Lent Bible Reading Series Week 6

Lent Bible Reading Series  5 March 2014 to 20th April 2014 Week 7/7: by Major Kath Jones, Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

Welcome to the Lent Bible Reading Series
by Major Kath Jones - Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

Week Seven

Monday 14^th: Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name

Bible Reading – Isaiah 56 4: 4-8, Mark 11: 12 – 19

Jesus is angered by the extortion blatantly on display in the Temple court. The unscrupulous dealers were not only making fat profits for themselves but, by their high pricing were excluding poorer people to worship in the temple. This was a desecration of the Temple, a violation of what God’s house was meant to be. The Temple was meant to be a place of prayer, a holy place, and a place where the most lowly and derided could come to worship.

Consider: Is your corps/church known for the warmth of its welcome and inclusion into the fellowship?

Prayer:

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

Bow down and worship, his glory proclaim;

With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,

Kneel and adore him, the Lord is his name. (SASB 183).

Tuesday 15^th: Thy Kingdom come

Bible Reading – Matthew 26:6 – 13

‘They shall come from the east, they shall come from the west and sit down in Kingdom of God, Both the rich and the poor, the despised the distressed’. This line from the pen of John Gowans came to my mind as I pictured the scene that Matthew describes. The host is named as ‘Simon the Leper’! What a name to be given, was he one of the lepers Jesus healed? The woman who poured oil, is not named by Matthew; (John’s gospel names the woman as Mary the sister of Martha.) It has been suggested that the unnamed woman was Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus cast seven demons. Whoever she is, she was certainly a very brave woman, who recognised Jesus as her Lord and King, demonstrating this by pouring oil on his head. Each, by their actions and devotion would be included in the Kingdom of God.

Pray:

I will offer up my life in spirit and truth,

Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to you.

In surrender I must give my every part;

Lord, receive the sacrifice of a broken heart.

Jesus what can I give, what can I bring to so faithful a friend,

To so loving a King?

Saviour, what can be said, what can be sung,

As a praise of your name for the things you have done?

Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part,

Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart. (Matt Redman).

Wednesday 16^th: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Bible Reading – John 12: 27 – 36, Mark 14: 32

‘It was quiet the last time he went to the garden to pray, but tonight the peace had gone. It was a time of tension; Jesus struggling with himself, striving with God. Somehow, it’s easy to get smug, gloss over the struggle, and concentrate on Jesus decision “Yet not my will, but thine be done”. Nice and easy, “Ah, we say ‘He always did his fathers will’. True, but there was nothing easy about it, look at the struggle! It echoes our own struggles. The constant battle of our will versus God’s; we fight to go our own way and not God’s. Obedience, a free decision we make towards God, leads to a freedom from self.’ Eddie Askew

Pray: Be still, in quiet prayer.

Thursday 17^th: Give us this day our daily bread

Bible Reading - Luke 22: 7 – 20

The meal was planned, the table laid, with all the best dishes for the Passover meal.  Included would be unleavened bread, wine, candlesticks, and the cedar plate containing the bitter herbs, as well as fruit and nuts, and roast lamb. Each element of the meal had a meaning, which the disciples would have understood. Jesus took the bread and said the blessing, ‘Blessed are you Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth’, thanking God for his continued provision. However this time was very different for, as Jesus broke the bread he said ‘this is my body broken for you’. On this night the full implications of his words could not be denied, Jesus’, own body was to be broken for the sins of the world.  

Consider: Sharing with friends in a Passover meal

Pray:

‘My life must be Christ’s broken bread,

My love his outpoured wine.

A cup o’er filled, a table spread beneath his name and sign.

That other souls refreshed and fed may share his life through mine.’

(SASB 512)

Friday 18^th 

Good Friday:  Forgive us our trespassers as we forgive them who trespass against us 

Bible Reading – Luke 23: 26 – 49

Who did Jesus pray this forgiveness prayer for, was it the Roman soldiers, the religious leaders, the crowd, you and I perhaps? Edmund Newell a writer of  ‘Seven words for Three hours’, imagines the thoughts of a monk as he sits and translates this part of the gospel story, he writes. ‘As the story before him unfolds, it takes him to the crucifixion of the one about whom he writes. A phrase has come to mind; a familiar phrase ascribed to that man on the cross, and handed down by reliable witnesses. ‘Father forgive them; for they know not what they do’. His sheer revulsion at the crucifixion pushes away thoughts of forgiveness – instead the image evokes feelings of powerlessness, frustration, hatred and revenge. And yet this phrase will not go away, it challenges his instinctive feelings just like so much he knows about this man. That compassionate, understanding, forgiving phrase seems apt for the man about whom he writes –the man who gives his life meaning.

Pray: Amazing love how can it be that thou my God should die for me!

Saturday 19^th: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

Bible Reading – Matthew 27: 57 – 6, John 16: 1 - 4

We pause today, and with Mary and Mary Magdalene watch and wait.

Of course in our waiting we know Easter morning will soon be here but for those first disciples’ what did they think? Frightened for their safety some left the city; others maybe just found a quiet space to weep, for it seemed all hope was gone. Is this what Jesus had meant in John 16 when he told them they would be put to the test?

Consider: Taking part in a prayer vigil until Easter morning.

 

Sunday 20^th: Easter Sunday

For thine is the Kingdom, Power and Glory, forever and ever.

Bible Reading – John 20: 1 -18

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!

How Mary must have ran to tell the disciples the amazing news that first Easter morning, “I have seen the Lord” she shouted!

He’s alive, he’s alive he’s alive forevermore

Jesus has risen from the dead.

Sin no longer has dominion; Satan’s power is broken down,

He is Risen hallelujah and he wears the victor’s crown

He’s alive, he’s alive he’s alive forevermore.

Jesus has risen from the dead. (E Williams)

May we live as Easter morning disciples!

Pray:

As we share in celebration on this Easter Day, may our gracious Lord transform our lives with his risen power, and teach us to praise him all our days. To our glorious King be praise. Amen

Lent Bible Reading Series Week 5

Lent Bible Reading Series  5 March 2014 to 20th April 2014 Week 6/7: by Major Kath Jones, Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

Welcome to the Lent Bible Reading Series
by Major Kath Jones - Asst. Spiritual Life Development Secretary

Week Six

Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil.

Monday 7^th

Bible Reading – Genesis 3: 1 -13, James 1:2 – 18

Thomas a’ Kempis (1380 – 1471) became an Augustinian monk at the age of nineteen. The following excerpt is taken from the book, The imitation of Christ, a Christian classic written by Gerhard Groote and edited by Thomas a’ Kempis. ‘No one is free from temptation because the source of temptation is within us; we are born with sinful desires. When one temptation passes, another is on its way. We will always have temptations because we are sinners who lost our original innocence in the Garden. We cannot win the battle by running away alone; we must not despair when we are tempted but instead seek God fervently asking for his help in time of trouble. Let us, therefore, humble ourselves before God and take shelter beneath his hand. God will lift up all who have a humble spirit and save them in all trials and tribulations’. 

Tuesday 8^th

Bible Reading Matthew 4:1-11, Hebrews 2: 1 – 18

‘He knows, he knows the storms that would my way oppose; he knows and tempers every wind that blows’. (SASB Chorus 127)

 We have the assurance that Jesus understands what it is to be tempted, for he was tempted too. Jesus countered every temptation with scripture, and knowing scripture helps us in our times of trial too. We also have Jesus as our advocate, and when we earnestly seek him in prayer he will answer.

Consider: God will not let us be tempted beyond that which we can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Wednesday 9^th

Bible Reading – Luke 4: 1 – 13, Psalm 91

Just when Jesus felt the most affirmed he is tempted by the devil! At his baptism Jesus received the wonderful words from his heavenly father, ‘you are my son, who I love and with you I am well pleased.’ So what does the devil say, twice he taunts Jesus with the words, if you are the son of God, and if you bow down to me I will give you all the kingdoms of the world ! This was a challenge to the identity and the authority of Jesus, but Jesus resisted the three temptations and in his response confounds his tempter.

Consider:

‘Fasting alone in the desert, tell of the days that he passed.

How he was tried and was tempted, yet was triumphant at last.

Tell me the stories of Jesus write on my heart every word.’ (SASB 99)

Thursday 10^th

Bible Reading – Ephesians 6: 10 – 18

Tim Chester commenting on the above passage of scripture in his book ‘The Message of Prayer’ says, ‘With the exception of the sword, of the spirit, the word of God, the armour is essentially defensive. With the belt of truth we refute the lies of Satan, the breastplate of righteousness that is ours in Christ we counter the accusations of Satan; the gospel of peace is the message of reconciliation with God and with one another. Through faith we overcome the arrows of doubt that are directed at us. The helmet of salvation which is also ours in Christ protects us in battle. To put on this armour and to stand firm is to remain true to gospel living in the face of a beguiling enemy’.

Pray:

‘Be strong in the grace of the Lord,

Be armed with the power of his might:

Be daring when dangers abound,

Courageous and brave in the fight.

Be strong and victory will be your delight.’  (SASB 679)

Friday 11^th

Bible Reading – 2 Samuel: 22:2, Psalm 18:16 – 28, Isaiah 45:3

We all go through trials in our lives from time to time; sometimes not of our own making. It maybe that at such times we cry out ‘Where are you God?’  We are in good company; for scripture is full of characters who knew moments of despair and desertion, characters such as  Job, Elijah, Hosea to name a few.  Trials can come in many different ways, sometimes through hardship, family break up, illness, loss of a loved one for instance. We may find it difficult to pray, and it is then that we appreciate the support and prayers of others. Whilst no one would choose to go through times of trial it is however at such times that we can see treasures in the darkness as the Isaiah reading expresses. Treasures, such as, a friend who stood by us, or sent us a note of encouragement, or the smile of a child, enjoying a spring day, a particular verse of scripture, or a shared prayer of comfort.

Consider: Has God laid someone’s name on your heart today who is in need of your support, or should you send a card of encouragement to someone, or say a prayer for or with someone?

Saturday 12^th

Bible Reading – 1 John 4: 1 -12

‘The glorious word of scripture is that we are not left to our own resources in dealing with temptation. The great God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the one who revealed himself to Moses, David and Mary is our present help in times of trouble. Jesus Christ our everlasting prophet is with us, teaching, empowering, and loving. The blessed Holy Spirit draws near to us in our hour of temptation, guiding, strengthening and encouraging. And when we do stumble and fall, we have an advocate with the Father in our Saviour Jesus’. Richard J Foster.  

Sunday 13^th Palm Sunday 

Bible Reading – Matthew 11: 1-11. Zechariah: 9: 9-10, Luke 19:41 – 42

As we prepare to journey with Jesus through this holy week, we pray that we will be attentive to his voice and that our response will be to worship him, with all our heart.

Today on Palm Sunday we think of Jesus commencing his journey into Jerusalem, riding a donkey, a prophetic sign to those who understood the message of the prophets. Jesus heard the acclamation, the joyful voices, he saw the crowds, some waving palm leaves. Could he, just for a fleeting moment have been tempted into thinking this was a genuine acknowledgement of who he was! No doubt there were some supporters for whom this would have been true. Jesus though was all too aware of the whispering plots against him, and the growing hostility. He knew he had to fulfil his fathers will and accept the awful trial of the week ahead. Even so, knowing this truth Luke records that Jesus in the face of his own suffering, wept over erroneous Jerusalem.

  

Consider: Imagine where you would have stood as Jesus processed into Jerusalem: would you be walking with him, shouting out from the crowd or an inquisitive onlooker?

Pray: For those who bravely face hostility for their belief in Christ, both in this country and around the world.

God may your face shine upon us and upon the whole world with deliverance and rescuing power.