Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 40

[READ + MEDITATE]

In preparation for Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday), consider the resurrection accounts in Matthew 28:1-20 and Luke 24:1-53. And the following questions: How did this passage speak to me? And what am I going to do about it?

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 39

[PRAY + MEDITATE + GIVE]

Fast from lunch.
Consider the crucifixion of Christ (Matthew 27:32-56).
Attend the Good Friday service.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 38

[PRAY + MEDITATION]

Today, in preparation for Good Friday, choose to speak only when necessary. Don’t use a lot of words. Instead, spend time listening and reflecting on what’s being said and who is saying it. And spend some time in silence prayer. No words. Just listen to what God may be speaking to you.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers Day 37

[PRAY]

Today, say a brief prayer for every person you email or text.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 36

[MEDITATE] 

Read through Luke chapter 15. Ask the following questions: In what way(s) am I lost? In what way(s) am I like the older brother? How did this passage speak to me? And what am I going to do about it? 

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 35

[GIVE] 

Consider Proverbs 16:24 - “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Today, give at least 5 compliments to 5 different people.

Holy Week - Readings

A number of years ago, Gospel Coalition blogger, Justin Taylor posted a short series on Holy Week providing daily Scripture reading for each day of the week. Each reading corresponds with each day of Jesus’ final week - leading into his crucifixion and resurrection. 

It’s a helpful resource for personal devotional study this week as you prepare for celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

Holy Week: What Happened on Sunday (Palm Sunday)? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Monday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Tuesday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Wednesday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Thursday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Friday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Sunday (Resurrection/Easter Sunday)?

*Note that there are two Sundays. The first marks the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which many churches celebrate, like Grace Church, Palm Sunday. The second Sunday is of course the day of the resurrection. 

* Also, there is no post for Saturday, because on that day Jesus was dead in the tomb and his followers were grieving. But on that second Sunday, up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes!

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - 4th Sunday

[CELEBRATION]

Consider 1 Corinthians 10:31. Today, in the name of the Lord and as act of faith filled worship, do something you deeply enjoy. 

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 34

[GIVE]

This weekend, do an act of secret generosity that only you (and the Lord) know about.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 33

[READ + MEDITATE]

As much as it is within your control, go the day without TV, radio, Internet, social media, cell phone apps, etc. Take a day to unplug, rest in simplicity and focus on these words from Psalm 80: “Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.”

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 32 (St. Patty’s Day)

[PRAY]
The following is St. Patrick’s “Breastplate" — a beautiful Christian prayer/hymn attributed to Patrick. Written during his Irish ministry in the 5th century, the cause of its composition was to protect Patrick and his monks against deadly enemies that lay in wait for the clerics. And this is a corslet of faith for the protection of body and soul against devils and men and vices.
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through the belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism, through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial, through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension, through the strength of his descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today through the strength of the love of cherubim, in obedience of angels, in the service of archangels, in hope of resurrection to meet with reward, in prayers of patriarchs, in predictions of prophets, in preaching of apostles, in faith of confessors, in innocence of holy virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, radiance of moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of sea, stability of earth, firmness of rock.
I arise today through God's strength to pilot me: God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, and God's host to save me from snares of devils, from temptations of vices, from everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils, against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of pagandom against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul. Christ to shield me today against poison, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness, of the Creator of Creation.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 31

[Meditate]

End your day today by spending 10 to 15 minutes in silence reflecting on how you saw and/or experienced Jesus working in your life today.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 30

[Pray]

Pick several times today to pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; you can also find it on our weekly Gracelet).

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 29

[GIVE]

Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “…encourage one another and build each other up…” Today, encourage someone you know by acknowledging their character, skills, and/or abilities you see in them.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - 3rd Sunday

[CELEBRATION + PRAYER]

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your reconciling and restorative work in Christ.

We thank you for Jesus Christ, our reconciler, our savior, our source of true life. 

We thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, leading us in renewal and repentance, causing us to dance, delight, and celebrate in the beauty and wonder of your love. 

May we, your beloved church, walk and live faithfully. May we increasingly follow your right way. And may we properly represent your grace and kindness to the world around us. 

This Lent, deepen us in prayer and activity. May we sense your presence and call.

May we grow in our wonder of you.

May we celebrate in our redemption.

And may our hearts find rest in you.

Amen.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 28

[MEDITATE + PRAYER] 

“I fear that we're asking God to move mountains, forgetting that God also wants to move us. In fact, it's possible that we are that mountain." ~ Eugene Cho

The aim of Lent is to experience deeper spiritual formation. Consider 2 Peter 1:5-9. What discipline and virtue needs to added into your life? What attitude, behavior, desire, etc. is God putting his finger on? What does he want to see changed (or moved) in your life? If you aren’t sure, spend time asking Him this weekend. 

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 27

[MEDITATE + GIVE]

Consider Galatian 6:10. Make a list of major issues faced by your community. Think about how the way you live your life contributes to or detracts from resolving these challenges. What changes can you make in your life to increase the positive contribution you make and decrease the negative?

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 26

[MEDITATE + PRAY + GIVE]

Consider Luke 4:24-30. Like Elijah and Elisha, Jesus is not sent to the Jews only. Also, consider John 17:20-21. Jesus desires unity within His church. Find out more about Christian unity and interfaith dialogues and initiatives in your area. Pray for their success in breaking down barriers and building community. Pray for a willingness to become more active in pursuing Christian unity.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 25

[GIVE]

Meditate on Romans 12:18 and call or message someone you have had a falling out with make amends.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 24

[READ + MEDITATE]

Read Romans 5:1-11 and make a mental note or write down all the words that come to mind when you hear the word “salvation."

Romans 5:1-11

Peace and Joy

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 23

[READ + MEDITATE]

Read Psalm 90. In particular, reflect on verses 1-6 and 12-14. Allow yourself to feel the grandeur of God (and the finiteness of yourself). May this exercise humble you and invite you into deeper reliance upon his presence and grace.

Psalm 90

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." 4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-- 6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. 7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 10 The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - 3rd Sunday

[CELEBRATE]

There is a KING and he is good. So let's worship him, love one another, and be grateful.

#WhyWeGather

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 22

[MEDITATE]

“Be still and know that I am God.” Pslam 46:10

This weekend, invest in your soul. 

Read the Word. 

Pray. 

Even if it’s just for a few moments, embrace silence. 

Go for a walk. 

Laugh with friends.
Soak in God's creation.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 21

[READ + MEDITATE] 

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” ~ Ephesians 2:4-5

For some Christ-followers, sin and death weave so familiar a narrative that we’ve become numb to their sting. For others of us, the wages of sin and our subsequent spiritual death weigh so heavily that we refuse to accept God’s gracious mercy. The balance in which God calls us to rest is certainly dissatisfied with both extremes. 

Take some time today to rest in the grace of God. Take some time listen to God’s declaration of  “YES!” spoken over you through the Gospel of Jesus. Take some time consider grace’s invitation to resits sinful living and to repentant from self-centeredness.

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 20

[READ + MEDITATE]

As much as it is within your control, go the day without TV, radio, Internet, social media, cell phone apps, etc. Take a day to unplug, rest in simplicity and focus on these words from Psalm 80: “Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.”

New Psalms Teaching Series - Unfailing Love

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither --whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-4

Hello Grace Church family + friends! I wanted to fill you in on what we're planning to do on Sunday mornings this month. 

During March, leading up to Easter Sunday, we will be journeying through a few Psalms together. Known to some as "the hymnal of the Old Testament," the Psalms are an ancient Hebrew collection of prayers and spiritual songs meant for both personal and liturgical use. The Psalms are packed with honesty and a wide array of emotion. They possess expressions of both faith and doubt. They encourage as well as exhort. And they continually remind us that God is the present ruler (over all) and that his love is unfailing. 

Here's the line up:

Blessedness + Wisdom - Psalm 1

March 6th

Darkness + Lament - Psalm 88

March 13th

Thanksgiving + Salvation - Psalm 118

March 20th

Want to read a great introduction on the book of Psalms? Check out this intro from Dr. Tremper Longman. 

Grace + Peace, 

P. Heath

Lent 2016 - Lenten Activities + Prayers - Day 19

[GIVE]

Hebrews 3:13 stresses the importance of keeping each other accountable through community. Reach out and encourage someone you know today.

In fact, join us this evening for our Pack-A-Snack Serve + Renew Project - https://www.facebook.com/events/840029926124226.