Reflect, Repent, Renew: Lenten Devotional Guide, Week #3

The Christian season of Lent has traditionally been set aside by the church as a time for reflection, repentance and renewal. It lasts forty days, plus Sundays, and is meant to mirror the forty days of Jesus in the desert. We are called to take on new disciplines, new ways of thinking, and partner with the Holy Spirit to more clearly see who we can be in Christ as we embrace what our Savior has done for us. This devotional guide can help you in this journey.

How to use this devotional guide: You may choose to use this for individual use, for small groups, or for use during family time. Each day there are readings from scripture – several psalms, another Old Testament reading, a reading from the Gospels, and from the New Testament epistles. We encourage you to read one or more of the passages and meditate on them. Some of the scripture passages are obviously connected to the season, while for others the connection may not be so obvious. The devotional writing for each day is in response to one or more of the scripture passages. We have left room for your personal notes and reflections.

If you find the devotional writing to be a blessing or help, please let the author know. After all, you will see them in worship – and how often do we get to thank an author in person?

In addition to the printed version available each Sunday for the next week, they are also on the church website, www.avongrovenazarene.org. Click “Connect,” then click “Pastor’s Blog.”

Writers:

Kris Guertler is the wife of Jim and mother of Jamie. She serves as director of our women’s ministry, on the Academy board and music ministry. She is a school nurse in the Octorara Public Schools. She lives in Parkesburg.

Heather Hyde is the wife of Jackson and the mother of Hadley. She serves as our Associate Pastor. She lives in Chatham.

Becky McGehean is the wife of Jay and mother of Maddy and Mackenzie. She is an administrator at Avon Grove Nazarene Academy and a member of the church board and youth staff. She lives in West Grove.

Jay McGehean is the husband to Becky and father of Maddy and Mackenzie. He serves as our youth pastor, and is a health and physical education teacher at the Avon Grove Charter School. He lives in West Grove.

Justin Reed is a senior at Avon Grove Charter High School, a leader in our youth group and involved in music ministry. He lives in Cochranville.

Clara Saxton serves as director of Kingdom Kids, our Wednesday evening program for children, and is a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway,  Fox and Roach Realtors. She lives in Kennett Square.

Esther Schutz is the wife of Mike. She serves as our Minister of Worship Arts and Administrative Assistant and teaches music lessons. She lives in Penn Township.

Mike Schutz is the husband of Esther. He serves as our senior pastor. He lives in Penn Township.

Beckey Williams is a recent graduate of West Chester University and serves as director of the after school program and a teacher at Avon Grove Nazarene Academy, and is a member of our music ministry. She lives in Oxford.

Monday, February 22

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 56, 57, 58, 64, 65; Genesis 41:46-57; Mark 3:7-19a; 1 Corinthians 4:8-21

And he went up into a mountain and called until him whom he would: and they came to him.  And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: and Simon he surnamed Peter, and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and  he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him.  And they went into a house.  Mark 3: 13-19

What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 1 Corinthians 4:21

A few years back, a series of billboards were produced, designed to look like quips from God.  They can largely be seen as a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 4:21, God warning us “don’t make me come down there!”  We have many more warnings throughout scripture echoing that theme.  And we have examples where the message went unheeded and mankind was met with banishment, flood, conquest, famine, disease, slavery, etc. because we damaged that obedient relationship.  The possibility of realignment with Him was restored through the ultimate sacrifice of His incarnate son and our Savior, Jesus.  We can only wonder what Jesus thought about during his 40 days of preparation to step up and claim his role of obedience and submission to the Father.   Well, this is our 40 days and our chance to prepare to step up and claim ours. 

We probably won’t go into the desert; might not fast for 40 days; might not encounter Lucifer along the way.  Or will we?  Once we set our thoughts to the things of God and seek the righteous path with Him, there’s a good chance Lucifer will come alongside us and do what he can to distract and dilute our efforts.  Sometimes it’s difficult to focus for 5 minutes – much less 40 days.  But, we can gain power for our journeys through the knowledge that millions of Christians all over the world are joined with us during this season of focus.  In fact, there are scores right here in our own fellowship!  Where Mark took the opportunity to name the chosen 12 in chapter 3 of his Gospel, I think I can find some in our own sanctuary on any given Sunday.  That’s how we know God wants to come in love and the spirit of meekness.  We have these fine examples around us!     Selah. (Think of Selah as a musical interlude!) – Clara Saxton

Tuesday, February 23

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 61, 62, 68; Genesis 42:1-17; Mark 3:20-35; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Then He went to a house, but a throng came together again, so that Jesus and His disciples could not even take food. And when those who belonged to Him (His kinsmen) heard it , they went out to take Him by force, for they kept saying, He is out of His mind (beside Himself, Deranged)! And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, He is possessed by Beelzebub, and, By the help of the prince of demons He is casting out demons.

And He summoned them to Him and said to them in parables (illustrations or comparisons put beside truths to explain them), How can Satan drive out Satan? And if a kingdom is divided and rebelling against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided (split into factions and rebelling) against itself, that house will not be able to last. And if Satan has raised an insurrection against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is (surely) coming to an end. But no one can go into a strong man’s house and ransack his household goods right and left and seize them as plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may (thoroughly) plunder his house.

Truly and solemnly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever abusive and blasphemous things they utter;  But whoever speaks abusively against or maliciously misrepresents the Holy Spirit can never get forgiveness but is guilty of and is in the grasp of an everlasting trespass. For they persisted in saying, He has an unclean spirit. Mark 3:20-30

Name Calling 101

Big Feet, Freckle-Face, Smarty Pants, Goody-Two-Shoes, Scaredy Cat. The first time I ever remember someone calling me a name was in First Grade. My family and I had just moved to town. I was at my new school. 2 of my classmates looked at my feet, pointed and laughed saying I had big feet. I looked at my feet, looked back at them, looked at my feet, and thought “I do not have big feet”, while I stood there silently wondering if maybe they were right. I soon learned that name-calling was a favorite pass-time of childhood bullies.

Jesus was called names and accused of far worse than the names I was called. Both his family and the religious folk believed he was out of his mind and that everything he was doing was because he was working for the enemy. As usual Jesus’ response was to ask questions and tell a story. These weren’t just any old questions; they were thought-provoking, applicable, logical, honest questions. They were questions that allowed for a step back, a deep breath, a let’s take some time to think about what you are actually saying questions. And then Jesus speaks Truth, Powerful Truth, Kingdom Truth, Honest-to-Goodness Truth:

Truly and solemnly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever abusive and blasphemous things they utter;  But whoever speaks abusively against or maliciously misrepresents the Holy Spirit can never get forgiveness but is guilty of and is in the grasp of an everlasting trespass.

To my first grade bullies, I say to you all is well, you and your words are forgiven. To my adult acquaintances  who try to explain away my “behavior/success” as something other than what it is, I say to you be careful. I have been crucified with Christ, therefore 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. And to anyone who bullies those filled with God’s Spirit and who are doing the work of God’s Kingdom, I say STOP. Confess. Repent. Be forgiven. Acknowledge Christ as your Savior and Lord. Then join in some real, genuine name calling as together on this lenten journey, we worship: Messiah, Prince of Peace, Almighty God, Provider,  Shelter, Refuge, Rock, Salvation, Creator, Father of the fatherless, Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder, Strong Tower, Holy Spirit, Majesty, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. – Esther Schutz

Wednesday, February 24

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 72, 119:73-96; Genesis 42:18-28; Mark 4:1-20; 1 Corinthians 5:6-6:8

And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. ² Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:  ³ “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. ⁴ And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. ⁵ Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. ⁶ But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. ⁷ And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. ⁸ But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” ⁹ And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

¹⁰ But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. ¹¹ And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, ¹² so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’”( Isaiah 6:9-10)

¹³ And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? ¹⁴ The sower sows the word. ¹⁵ And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. ¹⁶ These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. ¹⁸ Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰ But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4: 1-20

During the season of Lent I am often reminded of what is to come.  At the end of the season we are torn from our sorrow of knowing that our Savior had suffered to the amazement of his risen body.  His sacrifice was the ultimate act of love.  The empty tomb is what drives us. 

As a believer in Jesus Christ, it is my calling to do what I can to leave the love of Christ everywhere that I go.  I often fail.  There are still times where I feel like I have failed but then you hear stories of how one conversation, or one bit of advice, has made an impact in someone's life. 

This parable is a well known story that Jesus told.  Sometimes the seed takes and sometimes it doesn’t.   I have seen this throughout life.  Youth group, friendships, my own family, my peers at school, in the lives of my students, sometimes the seed takes and sometimes……. 

Here is the thing.  If a farmer throws down seed and the seed doesn't take, he doesn't abandon that land.  He reworks the soil, feeds the soil, cares for the soil.  He then throws the seed down again and again and again.  Don't stop throwing the seeds down in the soil around you.  Rework the soil, feed the soil, care for the soil.  The people will be there.  Sometimes the seeds takes, sometimes they don’t, but when it does crops are produced because love was spread.  – Jay McGehean

Thursday, February 25

Scripture Readings: Psalm 70, 71, 74; Genesis 42:29-38; Mark 4:21-34; 1 Corinthians 6:12-30

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.” Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me. May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

When I first read this passage of scripture, my mind wandered to the lives of many of my friends residing at Kendal-Crosslands Communities. Working at a retirement community is such a joy.  There is something so special about bringing a smile, happiness, and helping hands to those who are experiencing the many life changes of aging. With such joy comes a glimpse of negativity as I've also seen the gloomy side of aging.

 In this passage of scripture the author reflects on the past, "For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth;" however, he continues with uncertainty for the future: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone." Let us not forget God's faithfulness as we anxiously anticipate what lies ahead. We become overly consumed with concern and worries for what may happen in the future when we should be focusing our time and energy on building and developing a stronger relationship with God now. God continues to provide, praise Him for the wonderful blessings he has laid before us today and throughout the entirety of our lives. This passage reminds me of one of my favorite verses. In Matthew 28:20 scripture reads ..."and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We have nothing to fear as we age when we place our trust in Christ. – Beckey Williams

Friday, February 26

Scripture Readings: Psalm 69, 73; Genesis 43:1-15; Mark 4:35-41; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

(If you are not familiar with the context of this passage, read the entire story of Joseph in Genesis, chapters 37 – 45.)

Now the famine was still severe in the land. ² So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” ³ But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ ⁴ If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you. ⁵ But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” ⁶ Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?” ⁷ They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?” ⁸ Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. ⁹ I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. ¹⁰ As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.” ¹¹ Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. ¹³ Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. ¹⁴ And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” ¹⁵ So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. – Genesis 43:1-15

                We come into the middle of a sad story. Jacob – now called Israel – has lost his son Joseph many years before. Now there is famine in the land, and his family must seek the assistance of the Egyptian Pharaoh. The situation is such that the once rich and powerful Israel no longer has power to control the circumstances of his life. He must depend on others, and there are hard choices which must be made.

                Every person eventually realizes they are not in complete control of their life. No matter how hard they work, how much they accumulate, how much power they have, there comes a time when age, illness or outside forces take away even the veneer of independence. We are forced to admit that we need others, perhaps even need to rely on their assistance for life itself. For some, this dramatic change in life’s circumstances is too much to take.

                Perhaps this is why accepting the need for God, for Christ, for grace and mercy, seems so difficult. We just don’t want to admit that we need – anyone. It seems like weakness, like giving up. And, in a way, it is. This is why so much of the disciplines of Lent center around deep reflection – brutal honesty, if you will. Admitting that we need others is humbling. Admitting that we need God takes us off the throne at the center of our lives. Admitting that we need grace admits that we don’t get to make our own rules. But it is just such admissions that prepare us for the cross, prepare us for new life, prepare us to be fully alive in Christ – on the other side of the cross and empty tomb. – Mike Schutz

Saturday, February 27

Scripture Readings: Psalm 23, 27, 75, 76; Genesis 43:16-34; Mark 5:1-20; 1 Corinthians 7:10-24

¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹ But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. ¹² To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.¹⁶ How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 1 Corinthians 7:10-24

We all have a loved one or a dear friend who has not has not yet come to faith in Christ. This can be frustrating to us but also deeply grievous. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul is specifically speaking to married couples where one spouse is not a believer.  This situation can be quite challenging but Paul offers great hope and encouragement, to keep persevering and loving a spouse to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We must never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The Holy Spirit is working in EVERYONE'S life all the time and working before a person comes to faith in Christ. We get to partner with the Holy Spirit to gently encourage the people closest to us to receive Christ's forgiveness and freedom.

Jesus longed for all people to come to faith in him while he was on earth. He was working towards that end up until his crucifixion. Now we have the opportunity and calling to help grow his Kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit.

If you have loved ones who have yet to come to faith, don't give up!  There is always hope for their salvation!  Keep persevering, loving, patiently guiding and praying.  – Heather Hyde

Sunday, February 28

Scripture Readings: Psalm 34, 93, 96; Genesis 44:1-17; 5:25-29; Romans 8:1-10

"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see--how good God is.  Blessed are you who run to him....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." 

Psalm 34:8; 18  The Message 

In the middle of my work-out routine, my daughter thought it was important enough to interrupt and give me her early Valentine's gift.  She was in the process of making valentines for her class.  So, she said, "Here, Mommy, happy Valentine's day!"  I stopped and looked.  It was a broken, smushed York peppermint patty taped to a pink handmade paper heart.  She knows how much I LOVE chocolate mint...whether it be ice cream or a piece of candy.  To me, it is a refreshing piece of heaven!  So I smiled and said, "Gee, thanks, honey...what did you do...sit on it??"  So, I hugged her and gave her a kiss as if it was the best gift ever!  But, when she walked away, I thought in gest to myself, "Nice...Mommy gets the scraps...what's broken...isn't that special?"  But then, Jesus whispered to my heart...I had it all wrong.

In much the same way, when we look at ourselves or others, we have a tendency to cringe at the brokenness.  We remember the times we've really blown it and made a total mess out of things.  We ask, “How can I ever be forgiven?  How can I ever be loved in the state that I'm in?”  We look at others and remember the sins of their past.  We look at the messes all around us and think to ourselves, "How on earth can God make that into something beautiful?"  I can so easily see the ruined York peppermint patty from the outside, but the real truth and beauty of the silver lining is on the inside.

Jesus wants us to bring him our smushed lives...just the way we are.  When we give him all of our selves, he takes our story and remakes us.  Like no other, he loves us unconditionally and somehow finds pure joy in re-creating our messes so that we can find healing; to identify and walk alongside of others.

Please listen to this arrangement of "Just as I am:  I come broken to be mended" by one of my favorite artists, Travis Cottrell.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGXDfxWM2r0

- Kris Guertler