lENT 2022 bIBLE rEADING PLAN
Week 4​​
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Monday, September 30
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
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When I read this verse, I am immediately encouraged. Jesus was and is the fulfillment of all God’s promises! That means there is no doubt on what will be fulfilled. It might look different than what we expect, but God’s promises are always a “yes”. In the moments when expectations and reality are different, it can be hard to remember what God’s promises are or if they even apply to us. It is in those times we need to seek out what He has promised for us in scripture. A few of my favorite promises Jesus gives us is that he has overcome the world (John 16:33), he will give us rest (Matthew 11:28) and that we can have a full life in Him (John 10:10).
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There is a song called Yes & Amen that is written based on this verse. If you can listen to the song, take a few minutes to do so. Reflect specifically on the first two verses, showing how God does fulfill His promises. Have there been times when it was difficult to remember God’s promises? When have you seen a tangible “yes” to a promise of God? Times of renewal and growth can be painful, but we can cling to the unwavering promises God has given us because of Jesus.
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Father of kindness You have poured out grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy You're my help in time of need
Lord I can't help but sing…
Beautiful Savior You have brought me near
You pulled me from the ashes
You have broken every curse
Blessed Redeemer You have set this captive free
Lord I can't help but sing…
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Lauren Mills
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Tuesday, October 1
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:15
I asked myself two questions when reflecting on this verse. 1. What is “this” that Paul is talking about? 2. What is my benefit? Ironically, I think these questions guide our daily life. We measure how to make a decision based on what “this” will require of me and what “benefit” it will be for me. We are wired to do things in the best, efficient, simplest, safest way, in order to get for ourselves maximum benefit.
But reading the whole chapter of Paul’s letter we realize his “THIS” is talking about his suffering. And when Paul is saying “benefit” in THIS horrible circumstance, he is also identifying his sacrifice as a benefit FOR others, not for himself. This shift in thinking is completely COUNTER to the message of how we have been raised. Hard times and struggles, we have been taught, mean we are doing something wrong and if we struggle, we will be blessed with something from God, for ourselves, in return. The result of this thinking is an expectation we place on God for us to ‘get something’ because we have sacrificed. This is not the biblical way. Here, Paul is instructing us to RE:NEW our thinking. Rather than seeing our circumstances (the good and the hard) as a way to find how we can benefit, we must live ALL circumstances “SO THAT…” the benefit of God’s grace is “reaching more and more people” and so the world responds in “thanksgiving” and all this FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. Alistair Begg puts it this way in The Christian Manifesto, “I’m going to shower with love the people who do not share my faith or my ethics or my approach. I’m going to show people what it means to be loved without having to give anything back” (p. 54).
Brian Kono
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Wednesday, October 2
“The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NRSV
One ordinary day last December, Brian and I were video chatting with our girls and their husbands when they simultaneously displayed positive pregnancy tests! We could hardly contain ourselves! Both of their firsts, due only two days apart. The ordinary day quickly became extraordinary with the joyful anticipation of having these little ones in our midst!
In this verse, God reminds His people that He is in their midst–He is among them and around them–which is right where He has been since the beginning of creation. He is the warrior/Mighty One who has given them the victory over their enemies. Consider the power and beauty of these two characteristics: He is our close protector, our guardian avenger, our heart and soul defender.
God is able to keep His promises. He is faithful to keep His word. See what He says He WILL do: He WILL rejoice and exult over you! He WILL RENEW you in His love! Pause for a moment and picture the Creator God right next to you, joyfully singing over you and renewing you–repairing your heart, calming your fears, and loving you perfectly. Linger here as long as it takes to know that God delights in you and that you bring Him joy.
I am delighted to report that the grandkids (Eliana and Boaz) both safely arrived in August! My heart overflows as I endlessly stare at those little faces. I am reminded of the joy that God has for me and how He longs to be in my midst–and I in His. Shalom!!
Angel Kono
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Thursday, October 3
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Jeremiah 29:11
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The feeling of cool metal beneath my fingertips was the only sense of relief I felt as I stood outside of Poling where I had just walked out of a three-hour night class. Tears ran down my face and I quickly wiped them away, wondering how life could feel so... Meaningless. I looked up at the night sky filled with stars and silently shouted at God, “why did you bring me here to this place?” I had never felt quite so empty as I did standing outside of that classroom alone in the dark. I sighed as I heard the door open behind me, knowing another person would walk by me and I’d have to pretend I was alright. What happened next, I couldn’t have expected. My professor walked through the door and after a long conversation about what I was feeling, helped me get connected with the spiritual life team on campus, and ultimately the purpose I had been looking for.
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The Israelites were in a similar situation during the time of Jeremiah. Banished to exile from their homeland, the people of God were asking the question, “why did you bring us here to this place?” It was in this state of heartache and desperation that God declared over his people these words which would resound throughout the ages from voices of Christians, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is the God whom we worship. A God who shows up and declares his goodness over our lives in the most dark and difficult places. No matter how lost you are, or how desperate you feel to find purpose and hope, God’s goodness will always be chasing after you.
Eli Nelson
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Friday, October 4
“Peace I leave 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.”
John 14:27
Peace. We all want peace. We want peace in our hearts, in our homes, churches, country, and especially in our world. In this verse, Jesus is coming to the end of his time on earth, and he wants his disciples to leave His disciples with peace during, and after, what certainly will be a difficult parting.
When we look at John 14 as a whole, we see that Jesus tells his disciples that he will no longer be with them because He will be crucified. During this hard conversation three of his disciples ask him three different questions:
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In verse 5, "Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'”
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In verse 8, "Philip said, 'Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.'”
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In verse 22, "Judas ... said, '...why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?'”
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The disciples' minds are spinning, and they are grasping to make sense of their changing world. Thomas wants to go with Jesus. Philip wants to make a plan to keep things the same. And Judas just wants answers. Sometimes our ever-changing life doesn’t make sense. We crave our own way, or even answers, but we don’t always get them. However, we can still receive peace. Jesus wants us to give us His peace.
You might wonder how Jesus gives us his peace? We get a glimpse of this in the previous verse, John 14:26. The Father has sent the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. Whatever you are going though, Jesus sees you. The Father has sent his advocate, and the Holy Spirit is able to cover you with his peace during your difficult times.
Wendy Lorenz
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Saturday, October 5
I invite you to read John 8:32 twice, out loud: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
For context, John 8:31 (previous verse), tells us that Jesus is talking to believers encouraging them to hold to/abide in his teachings. Since his audience has “already believed” the freedom Jesus speaks of appears to be more than salvation.
I knelt at the altar at Arbor Church (not a frequent thing for me). As Pastor Kaye prayed with me, I told her “I want more of Jesus.” My journey of seeking more and finding freedom has been gradually unfolding since. I am discovering that freedom in Christ is happening in stages for me. I have believed in and loved The Gospel of Jesus for many years, but I am experiencing spiritual renewal, something possible no matter how long or how well one has known Jesus. I have never loved Jesus more! And I believe Jesus is calling each of us to re:new not only our building, but our longing for The Truth.
In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
What a powerful reminder that:
Jesus is the personification of truth.
Knowing Jesus is knowing the truth.
We aren’t set free by knowing about Jesus, but by knowing Jesus.
I invite you to:
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sit quietly with Jesus for several minutes
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write down what Jesus is saying to you about your renewal
Prayer – Jesus, call us with a voice we know and give us humble hearts to listen. Remind us that spirit renewal awaits us regardless of how short or long our journey with you has been. Amen.
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Deb Varland
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Sunday, October 6
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
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The implication of the words of Jesus in this verse is simple, yet challenging: Anything purposeful that comes from your life flows from your connection to Jesus. As a church, we are excited about the renewal that God is bringing among us, but as we seek to be renewed, it’s vital to remember the source of all renewal. If we want to be renewed, we must first remain. We must take the role of the branch, which is simply to receive all our nutrients (everything we need) from the vine. While I’m certainly not a botanist, I’ve tried keeping plants alive long enough to know that without the vine as the source of life, the branches will undoubtedly die. This requires a great deal of trust in Jesus. We must trust that He is our source of life. We must trust that He will provide us with everything we need. We must trust that His ways are better than our own.
But how often do we get this backwards, striving to do as much as we possibly can on our own to produce fruit? How often do we put in the work and then ask Him to bless it? Let me remind you of these words of Jesus once again: “apart from me you can do nothing.” How would our lives be different if we actually took these words of Jesus seriously? What would change in your life if you simply remained in Jesus and trusted Him to be the source of all renewal? How would our church and community look different if each of us took these words of Jesus to heart?
Abi Upleger
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