarch 236:00 p.m. in place of Bible Zone

PALM SUNDAY SERVICESMarch 208:30 a.m. Traditional Service *(cc), Sanctuary10:45 a.m. Contemporary Service *(cc), SanctuaryChildren’s Easter Musical (both services)

HOLY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICEMarch 247:00 p.m.

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2016 lenten devotionals - first united methodist church ... · some activity like worrying,...

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