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Week 3

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Monday, March 2: Seeking and Sending CMC’s Next Pastor

 

A Directing Vision: Acts 16:6-10

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul[c] had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, by Your Spirit direct the steps of the person whom You are calling to serve Cypress Methodist Church.  Impart to them a vision of our need and a compelling urge to come and serve here in Cypress.  Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 3: For The Church

 

Baptized in the Spirit: Acts 1:4-5

4 And while staying[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

 

Lord Jesus, baptize Cypress Methodist Church in the inspiring and empowering Holy Spirit.  With faith we prayerfully wait upon the coming of Your Gift of Counselor, Comforter and Helper.  Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 4: Testing In The Wilderness

 

Discerning The True Bread: Matthew 4:1-4

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

 

Lord Holy Spirit, teach me to discern the true bread of heaven.  Let me not be deceived and thus deprived the spiritual nourishment that will sustain me through temptations and trials.  Amen.

 

Thursday, March 5: Lenten Disciplines

 

Finding The Secret Place: Matthew 6:5-8

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

Heavenly Father, meet me in the solitude of the secret place.  I withdraw from the world and the shut the door to all distractions to reserve for You only.  Bless our time of fellowship with Your Presence.  Amen.

 

Friday, March 6: Transformative Potential

 

The Great Exchange: Ephesians 4:22-24

22 to put off your old self,[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

Holy Father, help me die to my old self, to be released from corrupting desires that destroy life and relationships.  By your Spirit create in me a new person who reflects Your likeness.  Amen.

 

Saturday, March 7: Personal Devotion

 

The Sincerest form of flattery: Ephesians 5:1-2

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 

Lord Jesus, help me see Your love in scripture and in others.  And in seeing let me become and embody the love you have for me and others.  Amen.