Lenten Guide Week One March 2-6, 2022

The Lenten Guide Week One: March 2 - March 6, 2022 Devotions & Bible Studies

The Tensions Of Real Faith

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Discovering Real Faith All commentaries an Bible Studies written by Marben Bland

Thoughts On Lent In 2022

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Erin Jackson Olympic Gold Medalist

A Disciplined And Courageous Faith The Beijing Winter Olympic Games are over.

For nearly two weeks athletes from around the world competed in speed skating, the ski jump, the bobsled, and my favorite curling.

While I prefer the Summer Olympic sports the 100-meter dash, the long jump, and my favorite the shot put. I still marvel over the discipline, and courage it takes to ice skate on a blade no thinner than a razor. I still marvel over the discipline, and courage it takes to jump off a mountain on skis. I still marvel over the discipline, and courage it takes to travel over 100 miles an hour in a bobsled.

James, the brother of Jesus reminds us that as Christians we must have a disciplined and courageous faith.

Specifically, in chapter 3 verses 7 and 8 James stresses the need for us to discipline or to tame our tongue.

7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

I will be asking God to give me the discipline and courage not only to tame my tongue but to control my actions so that I may:

So that I might think before I tweet.

So that I will use discretion when I post on Facebook, or any other social media platform.

So that I understan d that I must represent the most high when I text and everythin g else I do.

ONLY GOD CAN TAME OUR TONGUE What James is telling us that while humans can tame the beast and the foul and can even tame ourselves to do great feats of mind and body, only God can tame the tongue.

This Lenten season the 40 days of fasting, prayer and works of love which starts on Ash Wednesday is a great opportunity to invite God to give us the discipline and courage to tame our tongue.

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Ash Wednesday Message

The Tensions Of “Real Faith” READ

Matthew 6:1–6 Teaching about Giving to the Needy

6 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets

T

In 1968, “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” became a number one smash hit for the duet of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Written by the iconic husband and wife team of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the song extols the virtues of and defines real love as an inperson encounter.

in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Teaching about Prayer and Fasting 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

The tensions of the real thing The “real thing” of in-person love is counter to love that is long distance in nature. So, the question must be asked is the love of couples separated for any number of reasons the “real thing”? Or is the real thing only inperson love?

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Jesus defines real faith This tension of what is the real thing is at the heart of Ash Wednesday and the text we explore today from Matthew Chapter 6. Jesus slams the Pharisees and other Jewish authorities saying, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1) Jesus goes on to define real faith as acts done in private: when you give to the needy, donate privately (vv.

2–4); when you pray, pray privately (vv. 5–6); when you fast, or abstain do it privately (vv. 16–18).

The tension of public acts and private faith How can this text that implores private acts of righteousness square with the very visible and public act of faith we do on Ash Wednesday? With the very visible imposition of ashes placed on the forehead along with the very public fasting of Lent.

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Jesus resolevs the tension on the cross Jesus understands this tension between public and private acts of faith. He resolves this question on the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus was a public act of faith and it had to be. We had to see the nails being put in his hands. We had to see the crown of thorns being placed on his head. We had to see the suffering. We had to see Jesus die, we had to see him taken to the grave.

We had to see this authentic act of faith so that we can practice authentic acts of faith in private most of the time or in public on days like today Ash Wednesday.

Jesus Is The Real Thing The song “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” concludes with the lovers Marvin and Tammi proclaiming that they as so glad they got the “real thing”. On this Ash Wednesday, as we enter 40 days of meeting the test of forging a more intimate relationship with God. Let us rejoice that we got the real thing in Jesus.

Friday March 4, 2022

Deuteronomy 7:12-16 12 “If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors. 13 He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land he swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. 14 You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young. 15 And the Lord will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all your enemies!

16 “You must destroy all the nations the Lord your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you.

Thought

May these days of somber We just need to remember that God preparation send each of us to our knees in genuine confession and sincere repentance

Prayer

Gracious God, how amazing is the love in which you have provided a Savior for us in your beloved son! In these days of Lent let us grow every more into his image Amen.

Rev. John Culp

Saturday March 5, 2022

Deuteronomy 7:17-26 17 Perhaps you will think to yourselves, ‘How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?’18 But don’t be afraid of them! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all the land of Egypt. 19 Remember the great terrors the Lord your God sent against them. You saw it all with your own eyes! And remember the miraculous signs and wonders, and the strong hand and powerful arm with which he brought you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will use this same power against all the people you fear. 20 And then the Lord your God will send terror[a] to drive out the few survivors still hiding from you!

21 “No, do not be afraid of those nations, for the Lord your God is among you, and he is a great and awesome God. 22 The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you. 23 But the Lord your God will hand them over to you. He will throw them into complete confusion until they are destroyed. 24 He will put their kings in your power, and you will erase their names from the face of the earth. No one will be able to stand against you, and you will destroy them all.

25 “You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. 26 Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.

Thought

We just need to remember that God is with us in each little step along the way

Prayer

God of grace and love, help us to realize that it is okay to lean on you when we feel overwhelmed by life's obstacles; Rev. Jeanie Haven

Sunday March 6, 2022

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

5 Then the devil[a] led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil[b] said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”

9 Then the devil[c] took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Thought Prayer

The Devil will tempt us but God will redeem us.

God of mercy, action and love, keep us safe from temptation so that we can serve you more Rev. Marben Bland

Bible Study: Thursday, March 3 @ 7:00 PM ET www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 695 669 5487 Zoom Conference Call 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 695 669 5487 Facebook: www.Facebook.com/GSP9540

The nature of evil, the nature of the devil the power of temptation and the nature of Christ, are the four themes highlighted in Luke 4:1-13. Read the passage then answer the questions below:

Luke 4:1-13 New Revised Standard Version The Temptation of Jesus 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

5

Then the devil[a] led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the

world. 6 And the devil[b] said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”

9

Then the devil[c] took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,

saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’

11

and

‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

12

Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When

the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Bible Study Questions 1. In verse one Jesus is describe as being full of the Holy Spirit after returning from the Jordan. Read Luke 3:21-22 to identify why Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of Jesus 21

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;[a] with you I am well pleased.”

2. For how many days did the Devil temp Jesus?

3. What did Jesus eat and drink during the 40 days in the wilderness?

4. The text reveals the three basic temptations the Devil used to get Jesus to bend to his will.

Identify passages in the text where each of these temptations occurred.

- Physical Temptation - Material Temptation - Temptation that appeals to our vanity 5. Read Genesis 3:1-7 examine how the Devil uses the three basic temptations on Eve.

The First Sin and Its Punishment 3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman,

“You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,[a] knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Identify passages in the text where each of these temptations occurred.

- Physical Temptation - Material Temptation - Temptation that appeals to our vanity 6. What do these texts Luke 3:21-22, Genesis 3:1-7 say to you about: - The nature of evil - The nature of the devil - The power of temptation - The nature of Christ 7. What are the practical application of Luke 3:21-22, Genesis 3:1-7 in this season of lent and in our lives beyond lent?

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Lent is a significant season in the year for Christians. A time of solemnity and self-reflection. At Greater Saint Peter, we will celebrate Lent with these services and activities: March 2nd Ash Wednesday Virtual Service @ 10:00 AM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM on all GSP online platforms April 10th Palm Sunday In-person and online service 10:00 AM April 14th Maundy Thursday Virtual meal and service 6:00 PM on all GSP online platforms April 15th Good Friday Virtual Service @ 10:00 AM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM on all GSP online platforms April 17th Easter Sunday 10:00 AM In-person and on all GSP online platforms