Lent Devotional 1

This year during Lent, we are going to be offering mid-week online devotions.  These devotions will consist of a piece of Scripture, a song, and a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Discipleship.  These will be available here on our blog and on Facebook, usually on noon on Wednesdays (although this week it is coming out on Thursday).

Here on the blog we might include a bit more that will try to connect the Scripture, song, and quote.  Because we have more space here than on Facebook.  But without further ado, here is the first devotional that we hope will help center you during the week on God in this season of spiritual preparation and renewal.

Scripture

Matthew 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AMhgaYmCnY

Lent is a season of spiritual preparation and renewal as we get ready to receive the Gospel message anew on Easter.  Lent is also a season where we surrender those things in our lives that we know keep us from God.  What is keeping you from God?  What temptations do you succomb to?  

Jesus followed God's leading into the wilderness in order to be tempted.  Jesus followed God's Spirit and allowed himself to be tested.  Lent can be a season of testing for us as well.  If we are honest with ourselves and listen to God's Spirit, we will surrender something in our lives, something costly, that we know keeps us back from God.  

How will you observe a Holy Lent?  How could you grow closer to God during these 40 days?  What is God leading you to do this season in order to deepen your relationship with God?