Lenten Reader

There Are Only

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

2010 spring reader

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY'S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.

a foreword from our

Spring Reader 2010 Managing Editor, Producer and Narrator: John David (J.D.) Walt Editors: Erin Crisp, Julie Tennent Graphic Design and Layout: Stephanie Wright (swrightcreative@gmail.com) Production Manager: Amanda Stamper PSALM — Seminarius: The practice of embodying Scripture in communion is at the heart of Asbury Theological Seminary’s Seminarius initiative. This initiative is one component of the seminary’s PSALM (Pastoral Seasons as Life and Ministry) project, which is resourced by the Lilly Endowment and seeks to learn and discover the vital practices that sustain pastoral excellence.

Seminarius: Definition and Purpose: Seminarius is the Latin word for seedbed, and it is the word from which we derive “seminary.” Seminarius exists to cultivate excellence of life in ministry through equipping students to establish sustainable practices of Christian formation and growth in wholeness within a seedbed of intentionally formative relationships.

Seminarius shapes seminary as a season of ministry, a transformational learning experience

• where the pursuit of knowledge and the practices of spiritual formation live in union; • where Christian disciples participate in intentional community, sharing a lifestyle of worship and prayer becoming mercy and justice, and shaping life patterns of health and wholeness; • cultivating friendship as a core formative practice, both the means and goal of grace in preparation to the end of being sent forth as a well-trained, sanctified, Spirit-filled, evangelistic ministry to spread scriptural holiness throughout the World.

Dedication

President

Most of us have had the experience of going to a shopping mall and trying to find a place to eat or a certain store to shop in. At the entrance of most malls there are large maps showing all the stores in the mall, and there is, mercifully, a large red arrow pointing to a certain spot with the words in large letters: YOU ARE HERE! This allows us to situate ourselves within the larger map, and, without it, the big map is useless.

The Bible is like a gigantic map which reveals to us the over-arching work and unfolding plan of God for his creation. However, many of us wonder how we fit into this big plan of God. There are two main places where God, in this inspired map, has lovingly placed the words “YOU ARE HERE!” The first is in the Garden of Eden where Adam rebelled against God. Scripture teaches that in that one act of rebellion the entire human race was bound up in sin. When we read the story of the Fall, we should not read the story without seeing ourselves in that story of rebellion. However, the other place where God has placed the words YOU ARE HERE is in Jesus Christ hanging on the cross of Calvary. Just as Adam’s sin brought condemnation to the human race, so the righteous obedience of Christ brought salvation to the human race (Rom. 5:12-19). In the final analysis, the entirety of creation is either “in Adam” or “in Christ.” This is why Christ is called “the second Adam.” He provides an alternative to the story of sin, rebellion and pride.

The story of Christ is the story of righteousness, obedience and humility.

This Reader introduces you to these two stories: the story of Adam and the story of Christ. Looking back on the history of the world, there will only be these two unfolding narratives. May this Reader enable you to find the words YOU ARE HERE in every act of Christ’s life and obedience. I am pleased to invite you, wherever you may be, to join with us in this journey of reading Scripture together. Nothing could be more central to our life as the people of God.

Timothy C. Tennent President of Asbury Theological Seminary

We dedicate this Reader in honor of Dr. Ira Gallaway and in memory of his wife Sally, his wife of 66 years. Ira completes his 40th year of service on Asbury Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees. A preacher, pastor, author, evangelist, renewalist and Churchman, their life and ministry is a witness to the Gospel and a tribute to our God. Thank you Ira and Sally for who you are and all you have done to serve Asbury Theological Seminary.

J.D.W. Transfiguration 2010

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f e at ured commentator:

Through this Reader, we want to introduce our Common Text Community to the Inspire Network. Inspire is a network of people who are committed to the growth of mission spirituality in the leadership and life of the church. At the heart of inspire is a “way of life” which connects personal spirituality with evangelistic mission in daily discipleship. There are four aspects to this way of life: Growth, Discipline, Fellowship and Mission.

This way of life is intended to describe a vision of missionshaped discipleship which we aspire towards and grow into. It is rooted in the life of Jesus and the Spirit-filled life described

by Paul and the other New Testament writers. It is a means by which we invite the Spirit to search our hearts and lives; inspiring our vision, celebrating our growth, and turning us to greater faithfulness in spirituality, discipleship and mission.

The Inspire Network approach works best in the framework of an “Order for Mission.” The heartbeat of Inspire is to form small groups of disciples, called ‘bands’, who gather to hold one another accountable to the way of mission spirituality in every day life. In partnership with Inspire, our seminary is working to develop such an approach under the broad working title, “The Order of Asbury.”

We encourage those who participate with us in this shared way of reading Scripture (i.e. via this Reader) to experiment with the Inspire approach.

1. Pray for guidance in banding together with 3 to 5 friends or colleagues.

2. Agree to read Scripture together daily through the practices of this Reader.

3. Covenant to meet weekly or at least bi-weekly to pursue the four aspects of the Inspire approach, and particularly to process the generously framed questions with one another.

4. Send an email to Seminarius@asburyseminary.edu to let us know how this works for you and your band.

5. To participate and more fully benefit from resourcing made possible through our Lilly Endowment grant, please email Seminarius@asburyseminary.edu and let us know of your interest to participate.

Mary Fletcher

Our featured commentator for this spring reader is Mary Fletcher (1739-1815). “Regarded during her lifetime as a paragon of female spirituality, Mary’s fame reached its peak in the generation after her death in 1815. Her spiritual autobiography edited by Henry Moore went through 20 editions between 1817 and 1890, and she was the subject of published articles and testimonials on both sides of the Atlantic.” John Wesley regarded her as a true “Mother of Israel.”

“She was born in 1739 in Leytonstone, Essex, the daughter of Samuel Bosanquet, a wealthy banker of Huguenot extraction. She was converted at an early age and was soon showing indications of what became a lifelong commitment to a spirituality that placed emphasis on dreams and other mystical impressions. Her eccentric leanings caused a partial alienation from her family and at the age of 22 she left home and settled in London where she came to the approving notice of John Wesley.

“In 1762 Mary moved back to Leytonstone and founded a Christian community orphanage and school with two other prominent Methodist women, Sarah Crosby and Sarah Ryan. …

After experiencing financial difficulties, the community moved to Cross Hall in Yorkshire where Wesley was a frequent visitor. Mary was accustomed to ‘exhort and to read and expound the scriptures’ and by 1771 with Wesley’s reluctant approval, she had begun to preach, one of the first Methodist women to do so. In November 1781 she married the Anglican evangelical John Fletcher. Ignoring traditional gender roles, the couple pursued a joint ministry in Fletcher’s parish of Madeley in Shropshire. The local tithe barn was converted into a chapel, and Mary preached there regularly in addition to acting as a class leader.

“Mary continued her ministry after her husband’s death in 1785… Mary continued to preach and lead meetings several times a week until shortly before her death in December 1815.” Mary wrote a series of “Watchwords” for use in her preaching ministry among the Methodist societies. She developed two collections, one on “The Names of Christ” and the other on “The Names of the Church.” This Reader contains excerpts from a wide range of her “Watchwords” describing 70 names of Christ from the Old and New Testaments.

We are grateful for The Asbury Journal’s publication of this treasure trove in response to the interest of Dr. Larry Wood and the initiative of Dr. Terry Muck, editor of the Journal. Dr. David Frudd is credited with the transcription of the “Watchwords.” The biographical sketch above is taken from Dr. Gareth Lloyd’s introduction to the Journal article in the Fall 2006 issue (Vol. 61, No. 2).

We are grateful to Dr. Phil Meadows, the Director of the Inspire Network, for the permission to utilize these copyrighted materials and for the promising possibility of partnering together in this work.

For more on the Inspire Network visit www.inspire-network.org.uk

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STORY STARTS HERE.

A third-grade teacher gave a creative writing assignment to her class.

What is the most revolutionary way to change society?

“I’m going to tell you the beginning of a story, and your task is to write a creative and imaginative ending. There was once an ant and a grasshopper. The ant worked hard all summer, storing up food for the winter. The grasshopper played all summer and did no work. Winter came and the grasshopper, starving to death, went to the ant’s house. ‘Mr. Ant, my family and I have no food, and we will not last through the winter. You have plenty for your family and enough for us. Would you share?’ Now write the ending.”

One of the little girls, Lisa, shot her hand into the air. “Yes, Lisa,” responded the teacher.

“Can I draw a picture instead of writing the ending?”

“Yes Lisa,” she replied, “You may draw a picture, but you must also write the ending.”

The bigger question: How would you write the ending of the story? Better yet: How are you writing the ending of the story?

The papers came streaming in. As always, a few papers proffered this sad ending: “So the ant said, ‘No, Mr. Grasshopper! There’s only enough food for me and my family. You don’t deserve any food. You should have worked in the summer.’ And the grasshopper died.” Most of the papers came in with the traditional ending. I call it the Veggie Tales ‘God likes it when we share’ ending. “So the ant shared his food with the grasshopper and they all lived happily ever after.” But there was one more paper. Remember Lisa, the girl who wanted to draw a picture? When her paper came in, the teacher, visibly disturbed, proceeded to call her mother. She recounted the assignment saying, “In my fifteen years of teaching this class and giving this assignment, I have never seen this ending.” Here’s how Lisa finished the story:

“So the ant gave all his food to the grasshopper. And the ant died.”

And underneath the ending she had drawn a picture of three crosses.

Neither. If you want to change society, then you must tell an alternative story...

Ivan Illich

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There are only Two Stories: The story of Adam and the story of Jesus Christ.

So which story is being written through your life, your family, your community? It depends entirely on which story you remember. The story of Adam, symbolized by /\, is the story of life referenced around self, one who climbs up only to fall down. The story of Christ, symbolized by \/, is the story of life referenced around God, a willful descent into humility and a surprising ascent into embrace.

Few of us reading this would willfully allow the grasshopper to die. At the same time, few if any of us came up with Lisa’s answer. Most of us fall somewhere in the dangerous, sleepy, seductive middle; mired in the mind of Adam. We want to surrender our self, but the best we can muster is to share our stuff. Why is this? Meister Eckhart, writing in the 18th century, says it well. “There are plenty who follow our Lord half way, but not the other half. They will give up possessions, friends and honors, but it touches them too closely to disown themselves.” It’s why Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing in the 20th century famously penned, “When Christ calls a disciple, he bids him come and die.” It’s why Jesus stunningly said in the first century, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it, but whoever keeps their life will lose it.”

Lisa’s “Ant” forgot it’s “self ” and risked everything on a resurrection. This is precisely what Jesus did, and it’s what he calls us to do.

Adam tells the story of the failure of trust, the failure of obedience and the failure of love. Adam’s race has some bright lights, but a hero is the best Adam’s race can offer. A Saint is of another order altogether. Jesus tells a story of perfect trust, perfect obedience and perfect love. Our journey leads us out of the broken story of Adam and into the unparalleled story of Jesus.

Welcome to the 40 days of Lent, our annual invitation to journey deeper into the Mind of Christ. In these 40 days Jesus invites us to follow him more closely than before, to dwell on his words, to ponder his interactions, to look deeply into the miraculous signs and wonders and to become awe-filled in the presence of his awful suffering and death. What we behold, we become. Moving from Story #1 to Story #2 unfolds a long and arduous journey. Though we may cross the threshold in an instant, full story immersion doesn’t usually happen overnight. It’s why we keep coming back around to this 40-day journey every year.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I will serve as your narrator along the way, trying to keep the stories straight.

Mind of

Adam

Mind of

Christ

Created in the very image of God...

Being in very nature God...

considered equality with God something to be grasped (Genesis 3)

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped

Tried to make himself something

made himself nothing

Prided himself

He humbled himself

Became disobedient unto death

Became obedient to death

Therefore God humbled him

Therefore God highly exalted him

Adam’s race built a tower to make a name for themselves

Jesus was given the name above every name

God confused their language and scattered them across the earth

And every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

Be warned. This is not a path that can be found. It can only be revealed. Story #2 reveals a person, the way, who must be followed. And so we begin with this person’s invitation:

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PRACTICING THE STORY At the heart of this spring’s Reader are two core practices: Lent and Easter. We are encouraging an approach to the practice of “Examen” through the 40 days of Lent and the practice of “Affirming Faith” through the 50 days of Easter.

St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, developed a practice known as the “Examen of Consciousness,” a daily approach to cultivating awareness of God in all things. On each of the 40 days, watch for a section that looks like this:

p r a c t i c e : A life of forgiveness and fellowship. e x a m e n : Do I come to God in repentance, experiencing his forgiveness, and entering the divine embrace?

General Rules for Reading 1. Less can be More. Slow Down. Read for Immersion not Extraction.

The celebrated Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, once remarked about reading Scripture, “Cover less ground more slowly.” It’s a good word. Somewhere along the way in the modern Church, we began reading Scripture with the goals of speed, mastery and personal relevance. We want to read the whole bible in a year or less and we want to gain immediately applicable, relevant bible knowledge to solve our problems and make us better people. Our reading advice: Rather than trying to read a given number of chapters a day, stick with the readings for the day. Focus on them. Dwell in them. Ponder and Pray through them. The goal isn’t to quickly delve into the text in order to extract something out. The hope is to become immersed in the Word of God such that it begins to shape our way of seeing God and responding to the World. It’s not about leaving our world to go into the bible to get something to take back to our world. It’s about a fusion of the horizon of Scripture with the horizon of our own lives and communities. As we read our way into the Word, the Spirit will lead our path into the World.

2. Engage Scripture with a reading rhythm and ritual practice.

Engaging the Practice (make sure you have at least 10 minutes) 1. Invite the Holy Spirit to make your spirit aware and attentive to the presence of God and mindful of the recent 12 to 24 hours in a grace-filled way.

2. Begin by expressing gratitude to God for the particular gifts the past day has given you, from the simple to the sublime (e.g., a great meal, a reconciled relationship.)

3. Ask yourself the particular question of Examen for the day. Try doing it aloud.

4. Ask God to remind you of the particular ways the Spirit empowered you to experience the practice in the past day and express gratitude for these successes.

(For example, “Thank you, Father, for taking away my anger and filling me with the love of Jesus today as I experienced the critical spirit of my co-worker.”)

5. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you those places where you fell short or faltered in the practice. (For example, “Father, thank you for showing me that my anxious tone and impatience with my children this morning as I left for work is not your will for my life and character.”)

NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE PRACTICE OF SELF-SHAMING, SELF-CONDEMNATION OR MORBID INTROSPECTION. The practice of Examen intends to make us gracefully mindful of ourself and others, sensitive to the Holy Spirit and grateful for both successes and failures.

6. Close out the practice by speaking directly to Jesus, the lover of your soul. Try to imagine that he is actually sitting across the table or in the chair beside you. Speak with him about the day behind and the day ahead. Welcome him nearer, more deeply into your life.

CONFESS:

Drawing heavily from Psalm 51, we suggest you read the opening verse aloud and in a spirit of confession.

READ + RUMINATE: The Core text will come from Luke’s Gospel on most days and in a continuous fashion. Read the text at a moderate pace, not so much to glean points or applications, but to get the flow, the movement, the scene, the big idea of it. Now close your eyes and remember what you read. Reflect on it. In each reading you will find a verse or two in bold print. After reading through the entire text, try ruminating on the bold verses.

Ruminate comes from the Latin word, ruminare and it means “to chew over again.” To ruminate is to go over the words and ideas like a cow chews on a cud. For fun and a fuller rumination on the metaphor, look up the entry for “ruminate” on Wikipedia and see what you find. Make notes in the margins of your observations and insights.

REFLECT:

On most days we include a short reading that has direct or perhaps indirect connection to the Gospel text. How does the reading enlarge your understanding? Jot a note in the margin that may come to mind.

REJOICE:

Though Lent is a season of confession and repentance, it remains a time for rejoicing. Scripture teaches, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Again, read these texts aloud and in a spirit of celebration.

PRACTICE:

Watch for practical instructions throughout the reader and engage them.

Note the changing dynamics of the rhythm following Easter.

7. Close by saying the Lord’s Prayer in a slow and deliberate fashion.

More on Easter when we get there!

For a complete listing of all of the questions, see Appendix A. 10 :: asbury theological seminary

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p ray e rs fo r t h e

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Journey

prayers for the

Journey

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NARRATOR:

Our story opens on a high peak with Jesus, Peter, James & John.

Two great mountaintop figures, Moses (Mt. Sinai) and Elijah (Mt. Carmel) join them. Jesus’ body mysteriously transfigures before their eyes. It seems the Kingdom may break in at any moment.

No one wants to leave.

The audible voice of God speaks from the cloud.

Just eight days before, the disciples knew the road had come to the proverbial fork. Though Jesus’ warning of his impending death haunted them, the three may think the suffering had been averted. If so, they would be wrong. The long journey of descent lay ahead; a journey from the heights of Heaven to the depths of death, from a transfigured body to a disfigured corpse.

Beware and Behold!

Sunday, February 14 the feast of the transfiguration of our lord

g at h e r i n g p r ay e r Almighty Father, who did inspire Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep thy Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP 187

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.

Amen. Eucharist Prayer of the Faithful, The Divine Liturgy of St. Chrysostom 2 Kings 2:9-12 TNIV

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

Luke 9:18-27

NRSV

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then he said

to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life

will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

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reflect

“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

Luke 9:28-36 NASB

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

rejoice Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

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Monday, February 15 g at h e r i n g p r ay e r GOD, who before the Passion of thine only-begotten Son didst reveal his glory upon the holy mount: Grant unto us thy servants, that in faith beholding the light of his countenance, we may be strengthened to bear the cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Exodus 24:12-18 ESV

The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 34:29-35 NRS

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 NRSV

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit,

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image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore,

since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

sing (Visit www.cyberhymnal.com to get the tune)

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down; fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!

Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest.

Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be.

Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Charles Wesley, “Love Diving, All Loves Excelling”

p r a c t i c e : A life of forgiveness and fellowship. e x a m e n : Do I come to God in repentance, experiencing his forgiveness, and entering the divine embrace?

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Luke 3:24-37

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melki, of Joseph, the son of Jannai, the son

the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath,

the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,

the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melki, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, of Eliezer, the son of Joshua, the son the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,

the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

the son of Seth, the son of

Adam,

the son of Kenan, the son of Enosh, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,

the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,

the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,

the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Serug, the son of Reu,

the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Isaac, the son of Abrah am,

the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,

the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of David, the son of Jesse,

the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,

the son of Melea, the son of Menna,

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rejoice His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

Tuesday, February 16 s h rov e t u e s d ay

g at h e r i n g p r ay e r o f c o n f e s s i o n Merciful God, We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have failed to be an obedient church.

We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy.

Forgive us, we pray.

Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

r e a d + ru m i n at e

Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” John 1:1-18 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to

Isaiah 40:1-9 NIV

those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry out.”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them.

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John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

reflect What wisdom is here that God should become man, and yet be God still. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. How beyond imagination! That man who had made himself by sin worse than the beast should by grace, be made partaker of the divine nature; and yet the apostle tells us (2 Peter 1:4), there are given unto us great and precious promises, that by these you may become partakers of the divine nature! Secondly, it is a wonderful mystery, that salvation should be a free gift, and yet merited. It was a dear purchase to Christ and yet a free gift to us that the creditor should become his own paymaster. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Christ the Wisdom of God”

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p r a c t i c e : A life of adoption and assurance. e x a m e n : Do I have the witness of the Spirit within me that I am a child of God; abiding and delighting in his holy love?

Story Map rejoice This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-7 NIV

your story here:

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Wednesday, February 17

Enter the Story

a s h w e d n e s d ay

confess Psalm 51:1-12

Do not suppose that this is the kind of drama one can view from a grandstand seat. We are not to be spectators of something that happened once upon a time. The Bible is not a book of ancient history. It is more like the commedia dell’arte, a dramatic form which flourished in sixteenth-century Italy. In this kind of drama, the players were asked to improvise, to put themselves into the story. To be sure, it was not a free improvisation, for there were some given elements: there was the director, there was a company of actors, and there was a story plot which was given to them in broad outline. With these given elements they were told to improvise—that is, to fill in the gaps on their own.

We too, are called upon to improvise—that is, to put ourselves into the story and to fill in the gaps with our own experience. We must be ready to get onto the biblical stage and participate personally—along with the ‘company,’ the community of faith—in the dramatic movement of the plot, act by act.

Bernhard W. Anderson, The Unfolding Drama of the Bible, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988), 16,17.

NARRATOR:

NIV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

“From dust you have come and to dust you shall return. Repent and Believe the Gospel.” Story #1, the story of Adam, is terminal. Beginning from dust or humus, it will end in dust. Because of disobedience, sin entered the world and life became profoundly limited. We will die. The cosmic law of all reality: sin leads to death. But sin dies hard. It must be crucified. Sin brazenly ignores death or tries to escape it. Sin disclaims limitation, guarantees immortality, and promises prosperity. Don’t believe me? Just watch Satan’s strategy in the desert with Jesus.

The Truth: We have an extraordinary, unlimited capacity to deceive ourselves.

Blaise Pascal wrote, “We run heedlessly into the abyss after putting something in front of us to stop us from seeing it.” Ash Wednesday beckons: “Wake Up, People!

There’s still time. Repent! Turn away from the lies! Believe the Gospel: Only Jesus can save you from sin and deliver you from death. He turns ashes into beauty.

No matter how far you’ve fallen, He can lift you into a life so good you wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”

Ash Wednesday presents a plot device; a way out and a way in. Confession and repentance (i.e., not self-shaming but simple honesty) opens a narrow door out of slavery and into a wide open space of Life. Seize the moment and renounce sin, lies, false appearances and faking it, selfcenteredness and self-absorption. The good news: Sin has been crucified! So “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” On this the Saints are all in one accord: “The secret to life is to die before you die.” Be done with sin and be born anew. This is how the plot turns from Story #1 to Story #2.

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Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 NRSV

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right ; and your hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in Father who sees in will reward you.

secret

secret

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in ; and your Father who sees in will reward you. ...

secret

secret

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 ; and your Father who sees in will reward you.

secret

secret

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 3:21-22 NIV

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 4:1-13 NIV

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered,

“It is written:

‘Man does not live on bread alone.’ ”

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, only.’”

“It is written: ‘Worship

the Lord your God and serve him

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.

For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 26 :: asbury theological seminary

Jesus answered,

“It says:

‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

reflect Joel 2:12-17 NRSV

“Yet even now,” says the Lord, “Return to me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.” Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people.

Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

When he had received that glorious testimony at his baptism, he did not return into Jerusalem to proclaim it, but into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil–to endure all the fiery darts of Satan in the howling wilderness, amidst wild beasts, without one human succor; no not so much as bread and water or where to lay his sacred head. That he should stoop to converse with man was prodigious condescension; but that the omnipotent should give himself into the hand of devils, was beyond compare. Well was it said, he would in all things be made like to his brethren: that he might succor us when tempted.

Therefore he spoiled principalities and powers, overcoming our enemies, that when we are united to him by living faith, the victory might be accounted ours. Satan tempted the first Adam and succeeded; but the second Adam bruised his head. And he hath left us an example, that we should tread in the steps of his humiliation. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Nazarene”

p r a c t i c e : A life of intimacy and passion e x a m e n : Do I have the love of God shed abroad in my heart by the Spirit; a longing for his presence, and a desire to please him all things?

rejoice Romans 6:1-14

NIV

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

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If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe him. For we know that since Christ was die again; death no longer has mastery died to sin once for all; but the life

that we will also live with raised from the dead, he cannot over him. The death he died, he he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

p r ay O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen. Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

Thursday, February 18

reflect Now if there was no pollution, there would be no need of cleansing, no dross in the gold, no need of refinement. But the case is quite otherwise. The unchanged heart is enmity to God, every power is darkened and depraved, and the whole man lieth in the Evil One who leadeth him captive at his will. And after his soul is brought to God, his spirit makes the discovery how much of this still remains. Then begins the earnest cry, “Create my soul anew or all my worship’s vain This wicked heart will ne’er prove true Till it is form’d again” Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Purifier”

p r a c t i c e : A life of surrender and resignation. e x a m e n : Do I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to God’s pleasure and disposal, to love God and love my neighbour as myself?

rejoice How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

confess Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV

Friday, February 19

r e a d + ru m i n at e

confess

Luke 9:37-45 NIV

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth.

It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” ”O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ”Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did

not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

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Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 9: 46-51 NIV

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—

he is the greatest.”

”Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” ”Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

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reflect First, knowledge is a good gift. And every good gift is from the Father of lights. But the knowledge of Christ is the greatest gift, for none knoweth the son but him to whom the Father is pleased to reveal Him. In this gift of God is comprised all we can want, all we can wish, for time and for eternity. In one word he is love. Then all that we can conceive of infinite power, wisdom, and love free and unmerited; all the attributes of God united for the good of man–such is this gift of God! A sun to enliven; a shield to protect. A twofold righteousness, imputed and imparted. A perfect and sufficient sacrifice! An advocate and everlasting high priest! In one word, a Saviour! Such is held out to us in this gift of God! …

The gift of his purity would make thee believe, long, and weep and pray and wrestle; yea, agonize to be changed into his holy nature; to be renewed in his image and formed again after his adorable likeness. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Gift”

What is the shortest distance from A to B?

p r a c t i c e : A life of holiness and happiness. e x a m e n : Am I growing more like Christ in my thinking, feeling, speaking and acting through the presence of his Spirit in me?

rejoice Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Saturday, February 20 confess Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:11-12 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Genesis 19: 15-26 NIV

With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives!

Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” But Lot said to them, “No, my

For a surprising take on the answer to this question go to www.asburyreader.com and watch the short teaching posted on Sat., Feb. 20.

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The New Testament uses the word “Saint” almost 70 times, while not once can you find the word “Hero.”

The idea of contrasting the hero and the saint comes from:

The idea of contrasting the hero and the saint comes from:

Dr. Samuel Wells, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics. (Brazos Press. 2004)

Dr. Samuel Wells, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics. (Brazos Press. 2004)

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lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it-it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.” He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.) By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah-from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities-and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Luke 9:52-56

NIV

And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.

reflect Now as the darling attribute of God is mercy, so it is one pointed out for our imitation above any other; and many precious promises are annexed to the observance thereof; such as, Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy; be ye therefore merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful; the measure you mete shall be measured to you again; give and it shall be given you; good measure pressed down and shaken together shall men give into your bosom; forgive and you shall be forgiven. And so strongly doth our Lord enforce this commandment love one another, that he makes it in some sense the measure of his mercy to us. For, saith he, If ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your heavenly Father forgive you.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Merciful”

p r a c t i c e : A life of victory and freedom. e x a m e n : Am I dying and rising with Christ; being set free from the power of sin by the power of the Spirit in my heart and life?

rejoice But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 NIV

Sunday, February 21 confess Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:1-5 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 10:1-12 CEV

Later the Lord chose seventy-two other followers and sent them out two by two to every town and village where he was about to go. He said to them: “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers.

Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in. Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. Don’t take along a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals. And don’t waste time greeting people on the road. As soon as you enter a home, say, ‘God bless this home with peace.’

If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you. Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they give you, because workers are worth what they earn. Don’t move around from house to house. If the people of a town welcome you, eat whatever they offer. Heal their sick and say, ‘God’s kingdom will soon be here!’ But if the people of a town refuse to welcome you, go out into the street and say, ‘We are shaking the dust from our feet as a warning to you. And you can be sure that God’s kingdom will soon be here!’ I tell you that on the day of judgment the people of Sodom will get off easier than the people of that town!”

reflect Ye neighbours and friends of Jesus draw near: His love condescends by titles so dear To call and invite you His triumph to prove, And freely delight you in Jesus’s love.

The blind are restored through Jesus’s name, They see their dear Lord, and follow the Lamb; The halt they are walking, and running their race; The dumb they are talking of Jesus’s grace.

The deaf hear His voice and comforting word, It bids them rejoice in Jesus their Lord: Thy sins are forgiven, accepted thou art; They listen, and heaven springs up in their heart.

The lepers from all their spots are made clean, The dead by His call are raised from their sin; In Jesu’s compassion the sick find a cure, And gospel salvation is preached to the poor.

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They seek Him and find: they ask and receive The Friend of mankind, who bids them believe: On Jesus they venture, His gift they embrace, And forcibly enter His kingdom of grace.

Charles Wesley, “Ye Neighbors and Friends of Jesus”

p r a c t i c e : A life of obedience and service. e x a m e n : Am I sharing in the life and ministry of Christ, through the work of his Spirit within me?

rejoice Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

Monday, February 22 confess Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 10:13-20 NET

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done

in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long

ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for

Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you! And you, Capernaum, will

you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades! The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you

rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons

submit to us in your name!” So he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like

lightning from heaven. Look, I have given you authority to tread on

snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing

will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.

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reflect My little children in the Lord God Almighty, this is my joy that you all be ordered and guided by the mighty power of God. Know that Voice that speaks, the sound of the words, and the power of them. For words without power destroy the simplicity, bring up into a form and out of obedience of the Truth.

Therefore, walk in the power of the truth that the name of the Lord God may be glorified among you, his renown may be seen in you and among you, and all the world may be astonished, and the Lord admired in the ordering of his people who are guided by his wisdom. … Therefore all friends, mind that which is of God in you, to guide you to the Father of life, who gives you food and raiment and strength that you may flourish, your souls delight themselves in fatness, feed and eat of the abundance of riches with him and of the daily bread which comes from above, “the Bread of Life.” George Fox, from Letters

p r a c t i c e : A life of hungering and thirsting. e x a m e n : Am I asking God to fill my life with the fruit and gifts of the Spirit?

rejoice His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9 NIV

NARRATOR:

Teach me your prayers and I’ll tell you your story. Story #1, the story of Adam, is full of prayers that move in one of two basic directions. On the one hand, Adam’s more religious descendants make prayer a public demonstration; a show of righteousness.

Adam’s more desperate descendants make prayer a tireless pleading to make their own story work. It could be the story of prosperity or the story of self-improvement or the story of achievement or national security or you get the point. So often, our prayer life looks like an effort to plead with God to make our story (#1) work, to help us succeed in our quest upward for selfactualization. Left to our own devices, our prayers, no matter how earnest or sincere, will lead us in directions foreign to the story Jesus’ life tells.

It’s why following him means learning his way of praying.

The way Jesus teaches us to pray, leads us in the way of his life working in and through us; toward the actualization of his Kingdom. In the process we become our true self.

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Tuesday, February 23

Wednesday, February 24

confess

confess

For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:3-4 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 10:21-24

The Message

At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. “I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. I’ve been given it all by my Father! Only the Father knows who the Son is and only the Son knows who the Father is. The Son can introduce the Father to anyone he wants to.” He then turned in a private aside to his disciples. “Fortunate the eyes that see what you’re seeing!

There are plenty of prophets and kings who would have given their right arm to see what you are seeing but never got so much as a glimpse, to hear what you are hearing but never got so much as a whisper.”

reflect He is the door to pardon, because he hath made our debt his own; and believing on him, we are accepted for his sake. He is also the door to holiness: because it is his own spirit which he puts within us. For all our salvation depends on the manifestation of the spirit, life and nature of Jesus Christ within us. And it is by the imparting of this spirit of holiness that he saves unto the uttermost all who come to the Father through him. Again, he is the door to every blessing, for it is he that healeth all our infirmities; and every blessing flows through the dear channel of his blood. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Door”

p r a c t i c e : A life of spiritual awakening. e x a m e n : Have I seen the presence of God, heard the voice of God, tasted the goodness of God, touched the nearness of God, smelled the fragrance of God in my daily life?

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:5-6 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 10:25-37 NASB

And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered,

“you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But

wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you. ‘Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

reflect When in darkness and danger; thou art my sun and shield. If heavy laden with sorrow and temptation; thou art my bright and morning star, ushering in eternal day. Yea the place of my defence, and my castle whereunto I may continually resort. Whatever breach or wound sin hath made Jesus thy balm shall make it whole, For thy name is as ointment poured forth. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Ointment”

rejoice This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:5-8 NIV

p r a c t i c e : A life of spiritual vision. e x a m e n : Have I been able to perceive the hand of God at work: guiding, strengthening and providing for my daily life?

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rejoice We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

Thursday, February 25 confess Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

reflect What is implied in the word upright? It means in the common acceptation of Christ: sincere.

But as it is here spoke– of a fruit of the constant abiding in the presence of God– we may take it in the full sense. Then it implies a deliverance from self– which is the principle of evil; a becoming pliable to the will of God, as a leaf before the wind– having lost all will in his. … Secondly, as our prophet: harkening to the spirits teaching, receiving the Law from his mouth, and laying up his words in our hearts and staying our minds on him, in that degree which leads to perfect peace. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Almighty”

p r a c t i c e : A life of spiritual vision. e x a m e n : Have I been able to perceive the hand of God at work: guiding, strengthening and providing for my daily life?

Luke 10:38-42 NLT

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha,

you are worried and upset over all these details!

There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

rejoice How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

Friday, February 26

Psalm 46 NASB

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

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confess

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:1-4 NRSV

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’”

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reflect

Saturday, February 27

It was the Holy Spirit who inspired [the disciples] to make this request. The Holy Spirit convinced them of their inability to pray in their own strength, and he moved their hearts to draw near to Jesus Christ as the only Master who could teach them how they ought to pray. It was then that Jesus taught them the Lord’s Prayer.

confess

There is no Christian who is not in the same case as the disciples. Every Christian ought to say to the Savior as humbly as they: ‘Lord teach us to pray.’ Ah! If we were only convinced of our ignorance and of our need of a Teacher like Jesus Christ! If we would only approach him with confidence, asking him to teach us himself and desiring to be taught by his grace how to converse with God! How soon we should be skilled in it and how many of its secrets we should discover! Do not let us say that we know how to pray the prayer they learned from him. We may know the words, but without grace we cannot understand the meaning and we cannot ask or receive what it expresses. Jean-Nicholas Grou, How to Pray

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, Of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. p r a c t i c e : A life of spiritual attention. e x a m e n : Have I made the reality of God’s presence, providence and purpose the centre and focus of my daily life?

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:11-12 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:5-13

TNIV

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” reflect A frequent intercession with God, earnestly beseeching Him to forgive the sins of all mankind, to bless them with his Spirit, and bring them to everlasting happiness, is the divinest exercise that the heart of man can be engaged in. Be daily, therefore, on your knees, in a solemn deliberate performance of this devotion, praying for others in such forms, with such length, importunity, and earnestness, as you use for yourself; and you will find all little, ill-natured passions die away, your heart grow great and generous, delighting in the common happiness of others, as you used only to delight in your own.

William Law (1686-1761)

rejoice Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV

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p r a c t i c e : A life of thanks and praise. e x a m e n : Have I given thanks to God for his unfailing attention, love and grace toward me in my daily life?

rejoice But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 NIV asbury theological seminary :: 45

Sunday, February 28 confess Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:1-5 NIV

When Jesus makes my heart his home, My sin shall all depart; And lo! He saith, I quickly come, To fill and rule thy heart.

Be it according to thy word; Redeem me from all sin; My heart would now receive thee, Lord; Come in, my Lord, come in!

Charles Wesley, “What is Our Calling’s Glorious Hope”

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:14-20 CEV

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

rejoice Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

Jesus knew their thoughts

and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons

by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Monday, March 1 confess Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

p r a c t i c e : A life of transfiguration. e x a m e n : Has the reality of God shone through my life to others as truth that can be seen, heard, tasted, touched and smelled?

sing

(Sing to the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

What is our calling’s glorious hope, But inward holiness!

For this to Jesus I look up; I calmly wait for this.

I wait till he shall touch me clean, Shall life and power impart; Give me the faith that casts out sin, And purifies the heart.

This is the dear redeeming grace, For every sinner free; Surely it shall on me take place, The chief of sinners, me.

Form all iniquity, from all, He shall my soul redeem; In Jesus I believe, and shall Believe myself to him.

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r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:21-26 NKJV

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.

Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Deuteronomy 33:26-29 NKJV

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds.

The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms;

He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, “Destroy!”

Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine;

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His heavens shall also drop dew.

Happy are you, O Israel!

Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty!

Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.

reflect Refuge: There is such fullness in this word. It would take a volume to describe in how many senses, the Lord is a refuge to his people. Suffice it to say, in all times, in all situations, in life, or death, he is that refuge to which we may continually resort.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Refuge”

p r a c t i c e : A life of witness. e x a m e n : Has my life been an authentic signpost to the reality of God and a living invitation to share in the divine embrace?

Hosea 6:1-6 CEV

Let’s return to the LORD. He has torn us to shreds, but he will bandage our wounds and make us well.

In two or three days he will heal us and restore our strength that we may live with him.

Let’s do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.

People of Israel and Judah, what can I do with you?

Your love for me disappears more quickly than mist or dew at sunrise.

That’s why I slaughtered you with the words of my prophets.

That’s why my judgments blazed like the dawning sun. I’d rather for you to be faithful and to know me than to offer sacrifices.

reflect rejoice His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

We hear many glorious attributes ascribed to God: wisdom, light, power, and goodness; but we do not hear him called by these names in the abstract. It is not said God is wisdom, but rather it is expressed he is the God of wisdom. Love is spoken of in a different way; as in these words God is love; intimating that this is his darling, his reigning attribute. The attribute, which sheds an amiable glory on all his other perfections.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Love”

p r a c t i c e : A life of witness.

Tuesday, March 2

e x a m e n : Has my life been an authentic signpost to the reality of God and a living invitation to share in the divine embrace?

confess For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:3-4 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:27-28 NRSV

While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those

who hear the word of God and obey it!”

sing

(Sing to the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

What shall I do my God to love?

My loving God to praise The length, and breadth, and height to prove, And depth of sovereign grace?

Thy sovereign grace to all extends, Immense and unconfined; From age to age it never ends; It reaches all mankind.

Throughout the world its breadth is known, Wide as infinity, So wide, it never passed by one, Or it had passed by me.

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My trespass was grown up to heaven; But far above the skies, In Christ abundantly forgiven, I see thy mercies rise.

traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far

greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’”

The depth of all-redeeming love What angel-tongue can tell?

O may I to the utmost prove The gift unspeakable!

reflect

Deeper than hell, it plucked me thence, Deeper than inbred sin, Jesus’ love my heart shall cleanse When Jesus enters in.

Come quickly, gracious Lord, and take Possession of thine own; My longing heart vouchsafe to make Thine everlasting throne!

Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Cornerstone”

Charles Wesley, “What Shall I Do My God to Love”

rejoice This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:5-8 NIV

Wednesday, March 3 confess Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:5-6 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:29-32 The Message

As the crowd swelled, he took a fresh tack: “The mood of this age is all wrong. Everybody’s looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you’re looking for is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. But the only proof you’re going to get is the Jonah-proof given to the Ninevites, which looks like no proof at all. What Jonah was to Nineveh, the Son of Man is to this age.

“On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she 50 :: asbury theological seminary

Observe, the end of our being thus united and built up: that we may be an habitation of God through the spirit, and the fulfilling of that promise: I and my Father will come and make our abode with you.

If, therefore, we live without that indwelling deity, we live below the design of God; the purchase of Christ’s blood, and the end for which we were created. Mary

p r a c t i c e : A life of mission. e x a m e n : Has my heart and life been moved into the world by the reality of God’s love for my neighbours?

sing

(Sing to the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

Come to the feast, for Christ invites, And promises to feed; ‘Tis here His closest love unites The members to their Head.

‘Tis here He nourishes His own With living bread from heaven, Or makes Himself to mourners known, And shows their sins forgiven.

Still in His instituted ways He bids us ask the power, The pardoning or the hallowing grace, And wait the appointed hour.

‘Tis not for us to set our God A time His grace to give, The benefit wher’etr bestow’d We gladly should receive.

NARRATOR:

As Jesus nears Jerusalem, the contrast between Story #1 and #2 grows poignant.

Watch as he becomes more and more indignant and intolerant of Pharisees (religious leadership). They don’t respond to his gracious invitation, so he turns to prophetic confrontation. We soon see that prideful people who build a self-righteous religious identity are the most dangerous people on Earth.

He will also show us that the most financially secure people are in the greatest danger.

Though we all have sinned and bear responsibility for the murder of Jesus, the great irony is the way the most outwardly religious people most publicly lead the assault.

All the while the wealthy build their bigger barns. Watch also the kinds of people Jesus reaches out to include and lifts up as exemplary: the poor, the demon oppressed and possessed, the crippled and lame, blind beggars and unclean lepers, tax collectors, widows, powerless children, and finally a convicted felon sentenced to death.

Who seek redemption through His love, His love shall them redeem, He came self-emptied from above, That we might live through Him.

The Kingdom of Heaven, the great reversal, is at hand!

Expect we then the quickening word, Who at His altar bow; But if it be Thy pleasure, Lord, O let us find Thee now.

Charles Wesley, “Come to the Feast for Christ Invites”

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rejoice

reflect

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

Almighty God, merciful Father, and my good Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Grant me forgiveness of my sins. Make me guard against and overcome all snares, temptations, and harmful pleasures. May I shun utterly in word and in deed, whatever you forbid, and do and keep whatever you command. Let me believe and hope, love and live, according to your purpose and your will. St. Anselm

Thursday, March 4 confess

p r a c t i c e : A life of evangelism. e x a m e n : Have I communicated the gospel in word and deed, inviting others to search for the reality of God in their lives?

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:33-36 NASB

No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.

The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.

rejoice How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

Friday, March 5

Psalm 27 NIV

The LORD is my light and my salvationwhom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my lifeof whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 52 :: asbury theological seminary

confess Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:37-45 NET

As he spoke, a Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was astonished when he saw that Jesus did not first wash his hands before the meal.

But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the

outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools!

Didn’t the one who made the outside make the inside as well? But give from your heart to those in need, and then everything will be clean for you.

“But woe to you Pharisees! You give a tenth of your mint, rue, and every herb, yet you neglect justice and love for God! But you should have done these things without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the best seats in the synagogues and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces! Woe to you! You are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it!”

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One of the experts in religious law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things you insult us too.”

reflect Now all sins springs up from the idol self. If that is removed we immediately become as little children! And in the same chapter, the Lord says, I will bring the third part through the fire, I will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. If, then, you are willing, and do but cast yourselves on this open fountain you shall pass through it into the wide ocean of everlasting love. You shall be purified in the sea, like unto glass mingled with fire, and drink forever at the pure river, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb!

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Fountain”

p r a c t i c e : Prayer without ceasing. e x a m e n : Am I aiming for constancy in prayer, the breath of my spiritual life, and practicing the presence of God in the midst of everyday life?

rejoice Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Saturday, March 6 confess Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:11-12 TNIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 11:46-54 NRSV

And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so that this generation may 54 :: asbury theological seminary

be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to crossexamine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Amos 5:1, 7, 10-15 NIV

Hear this word, O house of Israel, this lament I take up concerning you:

You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground you hate the one who reproves in court and despise him who tells the truth.

You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain.

Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine.

For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins.

You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.

Seek good, not evil, that you may live.

Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.

Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

reflect They that refuse the saviour, must expect to fall into the hand of the destroyer; yet the Lord does not give them up without a most tender lamentation, ‘O that my people would have harkened unto me and that Israel would have obeyed me, I should soon have subdued their adversaries. One of them should have chased a thousand and two should have put ten thousand to flight. Yea I would have fed them with the finest wheat flour, and with honey out of the stony rock would I have sustained them.’ Then let us from this night begin to listen as we have never done to the voice of the great prophet, for he that heareth the voice of the son of God shall live.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from Prophet

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Sunday, March 7

p r a c t i c e : Prayer without ceasing. e x a m e n : Am I praying with and for those in fellowship with me?

rejoice But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 NIV

your story here:

confess Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:1-5 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 12:1-12 TNIV

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever publicly disowns me will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

sing Let all that breathe Jehovah praise, Almighty, all-creating Lord; Let earth and heaven his power confess, Brought out of nothing by His Word!

He spake the word, and it was done, The Universe his word obeyed: The Word is his eternal Son, And Christ the whole creation made.

Jehovah the almighty Lord, Father of Jesus Christ, and ours, The heavens created by his Word, And by his breath the heavenly powers: 56 :: asbury theological seminary

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To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost By equal adoration given, Maker of the celestial host, Maker of the new earth and heaven!

my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?’ So it is when someone stores up treasure for himself instead of becoming rich in the sight of God.”

Baptized into one only name, The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One nature we in three proclaim, One God for our salvation trust: One God eternally abides, One undivided Trinity, And the whole Deity resides In each of the mysterious Three.

Father, and Son, and Spirit join To make the joyful secret known, The love unsearchable, divine, Of One in Three, and Three in One: This is the counsel of his grace, That him we here by faith should see, Should see above his glorious face, And gaze to all eternity.

Charles Wesley, “Let All That Breathe Jehovah Praise”

p r a c t i c e : Searching the Scripture. e x a m e n : Am I being immersed in the Bible as a means of learning about the character, presence, activity and calling of God in my life?

rejoice Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

Monday, March 8 confess Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 12:16-34 NJB

Then he told them a parable, “There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, ‘What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all 58 :: asbury theological seminary

Then he said to his disciples, “That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more you are worth than the birds! Can any of you, however much you worry, add a single cubit to your span of life? If a very small thing is beyond your powers, why worry about the rest? Think how the flowers grow; they never have to spin or weave; yet, I assure you, not even Solomon in all his royal robes was clothed like one of them. Now if that is how God clothes a flower which is growing wild today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he look after you, who have so little faith! But you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things to drink; nor must you worry. It is the gentiles of this world who set their hearts on all these things. Your Father well knows you need them. No; set your hearts on his kingdom, and

these other things will be given you as well.

There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too.

reflect Now a friend is one to whom we may always open our whole heart. So the blessed Jesus invites us to make every request known to him, and adds call upon the Lord at all times ye people. Pour our your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us. Again, a friend is one to whom we may apply in every want. So we may, in the highest sense, to the Lord.

Do we want pardon? He hath bought it, and gives it freely. Do we want Light? He says I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness! Do we want acceptance with God? He presents himself in our place, and covers us with the robe of his perfect obedience! Do we want holiness? He imparts his nature, and changes our stone into flesh. Do we want protection? He says to those who trust in him, “I will compass thee about as with a shield and become thine exceeding great reward!” Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Friend of Sinners”

p r a c t i c e : Searching the Scripture. e x a m e n : Am I searching the scriptures with and for those in fellowship with me?

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declare “Thy will be done! Yes, my adorable Lord, strip me of every penny. Bring me not only to poverty, but what I far more dread, to insolvency. Yes! Strip me even of reputation. Let me be as ‘filth and offspring of all things.’ Only let me have thy approval, and all shall be well. Yes, I will praise thee for all, and most for the severe.” Mary Fletcher, The Life of Mary Fletcher, 79

rejoice His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

reflect Sometimes the church is addressed and invited as a babe to its mother; then as a son whom his Father loves; but in this and many other places: as a bride adorned for the bridegroom… Hear his own word As a bridegroom rejoiceth over his bride—So shall the Lord thy God rejoice over thee. Were it not enough, he had said, Come and thou shall be welcome. But here, he calls thee to the closest union. And though he knows thou art a perverse rebel, and cannot feel a grain of love but what he puts into thee: yet he doth wait that he may be gracious, and is a thousand times more ready to save thee than thou art to be saved. And so doth he delight in that communion, that the spirit continually cries Come. The whole word of God invites thee to this state of pure union.

Now if thou wilt follow the attraction, the work is done!”

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords, The Names of Christ, from “BrideGroom”

p r a c t i c e : Sharing in the Lord’s Supper.

Tuesday, March 9

e x a m e n : Am I remembering what Christ has done for me, receiving what the Spirit does in me, and resigning my life to God’s hands?

confess For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:3-4 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 12:35-40 NLT

Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you

rejoice This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:5-8 NIV

will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

Wednesday, March 10 confess

Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:5-6 NIV

Song of Songs 2:8-10 NRSV

Luke 12:49-53 NASB

The voice of my beloved!

Look, he comes, Leaping upon the mountains, Bounding over the hills.

My beloved is like a gazelle Or a young stag.

Look, there he stands Behind our wall, Gazing in at the windows, Looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” 60 :: asbury theological seminary

r e a d + ru m i n at e I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?

I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.

They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

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Jeremiah 23:23-29 NKJV

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off?

Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD. “Is not My word

like a fire?” says the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” p r a c t i c e : Sharing in the Lord’s Supper. e x a m e n : Am I joining those in fellowship with me to remember, receive and resign our life together to God?

reflect Let it suffice to say, then, that God perceives the imperfections within us, and because of his love for us, urges us to grow up. His love is not content to leave us in our weakness, and for this reason he takes us into a dark night. He weans us from all of the pleasures by giving us dry times and inward darkness.

In doing so he is able to take away all these vices and create virtues within us. Through the dark night pride becomes humility, greed becomes simplicity, wrath becomes contentment, luxury becomes peace, gluttony becomes moderation, envy becomes joy, and sloth becomes strength. No soul will ever grow deep in the spiritual life unless God works passively in that soul by means of the dark night.

St. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the Soul

rejoice We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

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Thursday, March 11 confess Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 13:6-9 CEV

Jesus then told them this story: A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. One day he went out to pick some figs, but he didn’t find any. So he said to the gardener, “For three years I have come looking for figs on this tree, and I haven’t found any yet. Chop it down! Why should it take up space?”

The gardener answered, “Master, leave it for another year. I’ll dig around it and put some manure on it to make it grow. Maybe it will have figs on it next year. If it doesn’t, you can have it cut down.”

Isaiah 5:1-7 TNIV

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.

He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines.

He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well.

Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

“Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it?

When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?

Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.

I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there.

I will command the clouds not to rain on it.”

The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in.

And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

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reflect There can be no fruit pleasant in the eyes of God, but what springs from faith, and faith is union with God; it is the soul’s venture upon him: a divine confidence, by which we draw all our strength each moment from the sacred root, and receive from him the sap, which supplies every faculty and power of the soul. Thus, faith is the victory, because it overcomes by the omnipotence of God, on which it lays hold and to which it gives all the glory! Again it must be observed, the root of the vine is hid in the earth. We do not see that, though the whole tree with all the treasures it bears is produced therefrom. So is our life an hidden life. St. Paul says, your lives are hid with Christ in God, but when Christ our life shall appear (when he shall display his glory, no longer veiled) then shall we also appear with him in glory! Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Vine”

p r a c t i c e : Fasting or abstinence. e x a m e n : Am I making God the center and focus of my life, by fasting or abstaining from those things that tend to distract me?

rejoice How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

Friday, March 12 confess Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 13:10-17 NET

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, and a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years.

She was bent over and could not straighten herself up completely.

When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”

Then he placed his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. But the president of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days on which work should be done! So come and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites!

Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from its stall, and lead it to water? Then shouldn’t this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be released from this imprisonment on the Sabbath day?” When he said this all his adversaries were humiliated, but the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things he was doing.

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reflect But in the meantime, set the foot of your faith on some scripture, and you shall find it a firm foundation. Lo every one that thirsteth come! And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely. The question is, art thou willing to be made whole? If thou art, then from this moment throw your whole self on Jesus, come to him, and he will not cast you out. And now poor, hungry soul, look at Jesus as your feeder. For he shall feed his flock like a shepherd. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Feeder” I was in the world like a blind man, Like an atheist, ignorant of my God, But you yourself had pity on me And looked down on me And turned me back to yourself.

You caused your light to shine So brightly in my darkness And called me back to you, my maker.

for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

reflect So many may say: “I see Christ held out in the word; I see there are glorious promises; I admire the plan of salvation”; and yet they never get into that divine intercourse. O let us examen ourselves, whether we be in the faith:

St. Symeon the New Theologian, Hymns of Divine Love, 37

First, is all our hopes on Jesus, looking only to him for salvation?

Secondly, do we feel, when we cast ourselves on Jesus, that he accepts the Burden, and so gives rest to our souls?

p r a c t i c e : Fasting or abstinence.

Thirdly, does the spirit of prayer grow more lively?

e x a m e n : Am I speaking the truth in love to those in fellowship with me, who are seeking holiness of heart and life?

Fourthly, does sin appear more dreadful; and holiness more lovely in our eyes?

rejoice Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Saturday, March 13 confess

Fifthly, does our hunger and thirst increase after righteousness?

Sixthly, are we more ready to live under the feet of all, and to acknowledge the faults we have fallen into?

In one word, do we grow in the knowledge of the true God as our eternal life?

Mary Fletcher, Watcchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Eternal Life”

p r a c t i c e : Works of mercy. e x a m e n : Am I serving God by serving my neighbour, bringing the gospel to them in word and deed?

rejoice But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 NIV

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:11-12 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 13:23-30 NKJV

Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open 66 :: asbury theological seminary

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Sunday, March 14 confess

rejoice Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:1-5 NIV

Monday, March 15

r e a d + ru m i n at e

confess

Luke 13:31-35 NRSV

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and

performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the

next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

reflect Come Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, Let us thy influence prove, Source of the old prophetic fire, Fountain of light and love.

Come holy ghost, for moved by thee, The prophets wrote and spoke, Unlock the truth, thyself the key, Unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial dove, Brood o’er our nature’s night; On our disordered spirits move, And let there now be light.

God, through himself we then shall know, In thou within us shine, And sound, with all they saints below, The depths of love divine.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 14:7-11 NLT

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’

Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’

Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

reflect Almighty God, merciful Father, and my good Lord… Give me heart-piercing goodness and humility; discerning abstinence and mortification of the flesh. Help me to love you and pray to you, praise you and meditate upon you. May I act and think in all things according to your will, purely, soberly, devoutly, and with a true and effective mind. Let me know your commandments, and love them, carry them out readily, and bring them into effect. Always, Lord, let me go on with humility to better things and never grow slack.

St. Anselm, Prayers and Meditations

p r a c t i c e : Works of mercy. e x a m e n : Am I joining those in fellowship with me in God’s mission of love to our neighbours?

Charles Wesley, “Come Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire”

p r a c t i c e : Works of mercy. e x a m e n : Am I serving God by serving my neighbour, bringing the gospel to them in word and deed?

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rejoice His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV asbury theological seminary :: 69

Tuesday, March 16 confess For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:3-4 NIV

rejoice This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:5-8 NIV

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Wednesday, March 17

Luke 14:12-24 NIV

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the

poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be

repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

reflect The thief on the cross certainly did not receive the Kingdom of Heaven as a reward for his virtues but as a grace and mercy from God. He can serve as an authentic witness that our salvation is given to us only by God’s mercy and grace. All the holy masters knew this and unanimously taught that perfection in holiness can be achieved only through humility.

John Cassian, On the Eight Vices, I:80

p r a c t i c e : Sharing spiritual life. e x a m e n : Am I sharing testimony about my spiritual life; growth in grace, areas of weakness, or times in the wilderness?

confess Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:5-6 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 14:25-33 NRSV

Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”

2 Samuel 24:18-25 NASB

So Gad came to David that day and said to him, “Go up, erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”

David went up according to the word of Gad, just as the LORD had commanded.

Araunah looked down and saw the king and his servants crossing over toward him; and Araunah went out and bowed his face to the ground before the king.

Then Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” And David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be held back from the people.”

Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what is good in his sight. Look, the oxen for the burnt offering, the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood.

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“Everything, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.”

“No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the However, the king said to Araunah,

oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Thus the LORD was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.

reflect “Three years I have now passed in solemn, awful widowhood; but, glory be to my God! I have found it three years of prayer. Never did I know three years of such suffering, and never did I know three years of such prayer. Sometimes I have sweet glimpses of the millennial state brought into my soul. At others my way seems thorny and as if I walked wholly by faith, like my dream of the little star. Yet I am conscious of a great change; but I want more abundant evidence that not only many, but ‘all things have become new.’”

Mary Fletcher. The Life of Mary Fletcher

p r a c t i c e : Sharing spiritual life. e x a m e n : Am I listening to the testimony of others; expecting God to speak through them?

rejoice We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 15:1-10 The Message

By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased,

not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story.

“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it-there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

“Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on itthat’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”

reflect But he calleth his own sheep by name, not only with the general call, which moved the whole flock, but he calls each by their name. … One mark of the sheep, we must remember is, they hear (says he) my voice; they know my voice and a stranger will they not follow. Now I apprehend this implies, first a knowing the voice of God, as revealed in the word, and a rejection of all erroneous departures therefrom. But surely it goes much further. Can it imply less than a constant inward attention to the teaching of the spirit, a continual uniting of the powers of the soul, by faith to God, and a faithful rejection of those unprofitable, and hurtful thoughts, which Satan is ever striving to thrust in? Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Shepherd”

p r a c t i c e : Offering spiritual direction. e x a m e n : Am I looking for God’s presence, activity and leading in my life?

Thursday, March 18 confess Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV

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rejoice How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

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Friday, March 19 confess Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 15:11-32

reflect Kindness flows from you, Lord, pure and continual.

You had cast us off, as was only just, but mercifully you forgave us; You hated us and you were reconciled to us, you cursed us and you blessed us; You banished us from paradise, and you called us back again; You took from us the fig-leaves that had made us so unseemly a garment, And you put on us a cloak of great value; You opened the prison-gates and gave the condemned a pardon; You sprinkled us with clean water and washed away the dirt.

St. Gregory of Nyssa

NJB

Then he said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, let me have the share of the estate that will come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery. When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch; so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs.

And he would willingly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating but no one would let him have them. Then he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have all the food they want and more, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired men.’ So he left the place and went back to his father.

p r a c t i c e : Offering spiritual direction. e x a m e n : Am I listening to the discernment and direction of others?

rejoice Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him. Then

his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we will celebrate by having a feast, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. The servant told him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf we had been fattening because he has got him back safe and sound.’ He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out and began to urge him to come in; but he retorted to his father, ‘All these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed any orders of yours, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends.

But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property - he and his loose women - you kill the calf we had been fattening.’ The father said, ‘My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.’”

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Saturday, March 20 confess Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:11-12 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 16:1-13 TNIV

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg- I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ “’Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

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“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

p r a c t i c e : Offering spiritual direction. e x a m e n : Am I offering discernment and direction to others?

“’A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly

rejoice But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 NIV

your story here:

wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Amos 8:4-7a CEV

You people crush those in need and wipe out the poor.

You say to yourselves, “How much longer before the end of the New Moon Festival?

When will the Sabbath be over? Our wheat is ready, and we want to sell it now.

We can’t wait to cheat and charge high prices for the grain we sell.

We will use dishonest scales and mix dust in the grain.

Those who are needy and poor don’t have any money.

We will make them our slaves for the price of a pair of sandals.”

I, the LORD, won’t forget any of this

reflect “If you love God, you will certainly start to love your neighbors too. You will find you are unable to hoard your money any longer but will want to distribute it in a godly way, being generous to all who are in need… If you imitate God by giving alms, you must not discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving, between the wicked and the innocent. For God gives what is necessary to all with an open hand, as is appropriate to them, although he sees the heart’s intention and always honors a good person more than the wicked.” Maximus the Confessor, Centuries on Charity, I:23,24 76 :: asbury theological seminary

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Sunday, March 21

Monday, March 22

confess

confess

Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:1-5 NIV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 17: 1-10 NRSV

Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the

size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Who among you would say to

your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”

reflect And now, consider how precious a treasure you have gained in this pearl of great price. You are a son or daughter of the most high by being joined to the heir of all things. You have a right to all the promises for time and eternity: to everything temporal that is for our good— for the whole world is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Yea, you have in him, pardon, holiness, and heaven. For he hath received the gift of the Holy Ghost for you; yes for you, who were but just now a rebel, since he hath received gifts for men, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell among them. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Fountain”

p r a c t i c e : Bearing spiritual fruit. e x a m e n : Am I bearing the fruit of the Spirit?

rejoice Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 86:11-13 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e 2 Kings 5:1-15c TNIV

Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria!

He would cure him of his leprosy.”

Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”

When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”

But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?

Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed!’” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.”

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Luke 17:11-19 CEV

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men with leprosy came toward him. They stood at a distance and shouted, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Jesus looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” On their way they were healed. When one of them discovered that he was healed, he came back, shouting praises to God. He bowed down at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was from the country of Samaria.

Why was this foreigner the only one who came back to thank God?” Then Jesus told the man, “You may get up and go. Your faith has made you well.”

Tuesday, March 23 confess For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:3-4 NIV

Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten men healed? Where are the other nine?

rejoice Here then, in the second place, we look to his office. Observe, he will become to us a broad river. It seems as if what Ezekiel mentions in the 47th chapter has an allusion to this. He there speaks of the holy waters flowing out of the sanctuary, or the spirit flowing from the saviour our true sanctuary. Now these waters were first only to the ankles. So there are souls, who feel the drawing invitations of the almighty. But if they rest not there, these shall drink deeper. Next, he found them to the Knees. But when the prophet passed again, they were up to the loins. But again says he, the man who held the line brought me to the waters and behold they were a river to swim in. The promise of our Lord was I will send you another comforter and will pour out my spirit upon you.

But the measure we receive depends on the enlargement of the vessel into which it is to be poured. Now that is the grace of faith. As that increases we shall find this glorious river deeper, and spread all around, while the soul, plunged into it, and lost in God, finds no bottom nor shore; but delightfully dwells in the pure elements of love, as a fish in the mighty waters. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords, The Names of Christ, from “Glorious”

reflect His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

p r a c t i c e : Bearing spiritual fruit. e x a m e n : Are my relationships with others being shaped by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control?

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 18:1-14

NASB

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

reflect “I perceived also that there is a great difference between humble thoughts and despairing thoughts. Humble thoughts, though they may cause much pain by the horror and detestation which they cause the soul to feel, yet they exalt the Savior and make the soul admire the justice as well as the mercy of God. But despairing thoughts, injected by the devil, drive the soul from God and represent him as a hard Master, gathering where he hath not strewn. The faithful soul will find many such attacks. Therefore, the safest way is continually to give up herself to the Lord, crying, ‘Thy will be done!’ That is a weapon Satan cannot stand against.” Mary Fletcher. The Life of Mary Fletcher

p r a c t i c e : Bearing spiritual fruit. e x a m e n : Am I encouraging others to bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives?

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rejoice This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:5-8 NIV

Psalm 24:1-5 TNIV

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?

Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who do not put their trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior.

Wednesday, March 24 confess Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:5-6 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 18:15-30 NRSV

People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it.

But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not

receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

reflect You should think the same way about those who are rich and greedy. They are a kind of robbers lying in wait on the roads, stealing from passers-by, and burying others’ good in their own houses as if in caves and holes. Let us not therefore call them fortunate because of what they have, but miserable because of what will come, because of the dreadful courtroom, because of the inexorable judgment, because of the outer darkness which awaits them. ...Collecting all these thoughts in your minds, therefore, my beloved, let us call fortunate not the wealthy but the virtuous; let us call miserable not the poor but the wicked. Let us not regard what is present, but consider what is to come. St. John Chrysostom, “First Sermon on Lazarus and the Rich Man”

p r a c t i c e : Exercising spiritual gifts. e x a m e n : Am I seeking the gifts of the Spirit and sharing those gifts with others?

rejoice We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

Thursday, March 25 confess Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 18:31-43 NLT

Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, Continued on next page

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and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” But they didn’t understand any of this. The

significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.

“When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.

“The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’

Isaiah 53:5-6 NKJV

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

reflect We pray to God to know his passion, death, and resurrection — which come from the goodness of God. We pray to God for the strength that comes from his Cross — which also comes from the goodness of God. We pray to God … for he is the goodness of everything. Amen. Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love

p r a c t i c e : Exercising spiritual gifts. e x a m e n : Am I enabling others to discover and share their spiritual gifts?

rejoice How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

Friday, March 26 confess Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Luke 19:11-27 The Message

While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story: “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a 84 :: asbury theological seminary

sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’

“But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’

“He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been trustworthy in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’

“The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’

“He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’

“The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’

“He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly-and you’ve acted the fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?’

“Then he said to those standing there, ‘Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’

“They said, ‘But Master, he already has double…’

‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.

“He said,

“’As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don’t want to see their faces around here again.’”

reflect For this end God gave us speech, and hands, and feet, and strength of body, and mind, and understanding, that we might use all these things, both for our own salvation, and for our neighbor’s advantage. For not for hymns only and thanksgivings is our speech serviceable to us, but it is profitable also for instruction and admonition. And if indeed we used it to this end, we should be imitating our Master; but if for the opposite ends, the devil.

St. John Chyrsostom, Homily LXXVIII on the Gospel of Matthew.

p r a c t i c e : Imparting spiritual wisdom. e x a m e n : Am I learning from the practical and spiritual wisdom of others?

rejoice Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12 NIV asbury theological seminary :: 85

Saturday, March 27 confess

practice:

Imparting spiritual wisdom.

examen:

Am I sharing my practical and spiritual wisdom with others?

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:11-12 TNIV

rejoice

r e a d + ru m i n at e

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 TNIV

Luke 20:9-18 NASB

And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vinegrowers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send a third; and this one also they wounded and cast out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!” But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The

your story here:

stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone’?” Everyone who falls on that stone

will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.”

Psalm 118:20-23 NRSV

This is the gate of the Lord; The righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me And have become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.

reflect But in what sense is Jesus this foundation? First, as the propitiation for our sin. There is no pardon but through his atonement. Secondly, as having performed the perfect law, and so becoming the Lord our righteousness. Thirdly, as the incense which by his intercession perfumes and presents all our petitions to the Father. Fourthly, ‘Tis he, which baptizes us with the Holy Ghost, pouring down every blessing, spiritual and temporal, as the purchase of his own Blood! And fifthly, as the corner stone, that joins all the building and holds it together; or, in other words, by taking us into himself, and acting on our souls as the spirit in the living creatures: moving, actuating, and guiding every moment.

And as the fire, transforming every thing into its own nature. Thus is He all in all. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords, The Names of Christ, “Foundation” 86 :: asbury theological seminary

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h o ly w e e k s ta rt s h e r e

NARRATOR:

You are here, where we will witness the only two stories interweave themselves in horrific glory. Here we see the story of Caiaphas, the high priest of violence, and the story of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Here we see the story of Judas, betrayer of God for 30 pieces of silver, and the story of Mary, who poured out a year’s wages in costly perfume, anointing the God of the Universe for burial. Here we see Pilate, paragon of indifference, and John, the beloved disciple of devotion. We watch cruel soldiers and a faith-filled centurion; one thief hurls invective and the other pleads for paradise. The question bearing down on us all, “Which Story for me?”

Are we in Story #1, standing with the crowds? On Wednesday we throw our coins in the temple coffer. On Thursday we wave palm branches to hail the Son of David, shouting “Hosanna!” On Friday we join the chorus of death, crying out with the choirs of every generation, “Crucify Him! Release Barabbas!” Or are we in the unlikely cast of Story #2; a widow who puts her two pence life savings into the temple treasury. What about Simon, whose name is etched onto the cross and into history.

Then there’s Mary, standing there to the bitter end; the mother of God, who gave up her womb, her reputation and finally gives up the One for whom she gave it all. As she remembers swaddling his infant form on that first night, she cries inconsolably over the shroud to come. As she remembers the young carpenter boy, who loved to sit with the rabbis in the Temple, she weeps over all that might have been in this life like none had ever seen. Will we be found with Joseph of Arimathea, the council member who conscientiously objects to Caiaphas, who waits on the Kingdom, who wrenches the nails from the dead King’s hands and lays him in his own new tomb.

Story #1 or Story #2? Or do we find ourselves with countless others who try to stand with a foot in both places, which really is no place at all? One minute we pledge Him our ultimate allegiance with Peter and the next we deny we ever knew this rogue rabbi. Or maybe, this time, I find myself in the most significant moment in my life, somewhere in between Story #1 and Story #2. For me, right now, it’s the most important place in the world. It’s a thin place, an in-between place, the very threshold of Heaven and Earth, death and life, my past and my future, my regrets and my dreams. Welcome to the Week of the Passion of God. Behold as the Great Passover Lamb of God is lifted high to take away the sins of the world, unleashing the Love that saves the world.

YOU ARE HERE.

Sunday Of Passion Week s u n d ay, m a r c h 28 t h e f e st i va l o f pa l m s

e n t e r t h e sto ry o f pa s s i o n t h r o u g h j e s u s ’ p r ay e r At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. Matthew 11:25-26 TNIV Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP 219

wat c h a n d p r ay Luke 19:29-46 NJB

Now it happened that when he was near Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives as it is called, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go to the village opposite, and as you enter it you will find a tethered colt that no one has ever yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you are to say this, ‘The Master needs it.’” The messengers went off and found everything just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, “Why are you untying it?” and they answered, “The Master needs it.” So they took the colt to Jesus and, throwing their cloaks on its back, they lifted Jesus on to it. As he moved off, they spread their cloaks in the road, and now, as he was approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole group of disciples joyfully began to praise God at the top of their voices for all the miracles they had seen. They cried

out: “Blessed is he who is coming as King in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!” Some Pharisees in the crowd said to him,

“Master, reprove your disciples,” but he answered, “I tell you, if these keep silence, the stones will cry out.”

As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, “If you too had only recognized on this day the way to peace! But in fact it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you, because you did not recognize the moment of your visitation.”

Then he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were busy trading, saying to them, “According to scripture, my house shall be a house of prayer but you have turned it into a bandits’ den.”

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reflect But how are we to obey that word Behold the lamb of God? First, by an eye of faith! As he who taketh away sin, yea the sins of the whole world. If they will accept his offer, observe, he taketh away. The word implies a continual act. He is always saving, and, therefore, always ready to receive the soul to his embrace, whenever it turns again to the blood of sprinkling. And this he does by taking our sins on himself, as St. Paul, when pleading for Onesimus, says, If he hath wronged thee place it to my account. I will repay.

Secondly, by an eye of love! Let us love him who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. All the Lord requires of us, is expressed in that word, My sons give me thy heart. Love draws all after it. If we love God with every power; every temper of the soul will be in its right order: for he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.

Thirdly, let us behold the lamb of God with steadiness, as hearing those words from his own mouth, For as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but shall have everlasting life. Therefore look unto me and be saved all ye ends of the earth.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Lamb”

p r a c t i c e : Being sent. e x a m e n : Am I discerning how communion with God means being sent out to share in God’s mission of love to my neighbours?

declare with longing

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11NIV

Monday of Passion Week m o n d ay, m a r c h 2 9 e n t e r t h e sto ry o f pa s s i o n t h r o u g h j e s u s ’ p r ay e r Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” John 12:23-28 NIV

wat c h a n d p r ay

officers of the temple police about how he could help them arrest Jesus.

They were very pleased and offered to pay Judas some money. He agreed and started looking for a good chance to betray Jesus when the crowds were not around.

The day had come for the Festival of Thin Bread, and it was time to kill the Passover lambs. So Jesus

said to Peter and John, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us to eat.”

But they asked, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”

Jesus told them, “As you go into the city, you will meet a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him into the house and say to the owner, `Our teacher wants to know where he can eat the Passover meal with his disciples.’ The owner will take you upstairs and show you a large room ready for you to use. Prepare the meal there.” Peter and John left.

They found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

When the time came for Jesus and the apostles to eat, he said to them, “I have very much wanted to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer. I tell you that I will not eat another Passover meal until it is finally eaten in God’s kingdom.”

Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he told the apostles, “Take this wine and share it with each other. I tell you that I will not drink any more wine until God’s kingdom comes.”

Jesus took some bread in his hands and gave thanks for it. He broke the bread and handed it to his apostles. Then he said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me!”

After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, “This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes his new agreement. The one who will betray me is here at the table with me! The Son of Man will die in the way that has been decided for him, but it will be terrible for the one who betrays him!”

Then the apostles started arguing about who would ever do such a thing.

reflect Thus the word was made flesh, who hath said, except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood, ye have no life in you. That is, except ye every moment draw spiritual strength from me, by an inward attention and vital union, as your bodies are sustained by natural food. And as a pledge that we would live by this union, we receive the sacred elements of bread and wine, which as it spreads through the body, and becomes one with it, preaches to us the need of becoming one spirit with ye Lord, as he hath become one flesh with us!

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, “Flesh”

p r a c t i c e : Being sent. e x a m e n : Am I encouraging my fellowship to see its life together as set apart and sent out in mission to the community?

Luke 22:1-23 CEV

The Festival of Thin Bread, also called Passover, was near. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were looking for a way to get rid of Jesus, because they were afraid of what the people might do. Then Satan entered the heart of Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve apostles. Judas went to talk with the chief priests and the 90 :: asbury theological seminary

I want to

declare with longing

know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his

sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NIV asbury theological seminary :: 91

NARRATOR:

To Lament means embracing grief with hope but not the sort of hope that sings a happy song. Though Hope sings the song of the future, Lament teaches us that song in a minor key.

This week we face the most grievous event in the history of the world, the murder of Jesus of Nazareth. Story #1 (Adam) catastrophically crashes into Story #2 (Jesus).

Yes, we know the glorious end of the story; hence we have hope. But what if, in full assurance of this hope, the Spirit intends to draw us into lament?

Ask God to gift you with tears over your own sin and brokenness; not shame but grief. Now ask God to gift you with mourning over the sin and brokenness around you, in the world. Might lament be the doorway into “the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings”? Was this not his plea to the three disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane?

WARNING: Don’t mistake lament for despair or depression. Lament opens us up to feel grief and sadness. Depression often comes from despairing over the absence of hope. Depression so often comes as a result of Story #1 hitting an impenetrable wall. We aren’t good at lamenting, which could help explain the epidemic of depression in our time. What if Spirit-empowered lament, in relationship with others, could help deliver us from despair and depression? Renounce Satan and Despair! Embrace Jesus and Lament.

Story #1: Despair and Depression Story #2: Faith, Hope and Love The gift of lament, practiced over time, delivers us from Story #1 and all its broken promises and ever deeper into Story #2 and a promising life.

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Tuesday of Passion Week t u e s d ay, m a r c h 30 e n t e r t h e sto ry o f pa s s i o n t h r o u g h j e s u s ’ p r ay e r “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?

‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” John 12:27-28 NIV

wat c h a n d p r ay Luke 22:39-62 NKJV

Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying,

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to

Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the

temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house.

Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

reflect We are appointed “to be conformed to the image of his SON,” and is he not the “express image of the Father”? A little glimpse of what the Savior is and will be to me now and then for some time beamed forth and set my soul in a longing posture. Yet it is but like “seeing though the lattice.” I long to know whether what I see before me and gasp after may be attained in this life, or must I die to prove it? My divine Director, my Prophet, speak and tell me! Mary Fletcher, The Life of Mary Fletcher, 167

p r a c t i c e : Being sent. e x a m e n : Am I encouraging my fellowship to see its life together as set apart and sent out in mission to the community?

lament Out of the depths I cry to you: O Lord, now hear me calling.

Incline your ear to my distress in spite of my rebelling.

Do not regard my sinful deeds.

Send me the grace my spirit needs; without it I am nothing.

All things you send are full of grace; you crown our lives with favor.

All our good works are done in vain without our Lord and Savior.

We praise the God who gives us faith and saves us from the grip of death; our lives are in God’s keeping.

Continued on next page asbury theological seminary :: 93

It is in God that we shall hope, and not in our own merit; we rest our fears in God’s good Word and trust the Holy Spirit, whose promise keeps us strong and sure; we trust the holy signature inscribed upon our temples.

My soul is waiting for the Lord as one who longs for morning; no watcher waits with greater hope than I for Christ’s returning.

I hope as Israel in the Lord, who sends redemption through the Word.

Praise God for endless mercy.

Martin Luther, “Out of the Depths I Cry to You,” 1524

to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they

were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.” When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

declare with longing I want to know

Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship

of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11NIV

Wednesday of Passion Week w e d n e s d ay, m a r c h 3 1 e n t e r t h e sto ry o f pa s s i o n t h r o u g h j e s u s ’ p r ay e r Abba, nothing is impossible with you. Let this cup of suffering pass me by.

Yet not my will but your will be done. Mark 14:36

wat c h a n d p r ay Luke 22:63-23:12 NRSV

Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” They kept heaping many other insults on him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council.

They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer.

But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate.

They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then Pilate said 94 :: asbury theological seminary

reflect By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered, And confidently waiting, come what may, We know that God is with us night and morning And never fails to greet us each new day.

Yet is this heart by its old foe tormented, Still evil days bring burdens hard to bear; O give our frightened souls the sure salvation For which, O Lord, You taught us to prepare.

And when this cup You give is filled to brimming With bitter suffering, hard to understand, We take it thankfully and without trembling, Out of so good and so beloved a hand.

Yet when again in this same world You give us The joy we had, the brightness of Your sun, We shall remember all the days we lived through, And our whole life shall then be Yours alone.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “By Gracious Powers So Wonderfully Sheltered,” 1944

p r a c t i c e : Making friends. e x a m e n : Am I seeking to build relationships with non-Christian people; my neighbours, work colleagues, and other social relationships?

declare with longing I want to know Christ and

the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of

sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11NIV

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Maundy Thursday of Passion Week t h u r s d ay, a p r i l 1 e n t e r t h e sto ry o f pa s s i o n t h r o u g h j e s u s ’ p r ay e r Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34a NIV

wat c h a n d p r ay Luke 23:13-31 TNIV

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”

With one voice they cried out, “Away with this man! Release (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Barabbas to us!”

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

reflect I would also observe [from Exodus 12], the lamb was slain not only to be looked upon, but to be fed upon. And we must by faith make Christ our own, as we do the food we eat; drawing strength and nourishment from him. The Lamb was also to be all eaten. So we must take a whole Christ: Christ and his yoke, as well as Christ and his crown, leaving it to him to choose our crosses, and freely drinking every cup he mixes for us, without even looking what is in it. …

This passover night was a night of the Lord much to be observed; but the last passover night in which Christ was betrayed was a night of the Lord much more to be observed.

When a yoke heavier than that of Egypt was broke from off our necks, and a land better than that of Canaan was set before us. That was a temporal deliverance to be celebrated in their generations; this, an eternal redemption to be celebrated world without end! Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Passover”

p r a c t i c e : Making friends. e x a m e n : Am I encouraging my fellowship to build transforming relationships with people in the community?

declare with longing I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and

the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

Good Friday of Passion Week f r i d ay, a p r i l 2 e n t e r t h e sto ry o f pa s s i o n t h r o u g h j e s u s ’ p r ay e r About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 NIV

wat c h a n d p r ay Luke 2:32-49 NASB

lament Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.

My eyes fail, looking for my God. Psalm 69:1-3 NIV 96 :: asbury theological seminary

Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” Now there was also an inscription above Him, “this is the King of the Jews.”

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One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

reflect But what must we do now? Peter gives the answer: Repent and be converted that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. First, let us be truly sensible that when we might have been Fathers we are yet babes: that we have not so devoted our magination to God, as to kill every sin in thought, which killed the prince of life.

Secondly, let us be truly sensible of our weakness, that with all our light we shall never do better than we have done, unless we learn the way of faith more perfectly. And for this we must cry night and day, remembering faith is the Gift of God! But thirdly, we must strive to believe as well as cry for faith. We must consider the love of God! Count over the promises, and endeavor to make them our own by believing. And while we acknowledge we have preferred the murderer, and killed the prince of life, let us be encouraged to follow the advice of Peter, who had himself denied his Lord, and repented, and who now adds to his invitation that blessed word and your sins shall be blotted out. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Prince of Life”

p r a c t i c e : Caring gestures. e x a m e n : Am I finding practical ways to care for my friends and neighbours?

lament O Love divine, what has thou done!

The immortal God hath died for me!

The Father’s coeternal Son bore all my sins upon the tree.

Th’ immortal God for me hath died: My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Is crucified for me and you, to bring us rebels back to God.

Believe, believe the record true, ye all are bought with Jesus’ blood.

Pardon for all flows from his side: My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Behold him, all ye that pass by, the bleeding Prince of life and peace!

Come, sinners, see your Savior die, and say, “Was ever grief like his?”

Come, feel with me his blood applied: My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Charles Wesley, “O Love Divine, What Has Thou Done”

declare with longing (Abba), into your hands I commit my Spirit. Luke 23:46 NIV I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming

like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the

resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

NARRATOR:

And so this question: How do you respond to this God who dies; the Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep? This Friday is good for one reason alone: Through his death on the cross, our sins are forgiven. Good Friday opens the door to Story #2. This is the only way in. God invites us to pass through that door, as Israel passed through the Red Sea. We leave behind our slavery to everything that never really mattered and we walk into an embrace as the adopted, beloved sons and daughters of God. I want to extend to you an invitation to follow Jesus. I could offer you a few propositional statements that are in fact true and ask you to assent to their truth.(i.e. 1. You are a sinful member of Adam’s helpless race. 2. You need forgiveness and reconciliation with God. 3. Jesus Christ offered his own life on the Cross as the atonement for your sin. 4. You can enter into a personal relationship with God by confessing your sins and placing your trust in Jesus Christ. 5.

He will give you eternal life, saving you from sin and death.)

These are all true. In fact, they are the Truth. But repenting and believing is not mere assenting to the truth of these realities. Repenting and believing calls for an active decision of trust.

Here’s the Gospel— Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19 NLT On behalf of Jesus and all of his followers, I want to invite you to enter into a relationship with the Living God by following his Son, Jesus Christ. The way is clear: “Repent and believe the Gospel.” It really is that simple.

Repent: Something is broken deep inside of you. We could call it sin, but what’s really broken is trust. As much as you want to, you can’t trust. You are not secure at the core and you are afraid. You have built a system or way of life to cover over this insecurity. You have put your Continued on next page

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trust in whatever has promised to give you security. It could be something as seemingly benign as high achievement or as dangerous as alcohol. It may well be money, possessions, position, or prestige. They all promise security, but the best they can do is mask insecurity. They create the appearance of a reality that is not real. It’s false. It’s not true. It’s a lie. We could name the sin, call out a behavior and work hard to change. Repentance is more than this. Repentance asks us to name the lie, renounce it by walking away and believe the Truth by following Jesus. Repentance is not behavior management. Rather, it is re-orientation. To repent is to progressively and completely re-orient all of life around the person of Jesus Christ.

Believe the Gospel: So what are you believing will make your life work? Is it money? This is why stuff can be such a good barometer of our self. Let’s cut to the chase. What in your life, if you lost it, would utterly destroy your sense of security, wellness, hope and happiness? Answering this question reveals what you are trusting in, believing in and hoping in. If the answer is not Jesus Christ, then you are believing a lie. Announce it. Renounce it. And prayerfully, humbly ask the Son of God to become your Savior, your Lord, your security, your way, your truth, your life, your hope, your center, your reason, your Teacher, your Wisdom, your God, your all in all.

Perhaps this sounds unreasonable or harsh to you. I consider this invitation the most loving thing I can do. It really is a matter of life and death. This is the most important decision you will ever make and one that stands in constant need of renewal. The gift of the Gospel is free, though it will cost you every competing allegiance.

Follow: The closer you get to Jesus, the more you marvel. It’s usually just the opposite with people. The amazing grace of it all: he shares his very nature with us. In following him, we mysteriously, miraculously begin to bear his likeness. The closer people get to us, the more they will see of Him. Be clear. The Gospel does not exempt us from suffering, loss, catastrophe or death. It promises unlimited love and unlimited life. The way is Jesus.

Holy Saturday of Passion Week s at u r d ay, a p r i l 3 rest By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3 NIV

wait Luke 23:50-56 NIV

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.

Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

The instruction is three-fold: Repent. Believe. Follow.

Please join us.

Good Friday is a great day to risk your life on the Resurrection.

lament Psalm 88:4-6 NIV

I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

reflect In the midst of that night, in my darkness, I saw the awesome sight of Christ Opening the heavens for me.

And he bent down to me an showed himself to me With the Father and the Holy Spirit In the thrice holy light — A single light in three, and a threefold light in one, For they are altogether light, And the three are but one light.

And he illumined my soul More radiantly than the sun, And he lit up my mind, Which had until then been in darkness.

Never before had my mind seen such things.

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I was blind, you should know it, and I saw nothing.

That was why this strange wonder Was so astonishing to me, When Christ, as it were, opened the eye of my mind, When he gave me sight, as it were, And it was him that I saw.

St. Symeon the New Theologian, Hymns of Divine Love, 11.

p r a c t i c e : Caring Gestures. e x a m e n : Am I encouraging my fellowship to find ways of caring that bear witness to God’s love for the community?

declare with longing I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130:5-8 NIV I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his

sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and

so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

Do not be afraid.

I am the First and the Last.

I am the Living One;

I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!

And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Revelation 1:17b-18

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Easter Sunday s u n d ay, a p r i l 4 t h e d ay o f r e s u r r e c t i o n

declare

He is risen from the dead!

He is risen indeed! sing Psalm 98

NASB

O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.

Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, With the lyre and the sound of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn Shout joyfully before the King, the LORD. Let the sea roar and all it contains, The world and those who dwell in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity.

s ta n d a m a z e d Luke 24:1-12 The Message

At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus.

They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words.

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They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles, but the apostles didn’t believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up.

But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that’s all. He walked away

puzzled, shaking his head.

behold the risen lord Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We venerate Your cross, O Christ, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection. You are our God. We know no other than You, and we call upon Your name.

Come, all faithful, let us venerate Christ’s holy resurrection. For behold, through the cross joy has come to all the world. Blessing the Lord always, let us praise His resurrection. For enduring the cross for us, he destroyed death by death. Prayer from The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

“Christ the Lord is risen today,” Sons of men and angels say!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Sing ye heavens, and earth reply.

c e l e b rat e

Love’s redeeming work is done, Fought the fight, the battle won: Lo! Our Sun’s eclipse is o’er, Lo! He sets in blood no more.

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Christ has burst the gates of hell!

Death in vain forbids his rise: Christ hath opened paradise!

Lives again our glorious King, Where, O death, is now thy sting?

Dying once, he all doth save, Where thy victory, O grace?

Soar we now where Christ has led, Following our exalted Head, Made like him, like him we rise; Ours the cross, the grave, the skies!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Everlasting life is this; Thee to know, thy power to prove, Thus to sing, and thus to love!

Charles Wesley, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”

Monday, April 5 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

remember John 20:1-9 NIV

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said,

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Acts 1:1-3 NIV

NARRATOR:

Tides move slowly yet decisively. So it is with the phenomenon we call Easter.

The Tide rolls in as we sleep yet flows out with the dawn.

Though we didn’t see it happen, the incontrovertible evidence of the rising Tide indelibly marks the sand.

TombStone rolled away… tomb open… tomb empty… discarded grave clothes… luminous men appear…ask question… break news… women run… tell disciples… they don’t believe it…Peter runs.… enters tomb… no Jesus.…walks away puzzled…

Watch the story unfold again.

Note the movement from shock to puzzlement, from puzzlement to possibility, from possibility to unbelief, from unbelief to doubt, from doubt to faith, from faith to seeing.

Story #1: Seeing is believing.

Story #2: Believing is seeing.

r e a d + ru m i n at e

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

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1 Peter 1:1-12 NRSV

remember

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and destined by God the Father and obedient to Jesus Christ and to be

to the exiles of the Dispersion in and Bithynia, who have been chosen sanctified by the Spirit to be sprinkled with his blood:

May grace and peace be yours in abundance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice,* even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen* him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things into which angels long to look!

c e l e b rat e It is a blessed thing to stand on some of the great landmarks of time and be able to look back on a long line of prophecy fulfilled; and thus to have an unwavering confidence in what God has promised for future times. Ancient saints were happy to take on trust and realize by faith those things which have now become matters of history and present themselves before us to comfort and inspire us with new confidence in all our Heavenly Father has promised to his church. William Apess (1798-1839)

ascend Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Tuesday, April 6 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! …

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 NIV

John 20:10-18 NIV

Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. ”Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ “ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news:

the Lord!”

“I have seen

And she told them that he had said these things to her.

r e a d + ru m i n at e 1 Peter 1:13-25 NIV

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All men are like grass,and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

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c e l e b rat e Now Christ is alive-- He’s risen indeed!

For death could not hold Him, and we, too, are freed.

The Hope of our lives and the heart of our creed is “Jesus is risen--He’s risen indeed!”

If Christ is not raised, our faith is in vain, our preaching is futile, our sins still remain.

But Christ has been raised; over death He does reign, and now through Christ Jesus new life we proclaim!

He lives all the pow’r of sin to defeat.

He lives to put enemies under His feet.

In suffering or death still our lives He will keep: the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.

The trumpet will sound, the dead will rise free, for death has been swallowed up in victory.

Death, where is your vict’ry? Death, where is your sting?

For Christ is our vict’ry, our Lord and our King!

Now risen with Christ who’s reigning on high, our longings are with Him, our hope cannot die.

Our lives are now hidden with Jesus above, yet lived out below in the pow’r of His love.

Because we now live in His kingdom’s pow’r, our work will endure beyond death’s final hourwhen Christ will return, even o’er death to reign and make all things new like the fruit from the grain.

Julie Tennent (used with permission from the collection, “Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs” by Julie Tennent & Gary Parrett)

ascend For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Wednesday, April 7 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV 110 :: asbury theological seminary

remember Luke 24:13- 16 NIV

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

r e a d + ru m i n at e 1 Peter 2:1-12 NASB

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in him will not be disappointed.”

This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for god’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

c e l e b rat e He was tempted as Human, but he conquered as God; indeed, he calls us to rejoice, for he has overcome the world. He hungered–but he fed thousands; for he is the Bread of Life, from heaven. He thirsted–but he cried, “If any thirst, let them come to me and drink.”

For he also promised that fountains should flow from those who believe. He was wearied, but he is the Rest of those who are weary and heavy laden. He was heavy with sleep, but he walks lightly over the sea, rebukes the winds, and rescues sinking Peter. He pays Continued on next page asbury theological seminary :: 111

tribute, but it is out of a fish; indeed, he is King over those demanding it. He is called a Samaritan and a demoniac;-but he saves that one coming down from Jerusalem who fell among thieves; by demons he is recognized, and demons he drives out, sinking in the sea Legions of spirits, watching the Prince of the demons falling like lightning.

He is stoned, but is not struck. He prays, but hears prayer. He weeps, but wipes away tears. He asks where Lazarus was laid, for he was Human; but he raises Lazarus, for he was God. He is cheaply sold for a mere thirty sliver pieces; but he redeems the world at the incalculable price of his own precious Blood. As a sheep he is led to slaughter, but he is the Shepherd of Israel–and now also of all the world! As a Lamb he is silent, yet he is Word, and is proclaimed by the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He is weakened, and he is wounded, but he heals every disease and every weakness. He is lifted up and nailed to the Tree, but by the Tree of Life he brings restoration; indeed, he even saves the thief crucified with him; he wraps all the visible world in darkness.

He, he, is given vinegar to drink mingled with gall. Who? He, the one who turned water into wine, who destroys all bitter tastes, who is Sweetness and the whole of Desire. He lays down his life, but he has authority to take it again; and the veil is rent, for the mysterious doors of Heaven are opened; the rocks are cleft, the dead arise. He dies, but he makes alive, and by his death destroys death. He is buried, but he rises again; into Hades he descends, but he leads up the souls, he ascends into Heaven, and he shall come again to judge the living and the dead. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, “Oration,” 29.20

ascend We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 NIV

Thursday, April 8 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4-8a NIV

remember Luke 24: 17-18 NIV

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

r e a d + ru m i n at e 1 Peter 2:13-25 The Message

Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

You who are servants, be good servants to your masters-not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God’s sake when you’re treated badly for no good reason. There’s no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.

This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.

He never did one thing wrong,

Not once said anything amiss.

They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.

c e l e b rat e Who then doth he call? He calls poor, fearful, trembling sinners. Nor need they stay, till they have conquered their sins, no, they may come just as they are to the mercy seat. For this physician refuses none who will come. He readily receives the worst, and cures the most desperate. Nay, he even promises abundant salvation in proportion to their disease.

They, says he, to whom much is forgiven shall love much. Art thou a conscious sinner more deeply fallen than any other? Hast thou often thought there never was one so unrighteous as thyself? Hear his own word I come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Doth thou feel repentance! This is the gift of God. This is the gate of heaven. Thou are now coming to Christ. Hear thy infallible physician’s invitation Whosoever cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out! Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Physician”

ascend In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Romans 6:11-14 NIV

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Practicing Easter The core practice we want to introduce in the days following Easter is that of Affirming Faith.

From ancient times to the present day, faithful believers have always affirmed their faith. We see these affirmations throughout Scripture, especially in the New Testament following the resurrection of Jesus. Often it will be preceded by a phrase like, “This saying is true and worthy of full acceptance.” Perhaps the earliest affirmation of the Church is simply, “Jesus is Risen!” Thomas the doubter, affirmed in exclamation, “My Lord and My God!” Certainly the most famous affirmation came soon thereafter, “Jesus is Lord!” As the Gospel spread and the Church grew, the people of God hammered out creeds that captured the essential truths of the faith. They literally staked their lives on these affirmations. Affirmation can never be reduced to recitation. It must be allowed to take root deep in the rich soil of faith.

In the coming days, practice affirming your faith. Do it aloud. Try writing out affirmations in some of the spaces provided. Experiment with writing your own deeply held affirmations of faith. It’s a tried and true practice of the people of God.

Friday, April 9

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. Finally,

all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults

when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days,

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 NIV

remember Luke 24: 19-24 NIV

”What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

r e a d + ru m i n at e 1 Peter 3:1-12 NLT

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands.

Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

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keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

c e l e b rat e (Try singing this to the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

O for a heart to praise my God, A heart from sin set free!

A heart that always feels the blood So freely spilt for me!

A heart resigned, submissive, meek, My dear Redeemer’s throne, Where only Christ is heard to speak, Where Jesus reigns alone.

An humble, lowly, contrite heart, Believing, true, and clean; Which neither life nor death can part From him that dwells within.

A heart in every thought renewed, And full of love divine, Perfect, and right, and pure and good, A copy, Lord of thine.

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Thy tender heart is still the same, And melts at human woe; Jesus, for thee distressed I am, I want thy love to know.

1 Peter 3:13-22 CEV

Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds? Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don’t worry about what people might do. Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.

My heart, thou know’st, can never rest, Till thou create my peace; Till, of my Eden re-possessed, From every sin I cease.

Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear.

This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ. You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong.

Fruit of thy gracious lips, on me Bestow that peace unknown, The hidden manna, and the tree Of life, and the white stone.

Christ died once for our sins.

Thy nature, dearest Lord, impart!

Come quickly from above, Write thy new name upon my heart, Thy new, best name of love.

An innocent person died

for those who are guilty.

Christ did this

Charles Wesley, “O For a Heart to Praise My God”

ascend You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 NIV

Saturday, April 10

to bring you to God, when his body

was put to death and his spirit

was made alive.

Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison.

They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood.

Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death. Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control.

arise

c e l e b rat e

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Now there are two ways by which the Lord will speak to our hearts. The one mediate; the other immediate. First, mediate. That is to say, through some means; for instance, the written word. The whole scripture is the mouth of this blessed messenger, through which we hear his voice, and feel his mighty hand. This word, we are told, is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing between the sinner and his sin. Another means of grace is the word of his servants, or rather God’s word through them, which would always be attended with power, if there was always faith in the heart, to mix with it.

Nor is there anything in the whole creation but would prove a mouth of Christ to us, were we possessed of that beatitude, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3 NIV

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Messenger”

remember Luke 12: 25-27 NIV

He said to them, “How all that the prophets these things and then and all the Prophets, Scriptures concerning

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foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses he explained to them what was said in all the himself.

ascend Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV asbury theological seminary :: 117

NARRATOR:

It’s easy to look on Easter today as the slam-dunk exclamation mark of God’s Story. And it is.

Not so much, though with our faith. Looking back on that Sunday morning and the days following with all their evidence, we see no exclamatory certainty.

In fact, it looks more like puzzled question marks. Though it be an incontrovertible fact, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead remains an affirmation of faith. And though this affirmation be as sure as the Sun, it defies acceptance as a propositional check box, like the “agreement to terms” square on a computer’s software upgrade. “ON THE THIRD DAY HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD!” After all these years, watching the murders of a million martyrs, we still want scientific confirmation. We crave “evidence that demands a verdict.” We don’t like faith’s variety of certainty, “sure of what we hope for… certain of what we do not see” (see Heb. 11:1). We want proofs, and Jesus offers the sign of Jonah. Though the facts be incontrovertible and our acceptance of them solid, faith is another matter. Faith is of a different order. Facts settle. Faith unsettles. Facts dwell in the domain of presentation. Faith must rise into the realm of revelation. Facts call for acceptance. Faith inspires movement.

As the tidal movement of Easter rolls to and fro, and the certainty of this historical event grows in your mind, ask yourself a faith question: If I’m so certain this is true, why haven’t I risked more?

If I am so confident of “life everlasting,” why don’t I put my life on the line?

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Sunday, April 11

was represented as something grand; but Christianity is introduced by the profoundest act of humiliation beyond the conception of the creature: even in God himself becoming man and bearing the punishment due to his creatures’ sins. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “God Manifested in the Flesh”

arise ascend

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11 NIV

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

NIV

remember Luke 12: 28-33 NIV

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.”

So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then

their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together.

c e l e b rat e This was a mighty proof that the power, which wrought it was divine: that the world should be made to believe in him as their God, who had appeared among them as a man of sorrows for thirty-three years, and then hung bleeding on the cross in Jerusalem. The religion of other nations

Monday, April 12 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

NIV

remember John 20:19-23 NJB

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you,” and, after saying this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, and he said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” After saying this he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in

Pattern of this World

Mind of Christ

view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be

Do NOT Conform

Be Transformed

transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2

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remember

r e a d + ru m i n at e John 20:24-25

1 Peter 4:1-11 NKJV

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent

love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without

grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

c e l e b rat e Again, in marriage, man and wife, do, by consent, give over themselves to each other. In like manner in the spiritual marriage; Christ and the believer do by consent give over themselves to each other; hence, the spouse cries out, my beloved is mine and I am His. Each hath a right in the other. Christ gives himself to the believing soul. It is true, his atoning blood is his own: yet she may wash in it. His resurrection is his own: yet we are raised up thereby and made to sit in heavenly Places with him. His stripes was his own: yet by them we are healed. Thus himself, with all his sufferings, and all his fullness, he gives to each Believer. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Husband”

ascend Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Tuesday, April 13 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! …

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 NIV 122 :: asbury theological seminary

NJB

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord,” but he answered, “Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.”

r e a d + ru m i n at e 1 Peter 4:12-19 ASV

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of

Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.

For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

c e l e b rat e He is the door to pardon, because he hath made our debt his own; and believing on him, we are accepted for his sake. He is also the door to holiness: because it is his own spirit which he puts within us. For all our salvation depends on the manifestation of the spirit, life and nature of Jesus Christ within us. And it is by the imparting of this spirit of holiness that he saves unto the uttermost all who come to the Father through him. Again, he is the door to every blessing, for it is he that healeth all our infirmities, and every blessing flows through the dear channel of his blood.

Now there is but one key to this door, and this is faith... And the whole word of God, invites to this door. It is always open to poor conscious sinners. And whether our state is joyous or grievous, we may now hear him say, Come, unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden. And the acts of faith, which we make in the dark moment, when sorrows waves around us roll, are sometimes the most pure; and come the nearest to that of Abraham who hoped against hope, and was strong in faith giving glory to God. Then let us from this moment cast both body and soul on his love; and live in the continual rest of thy will be done! ...

Now the Christian is surrounded with enemies; yet he shall go in and out in safety: for the Lord will, as a shield, encompass him about; and he shall find pasture, food for his soul.

Yea with bread from heaven shall he be fed, and with water out of the rock of ages shall he be sustained. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Door”

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ascend For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Wednesday, April 14 arise

He now stands knocking at the door Of every sinner’s heart; The worst need keep him out no more, Nor force him to depart.

Through grace we hearken to thy voice, Yielded to be saved from sin; In sure and certain hope rejoice, That thou wilt enter in.

Come quickly in, thou heavenly Guest, Nor ever hence remove; But sup with us, and let the feast Be everlasting love.

Charles Wesley, “Come Let Us Who in Christ Believes”

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13

ascend We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 NIV

Thursday, April 15

NIV

remember

John 20:26-28 NJB

Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, “Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.” Thomas replied,

“My Lord and my God!”

r e a d + ru m i n at e

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4-8a NIV

1 Peter 5:1-4 TNIV

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

c e l e b rat e

John 20:29-31 NJB

remember

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Jesus said to him, “You believe because you can see me.

There were many other signs that Jesus worked in the sight of the disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

(Try singing this to the tune of “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”)

Come, let us who in Christ believe, Our common Savior praise: To him with joyful voices give The glory of His grace.

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Friday, April 16

r e a d + ru m i n at e 1 Peter 5:5-14

NIV

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

c e l e b rat e He is supreme over the hosts of heaven: the central point of their happiness, the moving principal of their every power and faculty. When he appeared as a man of sorrow, in his deepest humiliation, he expressed how easily he could have more the twelve legions of angels to defend him; but he held back their ready will. He stripped himself of all apparent glory! that the God of angels might be given into the hand of man. Yet these eyes of the Lord (as they are called in scripture) go to and fro through the whole earth that by them, he may shew himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are upright before him. Cherubs and seraphs, angels and archangels, principalities and powers, thrones and dominions– all attend his nod. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Highest”

ascend In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Romans 6:11-14 NIV

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 NIV O Lord, open our lips, and our mouths shall show forth your praise. Heaven will be too narrow a space to sing the praises of redeeming love, and even an unending eternity not long enough to celebrate the dying love of the second person in the Godhead. William Apess

r e a d + ru m i n at e 2 Peter 1:1-11 NRSV

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these

things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature.

For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with selfcontrol, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.

For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

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sing Sinners, rejoice; your peace is made, Your Savior on the cross hath bled, Your God, in Jesus reconciled, On all his works again hath smiled, Hath grace through Him and blessing given To all in earth and all in heaven.

Angels, rejoice in Jesus’ grace, And vie with man’s more favored race, The blood that did for us atone Conferred on you some gift unknown, Your joys through Jesus’ pains abound, Ye triumph by His Glorious Wound.

Or established and confirmed by Him Who did our lower world redeem, Secure ye keep your blest estate Firm on an everlasting seat, Or raised above yourselves, aspire, In bliss improved, in Glory higher.

Him ye beheld our conquering God, Return with garments rolled in blood!

Ye saw, and kindled at the sight, And filled with shouts the realms of light, With loudest hallelujahs met, And fell, and kissed His bleeding feet.

Ye saw Him in the courts above With all His recent prints of love: The Wounds, the Blood! ye heard its voice That heightened all your highest joys, Ye felt it sprinkled through the skies, And shared that better sacrifice.*(*Heb. 9:23) But who of all your hosts can tell The mystic bliss unspeakable, The joy that issued from His side, And how the pure it purified, The grace supreme by Jesus given, When heaven itself was double heaven!

Nor angel-tongues can e’er express The unutterable happiness, Nor human hearts can e’er conceive The bliss wherein through Christ ye live, But all your heaven, ye glorious powers, and all your God is doubly ours!

Charles Wesley, “Hymns for Ascension-Day,” #6

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c e l e b rat e Secondly, as the salvation of his people, this he accomplishes, first by becoming their ransom– making a full and perfect atonement for all their sins; secondly, by engrafting them into himself. And being thus joined as in a marriage covenant, not only their debts become his, but his pure obedience becomes theirs, and they are accepted in the beloved, who is their robe before the throne of God. Thirdly, as the author and finisher of their faith, setting on the pardoned soul as a refiner’s fire, and accomplishing that word, from all thine idols and from all thine iniquities will I cleanse thee. A new heart will I give thee and a right spirit will I put within thee. For it is not said he will save his people in but from their sins. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Jesus”

ascend You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 NIV

Saturday, April 17 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e 2 Peter 1:12-21 NIV

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

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And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

c e l e b rat e The Lord is the Judge of all the earth, and all souls are in his hands, and he will in no wise clear the guilty, though merciful and wise. Willful unbelief is a crying sin, and will not be passed by without punishment. God judges righteously, and is the avenger of all sin.

Justice is meted out to all, either here or in eternity. Praise the Lord! My whole soul joins in saying, Praise the Lord! Rev. Julia A. J. Foote, A Brand Plucked from the Fire, chapter 16

Sunday, April 18 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV

remember John 21:1-3 NRSV

ascend Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

sing (Try singing to the tune of “Crown Him with Many Crowns”)

your affirmation of faith here:

Jesu, we thus obey Thy last and kindest word, Here in thine own appointed way We come to meet our Lord: The way thou hast enjoined, Thou wilt therein appear; We come with confidence to find Thy special presence here.

Our hearts we open wide, To make the Saviour room; And lo! The Lamb, the Crucified, The sinner’s Friend, is come!

His presence makes the feast; And now our bosoms feel The glory not to be expressed, The joy unspeakable!

With pure celestial bliss He doth our spirits cheer, His house of banqueting is this, And he hath brought us here: He doth his servants feed With manna from above, His banner over us is spread, His everlasting love.

Continued on next page

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He bids us drink and eat Imperishable food, He give his flesh to be our meat, And bids us drink his blood: Whate’er the Almighty can To pardoned sinners give, The fullness of our God made man We here with Christ receive.

r e a d + ru m i n at e 2 Peter 2:1-11 (NSAB)

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

Charles Wesley, “Jesu We Thus Obey”

ascend Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11NIV

Monday, April 19 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

John 21:4-8 NRSV

remember

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

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Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.

c e l e b rat e Now this coming of the Judge, shall be terribly glorious to the unpardoned sinner, whose cries shall be to the rocks and mountains to cover them; but triumphantly glorious to those who are washed in the blood of the lamb! Supported by this reflection: the judge is my friend! He is my advocate! He is the Lord my righteousness! Besides, he is my surety!

He hath taken all my debts upon himself! He will answer every demand. He hath done it; and justice is fully satisfied!

Yea, and for the pledge of my claim, he hath given me that faith which hath overcome the world; hath purified the heart; and hath made me to know experimentally, the support of that text We shall have boldness in that day, because as he is, so are we in the world.

He hath blotted out the hand writing, which stood against me, by his own Blood! And he himself becomes my robe before the throne of God. Now let us remember Jesus is the judge! Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Judge”

ascend Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

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ADAM MOVEMENT THEORY

JESUS MOVEMENT THEORY

Social movement theorists posit the stages of a movement working like the diagram above. Someone has a vision. As the vision inspires others, they join the cause. Momentum builds into an upward climb. Nearing the top people begin working together to create a system to maintain the movement. As the institution or organization grows, the movement slows. Though signs of apparent success may abound, the movement moves on and the institution slowly loses its nerve and drifts into decline. The movement leaves a monument in its wake, a people nostalgic and sentimental about the past and endless quarreling about what to do now.

What if the true movement theory is just the opposite of what we thought? What if the Kingdom of God moves in a way counter-intuitive to conventional wisdom? What if we gave our primary imagination and creative energy to the descent instead of the ascent? What if cross-bearing Love led us like a fiery pillar into the depths of human brokenness and need (our own and others) and instead of running a movement we let go of our selves in love for the World.

Might we begin to know the humble, unstoppable ascending power of the Resurrection instead of the proud building and inevitable fatigue of human striving. Consider the possibilities.

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Tuesday, April 20 arise

they’re worse than if they had never left. Better not to have started out on the straight road to God than to start out and then turn back, repudiating the experience and the holy command. They prove the point of the proverbs, “A dog goes back to its own vomit” and “A scrubbed-up pig heads for the mud.”

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! . . .God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 NIV

remember

John 21:9-14 NRSV

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Through faith I received the Saviour, and in the same have continued ever since and proved him able to keep me from sin. Bless God! all my desires are satisfied in him. He is indeed my reconciled God, the Christ Jesus whose precious blood is all my righteousness. ...

Glory to the blood that hath bought me! glory to the blood that hath cleansed me! glory to the blood that keeps me clean!– me, a brand plucked from the fire. Rev. Julia A. J. Foote, A Brand Plucked from the Fire, chapter 12

r e a d + ru m i n at e 2 Peter 12-22 The Message

These people are nothing but brute beasts, born in the wild, predators on the prowl. In the very act of bringing down others with their ignorant blasphemies, they themselves will be brought down, losers in the end. Their evil will boomerang on them. They’re so despicable and addicted to pleasure that they indulge in wild parties, carousing in broad daylight. They’re obsessed with adultery, compulsive in sin, seducing every vulnerable soul they come upon. Their specialty is greed, and they’re experts at it. Dead souls!

c e l e b rat e Kahgegagahbowh / George Copway (1818-1869), a Canadian Ojibwe and later a Methodist missionary, recalls how the Gospel was first preached by “converted Indians, saved by grace” who came to his tribe as missionaries. With “great earnestness,” and the tears falling from his eyes, one of them proclaimed: “Jesus Christ, Ke-sha-mon-e-doo O-gwe-son (i.e., the Benevolent Spirit’s son) came down to the world, and died to save the people; all the Indians at the Credit River, and Grape Island, are now on their road to the place where the Saviour has gone.

Jesus has left a book containing his commands and sayings to all the world; you will see it, and hear it read, when you go to Cobourg, for the black coats have it. They wish you to come and hear it. To-morrow is the Sabbath, and on that day we do not hunt, or work, for it is a day which the Great Spirit made for himself.” He described the way the Son of God was crucified. I observed some of them crying; my mother heaved deep sighs; the half drunken Indians were struck dumb, and hung their heads.

Not a word was uttered. The missionaries said, “We will sing, and then we will kneel down and pray to the Great Spirit.” He gave out the following hymn: “Jesus ish pe ming kah e zhod.”

“Jesus, my all, to heaven is gone.”

They stood up and sang. O what sweet melody was in their voices! The echo was so great that there appeared to be a great many more singers than we could see. After the hymn, they prayed with the same fervency as they sung.

Peter Wason prayed, and in his prayer said, “O Great Spirit! Here are some of my own relatives; open their eyes and save them!”

George Copway, Life, Letters and Speeches, chapter 7

ascend

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

They’ve left the main road and are directionless, having taken the way of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophet who turned profiteer, a connoisseur of evil. But Balaam was stopped in his wayward tracks: A dumb animal spoke in a human voice and prevented the prophet’s craziness.

There’s nothing to these people-they’re dried-up fountains, stormscattered clouds, headed for a black hole in hell. They are loudmouths, full of hot air, but still they’re dangerous. Men and women who

have recently escaped from a deviant life are most susceptible to their brand of seduction. They promise

these newcomers freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, for if they’re addicted to corruption-and they are-they’re enslaved.

If they’ve escaped from the slum of sin by experiencing our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then slid back into that same old life again, 136 :: asbury theological seminary

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Wednesday, April 21 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV

John 21:15 NRSV

from nature to grace. And every power being actuated by divine Love harmonises the whole man, to that triumphant song— Jesus thee alone I know monarch of my simple heart Thou my dearly friend below Thou my heavenly portion art Here and in eternity, thou art all in all to me.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Life”

ascend We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 NIV

remember

Thursday, April 22

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

arise

r e a d + ru m i n at e

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4-8a NIV

2 Peter 3:1-7 NLT

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

c e l e b rat e When the soul that is dead in trespasses and sin awakes out of that death, and feels the pardoning blood applied, it begins to live. It is as a new born babe. It has senses it never had before. Its ear is open to hear the voice of God, its eye of faith, to behold the wonders of redemption. It feels the almighty arm; and tastes that the Lord is gracious.

But there is the more abundant life, still to be sought after. When the soul by a strong faith has attained the fixed look on the saviour as the Israelite on the brazen serpent, then, and not till then, it feels the sanctifying influence, and experiences the full change, 138 :: asbury theological seminary

John 21:16 NRSV

remember

A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

r e a d + ru m i n at e 2 Peter 2:8-18 CEV

Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years is the same as one day. The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.

The day of the Lord’s return will surprise us like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a loud noise, and the heat will melt the whole universe. Then the earth and everything on it will be seen for what they are. Everything will be destroyed. So you should serve and honor God by the way you live. You should look forward to the day when God Continued on next page asbury theological seminary :: 139

judges everyone, and you should try to make it come soon. On that day the heavens will be destroyed by fire, and everything else will melt in the heat. But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to that! My friends, while you are waiting, you should make certain that the Lord finds you pure, spotless, and living at peace. Don’t forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too.

My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don’t let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing.

Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.

c e l e b rat e But who are those virgins that love him, and smell the sweet odours of his name? I answer, first: those who have bound themselves by solemn vow, and chose to be the Lord’s. Secondly, I would say: those who abide in a constant renewal of that covenant, by a chaste turning away from all the allurements of the world, the flesh and the Devil; seeking their chief happiness in his smile; and offering themselves continually to follow the lamb whithersoever he leads them. The language of these souls is truly expressed in those words, Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better than wine; more sweet and cheering than the richest delicacies, for thy name is as ointment poured forth.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Ointment”

ascend In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Romans 6:11-14 NIV

Friday, April 23 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 NIV

remember

John 21:17 NRSV

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 1:1-10 NIV

Paul, an apostle— sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

reading And before now human beings have insulted themselves by worshipping monsters, and four footed beasts, and reptiles, the most vile and absurd of their kind; they have made the Glory of God an offering to these things! It’s hard to decide which we should despise most-the worshippers or the objects of their worship. The worshippers are probably the most contemptible, for though they have a rational nature, and have received grace from God, they have considered base things as worthwhile. And this was the trick of the Evil One, who corrupted good to an evil purpose, as in most of his evil deeds. For he laid hold of their desire in its wandering in search of God, in order to distort to himself the power, Continued on next page 140 :: asbury theological seminary

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and steal the desire, leading it by the hand, like leading a blind man asking after the road.

He hurled down and scattered some in one direction and some in another, into one pit of death and destruction. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, “Oration,” 28.15

c e l e b rat e One mark of the sheep, we must remember is, they hear (says he) my voice; they know my voice and a stranger will they not follow. Now I apprehend this implies, first a knowing the voice of God, as revealed in the word, and a rejection of all erroneous departures therefrom. But surely it goes much further. Can it imply less than a constant inward attention to the teaching of the spirit, a continual uniting of the powers of the soul, by faith to God, and a faithful rejection of those unprofitable, and hurtful thoughts, which Satan is ever striving to thrust in? Yea the true and watchful sheep will flee from these thoughts, as from the face of a serpent: they know not the voice of this stranger.

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Shepherd”

ascend You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 1:11-24 NASB

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in to persecute the church of God beyond measure and it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous traditions.

Judaism, how I used tried to destroy my contemporaries for my ancestral

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.”

And they were glorifying God because of me.

Saturday, April 24 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3 NIV

John 21:18-19 NRSV

ascend Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

your affirmation of faith here:

remember

Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

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THE CREED OF THE APOSTLES* + I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the maker of Heaven and Earth, + And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, + who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

+ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. + He descended into hell. On the third day he arose from the dead. + He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. + From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. + I believe in the Holy Spirit, + the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, + the forgiveness of sins, + the resurrection of the body, + and the life everlasting.

Amen. *(tradition has it that each of the Twelve Apostles dictated one line of the creed.)

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15-20

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Sunday, April 25 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV

remember

Psalm 23 NASB

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

sing

John 14:1-4 NRSV

”Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 2: 1-10 The Message

Fourteen years after that first visit, Barnabas and I went up to Jerusalem and took Titus with us. I went to clarify with them what had been revealed to me. At that time I placed before them exactly what I was preaching to the non-Jews. I did this in private with the leaders, those held in esteem by the church, so that our concern would not become a controversial public issue, marred by ethnic tensions, exposing my years of work to denigration and endangering my present ministry. Significantly, Titus, non-Jewish though he was, was not required to be circumcised. While we were in conference we were infiltrated by spies pretending to be Christians, who slipped in to find out just how free true Christians are. Their ulterior motive was to reduce us to their brand of servitude. We didn’t give them the time of day. We were determined to preserve the truth of the Message for you.

As for those who were considered important in the church, their reputation doesn’t concern me. God isn’t impressed with mere appearances, and neither am I. And of course these leaders were able to add nothing to the message I had been preaching. It was soon evident that God had entrusted me with the same message to the non-Jews as Peter had been preaching to the Jews. Recognizing that my calling had been given by God, James, Peter, and John-the pillars of the churchshook hands with me and Barnabas, assigning us to a ministry to the non-Jews, while they continued to be responsible for reaching out to the Jews. The only additional thing they asked was

that we remember the poor, and I was already eager to do that.

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Let earth and heaven combine, Angels and men agree, To praise in songs divine The incarnate Deity, Our God contracted to a span, Incomprehensibly made man.

He laid his glory by, He wrapped him in our clay; Unmarked by human eye, The latent Godhead lay: Infant of days he here became, And bore the mild Immanuel’s name.

Charles Wesley, “Let Earth and Heaven Combine”

ascend Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11 NIV

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Monday, April 26 arise

ascend Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV

John 14:5-7 NRSV

Tuesday, April 27

remember

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! . . .

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 NIV

remember

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 2: 11-21 NLT

But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?

“You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law— I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

John 14: 8-10 NRSV

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in

me, who is doing his work.

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 3:1-14 NKJV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain-if indeed it was in vain?

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?- just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse Continued on next page

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of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

sing Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Your Lord and King adore, Mortals, give Thanks, and sing, And triumph evermore; Lift up your Heart, lift up your Voice, Rejoice, again, I say, Rejoice.

Jesus the Savior reigns, The God of Truth and Love, When He had purged our Stains, He took his Seat above: Lift up your Heart, lift up your Voice, Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice.

His Kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er Earth and Heaven; The Keys of Death and Hell Are to our Jesus given: Lift up your Heart, lift up your Voice, Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice.

He sits at God’s right-hand, Till all his Foes submit, And bow to his Command, And fall beneath his Feet.

Lift up your Heart, lift up your Voice, Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice.

He all his Foes shall quell, Shall all our Sins destroy, And every Bosom swell With pure Seraphic Joy; Lift up your Heart, lift up your Voice, Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice.

Rejoice in Glorious Hope, Jesus the Judge shall come; And take his Servants up To their Eternal Home: We soon shall hear th’ Archangel’s Voice, The Trump of God shall sound, Rejoice.

Charles Wesley, “Hymns for our Lord’s Resurrection,” #8

ascend For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

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Wednesday, April 28 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV

John 14: 11-14 NRSV

remember

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 3:15-29 NRSV

Brothers and sisters,* I give an example from daily life: once a person’s will* has been ratified, no one adds to it or annuls it. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, ‘And to offsprings’,* as of many; but it says, ‘And to your offspring’, that is, to one person, who is Christ. My point is this: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator. Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one.

Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ* might be given to those who believe.

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until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

c e l e b rat e [Jesus Christ] appears as faithful witness in behalf of his people before the throne: against the accuser of the brethren– who, we are told, accused the saints before God day and night. He hath bruised this serpent’s head, and cast him out, saying, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? I am God who justifies them, who then shall condemn? I have died for their sin, yea; rather, I have risen again for their justification.

They believe on me and their sins and iniquities shall be remembered no more. The sins of my people may be sought for, but there shall be none. And their aggravated transgressions? But they shall not be found.” Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Faithful Witness”

ascend

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 4:1-7 TNIV

What I am saying is that as long as heirs are underage they are no different from slaves, although they own the whole estate. They are subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by their fathers.

So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had

fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer slaves, but God’s children; and since you are his children, he has made you also heirs.

ascend In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Romans 6:11-14 NIV

We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 NIV

Thursday, April 29

Friday, April 30 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 NIV

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4-8a NIV

John 14: 15-20 NRSV

remember

”If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.

Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

John 14: 21-24 NRSV

remember

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does

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not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 4:8-11 NASB

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

c e l e b rat e In a word, the soul who keeps the presence of God by a loving recollection, by faith and silence before him, enters into God, as his strong habitation; and shall prove his place of defence to be as the munition of rocks. His bread shall be provided and his water shall be sure. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Habitation”

ascend You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 NIV

Saturday, May 1 arise

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 4:12-16 NIV

I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

c e l e b rat e As the minister dwelt with great force and power on the first clause of the text, I beheld my lost condition as I never had done before. Something within me kept saying, “Such a sinner as you are can never sing that new song.” No tongue can tell the agony I suffered.

I fell to the floor, unconscious, and was carried home. Several remained with me all night, singing and praying. I did not recognize any one, but seemed to be walking in the dark, followed by some one who kept saying, “Such a sinner as you are can never sing that new song.” Every converted man and woman can imagine what my feelings were. I thought God was driving me on to hell. In great terror I cried: “Lord, have mercy on me, a poor sinner!” The voice which had been crying in my ears ceased at once, and a ray of light flashed across my eyes, accompanied by a sound of far distant singing; the light grew brighter and brighter, and the singing more distinct, and soon I caught the words: “This is the new song– redeemed, redeemed!” I at once sprang from the bed where I had been lying for twenty hours, without meat or drink, and commenced singing: “Redeemed! redeemed! glory! glory!” Such joy and peace as filled my heart, when I felt that I was redeemed and could sing the new song. Thus was I wonderfully saved from the eternal burning. Rev. Julia A. J. Foote, A Brand Plucked from the Fire, chapter 7

your affirmation of faith here:

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3 NIV

John 14: 25-27 NRSV

remember

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave

”All this I have spoken while still with you.

with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

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Sunday, May 2

asked me to pray, which I did with streaming eyes and quivering voice. She then asked us to sing the hymn, “Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV

John 13:31-35 NRSV

remember

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 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.” r e a d + ru m i n at e

Galatians 4:17-20 The Message

Those heretical teachers go to great lengths to flatter you, but their motives are rotten. They want to shut you out of the free world of God’s grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important.

It is a good thing to be ardent in doing good, but not just when I am in your presence. Can’t you continue the same concern for both my person and my message when I am away from you that you had when I was with you? Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth. Oh, I keep wishing that I was with you. Then I wouldn’t be reduced to this blunt, letter-writing language out of sheer frustration.

My great Redeemer’s praise.”

She sang with us in a much stronger voice than she had used for many days. As we sang the last verse, she raised herself up in bed, clapped her hands and cried: “He sets the prisoner free! Glory! glory! I am free! They have come for me!” She pointed toward the east. Her mother asked her who had come.

She said: “Don’t you see the chariot and horses? Glory! glory to the blood!”

She dropped back upon her pillow, and was gone. She had stepped aboard the chariot, which we could not see, but we felt the fire.

While many in the room were weeping, her mother shed not a tear, but shouted, “Glory to God!” Then, with her own hands, she assisted in arranging and preparing the remains for burial. Thus did another sanctified saint enter into eternal life. Though her period of sanctification was short, it was full of precious fruit.

Rev. Julia A. J. Foote, A Brand Plucked from the Fire, chapter 14

ascend Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11 NIV

c e l e b rat e Let the saints endure, keeping the commandments of God, holding fast to the faith of Jesus. “Love one another,” Jesus said. And for those who endure, the heavenly voice and the Spirit say, “Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.” The art of holy dying is in danger of being lost, but how we face death has long defined the people of God, almost as much as their love for one another.

Mrs. Simpson ... was comparatively free from pain for several days, though very weak.

She talked to all who came to see her of salvation free and full. Her last morning on earth came. She was peaceful and serene, with a heavenly smile upon her countenance. She 158 :: asbury theological seminary

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Monday, May 3

Tuesday, May 4

arise

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! …

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 NIV

Galatians 2:20 NIV

remember

John 14: 28-31 NRSV

”You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

remember

John 15:1-4 NRSV

”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you

remain in me.”

r e a d + ru m i n at e

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 4:21-27 NIV

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.

These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: “Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

ascend Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

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Galatians 4:28-31

NKJV

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

sing Arise, my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice, In my behalf appears; Before the throne my Surety stands, My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, For me to intercede, His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead; His blood atoned for all our race, And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, Received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers, They strongly plead for me: “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry, “Nor let that ransomed sinner die.”

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The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One; He cannot turn away The presence of His Son; His Spirit answers to the blood, And tells me I am born of God.

is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

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My God is reconciled, His pardoning voice I hear; He owns me for His child, I can no longer fear; With confidence I now draw nigh, And “Father, Abba, Father!” cry.

Zephaniah 1:14-16 TNIV

Charles Wesley, “Arise, My Soul, Arise”

c e l e b rat e Here is a beautiful contrast: Jesus Jehovah, the brightness of his Father’s glory, the express image of his person, yea, the sustainer of the universe; and yet, the Son of Man bowing to an ignominious death, under the condemnation of our sins. A condemnation voluntarily embraced: for he purged our sins by himself. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Express Image of His Father”

ascend For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Wednesday, May 5 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV

John 15:5-8 NRSV

Luke 23:44-46 NASB

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun failing; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

c e l e b rat e Here is a beautiful contrast: Jesus Jehovah, the brightness of his Father’s glory, the express image of his person, yea, the sustainer of the universe; and yet, the Son of Man bowing to an ignominious death, under the condemnation of our sins. A condemnation voluntarily embraced: for he purged our sins by himself. ... Yea, he trod the winepress alone. He also sustained the ponderous weight, and drunk to the very dregs the bitter cup!

Now let us behold him in these amazing characters: first, the complete fullness of the Godhead; second, the suffering Son of Man! Acquainted with grief and submissive to his own creation, While thus the mighty maker dies for man his creature’s sin. And in the last place: behold him rise victorious, over all his and the church’s enemies, and sit down on the right hand of the majesty on high– from whence we look for him to appear again the second time unto salvation, as the perfect deliverer of his saints, and the restorer of the whole creation, to its original purity and rectitude. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Express Image of His Father.”

ascend We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 NIV

remember

”I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that 162 :: asbury theological seminary

The great day of the LORD is nearnear and coming quickly.

The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.

That day will be a day of wratha day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blacknessa day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.

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Thursday, May 6

Friday, May 7

arise

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4-8a NIV

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 NIV

John 15:9-13 NRSV

remember

”As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told

you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each

other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

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John 15:14-17 NRSV

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.

Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Galatians 5:1-6 NRSV

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working* through love.

c e l e b rat e Lord Jesus, give us hearing ears, responsive wills, some fear, much faith, much hope, most love.

Christina Rossetti, The Face of the Deep, chapter 17

ascend In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

remember

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 5:7-12 NRSV

You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?

Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. But my friends,* why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offence of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!

c e l e b rat e Another reason of the sure increase of the kingdom of Christ is found in the prevalence of wickedness and irreligion in some parts of the earth. As sure as sin now abounds, so sure shall grace much more abound. In this way we turn the arms of the enemy against himself.

Satan may foolishly expect the victory, because he has now many provinces of the earth and many children in his own moral likeness scattered everywhere; but this renders the sudden and widespread success of Christ the more certain and inevitable. All that has gone before in the history of godliness among men shall be eclipsed and almost forgotten in the rich glories of a coming day, when the last entrenchment of the devil on earth shall be stormed by the soldiers of the cross, led on by the captain of their salvation. William Apess

Romans 6:11-14 NIV

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ascend You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11 NIV

Saturday, May 8

He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent He who does these things will never be shaken.

ascend Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3 NIV

John 15:18-21 NRSV

your affirmation of faith here:

remember

”If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 5:13-15 CEV

My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself. But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves.

Psalm 15 NASB

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?

Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.

He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; 166 :: asbury theological seminary

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Sunday, May 9 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV

John 15:22-25 NRSV

remember

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin.

Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

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and no more lying through your teeth.

Turn your back on sin; do something good.

Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.

God won’t put up with rebels; he’ll cull them from the pack.

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.

He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.

The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good.

God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.

c e l e b rat e

Psalm 34The Message

Would we know if this captain is ours? The important question is: am I of the Lord’s host? If I am, and abide therein, I am secure. For none ever trusted in him and was confounded. ...

I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

Whosoever follows this captain is sure of victory. For he will tread all our enemies beneath our feet. Yes, he bids us follow, and tread in his steps so that he faces every danger for us; and becomes the sevenfold shield receiving every dart in our stead. Having himself drank up the sharpness of death he hath opened the kingdom of heaven to every believing soul.

I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.

Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out.

God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.

Look at him; give him your warmest smile.

Never hide your feelings from him.

When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.

God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is.

Blessed are you who run to him.

Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.

Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.

Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

Who out there has a lust for life?

Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

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Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Captain”

sing Soon as thou hast our place prepared, And made us meet for our reward, Thou wilt come back again, Wilt to Thyself our souls receive With Thee eternally to live, Eternally to reign.

Charles Wesley, from “Hymns for Ascension-Day” #5

ascend Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself Continued on next page asbury theological seminary :: 169

and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11 NIV

Monday, May 10 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NIV

John 15:26-27 NRSV

remember

”When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 5:16-26 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

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sing Charles Wesley, meditating on the glory of Holy Communion, sees through it to the final Heavenly Banquet. Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, the final end of our hope, will come as Judge. And we anticipate that Day, and mystically partake of it, when feasting on His Body and Blood.

Where shall this memorial end?

Thither let our souls ascend, Live on earth to heaven restored, Wait the coming of our Lord.

Jesus terminates our hope, Jesus is our wishes’ scope; End of this great mystery, Him we fain would die to see.

He whom we remember here, Christ shall in the clouds appear; Manifest to every eye, We shall soon behold Him nigh.

Faith ascends the mountain’s height, Now enjoys the pompous sight, Antedates the final doom, Sees the Judge in glory come.

Lo, He comes triumphant down, Seated on His great white throne!

Cherubs bear it on their wings, Shouting bear the King of kings.

Lo, His glorious banner spread Stains the skies with deepest red, Dyes the land, and fires the wood, Turns the ocean into blood Gather’d to the well-known sign, We our elder brethren join, Swiftly to our Lord fly up, Hail Him on the mountain-top; Take our happy seats above, Banquet on His heavenly love, Lean on our Redeemer’s breast, In His arms for ever rest.

Charles and John Wesley, “Hymns on the Lord’s Supper,” #98

ascend Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

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Tuesday, May 11 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! …

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 NIV

John 16:1-4 NRSV

remember

”All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you.

I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

Lord, Thou art fullness, I am emptiness: Yet hear my heart speak in its speechlessness Extolling Thine unuttered loveliness.

c e l e b rat e O Lord, by might of Whose grace trembling Esther took her life in her hand to the saving of her people and of her own soul; grant us such salutary fear of Thee as may tread underfoot all other fear: even so from the second death defend us....

O Lord, Who by Your Apostle St. Paul has instructed us that to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, even their mind and conscience being defiled; purify us that unto us all things may become pure, yea, purify our hearts that we may see Thee, our God: even so from the second death defend us...

O Lord, Who by the arm of Samson destroyed the worshippers of Dagon, and afterwards without human might abased that impotent idol; take away all idols out of our hearts and any stumbling-block of iniquity from before our face: even so from the second death defend us.

O Lord the Word, Wisdom, Truth, Who having warned us that those telling lies shall not tarry in Your sight...from the heinous besetting sin of falsehood purge every soul of man, woman, child: even so, Good Lord, from the second death defend us. Amen.

Christina Rossetti, The Face of the Deep, chapter 21

ascend For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Christina Rossetti , The Face of the Deep, chapter 1

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 6:1-10 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Wednesday, May 12 arise

Wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV

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John 16: 5-11 NRSV

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 1:1-3

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remember

”Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.

Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Lord, hast Thou so loved us: and will not we Love Thee with heart and mind and strength and soul, Desiring Thee beyond our glorious goal, Beyond the heaven of heavens desiring Thee?

Christina Rossetti, The Face of the Deep, chapter 21

r e a d + ru m i n at e Galatians 6:11-18 NIV

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except

in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

c e l e b rat e O the length, and breadth, and height, And depth of dying love!

Love that turns our faith to sight, And wafts to heaven above!

Pledge of our possession this, This which nature faints to bear; Who shall then support the bliss, The joy, the rapture there!

Flesh and blood shall not receive The vast inheritance; God we cannot see, and live The life of feeble sense; In our weakest nonage here Up into our Head we grow,

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NARRATOR:

“He ascended into Heaven,” claim all the creeds, declaring the “faith once handed down to the Saints.” It is perhaps the most underrated, undercelebrated moment in the story of Jesus of Nazareth. He comes all the way down from Heaven in relative obscurity through the ordinary channel of birth. He departs in sensational glory in full public view. He arrives “conceived by the Holy Spirit.” He leaves “ascending into Heaven.” The Spirit carries him down as a seed implanted in Mary’s womb; a royal embryo. The Spirit takes him up as the exalted King of the Cosmos.

These mystical moments bookend the inconceivable 33 years of life on earth for the second person of the Trinity.

Atop one side of the \/ the Spirit delivers to Earth. Atop the other side of the \/ the Spirit delivers to Heaven. And the Spirit indwells the Son of God every nanosecond in between. So would the Spirit indwell us for such a journey?

This is what A’Kempis called “The Royal Way of the Holy Cross.”

Story #1: Gravity of Earth.

What goes up must come down.

Story #2: Gravity of Heaven.

What comes down must go up.

Peter, who learned the hard way, aptly instructs us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6).

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Saints before our Lord appear, And ripe for heaven below.

We his image shall regain, And to His stature rise, Rise unto a perfect man, And then ascend the skies, Find our happy mansions there, Strong to bear the joys above, All the glorious weight to bear Of everlasting love.

Charles and John Wesley, “Hymns on the Lord’s Supper,” #102

ascend We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 NIV

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven?

Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.

Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

reflect

Thursday, May 13 the ascension of jesus christ

o p e n i n g p r ay e r O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

Amen. BCP 222

remember Acts 1:4-14 NLT

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

Now, adds the apostle, ‘seeing we have such an high priest let us hold fast to our profession of faith in him. Let us never deny him, nor be ashamed of him before men. Let us hold fast the truth in our heads, the divine fire of love in our hearts. The confession of it in our lips, and a universal subjection to it in our lives.’ Again, we should encourage ourselves by the consideration of the excellency of our high priest, and come boldly to the throne of grace. God might have set up a throne of justice such as we should have trembled to come near; but he tells us it is a throne of grace. ... Now as his is an everlasting priesthood, so every day is with us the day of atonement, and we are invited not once a year, but day by day, to come boldly to the throne of grace, through this our gracious high priest. Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, “Priest”

sing (try singing to the tune of Christ the Lord is Risen Today)

Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia! To His throne above the skies, Alleluia! Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia! Reascends His native heaven, Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits, Alleluia! Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia! Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia! Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!

Circled round with angel powers, Alleluia! Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Alleluia! Conqueror over death and sin, Alleluia! “Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!”

Him though highest Heav’n receives, Alleluia! Still He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia! Though returning to His throne, Alleluia! Still He calls mankind His own, Alleluia!

See! He lifts His hands above, Alleluia! See! He shows the prints of love, Alleluia! Hark!

His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia! Blessings on His church below, Alleluia!

Still for us His death He pleads, Alleluia! Prevalent He intercedes, Alleluia! Near Himself prepares our place, Alleluia! Harbinger of human race, Alleluia!

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Master, (will we ever say), Alleluia! Taken from our head to day, Alleluia! See Thy faithful servants, see, Alleluia! Ever gazing up to Thee, Alleluia!

Grant, though parted from our sight, Alleluia! Far above yon azure height, Alleluia! Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia! Seeking Thee beyond the skies, Alleluia!

Ever upward let us move, Alleluia! Wafted on the wings of love, Alleluia! Looking when our Lord shall come, Alleluia! Longing, gasping after home, Alleluia!

There we shall with Thee remain, Alleluia! Partners of Thy endless reign, Alleluia! There Thy face unclouded see, Alleluia! Find our heaven of heavens in Thee, Alleluia!

Charles Wesley, 1739

live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

remember John 16:12-15

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

Friday, May 14

m e d i tat e ( The Nicene Creed)

p r ay Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen. Origins Unknown The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Psalm 110:1-2 NASB

r e a d + ru m i n at e Ezekiel 36:22-28 TNIV

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will 178 :: asbury theological seminary

“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen ...” sing Hail, Thou once despisèd Jesus! Hail, Thou Galilean King! Thou didst suffer to release us; Thou didst free salvation bring. Hail, Thou universal Savior, who hast borne our sin and shame! By Thy merits we find favor; life is given through Thy Name.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, all our sins on Thee were laid; By almighty love anointed, Thou hast full atonement made. Every sin may be forgiven through the virtue of Thy blood; Opened is the gate of Heaven, reconciled are we with God. Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory, there forever to abide; All the heavenly hosts adore Thee, seated at Thy Father’s side. There for sinners Thou art pleading; there Thou dost our place prepare; Thou for saints art interceding till in glory they appear.

Attr. to John Bakewell, 1757, and Martin Madan, 1760

wait Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.

Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.

Augustine

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Thou hear’st the pleading Spirit’s groan, Thou know’st the groaning Spirit’s will: Come in Thy gracious kingdom down And all Thy ransomed servants seal.

“Come quickly, Lord,” the Spirit cries, The number of Thy saints complete; “Come quickly, Lord,” the Bride replies, And make us all for glory meet; Erect Thy tabernacle here, The New Jerusalem send down, Thyself amidst Thy saints appear, And seat us on Thy dazzling throne.

Begin the great millennial day; Now, Saviour, with a shout descend, Thy standard in the heavens display, And bring the joy which ne’er shall end.

Charles and John Wesley, from “Hymns on the Lord’s Supper,” #166

Jeremiah 2:1-3 The Message

God’s Message came to me. It went like this: “Get out in the streets and call to Jerusalem, ‘God’s Message!

I remember your youthful loyalty, our love as newlyweds.

You stayed with me through the wilderness years, stuck with me through all the hard places.

Israel was God’s holy choice, the pick of the crop.

Anyone who laid a hand on her would soon wish he hadn’t!’”

God’s Decree.

Ezekiel 37:11-14 NAS

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished We are completely cut off.’ ”Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. ”Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.

”I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’” John 16:16-24 NLT

“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

m e d i tat e

Saturday, May 15 Psalm 2:6-9 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e

“I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

( Nicene Creed cont....)

“We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through Him all things were made.” sing Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart. I know that while in Heaven He stands. No tongue can bid me thence depart.

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When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free. For God the just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me.

Sunday, May 16

Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness, The great unchangeable I AM, The King of glory and of grace, One in Himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased by His blood, My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God!

p r ay Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

Charitie Bancroft, (1842-1892), “Before the Throne of God Above”

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century

wait Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin.

Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth.

Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls.

Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.

Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well.

Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.

Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge.

Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good.

Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues.

Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice.

Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward.

Origin Unknown

your affirmation of faith here:

Psalm 2:10-12 NASB

r e a d + ru m i n at e

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth.

Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.

Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Ezk. 37:24-28 TNIV

“‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.

They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”

John 16:25-33 NLT

“I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father.

Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”

Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming– indeed it’s here now– when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on

earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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m e d i tat e ( Nicene Creed cont....)

“For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.” sing Christ, our Lord to heav’n ascending with the Father there to reign.

Leaving earth, the Spirit sending till the Day He comes again.

Monday, May 17 p r ay O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century

Psalm 110:4-7 NLT

For our lives He’s interceding now before the Father’s throne.

Great High Priest our cause is pleading; Great our Hope in Him alone.

r e a d + ru m i n at e

The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings when his anger erupts. He will punish the nations and fill their lands with corpses; he will shatter heads over the whole earth. But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way. He will be victorious.

Forty days on earth appearing after rising from the dead.

Witnesses who once were fearing now proclaim their Living Head.

Taken up to heav’n in glory, leading captives in His train.

Sending us to tell His story till the Day He comes again.

Narrator:

In the coming days, begin inviting and welcoming the Holy Spirit. Consider some aspect of fasting, some way of feeling and embracing your own poverty of spirit. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and Believe the Gospel. Though you received the Holy Spirit upon your confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, there is always more of the Spirit to receive. Repeat this prayer in a continuous fashion. Breathe out slowly, whispering, “Come Holy Spirit.” Now breathe in deeply, whispering, “Fill me overflowing.”

Jer. 9:23-25 TNIV

Julie Tennent (Used with permission from the collection, “Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs” by Julie Tennent & Gary Parrett)

wait He calls thee to the closest union. And though he knows thou art a perverse rebel, and cannot feel a grain of love but what he puts into thee: yet he doth wait that he may be gracious, and is a thousand times more ready to save thee than thou art to be saved. And so doth he delight in that communion, that the spirit continually cries, Come. The whole word of God invites thee to this state of pure union. Now if thou wilt follow the attraction, the work is done! Then the bride as well as the spirit cries Come: they are both agreed; and lest any should say, “Ah, but doth it mean me?” there is added, and let him that heareth say Come. ... Freely then it is for you and I: Be bold in Jesus to confide His creature and his spotless bride Thy husband’s power and goodness prove The holy one of Israel he The Lord of hosts hath chosen thee In truth and righteousness and love.

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let those who boast boast about this:

that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh– …”

m e d i tat e ( Nicene Creed cont....)

“For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”

Mary Fletcher, Watchwords: The Names of Christ, from “Bride Groom.”

w h y t h e as c e n s i o n m at t e rs The ascension matters because it is integral to the rule and reign of God. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s decisive victory over “the last enemy” of death. Jesus’ resurrection is the “first fruits” guaranteeing our future resurrection. However, the ascension is the Continued on next page 184 :: asbury theological seminary

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enthronement of Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Jesus rules and reigns not only as the resurrected One, but as the ascended Lord. Just as the Resurrection is the inbreaking of a future reality into the present, thereby guaranteeing our future resurrection and victory over death, even so the ascension of Jesus is a similar guarantee that in the New Creation we will also reign with Christ. To be “in Christ” is to become inheritors of all that Christ inherits. Timothy Tennent

m e d i tat e ( Nicene Creed cont....)

“He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.”

wait

John 17:1-5

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Tuesday, May 18 p r ay Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God’s hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

sing (try it to the tune of “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”)

The head that once was crowned with thorns Is crowned with glory now; A royal diadem adorns The mighty victor’s brow.

The highest place that Heav’n affords Belongs to Him by right; The King of kings and Lord of lords, And Heaven’s eternal Light.

The joy of all who dwell above, The joy of all below, To whom He manifests His love, And grants His Name to know.

To them the cross with all its shame, With all its grace, is given; Their name an everlasting name, Their joy the joy of Heaven.

They suffer with their Lord below; They reign with Him above; Their profit and their joy to know The mystery of His love.

The cross He bore is life and health, Though shame and death to Him, His people’s hope, His people’s wealth, Their everlasting theme.

Thomas Kelly. 1820, “The Head That Once Was Crowned”

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century John 17:6-9 The Message

Psalm 97:1-6

TNIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Clouds and thick darkness surround him;

Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.

His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,and all peoples see his glory.

Daniel 7:13-14 NKJV

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”

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wait

I spelled out your character in detail To the men and women you gave me.

They were yours in the first place; Then you gave them to me, And they have now done what you said.

They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, That everything you gave me is firsthand from you, For the message you gave me, I gave them; And they took it, and were convinced That I came from you.

They believed that you sent me.

I pray for them.

I’m not praying for the God-rejecting world But for those you gave me, For they are yours by right.

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sing

Wednesday, May 19

(try it to the tune of “Crown Him with many Crowns”)

p r ay

Spirit of faith, come down, reveal the things of God, And make to us the Godhead known, and witness with the blood. ’Tis Thine the blood to apply and give us eyes to see, Who did for every sinner die hath surely died for me.

Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts o’erflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply.

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century

r e a d + ru m i n at e Psalm 98:1-3 NKJV

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

No man can truly say that Jesus is the Lord, Unless Thou take the veil away and breathe the living Word. Then, only then, we feel our interest in His blood, And cry with joy unspeakable, “Thou art my Lord, my God!” O that the world might know the all atoning Lamb! Spirit of faith, descend and show the virtue of His Name; The grace which all may find, the saving power, impart, And testify to all mankind, and speak in every heart.

Inspire the living faith (which whosoever receive, The witness in themselves they have and consciously believe), The faith that conquers all, and doth the mountain move, And saves whoever on Jesus call, and perfects them in love.

Charles Wesley. 1746, “Spirit of Faith, Come Down”

For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Joel 2:28-32 TNIV

“And afterward,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ”I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

Thursday, May 20

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

p r ay

I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside.

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

m e d i tat e ( Nicene Creed cont....)

“We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son ...”

wait

John 17:10-13 TNIV

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century

r e a d + ru m i n at e -Psalm 99:1-5 NLT

The Lord is king!

Let the nations tremble!

He sits on his throne between the cherubim.

Let the whole earth quake!

The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, exalted above all the nations.

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Let them praise your great and awesome name.

Your name is holy!

Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness.

I’m not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world

You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel.

Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!

Than I am defined by the world.

Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth.

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.

-Isaiah 44:1-5 TNIV

“But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.

This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

I’m consecrating myself for their sakes So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Friday, May 21

They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

p r ay

Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest.

m e d i tat e

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century

( Nicene Creed cont....)

“Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.” w h y t h e as c e n s i o n m at t e rs Why does the Ascension matter? Forty days after the resurrection, the crucified and risen Jesus was taken up, exalted to the right hand of the Father where he rules heaven and earth in the same manner which characterized everything he did, said, and suffered during his earthly ministry. Why is this “mighty act” of God important? The answer is rather simple but profound. Jesus is not just gone, having left us in charge of our lives, the church, and the world — and thereby responsible for making things turn out right. No, Jesus Christ went up to rule. He is busily at work, gathering up and uniting all things by the power of the Spirit’s self giving love which was poured in out on all flesh at Pentecost.

The Ascension means we are not in charge! Michael Pasquarello

1 John 2:1-3 NIV

r e a d + ru m i n at e

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

Revelation 7:9-12 TNIV

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,

John 17:14-19

The Message

wait

I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways, Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.

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and to the Lamb.”

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

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m e d i tat e ( Nicene Creed cont....).

“We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” remember

John 17:20-23 TNIV

”My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one,

Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory

that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center before the throne will be their shepherd;‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

m e d i tat e ( Nicene Creed cont....)

“We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.” sing

Saturday, May 22 p r ay Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.

Rabanus Maurus, “Veni Creator Spiritus,” ninth century

1 John 3:1-3 NASB

r e a d + ru m i n at e

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

And

Revelation 7:13-17 NIV

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the 192 :: asbury theological seminary

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne. Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born, Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn; Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem; The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began, And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man; Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast, And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave, And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save. His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise. His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side, Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified. No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above, Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous name of Love. Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign, Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain, Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time, Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime. All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me; Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Matthew Bridges, 1851, Godfrey Thring, 1874

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wait

Sunday, May 23

John 17:24-26 The Message

Father, I want those you gave me To be with me, right where I am, So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me, Having loved me Long before there ever was a world.

Righteous Father, the world has never known you, But I have known you, and these disciples know That you sent me on this mission.

I have made your very being known to them— Who you are and what you do— And continue to make it known, So that your love for me Might be in them Exactly as I am in them.

pentecost

p r ay e r t o t h e h o ly s p i r i t Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Origins Unknown

Acts 2:1-39 The Message

your affirmation of faith here:

remember

When the Feast of Pentecost came, Without warning there was a sound could tell where it came from. It a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread speaking in a number of different them.

they were all together in one place. like a strong wind, gale force—no one filled the whole building. Then, like through their ranks, and they started languages as the Spirit prompted

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs! “They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it.

They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”

Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”

That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen: “In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, 194 :: asbury theological seminary

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your old men dream dreams.

When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy.

I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous; And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved.”

Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge—this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all: I saw God

”Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words:

before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side.

I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope. I know you’ll never dump me in Hades; I’ll never even smell the stench of death. You’ve got my feet on the life-path, with your face shining sun-joy all around.

”Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—’no trip to Hades, no stench of death.’

This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it.

Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say, God said to my Master, “Sit at my right hand Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet.” “All Israel, then, know this: There’s no longer room for doubt— God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross.”

sing (try singing to the tune of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”)

Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia! To His throne above the skies, Alleluia! Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia! Reascends His native heaven, Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits, Alleluia! Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia! Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia! Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!

Circled round with angel powers, Alleluia! Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Alleluia! Conqueror over death and sin, Alleluia! “Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!”

Him though highest Heav’n receives, Alleluia! Still He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia! Though returning to His throne, Alleluia! Still He calls mankind His own, Alleluia!

See! He lifts His hands above, Alleluia! See! He shows the prints of love, Alleluia! Hark!

His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia! Blessings on His church below, Alleluia!

Still for us His death He pleads, Alleluia! Prevalent He intercedes, Alleluia! Near Himself prepares our place, Alleluia! Harbinger of human race, Alleluia!

Master, (will we ever say), Alleluia! Taken from our head to day, Alleluia! See Thy faithful servants, see, Alleluia! Ever gazing up to Thee, Alleluia!

Grant, though parted from our sight, Alleluia! Far above yon azure height, Alleluia! Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia! Seeking Thee beyond the skies, Alleluia!

Ever upward let us move, Alleluia! Wafted on the wings of love, Alleluia! Looking when our Lord shall come, Alleluia! Longing, gasping after home, Alleluia!

There we shall with Thee remain, Alleluia! Partners of Thy endless reign, Alleluia! There Thy face unclouded see, Alleluia! Find our heaven of heavens in Thee, Alleluia!

Charles Wesley, 1739, “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”

c e l e b rat e Send, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that He may direct and rule us according to Thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee and the same Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, world without end. Amen. BCP

Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?”

Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

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Appendix A: Inspire Network Questions of Examen. seeking growth: life with god OUR LIFE IN GOD A life of forgiveness and fellowship. Do I come to God in repentance, experiencing his forgiveness, and entering the divine embrace?

A life of adoption and assurance. Do I have the witness of the Spirit within me that I am a child of God; abiding and delighting in his holy love?

A life of intimacy and passion. Do I have the love of God shed abroad in my heart by the Spirit; a longing for his presence, and a desire to please him all things?

A life of surrender and resignation. Do I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to God’s pleasure and disposal, to love God and love my neighbour as myself?

GOD’S LIFE IN US A life of holiness and happiness. Am I growing more like Christ in my thinking, feeling, speaking and acting through the presence of his Spirit in me?

A life of victory and freedom. Am I dying and rising with Christ; being set free from the power of sin by the power of the Spirit in my heart and life?

A life of obedience and service. Am I sharing in the life and ministry of Christ, through the work of his Spirit within me?

A life of hungering and thirsting. Am I asking God to fill my life with the fruit and gifts of the Spirit?

SEEING GOD A life of spiritual awakening. Have I seen the presence of God, heard the voice of God, tasted the goodness of God, touched the nearness of God, smelled the fragrance of God in my daily life?

A life of spiritual vision. Have I been able to perceive the hand of God at work: guiding, strengthening and providing for my daily life?

A life of spiritual attention. Have I made the reality of God’s presence, providence and purpose the center and focus of my daily life?

A life of thanks and praise. Have I given thanks to God for his unfailing attention, love and grace toward me in my daily life?

MAKING GOD SEEN A life of transfiguration. Has the reality of God shone through my life to others as truth that can be seen, heard, tasted, touched and smelled?

A life of witness. Has my life been an authentic signpost to the reality of God, and a living invitation to share in the divine embrace?

A life of mission. Has my heart and life been moved into the world by the reality of God’s love for my neighbours?

A life of evangelism. Have I communicated the gospel in word and deed, inviting others to search for the reality of God in their lives?

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engaging disciplines: life in action

engaging mission: life in the world

Prayer without ceasing.

Am I aiming for constancy in prayer, the breath of my spiritual life; and practicing the presence of God in the midst of everyday life?

Am I praying with and for those in fellowship with me?

Being sent.

Am I discerning how communion with God means being sent out to share in God’s mission of love to my neighbours?

Am I encouraging my fellowship to see its life together as set apart and sent out in mission to the community?

Searching the Scripture.

Am I being immersed in the Bible as a means of learning about the character, presence, activity and calling of God in my life?

Am I searching the Scriptures with and for those in fellowship with me?

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper.

Am I remembering what Christ has done for me, receiving what the Spirit does in me, and resigning my life to God’s hands?

Am I joining those in fellowship with me to remember, receive, and resign our life together to God? Fasting or abstinence.

Am I making God the center and focus of my life, by fasting or abstaining from those things that tend to distract me?

Am I speaking the truth in love to those in fellowship with me, who are seeking holiness of heart and life?

Works of mercy.

Am I serving God by serving my neighbour, bringing the gospel to them in word and deed?

Am I joining those in fellowship with me in God’s mission of love to our neighbours?

sharing fellowship: life with others Sharing spiritual life.

Am I sharing testimony about my spiritual life; growth in grace, areas of weakness, or times in the wilderness?

Am I listening to the testimony of others, expecting God to speak through them?

Making friends.

Am I seeking to build relationships with non-Christian people; my neighbours, work colleagues, and other social relationships?

Am I encouraging my fellowship to build transforming relationships with people in the community?

Caring gestures.

Am I finding practical ways to care for my friends and neighbours?

Am I encouraging my fellowship to find ways of caring that bear witness to God’s love for the community?

Sharing faith.

Am I taking the opportunities that the Spirit creates to share my faith with others, inviting them along the journey of discipleship?

Am I encouraging my fellowship to find imaginative ways of sharing the gospel in word and deed with the community?

Welcoming strangers.

Am I welcoming and hospitable to the friends, neighbours and strangers that the Spirit brings into my life?

Am I encouraging my fellowship to practice openness and hospitality to all those who come into our midst?

To learn more about the Inspire-Network visit http://www.inspire-network.org.uk/

Offering spiritual direction.

Am I looking for God’s presence, activity and leading in my life?

Am I listening to the discernment and direction of others?

Am I offering discernment and direction to others?

Bearing spiritual fruit.

Am I bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Are my relationships with others being shaped by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control?

Am I encouraging others to bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives?

Exercising spiritual gifts.

Am I seeking the gifts of the Spirit and sharing those gifts with others?

Am I enabling others to discover and share their spiritual gifts?

Imparting spiritual wisdom.

Am I learning from the practical and spiritual wisdom of others?

Am I sharing my practical and spiritual wisdom with others?

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a b b r e v i at i o n s BCP

The Book of Common Prayer

CEV

Contemporary English Version

NASB

New American Standard Bible

NIV

New International Version

NJB

New Jerusalem Bible

NKJV

New King James Version

NLT

New Living Translation

NRSV

New Revised Standard Version

The Message The Message by Eugene Peterson TNIV

Today’s New International Version

selected biographies St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was a noted theologian, a brilliant philosopher, and one of the founding fathers of scholasticism. He is most known for developing an ontological argument for the existence of God. William Apess (1798-?), a member of the Pequot tribe, was born in Colrain, Massachusetts.

Abandoned by his parents, he spent much of his childhood as an indentured servant. In his youth, he converted to Christ at a Methodist meeting, but through persecution and unhealthy friendships fell again into sin. After several years of wandering, in 1818 he recommitted his life and was baptized. He sensed a call into ministry, but, apparently through racial prejudice, his candidacy was rejected in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was soon ordained in the Protestant Methodist Church, and was appointed as a preacher to the Pequot. His ministry thrived among them, and he sought to contextualize the Gospel within their culture. In 1833 he came to the town of Mashpee, Massachusetts’ last surviving Indian town, and catalyzed their unrest into an assertion of rights and declaration of selfgovernment; after various persecutions, these were granted in 1834. After this, by 1838, Apess entirely disappears from history. His published works, however, have been gathered together in On Our Own Ground: The Complete Writings of William Apess, a Pequot, ed. Barry O’Connell. His work A Son of the Forest is apparently the first published autobiography by a Native American.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria (293-373). Referred to as the pillar of orthodoxy, Athanasius attended the first ecumenical council held at Nicea when he was still a deacon.

He later went on to become the bishop of Alexandria and one of the most zealous defenders of creedal orthodoxy. Athanasius’ most famous writings are On the Incarnation, Against the Arians and The Biography of St. Antony.

as b u ry t h e o lo g i c a l s e m i n a ry Asbury Theological Seminary is a community called to prepare theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to evangelize and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world through the love of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of God the Father.

With multiple campuses, Asbury Theological Seminary is an interdenominational graduate school of theology committed to teaching the unchanging truth of historic Wesleyan Christianity through the most dynamic means available. Asbury Seminary offers a variety of degrees, including the Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy. Total current enrollment nears 1,600 students, representing 94 denominations and 29 countries. For more information, please visit asburyseminary.edu.

St. John Cassian (360-433) was a monk who strongly influenced both Eastern and Western Christianity. Cassian entered the monastery at the age of twenty and soon thereafter began traveling through the world studying the practices of various monastic groups. Eventually Cassian found his way to Constantinople to study under St. John Chrysostom. After Chrysostom’s death Cassian made his way to what is now modern day France and established two monasteries, one for men and one for women. Through these monasteries Cassian introduced Eastern practices into Western Christianity.

St. John Chrysostom (347-407), born in Antioch into a comfortable family, was headed toward wealth and fame as a lawyer when God called him into ministry. He radically identified with the poor, living an ascetic life of devotion. Made bishop of Constantinople, and thus pastor to the emperor’s family and the nobility, John refused to compromise either his integrity or his message; he consistently rebuked the sins of gluttony, avarice, and oppression, making many enemies–especially among the ambitious clergy. Through ecclesial jealousy and political power plays, he spent the last years of his life in exile.

Because of John’s eloquence as a preacher, history granted him the title “Golden-mouthed.”

The Didache is an early second-century document that includes baptismal and Eucharistic instructions as well as doctrinal assertions. Although the authorship is unknown, the Didache is held in high regard as an early Christian document.

The Divine Liturgy of St. Chrysostom is the liturgy most commonly used by the Orthodox church. This liturgy is rich in poetic beauty and deeply embedded with theological content. It is held this liturgy is merely a revision by St. Chrysostom of the most ancient liturgies practiced by the Church from shortly after Pentecost.

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Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was the pastor of a Congregationalist church and one of the major figures in the First Great Awakening. Edwards is known best for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and much of his work in New England was spent encouraging his congregation to live out ‘true religion.’ Edwards also served as the president of Princeton Seminary and as a missionary to Native Americans. Many modern historians consider Jonathan Edwards to be one of America’s greatest theological minds.

St. Ephraim the Syrian (c 306-376) was a Syrian ascetic who, though raised in a pious family, was known as a child for his quick temper and careless acts. After a journey of repentance, Ephraim spent much of his life writing hymns, poems and various theological works. Although some of Ephraim’s works have been lost, there are still hundreds of hymns that are intact. The Lenten prayer of St. Ephraim is commonly used in the Orthodox Church.

Mary Bosanquet Fletcher (1739-1815) was an early Methodist leader and preacher. She was the beloved wife of Rev. John Fletcher, the appointed successor of John Wesley. Mary and her husband John partnered together in ministry transcending traditional gender roles.

After John’s untimely death in 1785, Mary continued to preach and teach. Throughout her life Mary placed the highest importance on her spiritual communion with God as is evidenced by the frequent mention of dreams and other mystical practices in her journal.

Some of her sermon notes (“Watchwords: The Names of Christ”) have recently been published, for the first time, in The Asbury Journal.

Julia A. J. Foote (1823-1900) was born to former slaves in Schenectady, New York. At the age of fifteen she converted to Christ, and about two years later had an experience of entire sanctification. After her marriage she moved to Boston, joining an African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and beginning to witness publicly about her sanctification. She sensed a call to preach, but her pastor and the AME Zion authorities were skeptical and antagonistic. Moving to Philadelphia, she found a group of like-minded women and began holding religious meetings. In 1845, she began preaching throughout upstate New York, invited to pulpits from different Methodist churches. Her ministry was put on hold by a “throat difficulty” and her grief when her parents and husband died, but in 1869 she resumed preaching throughout Ohio. In 1894, she became the first woman ordained as a deacon in the AME Zion Church, and she was ordained an elder prior to her death in 1900.

Her autobiography, A Brand Plucked from the Fire, was published in 1879.

George Fox (1624-1691) is best known as being an early leader of the Quaker movement.

Writing during a time of social unrest, Fox exemplifies a strong desire for an unwavering faith in Christ. Fox’s letters give us glimpses into his personal piety and love for his people.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus (325?-390) was the son of a bishop, Gregory the Elder.

Preferring a monastic and academic life, Gregory the younger was thrust into ministry against his wishes. Serving several appointments, he generally made a poor pastor. But he was a brilliant theologian and rhetorician and, along with his friend Basil and Basil’s brother Gregory of Nyssa, provided a stalwart defense of the Trinitarian faith.

St. Gregory of Nyssa (c 335-394) along with his elder brother St. Basil the Great was one of the Cappadocian Fathers. Gregory served as the bishop of Nyssa which is in modern day Turkey and was in attendance at the second ecumenical council held at Constantinople. He is most remembered for his work on the Trinitarian nature of the Godhead including Why There are Not Three Gods.

Jean-Nicholas Grou (1730-1803) was a Jesuit priest whose mystical works have inspired many into a deep prayer life. Grou’s work How to Pray was written after a deeply moving spiritual experience. Grou spent most of his life speaking and teaching about prayer and spiritual intimacy.

St. Ignatius of Antioch (?-117), also known as the “God-bearer,” was likely the second bishop of Antioch. St. Ignatius was condemned to be thrown to the wild beasts when a short persecution broke out in his region. The few letters that we have from him were penned while on his way to Rome to face his death as a martyr.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202) is recognized as a pillar of orthodoxy and Christian virtue. St. Irenaeus was born in Asia Minor and as a youth was baptized by St. Polycarp, the disciple of St. John the Apostle. Under Polycarp’s instruction, Irenaeus grew in the faith and eventually was named bishop. St. Irenaeus is remembered as a holy champion of Christian faith through his treatises against the Marcian and Valentinian heretics.

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), a mystic and theologian, was an influential figure during the Catholic Reformation of the 1500s. During this reformation he worked with St. Teresa of Avila and helped to renew the Carmelite monastic order. John was eventually jailed for his work by those who opposed the Reformation and was beaten regularly. John is most remembered for his works Dark Night of the Soul and Spiritual Canticle.

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was a poet and civil rights activist. Johnson may best be remembered for his poem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which was later put to music by his brother. This song is commonly referred to as the “Black National Anthem.”

St. Julian of Norwich (1342-1416?), an English recluse, received a series of sixteen revelations on May 8, 1373. Having spent several years meditating on them, she recorded them. Few details are known of her life.

Kahgegagahbowh, “Standing Firm” (1818-1869), whose English name was George Copway, was from the Mississauga Band of the Ojibwe and born in modern-day Ontario.

He worked for a time as a Methodist missionary among his people, but was eventually defrocked for embezzling money. Although of questionable moral character, he wrote several books which are important sources for his tribe’s culture; his autobiography The life, history, and travels of Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh (George Copway): a young Indian Chief of the Ojebwa nation is the first published by a Native American reared within his traditional cultural setting.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) nailed his infamous ‘95 Theses’ to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral in 1517 and thus forever shaped history. With this act Luther challenged many of the established practices of the church and laid the foundations for the Protestant Reformation. Before his groundbreaking act, Luther was a Catholic monk and professor of biblical literature at Wittenberg. Luther has left his mark on the world with one act, but could just as well be remembered for his deep theology and pious faith.

St. Maximus the Confessor (580-662) a former secretary to the emperor turned monk, Maximus spent the majority of his life teaching orthodox doctrine and refuting the Monothelite heresy, the belief that Christ had only one will. Maximus was arrested and accused of treason by the heretical Patriarch of Constantinople. During his imprisonment Maximus’ tongue was cut out and his right hand was cut off. Maximus maintained his orthodox faith until his death and is thus remembered as a holy saint and confessor.

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Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) was born in London into an Italian-English family. A devout Anglican, much of her poetry radiates her deep love of God and creation. Rossetti is widely acclaimed as a major literary figure; some have considered her poem “Goblin Market” one of the best pieces in the English language. Rossetti also published a devotional commentary on Revelation, The Face of the Deep, before succumbing to breast cancer in 1894.

St. Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022) is one of three saints in the Orthodox tradition to be given the title “Theologian.” St. Symeon entered the monastery at the age of twenty-seven under the tutelage of Symeon the Pious and began to immerse himself in the writings of the ascetic and mystical fathers. As St. Symeon continued this path, he began to emphasize mental prayer, spiritual experience, and other mystical teachings. His defense of these emphases coupled with solid orthodoxy has enabled St. Symeon to be held in great esteem as the ‘New Theologian.’

Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote more than 7,000 hymns. He ministered alongside his brother John for many years, but ceased traveling in 1765. He married Sarah Gwynne in 1749, and they had eight children together, three of whom survived infancy. Charles’ legacy as a hymn writer is unparalleled, and his works are well-known throughout many Christian denominations.

contributing editors and artists Julie Tennent is a music teacher, accompanist and composer. She is a graduate of Westminster College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She resides in Wilmore, Ky. Erin Crisp is an English teacher and literacy coach. She is wife to Eric, an Asbury Seminary student, and mom to three lively little boys.

Stephanie Wright is a freelance graphic designer living in Lexington, Ky. with her husband, Greg.

Once again, we’ve reached and end that is only the beginning. Pentecost proceeds through the summer narrating the story of the spread of the Gospel throughout the World. Join us on asburyreader.com all summer long as we journey through the Acts of the Apostles and watch the surprising story of the Holy Spirit unfold. This fall we will be back with our KingdomTide Reader in print. Order your copy today at asburyreader.com. We offer discounted rates for communities and groups.

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“for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.�

Colossians 3:3 NASB

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