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Good Friday. The name itself seems like an oxymoron. How can a day commemorating the brutal crucifixion of Jesus Christ be considered "good"? Good Friday is a solemn yet pivotal day within Holy Week for Christians. It's a day marked by deep sorrow and a glimmer of hope. Let's delve into the significance of this impactful day: Remembering the Sacrifice: On this day, we remember the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion as documented in the Gospels (Matthew 27:1-66, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 23:1-56, John 18:1-40): Betrayal and Arrest: Jesus is betrayed by his disciple Judas and arrested by the authorities (Matthew 26:46-56). Unjust Trial: Jesus endures a mockery of a trial filled with false accusations and condemnation by the religious leaders (Matthew 27:11-31). The Crucifixion: Jesus is led to Golgotha, where he is brutally crucified on the cross, enduring immense physical and emotional suffering (John 19:17-37). Why is it Called "Good" Friday? Good Friday isn't "good" because of the horrific events that unfolded. The "good" refers to the profound meaning behind Jesus' sacrifice. Here's why: Atonement for Sin: Through his death on the cross, Jesus took upon himself the penalty for humanity's sin (Romans 5:8). This act of sacrificial love opened the door for reconciliation with God. Promise of Salvation: Jesus' death wasn't the end of the story. It paved the way for his resurrection, offering hope for eternal life to all who believe in him (John 3:16). Ultimate Act of Love: The crucifixion exemplifies God's immense love for humanity. He was willing to sacrifice his own son to redeem us (1 John 4:9-10). Observing Good Friday: Good Friday is a day of somber reflection and prayer. Many Christians attend special church services focused on the crucifixion and its significance. Fasting or abstaining from certain foods can also be a way to express reverence and solidarity with Jesus' suffering. Beyond the Somberness: A Glimpse of Hope While Good Friday is a day of mourning, it also holds a powerful undercurrent of hope. The empty tomb on the following Easter Sunday signifies Jesus' resurrection, conquering death, and offering the promise of eternal life. Good Friday reminds us of the depth of God's love and the power of sacrifice. It's a day of reflection and repentance, ultimately a stepping stone towards the glorious celebration of Easter or Resurrection Sunday.

The week of Jesus’ crucifixion is called “Passion Week,” after the Greek verb pascho, meaning “to suffer.” It began with his triumphal, popularly acclaimed entry into Jerusalem, and it culminated in his atoning death on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection. Today, the Church around the world celebrates those crucial days, now called “Holy Week.” Its sequence of observances outlines the events of this central event in the Bible: Timeline of Passion Week LOCATION: Bethany, the Mount of Olives and JerusalemThe Roman road climbed steeply to the crest of the Mount of Olives, affording spectacular views of the Desert of Judea to the east and of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley to the west. 1. FRIDAY: Arrival in BethanyJohn 12:1 Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover to spend some time with his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Here Mary anointed his feet with costly perfume as an act of humility. This tender expression indicated Mary’s devotion to Jesus and her willingness to serve him. 2. SATURDAY: Sabbath—Day of Rest Nothing is mentioned in the Gospels. The Lord likely spent the Sabbath day in traditional fashion with his friends. 3. SUNDAY: The “Triumphal” EntryMatthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19 On the first day of the week Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). The crowd welcomed him with the words of Psalm 118:25–26, thus ascribing to him a Messianic title as the agent of the Lord, the coming King of Israel. 4. MONDAY: Clearing of the TempleMatthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–48 Jesus returned to the temple and found the court of the Gentiles full of traders and money changers making a large profit. Jesus drove them out and overturned their benches and tables. 5. TUESDAY: Day of Controversy and ParablesMatthew 21:23—24:51; Mark 11:27—13:37; Luke 20:1—21:36 In Jerusalem, Jesus evaded the traps set by the priests. Tuesday afternoon, on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus taught in parables and warned the people against the Pharisees. He predicted the destruction of Herod’s great temple and told his disciples about future events, including his own return. 6. WEDNESDAY: Day of RestAlthough the Gospels do not mention this day, the counting of the days (Mark 14:1; John 12:1) seems to indicate that there was another day about which the Gospels record nothing. 7. THURSDAY: Passover, Last SupperMatthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–23 In an upper room Jesus prepared both himself and his disciples for his death. He gave the Passover meal a new meaning. The loaf of bread and cup of wine represented his body soon to be sacrificed and his blood soon to be shed. And so he instituted the “Lord’s Supper.” After singing a hymn they went to Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony, knowing what lay ahead for him. 8. FRIDAY: CrucifixionMatthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66—23:56; John 18:28—19:37 Following betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings and mockery, Jesus was required to carry his cross to “the place of the skull” (Matthew 27:33), where he was crucified with two other prisoners. 9. SATURDAY: In the tombJesus’ body was placed in the tomb before 6:00 p.m. Friday evening, when the Sabbath began and all work stopped, and it lay in the tomb throughout the Sabbath. 10. SUNDAY: ResurrectionMatthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–49; John 20Early in the morning, women went to the tomb and found that the stone closing the tomb’s entrance had been rolled back. An angel told them Jesus was alive and gave them a message. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, to Peter, to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and later that day to all the disciples but Thomas. Prophesy is Fulfilled Many of Christ’s Passion Week actions and experiences fulfilled Scripture:• He rode on a young colt in humility (Matthew 21:1–5; Zechariah 9:9)• He cleansed and judged the temple (Matthew 21:12–13; Malachi 3:1–3• He faced accusations with silence (Matthew 26:63; Isaiah 53:7)• He was scorned and mocked in his suffering (Matthew 27:39–44; Psalm 22:6–8) and• He died among the wicked and was buried in the grave of a rich man (Matthew 27:57–60; Isaiah 53:9). The prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus’ suffering in detail, describing the Lord as a sacrificial lamb (Isaiah 52:13—53:12). Jesus himself explained that his death was his purpose in coming to earth (Matthew 20:28) calling his followers to “take up their own cross daily” in sacrificial service (Luke 9:23). After his death, the apostles echoed this call when they commended the “crucified life” to their hearers (Galatians 2:20). From the time of his final entry into Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus faced fierce opposition, physical torture and suffering, which led to his death. His choice of this path can only be explained by his love for the Father, his desire to obey his will, and his love for the lost sheep he came to find. He was determined to die a substitutionary death for our deliverance. This is the path he chose as he rode into Jerusalem. Drawn from study notes in the NIV Study Bible and NIV Storyline Bible.

Use this 7-Day Holy Week Devotional to focus on the cross of Jesus and the hope that we have through him! For each day of the Holy Week you will find related Scriptures and a guided prayer. May this daily devotional time bring peace and joy to your mind and heart in the days leading to Easter and the glorious Resurrection of Christ! We will be using the Gospel account of the last week of Jesus's ministry and life on earth as told in the Bible book of Matthew. As you prepare to celebrate Easter, use this 7-day reading plan and prayer prompts to reflect on the important moments that happened as Jesus drew closer to his death and resurrection. Palm Sunday Devotional Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as Savior and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" The Triumphal Entry And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" And they said, "The Lord has need of it." And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation." (Luke 19:28-44) Palm Sunday Prayer "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord..." We give you praise and honor for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever. For your lovingkindness endures forever. Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways, your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Thank you that you had a plan to redeem. Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, and you hear our prayers, and know our hearts. Help us to stay strong and true to you. Help us not to follow after the voice of the crowds, but to press in close to you, to hear your whispers, and seek after you alone. We praise you, we bless you, Lord! Thank you that you reign supreme and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ! In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen. Holy Monday Devotional Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, right after Palm Sunday. It is the second day that Jesus was in Jerusalem, and the Bible records Christ teaching and debating the religious leaders over Holy Monday and the next day (Holy Tuesday). Whose Son Is the Christ? Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'? If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:41-46) Holy Monday Prayer O God, Son of God, you took on yourself our nature and suffered death on the cross for us. By your Passion, you have set us free from eternal death. Preserve us in your grace; through your mercy, O our God, you are blessed and govern all things, now and forever. Amen. Holy Tuesday Devotional On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus taught in the Temple courts and instructed his disciples about faithfulness. No One Knows That Day and Hour "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:36-51) Holy Tuesday Prayer Lord God, the message of the cross is difficult to take. How can death give way to life? How can weakness be a strength? Yet your word says that Jesus, being God, took on human flesh and suffered the worst kind of death. How can this be? This message is indeed difficult to take. But your foolishness is wiser than our wisdom. Your weakness is greater than our strength. Help us to know that none of us can boast before you. It is only in Christ Jesus that we can boast. In his name, we ask you to help our unbelief. That we may love you, and walk in the way Jesus taught us. In his name, Amen. Holy Wednesday Devotional He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent in the presence of her shearers, so he did not open his mouth.  (Isaiah 53:7) Almighty God, grant that we who are continually afflicted because of our evil deeds may be freed by the passion of your only-begotten Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. On Wednesday of Holy Week, Jesus may have rested. As known as Spy Wednesday, Matthew gives us a flashback to Jesus being anointed at Bethany and Judas starting his plot to betray Him. The Plot to Kill Jesus When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people." (Matthew 26:1-5) Jesus Anointed at Bethany Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." (Matthew 26:6-13) Judas to Betray Jesus Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16) Holy Wednesday Prayer You, Lord, are always faithful. We stumble, we become lost, But you are steady and sure. Give us the grace to endure our troubles, And reveal to us the glory of your kingdom, Through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Maundy Thursday Devotional Christ's "mandate" is commemorated on Maundy Thursday--- "maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command."  It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples. Jesus and his disciples had just shared what is known as the Last Supper and he washed their feet saying: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). (Excerpt from What Is Maundy Thursday?) The Passover with the Disciples Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so." (Matthew 26:17-25) Institution of the Lord's Supper Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:26-29) Maundy Thursday Prayer The world will know we are his disciples If we love one another. Strengthen our hands and our wills for love And for service. Keep before our eyes the image of your Son, Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. All glory be to him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. Good Friday Devotional The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross and crucifixion of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace. The Example of Christ's Suffering Slaves, in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:18-25) Good Friday Prayer Lord God, We wait, on Friday, for the resurrection of Sunday And sometimes our lives seem a succession of Fridays And we cannot see what is “Good.” Teach us to call your name As Jesus did. Help us to trust in you like little children. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Holy Saturday Devotional Holy Saturday, the day preceding the miracle is yes, a Sabbath, a day to rest, but it is also a day to be still. Exodus 20:8 is the original verse explaining to God’s people how to observe this law, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” The act of keeping something Holy is to keep it set aside or reserved for a purpose, and this specific day is meant to rest in dedication to the Lord. On Holy Saturday Christians today can take this a step further in resting or abiding in what the Lord is doing today. Jesus Is Buried When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27:57-61) The Guard at the Tomb The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (Matthew 27:62-66) Holy Saturday Prayer Help us to hope always in you, and through Your resurrection, the making of all things new. In Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. As we conclude this seven-day devotional journey through Holy Week, let us carry with us the lessons we have learned and the truths we have encountered. May our hearts be stirred with gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and renewed in our commitment to follow Him faithfully. Let us continue to meditate on the Scriptures we have explored and to deepen our prayer life, drawing closer to God each day. As we walk through the days ahead, may the significance of Holy Week remain ever-present in our hearts and minds, guiding us in our relationship with God and in our interactions with others. Amen.

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” So begins the yearly Christian season known as Lent on February 14th 2024, a follow-up of sorts to the season of Advent, which concludes on March 28th 2024. While during Advent we celebrate the various “comings” of Christ—first as a baby born to take away the sins of the world, and second as the victorious king come again to put the world to rights—during Lent we traditionally take a more contemplative posture, examining ourselves and our own mortality in order to personally identify with what Christ did to break our chains of sin. In the book of Hebrews we find the perfect marriage of these two important Christian seasons: Since all his “children” have flesh and blood, so Jesus became human to fully identify with us. He did this, so that he could experience death and annihilate the effects of the intimidating accuser, who holds against us the power of death. By embracing death Jesus sets free those who live their entire lives in bondage to the tormenting dread of death (Hebrews 2:14–15). Consider this: Jesus became one of us and lived our life in order to experience our death, so that he could break the power of death reflected in the opening words above! This is what we reflect upon and celebrate during the season of Lent. For those who are unfamiliar with Lent, it is a forty-day journey of self-reflection and self-denial that prepares the believer for Holy Week, leading to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Throughout this period Christians are invited to examine themselves as they remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf. It’s also a time for setting aside our past sins and failures in light of the blessed future hope of who we will become by God’s grace. Accompanying this season of repentance is fasting, almsgiving, reflection, and prayer. Lent officially begins with Ash Wednesday, a solemn service in which we’re called to remember our mortality and express our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. We are invited to remember that one day we will return to the dust from whence we came, and it is by God’s gracious gift that we will be resurrected from the dead and given everlasting life. “Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!” Ephesians 2:5-6 TPT “For since we are permanently grafted into him to experience a death like his, then we are permanently grafted into him to experience a resurrection like his and the new life that it imparts.” Romans 6:5 TPT Traditionally, this season has been marked by fasting from food and entertainment as a way to experience, in some way, Christ’s own self-denial. You may have known a friend or coworker who gave up chocolate or Facebook, wine or TV—perhaps you yourself fasted from something or some experience for Lent as a way to prepare for Easter. While it may sound silly, these forty days of self-denial are meant to help believers identify with and understand the depths of Christ’s own self-denial on our behalf through his suffering and sacrifice on the cross. But why forty days? The number “forty” is deeply scriptural: God sent rain for forty days and nights during the great Noah flood; Moses spent forty days on Mt. Sinai with God; the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before gaining the Promised Land; and Jesus went into his own wilderness and fasted for forty days, where he was tested and tempted by Satan before he began his ministry. So it is this deep, biblical history that inspired early Christians to begin setting aside these days to focus the heart and prepare the soul to celebrate the most important events in history: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope this Lenten season will encourage and inspire your faith in the One who bore our pain and shame, so that you could be declared “Not guilty!” and enjoy everlasting life in the age to come! Published by Brian Simmons content was taken from Grace and Hope: A 40-Day Devotional for Lent and Easter

Beware of False Teachers Just as the true prophets of Israel had to deal with the prophets of foreign gods and false prophets from among the people of the land, the apostles confronted false teaching from within the church and from without. The New Testament Epistles offer several characteristics of false teachers and those susceptible to their teachings. 1. False teaching preys on the spiritually immature. Paul repeatedly expresses concern for the minds of believers who may be “led astray” by belief in a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel (2 Cor. 11:3–4; cf. Gal. 1:6–7). Elsewhere, he asserts that believers will have true “unity of the faith” only when they will “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph. 4:13–14). 2. False teaching can be the product of distorted interpretations of Scripture by those not firmly established in the truth. Some pervert the meaning of Scriptures that are “hard to understand,” doing so “to their own destruction” (2 Pet. 3:16). The emphasis made here is not on a particular method of interpretation or the difficulty of the texts themselves but on the type of people who distort the Scriptures—“ignorant and unstable” people (hoi amatheis kai astēriktoi). The term “unstable” (astēriktoi) shares a cognate (stērizō) with another word used in 2 Peter 1:12 to describe those “firmly established” (estērigmenous) in the truth (NIV). With the same group of terms, Peter contrasts those deeply rooted in the truth with those who are not (astēriktous), who are more susceptible to the deception of false prophets (2 Pet. 2:14). 3. False teaching grows out of ungodly ambition, ignorance, and conceit. Paul cautioned Timothy about false teachers who “wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions” (1 Tim. 1:6–7). These teachers had ambition but lacked proper understanding of the things they taught. Elsewhere in the same letter, Paul warned, “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words” (1 Tim. 6:3–4). The ambition for power can be an impetus for false teaching as well. John challenged a false teacher who “put himself first” and denied the apostolic authority of John’s teaching, speaking “wicked nonsense” against him (3 John 9–10). 4. False teaching sometimes stems from a desire for material gain. This tendency is very apparent in the modern world, where faith-healing televangelists and prosperity preachers prey upon the underprivileged to finance their extravagant lifestyles, but the same kind of greed motivated false prophecy and teaching in the early church (2 Pet. 2:3). As Paul defended his apostleship from this charge, “We are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:17). The same type of charge appears in the Pastoral Epistles: “From these come . . . constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. . . . For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim. 6:4b–5, 10 CSB). 5. False teaching can result from and lead to inappropriate sensuality and sexual immorality. The idolatrous fixation on immoral behavior can yield false teaching. These false teachers “do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites [or “belly”; koilia]” (Rom. 16:18). As Peter observes, “many will follow their sensuality [aselgeiais], and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Pet. 2:2). Teaching rooted in immoral desires yields immoral behavior. The risen Lord warns the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira about teachings that lead his “servants to practice sexual immorality [porneusai]” (Rev. 2:20; cf. 2:14). In a post–sexual revolution Western culture, people still “[follow] their own sinful desires [epithymias]” (Jude 16) and “accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim. 4:3). Sensual urges and lust still motivate many to deny biblical truth about God’s design for sex and marriage and to justify atrocities like human abortion. 6. False teaching is sometimes attributed to demonic deception. Some who depart the faith do so because they pay attention “to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). Paul cautions against affirming false apostles who are like Satan, who masquerades as “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:13–14). Paul forewarns Galatian Christians not to believe any other gospel even if “an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you” (Gal. 1:8). Not every spiritual work is from God. The spirit of the messenger and the message must be tested because, as John insists, spirits who do “not confess Jesus” are “not from God” (1 John 4:3). 7. False teachers seek to divide the body of Christ. Paul cautioned the church at Rome about “those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught” (Rom. 16:17). In his admonition to Titus to avoid “foolish controversies” and “quarrels about the law” (Titus 3:9), Paul remarks, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:10–11). Those who cause division are worldly, “devoid of the Spirit,” and are relentlessly pursuing their own ungodly passions (Jude 18–19). 8. False teaching can come from apostates and deviant teachers within the church. False teachers from “among the people [en tō laō] . . . secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1). Jesus warned about false prophets from among the people who outwardly come in “sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Paul blames the Galatian conflict on false teachers who had covertly entered their ranks: “This matter arose because some false brothers [pseudadelphous] had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us” (Gal. 2:4 CSB). Some of the false teachers addressed in the Pastoral Epistles appear to be former coworkers of Paul (1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:15; 2:15–18). John states that his “antichrist” opponents, those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, came out of the fellowship with the churches because “they did not belong” there in the first place (1 John 2:19 CSB). In instances where theological matters of first importance are denied, rejected, or replaced, doctrine does divide the people of God from those who are not. Not every spiritual work is from God. The spirit of the messenger and the message must be tested. This article is adapted from When Doctrine Divides: An Evangelical Approach to Theological Diversity by Rhyne R. Putman.

1 Corinthians 13: 1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.The Way of Love What Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 on spiritual gifts prepares the Corinthians for what follows. Paul directly addresses the specific problem in chapter 14: some Corinthians desire the gift of tongues more than the gift of prophecy. Prophecy is what Paul has in mind when he commands, “Earnestly desire the higher gifts,” that is, “the greater gifts” (NASB, NIV, CSB, NET), the gifts that most build up the church when the church meets together. To paraphrase: “You are earnestly desiring the gift of tongues, but you should earnestly desire more edifying gifts instead—like prophecy.” But before Paul directly addresses that problem, he shows the Corinthians “a still more excellent way”—namely, the way of love (ch. 13). “Love” translates the Greek word agapē, “the quality of warm regard for and interest in another, esteem, affection, regard, love.” Paul begins with three illustrations of how superlatives without love equal nothing (1 Cor.13:1–3). Then he describes this essential love (1 Cor. 13:4–8a) and compares it to other gifts (1 Cor. 13:8b–13). Love is not a spiritual gift. It is essential for using spiritual gifts, and it is more important than spiritual gifts. It is important to understand chapter 13 in its literary context. This passage is one of Paul’s most well known, especially verses 4–7 (“Love is patient and kind . . .”). If one looked at only some of Paul’s words in chapter 13, one might think this passage applies primarily to a marriage, an intimate relationship that requires love in order for it to function well. Because so many people have chosen to have this passage read during wedding ceremonies, a lot of people think this passage is referring to love between a husband and wife. While it applies indirectly to a marriage relationship, it applies most directly to the issue in chapters 1 Cor. 12–14. When the Corinthians first heard these words, they would not have thought, “Aww, how sweet. What beautiful, inspiring words!” They would have received Paul’s words as a verbal spanking: “Ouch!” The repentant might pray, “God, forgive us for being so unloving. The way we are acting is ugly, but the way of love is beautiful.” The Corinthians were abusing the gift of tongues by wrongly elevating it as more important than other gifts. They were not using it to edify others. So Paul argues in chapter 12 that all of the diverse members of the unified body of Christ are important and that it is foolish to elevate certain gifts, such as speaking in tongues, over other gifts in importance. Paul argues in chapter 14 that prophesying is greater than speaking in tongues because it edifies the whole church; the higher gifts edify the whole church because they are intelligible. In between these passages, Paul argues in chapter 13 that no matter what gift the Spirit enables someone to use, the gift does not profit that person unless he uses it in love. Love is indispensable for using spiritual gifts, whether the Spirit empowers one to speak in tongues or prophesy or teach or whatever. Paul illustrates that love is essential for Christ-followers by stating three equations that begin with superlatives: 1 Cor. 13:1: the most impressive speech – love = nothing 1 Cor. 13:2: the most impressive gifts – love = nothing 1 Cor. 13:3: the most impressive personal sacrifices – love = nothing “Tongues of men and of angels” is probably a poetic way of referring to impressive, aesthetically pleasing speech in every kind of language—including speaking in tongues. For the comical opposite of an aesthetically pleasing sound, imagine someone repeatedly, chaotically, and loudly clanging a cymbal. That is what the most impressive speaker is like without love. “Prophetic powers” refers to the gift of prophecy. To understand “all mysteries and all knowledge” is to be omniscient like God. Having “all faith” refers to the most remarkable degree possible. But even if we have all of these most impressive gifts, we are nothing without love. Paul writes “but have not love” three times in verses 1–3. Love is not an object we can buy. To “have” love is to behave in a loving way, which Paul describes here by personifying love with sixteen action verbs, seven positive (descriptions 1–2, 11–15) and nine negative (3–10, 16). Descriptions 1–2 (v. 4a) passively and actively explain how love responds to sinful people. 1. Love is “patient,” that is, forbearing, long-suffering. It does not retaliate (cf. Rom. 12:14, 17–19). 2. Love is “kind,” that is, merciful, compassionate. It overcomes evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:20–21). Descriptions 3–9 (1 Cor. 13:4b–5) explain how love does not behave. A person cannot simultaneously do these actions and yet claim to love. 3. Love “does not envy.” “Covetousness wants what the other guy has; envy is angry that the other guy has it.” “There is jealousy and strife among” the Corinthians (3:3), but love rejoices with those who rejoice and weeps with those who weep (cf. Rom. 12:15). 4. Love does not “boast,” which translates a word that means “to heap praise on oneself, behave as a . . . ‘braggart, windbag.’” 5. Love is not “arrogant,” which translates a word that means “to cause to have an exaggerated self-conception, puff up, make proud.” This describes some of the Corinthians (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6, 18, 19; 5:2). Love associates with the lowly and is not wise in its own sight (cf. Rom. 12:16). 6. Love is not “rude,” or indecent. It outdoes others in showing honor (cf. Rom. 12:10). 7. Love “does not insist on its own way.” It looks to the interests of others (cf. 1 Cor. 10:33; Rom. 15:3; Phil. 2:4, 20–21). It lives in harmony with others (cf. Rom. 12:16). As much as possible, it lives peaceably with all (cf. Rom. 12:18). 8. Love is not “irritable.” A minor (perceived) offense does not trigger an explosive temper. 9. Love is not “resentful.” In the Greek it “does not count the evil.” Love does not strive to get even with others. This is the negative way of stating the first description on the list: “Love is patient.” Descriptions 10–11 (1 Cor. 13:6) explain love’s posture toward evil and truth. It hates what God hates and loves what God loves. 10. Love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing.” It “abhor[s] what is evil” (Rom. 12:9). 11. Love “rejoices with the truth.” It “hold[s] fast to what is good” (Rom. 12:9). Descriptions 12–15 (1 Cor. 13:7) are a chiasm that explains how love relates to others in all circumstances. It never stops (A + A') but has the best interest of others in mind (B + B'). (A) Love bears all things.       (B) Love believes all things.      (B') Love hopes all things.(A') Love endures all things. 12. Love “bears all things.” Love endures anything for the sake of the gospel (9:12). 13. Love “believes all things.” Paul does not mean that love is naively gullible. Rather, love generously believes the best about others rather than being sinfully cynical. 14. Love “hopes all things.” It wants others to flourish (cf. 2 Cor. 1:7; 10:15). 15. Love “endures all things.” It never gives up. The final description (1 Cor. 13:8a) transitions to verses 8b–13. The final description (1 Cor. 13:8a) transitions to the rest of chapter 13. 16. Love “never ends.” It is everlasting. The ultimate example of love is the triune God. For example, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. . . . God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:5, 8). It is impossible for a sinful human to embody love perfectly—particularly when Christians use their spiritual gifts when the church meets together. But the gospel requires God’s holy people to mature in purity and unity; that is, Christians must mature in love. Love for one another is the mark of Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35). So Christians must grow to love others just as God unselfishly and sacrificially loves others (cf. John 3:16; 1 John 4:8–10, 19). The Greatest of These Is Love Paul frequently refers to the faith-hope-love triad in his letters (e.g., Col. 1:4–5; 1 Thess. 1:3; 5:8). He mentions it in the final verse of the chapter to demonstrate that love is superior. The qualities of faith (trusting God for what we cannot see) and hope (confidently expecting God to do what he has promised) are temporary: (1) Now we walk by faith, but then we will walk by sight (2 Cor. 5:7; cf. 4:18). (2) Now we hope for what we cannot see, but then we will no longer need to hope for what we see (Rom. 8:24–25). Faith and hope—in these senses—will be unnecessary “when the perfect comes” (1 Cor. 13:10) but “love never ends” (v. 8). And this should not be surprising, since, among faith, hope, and love, “love is the all-embracing virtue,” and only love is an attribute of God.12 We must not repeat the Corinthians’ error. Some of them valued speaking in tongues more than prophecy, but when the church meets together, intelligible words are more valuable for building up the church. When we think about spiritual gifts we would like to have, we ought earnestly to desire what is most edifying. This is the way of love. Love is not a spiritual gift. It is essential for using spiritual gifts, and it is more important than spiritual gifts. This article is by Andrew David Naselli and is adapted from the ESV Expository Commentary Romans–Galatians (Volume 10) edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar.

Following Jesus When He Is Not Here Jesus was fully human and fully God (John 1:1, 14). He was not God with a human veneer—like a costume. He was a real, flesh-and-blood man, a carpenter’s son (Mark 6:3). So when he said to fishermen or tax collectors, “Follow me,” their obedience was a concrete, physical act of putting their feet on the ground and walking behind Jesus and being part of his traveling team. But Jesus knew that he would not always be on earth to have followers in this physical sense. “I am going to him who sent me. . . . I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:5, 7). Jesus was fully aware that the movement he began would continue after he had gone back to his Father in heaven. This was his plan. Therefore, the command that we follow him was relevant not only for his physical days on earth but for all time. He made this clear at the end of his earthly ministry. He had risen from the dead and was about to ascend to the Father. He told Peter that he would suffer martyrdom someday after Jesus was gone. Peter wondered if he was the only one, and asked Jesus what would happen to his fellow apostle, John. Jesus answered, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22). What this implies about “following Jesus” is that it happens after he is gone. Until Jesus comes again, he expects his disciples on earth to follow him. So following Jesus is not limited to physically walking around Palestine behind him. Jesus commands it from every person in every country in every age. Following Jesus Means Joining Him in What He Was Sent to Do When Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen by trade, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), he was using imagery relevant to them for something that applies to everyone who follows Jesus. The command to follow Jesus means that everyone should join him in what he came to do. And he tells us repeatedly what that was. “The Son of Man came . . . to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). “What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name” (John 12:27–28). In summary, then, he came to “die for the nation [of Israel], and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:51–52). He came to gather a people—specifically, to gather a people in allegiance to himself for the glory of his Father—by dying to save them from their sins and to give them eternal life and a new ethic of love like his (John 13:34–35). Therefore, when he commands that we follow him, he means that we join him in that task of gathering: “Whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23). There are no neutral followers; we either scatter or gather. Following Jesus means continuing the work he came to do—gathering a people in allegiance to him for the glory of his Father. Following Jesus into Suffering Continuing the work he came to do even includes the suffering he came to do. Following Jesus means that we share in his suffering. When Jesus calls us to follow him, this is where he puts the emphasis. He knows he is heading to the cross, and he commands that we do the same. He designs his entire life and ministry to go to Jerusalem and be killed. “I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33). So he “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). And he knew exactly what would happen there. It was all planned by his Father when he sent him into the world. See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise. (Mark 10:33–34) That’s the plan—down to the details of being spit on. That was the design of his life. And he knew that his own pain would also fall on those who followed him. “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). So the unflinching focus of his command was that we follow him in suffering. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Jesus put the emphasis on self-denial and cross-bearing. Suffering for Jesus with Joy Shows His Supreme Value He did not die to make this life easy for us or prosperous. He died to remove every obstacle to our everlasting joy in making much of him. And he calls us to follow him in his sufferings because this life of joyful suffering for Jesus’s sake (Matt. 5:12) shows that he is more valuable than all the earthly rewards that the world lives for (Matt. 13:44; 6:19–20). If you follow Jesus only because he makes life easy now, it will look to the world as though you really love what they love, and Jesus just happens to provide it for you. But if you suffer with Jesus in the pathway of love because he is your supreme treasure, then it will be apparent to the world that your heart is set on a fortune different from theirs. This is why Jesus commands us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him. Suffering for Jesus Is Temporary; Pleasure in Jesus Is Eternal Of course, the pain is temporary. He does not call us to eternal suffering. That’s what he rescues us from. “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). “Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35). Suffering for Jesus is temporary. Pleasure in Jesus is eternal. When Peter said (perhaps with a tinge of self-pity), “See, we have left everything and followed you,” Jesus responded, without coddling Peter’s self-pity, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matt. 19:27, 29). In other words, there is no ultimate sacrifice in following Jesus. “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14). “Your reward is great in heaven” (Matt. 5:12). Even before heaven, joy abounds along the hard road that leads through death to resurrection. Nothing can compare with the joy of walking in the light with Jesus as opposed to walking in the darkness without him. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Following Jesus does indeed lead through suffering and death. But the path is luminous with life and truth. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). And where Jesus is present there is joy—joy in sorrow for now but joy nevertheless. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Even before heaven, joy abounds along the hard road that leads through death to resurrection. This article is adapted from All That Jesus Commanded: The Christian Life according to the Gospels by John Piper.

Have you ever felt circumstances nipping at your feet, threatening to tug you into an ocean of despair? You lose your job, receive an alarming health report, or suffer the loss of a loved one—and no matter how hard you try to kick your way to the surface of hope, the undertow of fear leaves you thrashing about, trying to keep your head above water. In moments when all our physical strength is exhausted, there’s a place within every believer where deep calls to deep. What Does 'Deep Calls to Deep' Mean? When writing Psalm 42, the Psalmist coined the phrase “deep calls to deep” to describe the place where our deep need meets God’s all-sufficient presence. Matthew Henry Commentary explains it this way:  "He was overpowered and overwhelmed with a deluge of grief, like that of the old world, when the windows of heaven were opened and the fountains of the great deep were broken up. Or it is an allusion to a ship at sea in a great storm, tossed by the roaring waves, which go over it (Psalm 107:25). Whatever waves and billows of affliction go over us at any time we must call them God’s waves and his billows, that we may humble ourselves under his mighty hand, and may encourage ourselves to hope that though we be threatened we shall not be ruined; for the waves and billows are under a divine check. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of these many waters... After the storm there will come a calm, and the prospect of this supported him when deep called unto deep." It’s long been said that there’s a God-shaped hole inside of every human. When we accept Christ as our Savior that metaphorical cavern of emptiness is filled with the Holy Spirit, makes us alive in Christ, and becomes our connection to the Almighty. Through that connection, we can experience a deep communion with God as we pursue a relationship with Him. In How to Have a Deeper Relationship with God, Whiney Hopler explains how the Psalms can help in that pursuit. “When you want to deepen your relationship with God, you need to move beyond simply knowing about Him and seek personal encounters with Him. The Bible’s Psalms can help you do that. The Psalms are full of honest expressions of what it means to relate to God. They describe faith in action while dealing with the tension between this fallen world’s realities and the hope God offers you. What is Happening in Psalm 42? In Psalm 42 we’re given a poetic description of a man who is suffering unbearable circumstances. His world has been thrown into such intense turmoil that his enemies taunt him continuously and ask, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3). The man cries out in desperation for God to reveal Himself—to quench his soul’s thirst. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2). But despite his depression and the despair closing in around him, the man knows where hope is found. Even though he laments the apparent absence of God’s presence, he never doubts God’s faithfulness. Why? How is this man so sure that God hasn’t forsaken him? Is the man delusional, operating out of blind faith, or grasping at straws? No. His hope lies in the deep. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me” (Psalm 42:5-7). This man has intimately experienced God’s love in the past. He personally knows the richness of God’s grace and has seen God’s goodness in action. He’s learned God’s ways and has hidden God’s truths in his heart. The sweet, life-giving communion he’s shared with God has filled a well of living hope deep inside the man. At some time during the man’s trial, his sense of God’s presence disappears. He longs for that connection again. But rather than becoming bitter and angry toward God for not coming to his rescue, he seeks God with all his heart. Where does he look? He returns to the well. And there, he remembers. He remembers the joy of God’s presence, the security of His protection, and the faithfulness of His provision. From deep within that well—the place where faith meets truth—the man is honest with God about his anxiety. In vivid terms, he describes the conflict raging within him and pours out his grieving heart to a God that he knows will never leave nor forsake him. From the depth of God’s mercy, God hears the man’s pleas and answers—not by might, power, or immediate deliverance, but by filling the well to overflowing. “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me” (Psalm 42:7). Within the “roar of the waterfalls” God’s might rings clear. And as the violent “waves and breakers” of trouble continue to sweep over the man, God strengthens him and saturates his parched soul. God doesn’t remove the storm of suffering. He shows Himself mighty in the midst of it. “The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty” (Psalm 93:4). How Can We Quench Our Thirst for God? Just like our physical bodies require a constant supply of water to function properly, our spiritual wellbeing depends on our free-flowing connection with God (John 4:14). That’s why our inherent need for God can be equated to thirst. Jesus told the woman at the well that whoever drinks of the water He gives will never be thirsty again. Yet, like the man from Psalm 42, we often find ourselves thirsting for more of Him. In Deep Calls Out to Deep, but I Long to Stay Shallow Amy Julia Becker explains one of the reasons we can feel so parched—especially during troubling times. “To stay in God’s presence is like swimming in the ocean. Immense. Frightening. Powerful. Beautiful. Where deep calls to deep. Where answers don’t come easily. Where pain is exposed rather than covered over. Where healing requires transformation.” Times of trial tend to expose our desperate need for God, but they can also reveal God’s boundless love in ways we couldn’t otherwise experience. Psalm 42 offers sound guidance on how to stay spiritually hydrated during dry or stormy seasons. Here are 5 practical tips gleaned from Psalm 42—plus New Testament scriptures to support and enrich. (Psalm 42:1) Let God know you’re thirsty “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37). (Psalm 42:3) Be honest with God about your feelings and doubts “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). (Psalm 42:4) Verbally praise God for who He is “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15). (Psalm 42:5) Instruct your soul. Don’t let circumstances dictate your thoughts. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). (Psalm 42:6) Remember God’s goodness by remembering past victories. “You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it”(2 Timothy 3:11 NLT). As we call out to God from our deep need—He answers back from the depth of His all-sufficient power. Deep calls to Deep. A Prayer for When Deep Calls to Deep Dear Lord, I'm so thankful that when it feels like no one else understands, You do. You understand about being disappointed in people but You loved them in the midst of that. Lord, I want to follow Your example. I'm thankful You know this sadness is a part of healing from the pain of disappointment. Give me guidance in handling this - I trust that You can bring good out of this. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Annette Griffin Contributing Writer

Lent is a 40-day period of time leading up to Easter that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The word "lent" comes from the old English word lencten that means lengthen - referring to the season of spring and longer daytime. The length of Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his ministry. Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and reflection in preparation of observing Good Friday, the death of Jesus and celebrating Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. The purpose of Lent is to draw closer to God through prayer, repentance, and self-examination. During Lent, many Christians choose to fast or give up certain indulgences as a form of self-discipline and penance. This may include abstaining from certain foods, activities, or habits. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. Matthew 4:1-2 The History and Origin of Lent So where does Lent come from, and how do we "do" Lent? The Lenten season developed as part of the historical Christian calendar and is typically celebrated by Catholics and some mainline Protestant churches that follow a liturgical calendar. Although its format has varied throughout the centuries and throughout different cultures, the basic concept remains the same: to open our hearts to God's refining grace through prayer, confession, fasting, and almsgiving as we anticipate Holy Week. Lent traditionally lasts forty days, modeled after Christ's forty-day fast in the desert, and ends on Good Friday. In the Western Church, Lent officially begins with a reminder of our mortality on Ash Wednesday. What is the Meaning of Lent? Just as we set aside time to spiritually prepare for Christmas Day, it makes sense to set aside time to prepare for the two most important days of the Christian year - Good Friday and Easter. Lent is a time that offers us an opportunity to come to terms with the human condition we may spend the rest of the year running from, bringing our need for a Savior to the forefront.  Lent is a time to open the doors of our hearts a little wider and understand our Lord a little deeper so that when Good Friday and Easter come, it is not just another day at church but an opportunity to receive the overflowing graces God has to offer. Lent is more frequently observed as a solemn time of preparation for remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday till Lent ends on Easter Sunday, Lent is traditionally a time of fasting or giving something up, known as abstinence. Lent gives us time to prepare our minds and hearts for remembering the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Prayer is a significant focus during Lent. During the 40 days, we seek God's forgiveness, accept his love and mercy, and repent or turn from our sins. Fasting or abstaining from something, like our favorite food or activity, not only gives us time to pray but reminds us of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice. When Does Lent Start? Every year, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. The Lent season is a 40-days long (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection. In 2024, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, which means Lent will begin on that day. Therefore, Lent in 2024 will go from February 14 to March 30, with Easter Sunday celebrated on April 7, 2024. (learn more at: When is Lent? The Start of Lent, A Guide to the Start and End of Lent) Practicing Lent Traditions You can benefit from celebrating Lent even if your church does not formally do so. Here are some of the key elements of the Lenten season and some of the symbolism that comes with it. Many of these practices can be celebrated both individually and as a community: Purple: Like Advent, the official color for Lent is purple. Usually, churches that celebrate Lent choose the deepest, darkest shade of purple for this special season. They may also strip their churches bare of some of the usual decorations adorning the walls. Purple is the color of repentance for sins and also symbolizes the state of our souls outside the light of Christ. During this time, pray for those who do not know Christ and for those who have sinned gravely against Him. Confession: As mentioned above, Lent is a penitential season or expressed sorrow and repentance... The 40 days are set aside to examine areas of recurring sin in our lives that prevent us from conforming to God's Will. An excellent way to start an examination of conscience is by praying Psalm 139, verses 23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Fasting and Prayer: Fasting is a practice that has really gone by the wayside in many Christian circles. Yet, if done correctly, it can be a powerful time to renew your relationship with God. Fasting can be found in both the Old Testament and the New, with Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9,18 ), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and our Lord (Matthew 4:2) all participating in 40-day fasts. Fasting is a way of denying ourselves the excesses of life so that we might be more attuned to the Lord's voice. It is also a way of disciplining yourself, strengthening your "spiritual muscles," so to speak, so that when temptations arise in life, you are already used to saying "no" to your desires. And finally, fasting is also a way of participating, in a small way, in the sufferings of Christ and can be particularly powerful when accompanied by prayer and confession. Meditating on Christ's Sacrifice for Mankind: In addition to periodic fasting and prayer, our scriptural meditations typically turn to the salvation offered to us through Christ's suffering. Read Old Testament Scriptures prophesying the suffering of Christ and the New Testament Gospel accounts. Charity/Almsgiving: A very important element of the Lenten season is becoming aware of not only the suffering and sacrifice of Christ but also the suffering of others. Between now and Good Friday, choose one way you can increase your giving to those in need. It could be through extra financial offerings, donating goods you no longer need or use to charity, or increasing your personal time commitment to a ministry or cause close to your heart. Important Days of Lent The key events of Lent include Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. At the start of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, many Christians get a cross on their foreheads from the ashes during a church service. The ashes symbolize grief and the acceptance of our sinful state. Palm Sunday remembers the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where He was welcomed as King just days before His crucifixion. Maundy Thursday is recognized as the day before Jesus is crucified. It is believed to be the day Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and, most notably, washed their feet as a display of humility and love. Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross. It is called "good" because it is part of God's plan for our salvation. God's good plan to redeem us from sin included the suffering of Jesus. Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in Christian tradition. It commemorates the day when Jesus Christ's body was laid in the tomb after his crucifixion, and it is a day of reflection and anticipation of his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is often referred to as the most important day in Christian history. Three days after his death, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus rose again, conquering sin and death. Through Jesus, we have the opportunity to have eternal forgiveness for our sins, a relationship with God, and eternity in heaven. Bible Verses for Lent Philippians 3:10-11 - "I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Joel 2:12-14 - "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate. Matthew 6:16-18 - "when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites...but when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." 1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you A Prayer for Lent Join me in prayer for this season of Lent: Heavenly Father,Thank you for the gift of this season. Thank you for knowing our hearts and our need for rhythms in our lives, and for drawing us into a deeper communion with you throughout the coming 40 days. Lord, it can be disheartening to read on Ash Wednesday that all come from dust, and to dust all return (Ecclesiastes 3:20), yet we know that there is more to our stories. We know that you created man and woman from the dust at the very beginning of time (Genesis 2:7) and that you breathed life into them to transform them into living creatures. We know that you are in the business of resurrection-- your very Son went to the cross to show us that no death is final and that ultimate transformation comes through your gift of salvation. Though we were made from dust, and our bodies will return to dust again, we can live in eternal glory with you through the blood of your Son. May we remember the gift of salvation in this season...Amen Sarah Phillips Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer

1 John 2:15–17 15. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. To Love the World This first imperative of this letter can be misunderstood if we fail to identify the “world” properly. “Things in the world” does not refer to creation; this is not a dualist call to be concerned only with spiritual rather than physical things. John can use “world” (kosmos) more positively, such as in God’s love for the world (John 3:16), Jesus as the propitiation for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), or Jesus as the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). In these instances mankind, the inhabitants of the world, is in view. They are opposed to God, but God still loves humanity and comes to redeem it. Quite often, however, the “world” is the realm, even the system, of rebellion against God (1 John 4:4–5). It does not know God or believers (1 John 3:1) and indeed hates believers (1 John 3:13). It is the realm of false prophets and the antichrist (1 John 4:1, 3), for “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Into this realm of hostility Jesus came (1 John 4:17) in order to be the Savior, to redeem people out of this realm, allowing us to overcome the world (1 John 5:4–5). Thus John is not forbidding appreciation of creation or love for people. Rather he is warning against setting one’s affections on sin or behaviors inimical to God and his character. John “counsels strategic disavowals of loyalties to features of the world that would surely compromise the total devotion that is appropriate to God alone.” This point is made even clearer in the second half of the verse, which contrasts love of the world with love of the Father. John directs his readers toward the proper object of their affections by holding up contrasting objects. One cannot love the world and love the Father at the same time, for the world is at odds with the Father. One must choose. One must take a side. And because of who God is, proper love for him can brook no rivals. True love for God must place him supreme in one’s affections. The problem with “the things in the world” mentioned in 1 John 2:15 is, first of all, that they are not “from the Father,” that is, they are not rooted in him. They arise instead from that which is in opposition to God. “John is thinking of things that can be regarded as detrimental because they lack sanctifying ties with the Father.” Obviously, people who love God ought not be attracted to things that arise from opposition to God and thus to them. John is saying, in part, “Do not love the sin that seeks to destroy you.” The rivals in view here are heart dispositions. “Desire” (epithymia) is not always negative, but here it clearly is. “Desires of the flesh” refers to those desires that arise from fallen humanity apart from the influence of God’s sanctifying work, including a broad range of sinful desires such as lust, gluttony, and the pursuit of various other addictions. The second element of things of the world, “the desires of the eyes,” is not an entirely separate category but can be seen as another aspect of the desires of the flesh. Our eyes are, of course, wonderful gifts, but once again John has in view the sinful use of these gifts. Jesus spoke of the eyes as the “lamp of the body,” with potential either for good or for causing the “whole body” to be “full of darkness” (Matt. 6:22–23). In the first sin, Eve was taken in as she noticed that the forbidden fruit was a “delight to the eyes” (Gen. 3:6). Thus “desires of the eyes” refers to being captivated via sight by desire for forbidden things. C. H. Dodd suggests this refers to “the tendency to be captivated by the outward show of things, without enquiring into their real values.” This would then refer to the tendency to chase what “looks good” without concern for whether or not it is pleasing to God. The last item in the list is the “pride of life.” This phrase is vaguer than the others. The word for “pride” (alazoneia) typically refers to arrogant boasting, while the word for “life” (bios) often refers to material goods, or that which one has to live on (e.g., Luke 15:12, 30; Luke 21:4), which is precisely the meaning of the word when it occurs later in this letter, in 1 John 3:17. Thus what is in view here is not pride generally but the vaunted sense of self-importance derived from one’s possessions, position, or prestige. These three things “in the world” characterize what is at work in the world system in opposition to God. They are not passive, but aggressively seek to allure the affections of everyone including Christians. Thus, John warns his hearers not to love these things. Not only are the “world” and its “things” opposed to God, but they are also “passing away.” They will not endure and thus are not suitable objects for our affections. Nor do they provide a stable basis for life. In contrast, those who do the will of God “[abide] forever.” John’s point is exhortatory: we ought not set our hearts on these sinful desires that will fade and fall away, for they will finally disappoint. Obedience to God, however, will lead to lasting joy. If, then, we love life and long for fulfillment, we must resist the allure of sinful desires and obey God instead. Contrary to much of popular culture, John realizes that love, in and of itself, is not the answer. It matters what we love. Some love is sinful. We must love God, his Word, and his people, but we must not love selfishness and sin. Some have wreaked havoc with 1 John 2:15, seeing there a pleasure-hating asceticism or a curmudgeonly skepticism toward beauty, enjoyment, or people. None of this is called for here. It is clear that there is a common way of life that is opposed to the things of God, a way that seems to help one get ahead but is actually opposed to God. This is what John is telling us not to love. He is not telling us to hate God’s creation or the good gifts he has given to us as part of that creation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer ministered in the shadow of the Nazi machine, where friendship with the world captivated many believers, as it seemed to promise safety. He captured the essence of our text when he wrote, In obedience and faith alone the church took up the struggle ordained for her. From the Word alone she may be led. For her Lord she gladly gave up all cares, all security, all friendship with the world. Yes, our way leads also through distress, but the Lord bound us not to yield. Do we want to yield today for the sake of friendship with the world, do we want to sell our calling for the mess of pottage of a safe future? Through our own behavior we are making the Gospel of our church unworthy of belief! We must love God, his Word, and his people, but we must not love selfishness and sin. This article is by Ray Van Neste and is adapted from the ESV Expository Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Volume 12), edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar,

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.Philippians 3:7-11 Changes in behavior always start with a radically new way of thinking, because what we believe shapes what we do. The same is true of becoming more like Jesus (Romans 12:2). In order for us to change our thinking, we must learn about the spiritual treasures that are part of our salvation — things like freedom in Christ, free access to God’s rich spiritual resources, the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the immeasurable love of God. The Bible says that as followers of God, we have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). A New Creation As Christians we become more like Jesus by drawing on these Christ-given riches to enable us to behave like the new creations that we are (2 Corinthians 5:17). We determine to be humble, loving, pure, grace-giving people. When we make mistakes and bad decisions, we confess our sins and repent, which keeps our relationship with the Lord strong. When we discover our weaknesses, we draw on God’s wisdom and power for help. Growing in Relationship with One Another No one can become more like Jesus without having close relationships with other believers. As the body of Christ, Christians need one another to grow. We need a church in which fellow believers are speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and in which the Bible is being preached so we know how to do works of service in Jesus’ name (Ephesians 4:12). In addition, Christians have always found that practicing spiritual disciplines — such as regular Bible reading, prayer, fasting, solitude and giving, among others — provide deep insights into their own souls and open pathways into Christlikeness. Disciplined by Our Loving Father Finally, we must reckon with God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:6). As a loving Father, God sometimes invests in our growth by allowing us to experience painful situations that arrest us in our sinfulness, reveal our weaknesses, and build into our lives a deeper reliance on Christ and his Word (Hebrews 12:4 – 13). Drawn from the NIV Quest Study Bible.

The Prayer of Faith: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.James 5:13-18 Near the end of his letter, James encourages any Christians who are sick to have the elders or leaders of their church community pray for their healing (James 5:14). Then he writes, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (5:15). What is this prayer of faith? And does it guarantee the restoration to health of the person who is sick? To understand better what James means by “the prayer of faith,” we can look to James 1, where Christians are encouraged to ask God for the wisdom they lack, but to do so believing and not doubting (1:5–6). The key to such unwavering faith is not to muster it up out of our own will power. Instead, the conclusion of James 1 highlights the proper focus of our attention: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (1:17). Trusting our God for good gifts (like wisdom), including the gift of healing, contributes to praying by faith. Another indication of what the prayer of faith is comes in the previous verse, where James notes that the elders of the church are to pray for the person who is ill (5:14). This is a prayer offered by the community—by its leaders or by a single faithful (“righteous”) person in that community (5:16–18). Yet a prayer of faith should not be a presumptuous prayer, as if to think that God is bound to act in a particular way in response. James counters such a perspective in 4:13–17, where he encourages his audience to base their outlook on the Lord’s will and not assume they are in charge of their future. Again, as in James 1, the focus is on God and what God can do rather than on what prayer can do. A call to prayer is always fitting, as the church should be a community that turns first and in faith to their loving God to help those in their midst who are ill or struggling. But effectual prayer is always humbly reliant on an effectual God. Drawn from the NIV Study Bible, Fully Revised Edition.