Friday, February 12, 2010

February 14, 2010

Breaking Open The Scriptures
Scriptures for February 21: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13; Songs: Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days – UMH 269, It is Well with my Soul – UMH 377, On Eagle’s Wing - Insert

Romans: This is Paul’s reminder that Jesus Christ set out to make sure that salvation is available to all people. However, confession is a prerequisite response. We have to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, above all things. We have to not only believe that in our hearts, we have to be willing to proclaim that to the whole world. Confession can take many forms – we say a confession on worship, we confess the things that we know we have done wrong to those we trust. But confession is also a way of life. It is being willing to show that we love Jesus in times when we may suffer because of it. But it doesn’t matter- because there is nothing more important to us then showing our love of Christ in all situations. We have to be prepared to confess our identity in Christ to anyone.

Luke: The first Sunday of lent means that we hear the story of Jesus’ temptation. The repetition reminds us that no matter how much we practice, we can never step away from temptation in our lives. The determination to rise above temptation is a lifetime job. The Luke story does not happen in the wilderness, but in the everyday life of Jesus. He is tempted with food, authority and power. But he is able to rise above these desires of his own heart, by confession his identity in Christ. He is the son of God. That means that he has power and authority over all things. But it also means that he does now need depend on that power and authority to live.

Questions: What are the temptations that haunt you every year? What do you need to do to overcome them? What are the things that we use to take the place of Christ as our Lord? When have you had a chance to claim your identity on Christ? Did you do it well or avoid the situation?

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