Reflect, Repent, Renew: Lenten Daily Devotional, Week4

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 29

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 77, 79, 80; Genesis 44:18-34; Mark 5:21-43; 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

²¹ When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.²² Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. ²³ He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴ So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. ²⁵ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. ³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” ³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” ³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” ³⁵ While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” ³⁶ Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” ³⁷ He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.³⁹ He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ⁴⁰ But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴² Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. ⁴³ He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this,and told them to give her something to eat.  - Mark 5:21-43

I am part of a community Bible study and we are reading the book of Matthew this year.  These same two stories are told in Matthew, Chapter 9.  I was looking over my Bible study notes from the week we looked at these stories, and these were the notes I made during my class discussion next to the questions about the bleeding woman:

BOLDNESS!                                                             

God responds to our persistence in our faith.

We always talk about how we live in a culture of immediacy.  We have everything at our fingertips, and we struggle to have patience when it comes to results and answers.  Perhaps this mindset can slip into our faith lives as well.  I’m not sure I would have faith that God could heal me after 12 years of waiting.  Would you? 

God’s timing is different than ours, and sometimes he teaches us persistence and boldness while we are waiting.  The woman in this story learned that.  After 12 years, she still believed, still hoped, still persevered.  And, Jesus rewarded that faith, knowing how deep it truly was.  May this story remind us all not to give up on what we are praying for and hoping for.  While we may not know the timing or outcome of God’s response, our faith will only be strengthened by our persistence in giving that request to Him. – Becky McGehean

Tuesday, March 1

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 78; Genesis 45:1-15; Mark 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 7:32-40

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” ⁵ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.⁶ He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. ⁷ Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. ⁸ These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. ⁹ Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. ¹⁰ Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. ¹¹ And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹² They went out and preached that people should repent. ¹³ They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Mark 6:1-13

There are two parts to this passage and it opens with Jesus returning to his hometown. When the Sabbath comes he begins his teachings in the synagogue, but many of those around were amazed by his teachings; they could not believe that one of their own could perform such miracles. Jesus could not believe in their lack of faith, but to me it makes sense.

When we are at home we are surrounded by the people that know us best. Yes, they know all the great things about us, but they also know all our imperfections and faults. Jesus had people that knew him as a child, and I'm sure there were times, though we know him to be the perfect person, where he messed up as a child. The people of Nazareth are surprised to see one of their own being able to perform these miracles and speak so elegantly. Thinking about my own life I am sure that I would have the same initial reaction if I were one of the townspeople. Where we must differ comes in the second part of the passage.

Jesus goes around from village to village, and sends his followers off two by two to deliver his word. He instructs them to take nothing with them except for a staff, stay in one house until they leave a city, and if they aren't received then leave. He tells them to shake the dust off their shoes after being rejected as a testimony against them.

Jesus sends people out to do his work and show his word, and our job is to learn from those teachings. We may not first believe in them, but if we never do then Jesus has allowed his teachers to write off the people. If we are a true follower of God then we must recognize his teachings, and that is regardless of who speaks the words for him. – Justin Reed

Wednesday, March 2

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 81, 82, 119:97-120; Genesis 16-28; Mark 6:13-29; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

                With all the varieties of “…lives matter” being brought to our attention, let us not forget what we were told in Psalm 82, verse 3 : Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed,”  adding “fragile lives matter” to the mix. We get the necessary fortitude to advocate for these fragile lives, in Psalm 117: 114: “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”  There we have it!  Use God’s word to help you defend the fragile ones.  Some of them are young, some are old, some are ill, some are troubled, all are God’s children.

                Reading through Genesis 16 – 28 there are many examples of what God’s people did when they were frightened, threatened, or coerced.  The rewards of God fell plentifully on those who adhered to His way.  There are few passages which depict this more clearly than the story of Abraham with his bound son, Isaac, laying on the altar to be sacrificed when God interrupts and provides a different creature to take Isaac’s place.

                Many examples are presented so that we will understand that while we humans are not perfect, we are still expected to walk the right path.  In 1 Corinthians 8, a powerful lesson is presented that gets back to this issue of sacrificed animals.  These are rare in our lives, but the lesson is much broader.  We are instructed to be sure our view of God’s word cannot be misinterpreted by a believer with a different view, for whom it could be scandalous.  I think the application that fits in this example today is that a concept held by one group which is not fully understood by another group should not become a stumbling block to either.  The only way I can see for that to happen is to speak ONLY words of love to all factions.  If we can hold true to this path, we will surely reach Easter with a richer sense of our love for each other and our Heavenly Father. – Clara Saxton

Thursday, March 3

Scripture Readings: Psalm 42, 43, 85, 86; Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34; Mark 6:30-46; 1 Corinthians 9:1-15

Note To Self

Judge and vindicate me, O God; plead and defend my cause against an ungodly nation.

O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!

For You are the God of my strength, my Stronghold in Whom I take refuge;

why have You cast me off?

Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me;

let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling.

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy;

yes, with the lyre will I praise You, O God, my God!

Why are you cast down, O my inner self?

And why should you moan over me and be disquieted with me?

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him,

Who is the help of my sad countenance, and my God.  Psalm 43

Dear me,

We need to have a talk, you and me. It’s about your face. I’ve noticed something on your face for awhile now that needs some attention. I’m no doctor but I think I know what it is. You’re definitely going to need to get it checked by a specialist. Actually, I have a referral slip right here. It’s all ready to go; you just need to make the appointment.

Now that I’ve got your attention, it looks like there’s something going on with your eyes. It’s not something in your eyes, it’s the focus of your eyes. You already know what I’m talking about. You’ve been stumbling along in the darkness for awhile now; looking down, feeling down, being pushed down. I just hope we’re not too late. The diagnosis doesn’t look good. I’ve heard the treatment for it is worse than the...well you know.

And, well, um, I’m not sure if you want to hear this, but I think you need to know. You’re moaning in your sleep; not really every night, but most nights, like the majority of nights...um, well…

Alright, I’ll just say it: you’re moaning in your sleep every night.

So, I guess I just want you to know that you’re not alone. I’m here. And I know life can be really tough sometimes.  But God’s light and truth and strength can lead you out of this slump. His healing power will help you. I love you self. Don’t lose your hope in God. Wait expectantly for Him. Go ahead praise Him in the slump. And while you're at it, you might want to think about pulling out that dusty old lyre. Give it a few strums and tune it up good, cuz' I feel a praise song comin’ on:

Why are you cast down, O my inner self?

And why should you moan over me and be disquieted with me?

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him,

Who is the help of my sad countenance, and my God.

Love always,

me

- Esther Schutz

Friday, March 4

Scripture Readings: Psalm 88, 91, 92; Genesis 47:1-26; Mark 6:47-56; 1 Corinthians 9:16-27

¹⁶ For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.¹⁸ What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. ¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.  - 1 Corinthians 9:16-27

I enjoy running.  I like running so much that I began running 5K’s a few years back.  I also happen to teach a cross country class in school.  As a teacher I want to encourage my students to get everything they can out of each run; to leave everything out on the course.  I want them to do their best in that moment.  I don’t understand people who say, “I just run to run, I don’t care how fast I go.”  When I am running a 5K and you near the finish line, I want to beat all of the other runners around me.  I know that I won’t be the first to cross the finish line but I can be the first in my age group.  I can beat my best times.  I can do my very best in that moment.  I run to win.

I live to win as well.  I want to win the imperishable crown.  This means that I must back my words up with my actions.  I must completely sell out to Christ in not only my performance but my training as well.  My life needs to be all about serving my God.  This means that I must be able to meet people where they are at.  There is a saying, “You can’t be all things to all people.”  I agree, we can’t, but God can.  With Christ living in us and through us we can reach all people by showing them what it looks like to live for Christ.  Do your best every day to serve God.  Give it all you have every single day.  Live to win your crown.  – Jay McGehean  

Saturday, March 5

Scripture Readings: Psalm 87, 90, 136; Genesis 47:27-48:7; Mark 7:1-23; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Read Psalm 136 

Do you ever feel like you are on a never-ending roller coaster? In these first couple months of 2016, God has definitely thrown some curve balls; challenges in my life have arisen that I never saw coming. As soon as I read this passage of scripture, the words of this praise and worship song came to mind.

Give thanks to the Lord our God and King,  His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things, His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn, His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful, Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us, Forever

In reading this passage, it is such a wonderful reminder to just praise God. I tread knowing that God doesn’t present a challenge that I am not strong enough to overcome when I put my complete faith in him. There are times in life when I quote “God is good” or “life is good;” yet, there are other instances when I question God and how He is working in my life. “Forever” seems like such a long time, and personally, “forever” is a word that I struggle with because I have a hard time fully fathoming what “forever” looks like. This psalm reminds us, twenty six times to be exact, that God’s love endures forever.

Listen to the song “Forever.” Let this passage of scripture and the lyrics of this song resonant throughout the week; “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Instead of questioning, thank God and praise him for the things he has done for us. – Becky Williams

Sunday, March 6

Scripture Readings: Psalm 19, 46, 66, 67; Genesis 48:8-22; John 6:25-40; Romans 8:11-25

When they found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” ²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” ³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” ³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” ³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.³⁶ But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” – John 6:25-40

                It’s just natural. They wanted Jesus on their own terms. They wanted miracles, they wanted signs, they wanted blessings. And they wanted it all NOW. Sounds like us.

                Jesus regularly had to start from scratch. Begin again. Reteach the basics. This is one of those times.

1.       God does not owe you anything. So, come as beggars, not demanding.

2.       God will give you everything you truly need – but not everything you may want.

3.       Learn the hard lesson of letting God and the community of faith set your lifestyle – not the culture.

4.       Live a life of constant gratefulness.

                Lent is a great time to take a fresh look at our relationship to things. There is nothing wrong with things – but they can often – more times than we would like to admit – get in the way of our relationships to God and other people. For example, when protecting my stuff leads me to refuse to take care of those in my community and world who are in need , I have lost sight of the most important things.

                Maybe I need to be reminded, again, of the basics. Go back into the school of Jesus.

                That’s what Lent is for. 

                - Mike Schutz