The Lenten Guide Week 2 - From Greater Saint Peter by marbenbland

The Lenten Guide Week 2: March 7 - March 13, 2022 Devotions & Bible Studies

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

Commentaries & Bible Studies by Marben Bland

Light, Salvation & Fear

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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Are the triumphant words of confidence from Psalm 27. However, in our world today there is so much to fear. There is fear on our television screens as we watch in horror the insanity in Ukraine. There is still fear because despite the good news COVID 19 remains deadly. There is fear at the pump as gas prices continue to climb. And there is fear on our streets because no one is safe from gun violence. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? In making the Lord our stronghold, in putting our total trust in God the Father almighty. So that we not only understanding but are living a life where our fears are given to the Lord. Then and only then can we come to understand the light and salvation which God wants us to live in today, right now in this present age. Remember saints; The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

Monday - March 7, 2022

John 2:13-22

13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Thought

In this season of Lent, let us practice releasing our clenched fists and untangle ourselves from systems that seek to dehumanize and profit off the soul of humanity.

Prayer

God of justice, continue to draw near to us, for we know the journey is not always convenient or comfortable. When we find ourselves in seasons of despair, give us the perseverance to continue on the journey. Amen.

Tuesday - March 8, 2022

Hebrews 3:12-19 12 Take care, brothers and sisters,[a] that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? 17 But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Thought So, do not let your heart be hardened the next time someone exhorts you. Instead, with gratitude and humility praise the Lord for the people who care enough to help you through.

Prayer Almighty God, we thank you for your constant love in our lives. We thank you for the people you have placed around us who encourage us to stand strong against sin. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Wednesday March 9, 2022

John 3:16-21

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

Thought

God so loved us that, the light was sent to bring us life.

Prayer To the God who loves us, thank you for sending us your light - not to condemn us but to save us. May we have the courage to look at what your light shows us and, ultimately, be thankful for it. Amen

Thursday - March 10, 2022

John 3:22-29

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized 24 —John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” The One Who Comes from Heaven

Thought

Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.

Prayer Heavenly Father, as we draw closer to the cross in this Lenten season, we like the disciples, seek to understand the mystery of Jesus Christ, who draws all people to himself. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen

Friday - March 11, 2022

Deuteronomy 11:18-25 18 You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem[a] on your forehead. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. 22 If you will diligently observe this entire commandment that I am commanding you, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, 23 then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place on which you set foot shall be yours; your territory shall extend from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the Western Sea. 25 No one will be able to stand against you; the Lord your God will put the fear and dread of you on all the land on which you set foot, as he promised you.

Thought Let us look for ways to smash the idols of our lives and turn back to God.

Prayer God of grace and mercy, in this season of Lent, we ask that you open our eyes and ears and hearts. We ask that you let us see all our idolatries, so that we may repent and return to you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Saturday - March 12, 2022

Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought

Don't forget you are called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel.

Prayer Dear Lord, strengthen us with the spiritual gifts necessary to proclaim your gospel. Amen

Sunday - March 13, 2022

John 4: 43-54 43 When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee 44 (for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet’s own country). 45 When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had gone to the festival. 46 Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you[a] see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. 51 As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.” 53 The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he himself believed, along with his whole household. 54 Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.

Thought

There is no telling what God can do if you only believe.

Prayer Father, we pray that our faith will be like that of the Capernaum official whose son you healed. Amen

@ G T S N E

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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, 12:00 PM, 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

Lenten Sermons & Devotions

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Lenten Bible Study: Psalm 27 7:00 PM ET Thursday, March 10, 2022

www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 695 669 5487 Zoom Conference Call 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 695 669 5487

Opening Thoughts The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? Are the triumphant words of confidence from Psalm 27. However, in our world today there is so much to fear. There is fear on our television screens as we watch in horror the insanity in Ukraine. There is still fear because despite the good news COVID 19 remains deadly. There is fear at the pump as gas prices continue to climb. And there is fear on our streets because no one is safe from gun violence. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? In making the Lord our stronghold, in putting our total trust in God the Father almighty. So that we not only understanding but are living a life where our fears are given to the Lord. Then and only then can we come to understand the light and salvation which God wants us to live in today right now in this present age. Remember saints; The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? Read Psalm 27 Psalm 27 Triumphant Song of Confidence Of David. 1

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold[a] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: 1

to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. 6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation! 10 If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Study Questions: 1. The LORD is my light and my salvation (Verse One) In verse one, we are reminded that the Lord is our light and salvation. There are over 100 examples in the Bible where God is thought of in conjunction with the light. Review the verses below, on Thursday come ready to consider the significance of the light in the life of the believer. What role does the light play in your salvation? Feel free to share other verses about the light of the Lord in our discussion.

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Ephesians 5:8 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 Peter 2:9 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. 2. Whom Shall I Fear? (Verse One) Verse one clearly makes the connection that the Lord is our light, salvation, and stronghold. Then the verse challenges us by twice asking the question, “whom should we fear?” Lent can be a time of fear because often we refuse to abstain from something because we “fear” we cannot do without it. Example, I will not give up eating Big Mac’s because I fear doing without them! Given that we are children of the light who considers Jesus our salvation and stronghold let’s consider a Lenten rewind. List three things previously you “feared” that you could never do without, but now are willing to reconsider. 3. The LORD is the stronghold of my life Verse one reminds us that the Lord is the stronghold of our lives. A stronghold is a defensive structure: Psalms 9:9 says, “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” 1 Samuel 23:14 tells us that “David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph.” A stronghold could be a man-made fortress or tower. Psalms 144:2 states [The LORD is..] “my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.” We can also have personal strongholds of our own doing based on our behavior, personal choices, or events that make up the mental and physical fabric of our lives. This February marked 10 years since the death of Whitney Houston. Nicknamed "The Voice”, Whitney Elizabeth Houston was one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide. As we examine her life perhaps, we can identify and emphasize with her strongholds. This 2002 interview with Dianne

Sawyer could be helpful in our exploration. Click on this link to view the interview and then identify a stronghold in Whitney’s life. Now identify strongholds in your life. In this Lenten season, what do you think would happen if you took your strongholds to the Lord? Closing Prayer Father, you are my light, my salvation, and my stronghold. Grant me the courage to give all my fears to you. For when I do, I am truly living in the light of your salvation. Amen. Lenten Bible Study Schedule March 17 – Luke 13:1-9 March 24 – Psalm 63:1-8 March 31 - Luke 15:1-9 April 7 – Luke 19:28–40* 6:00 PM April 14 – Joshua 5:9–12* 6:00 PM Holy Thursday Meal Holy Land Bible Studies Marben will be making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, May 2-14. He is taking the Bible Study group with him with emails, posts, and texts. As we get ready to go join us for two special Bible Studies. April 21 - John 20:19–31 April 28 – Matthew 26:16-20 (The Great Commission)

BIBLE STUDY

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