Tag: The Scriptures say

First Sunday of Lent: 05 March – Matthew 4:1-11 ~ a test of faith

First Sunday of Lent: 05 March 2017

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, a spirit of always pondering on what is right and of hastening to carry it out. And, since without you we cannot exist, may we be enabled to live according to your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity if the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

During that time the devil came and said to him,

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said,

“If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say,

‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

Jesus told him, “Get out of here, Satan.” “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: you are not the author of temptation, but you allow us to be tempted even as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. His temptations are our temptations as well – food, fame and fortune.

Thank you for providing for our daily physical needs – food, clothing and shelter. And, even more importantly, thank you for providing for our spiritual needs through your Word written. Ground us in the Scriptures that we may escape the devil’s deceit.

You alone are worthy of receiving all glory, honor, power – and fame. In you, we live and move and have our being – our identity is in you. Fill us with faith, confidence and wonder at everything you do in us, or through us. Teach us humility, that Jesus may increase and we may decrease.

Discipline us in godliness during this Lenten season that we may store up treasures in heaven, even as we receive the wealth of true contentment with our lot here in this life. Keep us focused on your eternal Kingdom, as pilgrims living and working in the passing kingdoms of this world.

Heavenly Father: protect us from the wiles and deceit of the devil, and send us your angels to care for us – that we may love and serve you with undivided devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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“”Jesus I Believe”” – Big Daddy Weave


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Closing:

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

“I am the Lord; that is my name! – Isaiah 42:6-8a

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Format adapted from Lectio Divina: USCCB Lenten Resources, 2017

Morning Prayer: Wed, 05 Oct – Psalm 119:17-24; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Luke 4:1-13 ~ deliver me

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:17-24 (NLT)

Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me! I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed. Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws. Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees. Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

Reading: 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NLT)

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Reading: Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

The Temptation of Christ Eric Armusik, 2011
The Temptation of Christ
Eric Armusik, 2011

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”

Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”

Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

Prayer

In the steep common path of our calling, be it easy or uneasy to our flesh, be it bright or dark for us to follow, be Thou a shield to us from the wiles of the deceiver, from the arch-destroyer with his arrows pursuing us, and in each secret thought our minds get to weave – be Thou Thyself on our helm and at our sheet. – From Carmina Gadelica

Under the protection of the King of life, a protection that will not betray us,
May the Holy Spirit come upon us, may Christ deliver us, bless us.

+ Jesus, I call on Your name, to shield me in the battle to come.
+ Jesus, protect me, accompany me, be near me ever.

Jesus, only Son of the Father and High King, Your name is above every name,
In the name of Jesus let no evil be welcome in our hearts, or in this place. Amen.

“You Deliver Me” – Selah

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!