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.