lenten devotions

Personal/Family Devotionals will be posted here throughout the month of March. A great way to draw closer to Jesus with others.


Fasting is a gift from God for greater closeness to our Savior. Perhaps you'd like to practice fasting durnig March. Pastor Mark discusses fasting here:


A MESSAGE ON FASTING FROM PASTOR MARK

The week of sunday march 8

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The Uninvited Guest


Easter is approaching. Weekly devotions are provided during March to help us draw closer to Jesus as we walk with Him through His suffering.


• These devos are designed to be used with family, friends & groups. Always better together.

• You will find a link to weekly devos on the NH App and website.

• Please consider periodic food-fasts throughout the month as a way to devote yourself to Jesus. (See Pastor Mark’s fasting video.)


THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE READING


Jesus is in Jerusalem for His final Passover celebration with His disciples. By the end of the week He will have given His life for us on His cross. While visiting His friends for dinner one last time, an uninvited guest appears…


Mark 14:3–9 “While Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon (who used to be a leper), a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly. ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have Me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’”


FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION


1. Jesus was staying in the home of Simon, who used to have leprosy.

  • What is implied by the statement, “Simon, who used to be a leper?” How do you suppose Simon felt about hosting the Man Who healed him?
  • What differences has Jesus made in your life? What are some ways Jesus helps you? What are some ways Jesus is changing you?

2. An unknown, unnamed and uninvited woman appears with a jar of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ head.

  • What do you suppose drove her to barge into Simon’s home uninvited? What do you suppose she was hoping to communicate to Jesus?
  • In what ways do you feel indebted to Jesus? What are ways you express your love to Jesus?

3. Some of the dinner guests were appalled by the woman’s actions and scolded her.

  • What are ways you express your love for Jesus? What outward evidence demonstrates to others your for Jesus?
  • In what ways does this woman’s extravagant display of love and devotion for Jesus challenge you?

4. Jesus defends the woman’s actions and scolds His disciples for their criticism.

  • How do you suppose the women felt when Jesus defended her? When have you been criticized by others and affirmed by Jesus?
  • How do you suppose the disciples felt when Jesus corrected them? When has Jesus corrected you for criticizing others?

5. Jesus makes a powerful statement: “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.”

  • What is Jesus saying about the poor people in our world? What is Jesus suggesting about the brokenness in our world?
  • What strikes you about Jesus’ words, “You can help (the poor) any time you want?” In what ways does Jesus’ statement challenge you?

6. Jesus predicts His impending death: “You will not always have Me. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial.”

  • What do you suppose was running through the disciples’ heads when they heard this? What might have been their response?
  • Does “You will not always have Me” apply to us today? What are ways you experience Jesus’ with you every day?

7. Jesus speaks amazing words: “Wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’”

  • How is reading this passage evidence that Jesus’ bold prediction has come to pass? How does it feel to have been on Jesus’ mind that day?
  • Following this week’s devotion, why do you suppose it’s important for this story to be told as we grow in our walk with Jesus?

CLOSING PRAYER


Lord Jesus, thank You for this incredible example of extravagant love for You. Thank You for demonstrating Your love for us with Your suffering and death. Thank You for our ongoing relationship with You in loving obedience. Please increase our love for You. Please help us become more and more expressive and unashamed with our love. May we, like our dear, unknown sister, love You with all our heart, mind, soul and spirit. Hallelujah, Amen.

The week of sunday march 1

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A Conversation Between Jesus & His Disciples


Easter is approaching. Weekly devotions are provided during March to help us draw closer to Jesus as we walk with Him through His suffering.


• These devos are designed to be used with family, friends & groups. Always better together.

• You will find a link to weekly devos on the NH App and website.

• Please consider periodic food-fasts throughout the month as a way to devote yourself to Jesus. (See Pastor Mark’s fasting video.)


THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE READING


Jesus has been healing people, feeding the crowds, and sending His disciples out to do the same. In a private and restful moment with His disciples, Jesus struck up this conversation…


Luke 9:18–27 “Once, when Jesus was praying in private and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’ ‘But what about you?’ He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You’re the Christ, the Son of God!’ Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’ Then He said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after Me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it. What good is it for a person to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their own soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.’”


FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION


1. Jesus is alone with His disciples.


  • Why does Jesus practice spending “alone time” with His disciples?
  • Describe your “alone times” with Jesus. When do you get alone with Jesus? What happens? Why are these times important to you?


2. Like a good rabbi, Jesus often engages His disciples with questions.


  • How is this method helpful for teaching & learning?
  • Who helps you think through your faith? With whom do you have Q&A faith-discussions?


3. Peter’s response to Jesus is often called, “Peter’s Confession of Faith.”


  • What’s important about Peter’s answer? What does it convey about Peter’s faith?
  • What’s your answer to Jesus’ question? How have you arrived at this conclusion?


4. Jesus predicts His suffering, death & Resurrection.


  • What happens in your heart when you hear Jesus speak these words?
  • How does Jesus’ suffering, death & Resurrection impact your life, both daily and eternally?


5. Jesus makes a powerful statement: “If anyone would come after Me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Me.”


  • What does Jesus mean? What is Jesus asking of His followers?
  • How are we to apply these words to our daily lives? What are examples of living out Jesus’ words?


6. Jesus asks a startling question: “What good is it for a person to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their own soul?”


  • What point is Jesus making? What contrast is Jesus drawing?
  • In what way do these words challenge you? In what ways might they encourage you?


7. Jesus closes with profound words: “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”


  • What does it mean to be “ashamed” of Jesus and His words? What are examples?
  • What challenge is Jesus offering us? How does it make you feel? How can we live out Jesus’ words?


CLOSING PRAYER


Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Savior. Thank You for doing what only You can do. We trust in Your death & Resurrection. We confess our sin and receive Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. Please draw us closer to You. Please help us make You more central in our lives. Please help us live inwardly and outwardly for you. Please help us reflect You in all we say and do today. We love and Honor You. Amen.