Christian Brooks, Middler M.Div. student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Devotional

This time of fasting is a time to examine ourselves. Much like the Corinthians, as we go through life we pick up habits and desires that are not pleasing to God. Satan is crafty. He tries many ways to capture our attention and cause us to sin. Sometimes we do not realize that we are giving in to his advances. So during this time of fasting, examine your life. Observe any areas where you have allowed sin to enter, and submit those areas to God. For just as a little leaven spreads and causes dough to rise, so does a little sin spread and cause the believer to fall. During this Lenten season, set aside the distracting things that have been capturing your attention and seek God.

Prayer

Lord, I ask you to forgive me for the sin that I have committed. Reveal to me anything in my life that is not pleasing to you. Help me to submit those areas of my life to you. Give me the strength to resist the advances of Satan and overcome temptation. I am overjoyed for the redemption that I have because of the risen Savior. Lord, I thank you for the grace and mercy that you pour out on me every day. God, help me to be more like you. Amen.

Christian Brooks, Middler M.Div. student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Devotional

This time of fasting is a time to examine ourselves. Much like the Corinthians, as we go through life we pick up habits and desires that are not pleasing to God. Satan is crafty. He tries many ways to capture our attention and cause us to sin. Sometimes we do not realize that we are giving in to his advances. So during this time of fasting, examine your life. Observe any areas where you have allowed sin to enter, and submit those areas to God. For just as a little leaven spreads and causes dough to rise, so does a little sin spread and cause the believer to fall. During this Lenten season, set aside the distracting things that have been capturing your attention and seek God.

Prayer

Lord, I ask you to forgive me for the sin that I have committed. Reveal to me anything in my life that is not pleasing to you. Help me to submit those areas of my life to you. Give me the strength to resist the advances of Satan and overcome temptation. I am overjoyed for the redemption that I have because of the risen Savior. Lord, I thank you for the grace and mercy that you pour out on me every day. God, help me to be more like you. Amen.