Day 7 | February 29, 2012

 

"Whenthe Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit onhis glorious throne." - Matthew25:31

 

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Matthew 25:31-46

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

Day 6 | February 28, 2012

 

"Createin me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10

 

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Psalm 51

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

Day 5 | February 27, 2012

 

"Tasteand see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge inHim." - Psalm 34:8

 

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Psalm 34

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

First Sunday | February 26, 2012

"Everyonewas amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We haveseen remarkable things today.'" - Luke 5:26

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Luke 5:17-26

FASTING| Instead of abstaining today, choose to do something that will help you"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| Without abstaining, how were you able to "delight in God" today?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

Day 4 | February 25, 2012

"Avoice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; makestraight in the desert a highway for our God.'" - Isaiah 40:3

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Isaiah 40

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

Day 3 | February 24, 2012

"Jesusanswered...'The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them;then they will fast.'" - Matthew 9:15

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Matthew 9:14-15

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

Day 2 | February 23, 2012

 

Then hesaid to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves andtake up their cross daily and follow me. - Luke 9:23

 

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Luke 9:22-25

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

DAY 1 | February 22, 2012

“Becareful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen bythem..." - Matthew 6:1

MORNING PREPERATION

SCRIPTUREREADING | Matthew 6:1-18

FASTING| Write down what you are going to abstain from today in order to make room to"delight in God."

LOVINGOTHERS | Who are you going to see today that you could extend the love ofChrist to?

EVENING REFLECTION

SCRIPTUREREADING | How did you experience these words today?

FASTING| In abstaining, were you able to "delight in God" more?

LOVINGOTHERS | Describe your experience of extending Christ's love to someone today.

An Intentional Season of Living & Loving Like Jesus Together

Throughout Scripture,we find a recurring theme that revolves around the number 40.  For 40 days Mosesfasted on Mt. Sinai with God (Exodus 34:28-29), for 40 days Elijah fastedduring his journey to Mt. Horeb where he heard the voice of God (1 Kings 19:8),and for 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert after he was baptized (Matthew4:1-2).

Historical documentsalso reveal that beginning in the first century, the Christian church began tointentionally prepare for Easter during a period of 40 days leading up to it.

Drawing uponpractices that are thousands of years old, for these 40 days and 40 nights wewill prepare our hearts for the Easter celebration of Jesus' resurrectionthrough 3 things:

Scripture Reading     |    Fasting     |     Loving Others

As we put intopractice our faith alongside each other, may we be filled with awe and moved toworship as we remember, embody, and proclaim the life, death, burial,  and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On the journey ofliving and loving like Jesus with you,

Drew Sams

Pastor of Discipleship | Associate TeachingPastor