Lenten Lights

A few years ago Desiring God, the site of John Piper's Ministry, posted information to help you prepare for Easter either through weekly segments or just for Holy Week.  Here's the low down from the site...

Lenten Lights: Eight Biblical Devotions to Prepare for Easter

Using These Readings

Each reading begins with a few sentences that summarize the thought for the day. All the rest is Scripture—letting God speak to us directly from his Word.  This devotional may be used weekly or daily. And if you choose, it also can be used together with seven candles, representing the Light of the World.

Reading Weekly
There is one reading for each Sunday of Lent and for Good Friday and Easter.

Reading Daily
Daily use should begin on the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend. This leaves Saturday, the day before Easter, with no devotional, a reminder of the emptiness experienced by Jesus’ followers between his death and resurrection.

Without Candles
These pages may be used simply for personal or family reading and meditation in preparation for Easter. In that case, please ignore the bracketed candle instructions within each reading.

With Candles
The readings may also be used in conjuction with any grouping of seven candles. On the first day, all seven should be burning as you begin reading the first devotional. Bracketed instructions within the reading tell you when to snuff out one candle. On the second day, six candles burn as you begin reading, and you snuff out one of them when instructed, and so on. On Good Friday, the last candle is extinguished. Then on Easter, there are instructions within the reading to light all seven candles.

The Symbolism of the Seven Candles
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). But for a while it seemed as if the darkness was overcoming—for a long while.

Your seven candles symbolize the Light of the World—the Light that was God’s glory and that illuminated God for us—the Light that, in the end, seemed to have been darkened. As we move through the season preceding Easter, the candles are snuffed out one by one, until all are dark on Good Friday, when Jesus died and the earth was covered with shadow. Darkness apparently had won. The Light of the World had been extinguished. It was finished.

But NO! Easter brings resurrection! Life! Return from death! The Light has won and all the candles burn as we praise him—the Light of the World, the Bright Morning Star, the Glory of God.

To find the readings, go here.

If you're interested, go here to find a post from two years ago concerning Passion Week by Bill Hybels.

Praying for Compassion

Several weeks ago one of my girlfriends (thank you, Rene) sent the following info. to me via E-mail.  I've asked her permission to share and hope that you will also use God's words as you pray.

Read the verses below and insert your name, your child's name, your husband's name or someone's name that it is difficult for you to show compassion.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD’s great love ____ is not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
are new every morning;
great is Thy faithfulness!


Jeremiah 31:20
Is not _____ my dear son (or daughter),
the child in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against ____,
I still remember ____.
Therefore my heart yearns for ____;
I have great compassion for _____,”
declares the LORD.


Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, you heavens;
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the LORD comforts ______
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.


Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to _____;
he has compassion on all he has made.


May the compassion of the Lord touch you today,

The Birth of Jesus

from Luke 2:1-21 (NIV)

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

F a i t h f u l n e s s

For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
~ Psalm 108: 4 (NIV)

The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
~ Psalm 111:7 (NIV)

The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
~ Psalm 145:13b (NIV)

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
~ Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?
~ Proverbs 20:6 (NIV)

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
~ Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
~ Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~ Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Be Still :: Ephesians 3:17-18

"Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." Eph. 3:17-18 (NLT)

Be Still Sunday :: 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

"So then neither the one who plants nor the one

who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

Now he who plants and he who waters are one,

but each will receive his own reward

according to his own labor.

For we are God's fellow workers, you are God's field."

~ 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

image and scripture found at Digging Deep

Be Still Sunday :: Ecc. 4:9-10

"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!"
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

Be Still Sunday :: Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

The Birth of Jesus : Luke 2

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Be Still Sunday :: John 8:12

Jesus said..."I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12

Equipped to Serve

This Early Light Devotional is from In Touch Ministries.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
~ 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

The Lord has given an amazing responsibility to those whom He has saved. He has called them to be His servants and accomplish His work here on earth. Just think about how remarkable this is: Almighty God, who needs nothing and can do all things, actually invites us to share in all that He is doing to draw people to Himself, to bring His children to spiritual maturity, and to care for those in need.

Being a servant of the Lord requires that we put ourselves under His authority, listen to His instructions, and carry out His commands. In our own strength, this task is beyond our abilities, but when we are walking obediently with Him, He supplies all that we need.

The Father never gives assignments for which He will not equip His children. He begins by developing Christlike character within us. Then, as we cooperate with His Spirit, God transforms a self-centered heart into the heart of a servant who delights in meeting the needs of others.

To further enable believers to do His work, the Lord gives them spiritual gifts which are to be used for the benefit of others. The Holy Spirit bestows each believer with the exact gift needed for serving in the specific work God has appointed for that person.

The invitation is issued; the strength and ability are provided. All that is needed are some willing servants to participate in the most exciting adventure on earth. Join with the Lord in His work, use your spiritual gifts, and make an impact for Christ in this world.

Be Still Sunday :: Psalm 85:10

"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other." Psalm 85:10(NIV)

Be Still Sunday :: 1 Peter 1:3-5

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Be Still Sunday :: Psalm 30:11-12

"You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Psalm 30: 11-12

Be Still Sunday :: Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Be Still Sunday :: Psalm 19:1

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
~ Psalm 19:1

Praise Him

P r a i s e

- act of expressing approval, admiration, commendation or laudation

- honoring and worshiping, of lifting Him up above all others and glorifying His name

Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master.

Gen. 24:27

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:2

I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

Deut. 32:3

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!"

2 Sam. 22:47

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

1 Chron. 16:9

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD : "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever!"

Ezra 3:11

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Ps. 16:7

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Ps. 34:1

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the LORD.

Ps. 40:3

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Ps. 42:5-6a

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Ps. 66:20

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.

Ps. 71:23

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

Ps. 86:12

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Ps. 103:2

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Ps. 106:1

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

Ps. 134:2

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Ps. 139:14

Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Ps. 147:1

Praise the Lord. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Psalm 148:1-6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Ps. 150:6

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

Is. 15:1

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his."

Daniel 2:20

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.

Luke 1:68

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15:7

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Cor. 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Eph. 1:3

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

These (trials) have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:7

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11

In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

Rev. 5:12

Be Still Sunday :: Ephesians 1:7-8

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8

H o p e

to believe, desire or trust with confidence

"Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long."
~ Ps. 25:4-5 (NIV)

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." ~ Ps. 33:20

"Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!"
~ Ps. 42:5-6 (NLT)

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." ~ Ps. 62:5 (NIV)

"The LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love."
~ Ps. 147:11 (NIV)

"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."
~ Jer. 29:11 (NIV)



"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
~ Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." ~ Romans 12:12 (NIV)

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
~ Romans 15:4 (NIV)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
~ Romans 15:13 (NIV)

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
~ Eph. 1:15-23 (NIV)

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
~ Phil. 1:20-21 (NIV)

"Let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."
~ 1 Thess. 5:8 (NIV)

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."
~ 2 Thess. 2:16-17 (NIV)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
~ Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
~ Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
~ Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
~ 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
~ 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)



Hopeful in Him,

Be Still Sunday :: Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17