Lenten Devotional

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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!

Lent Devotional March 16, 2018

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Devotional

Written by Kimberly Gonxhe ’07, PTS Director of the Metro-Urban Institute

Faith without works is dead, and works without love are nothing. Some of us strive and toil under the banner of Christ . . . but with so many of the wrong motivations or approaches. A church planter enters a community without first consulting the faith leaders already in the neighborhood. A pastor fervently serves all the people at church while the minister’s own immediate family starves for attention and affection. A layperson “does for” people in need without empowering their self-sufficiency.

Often we can become consumed by the drive, repetition, and demands of service without entertaining whether the service is relevant and/or contextually healthy for oneself and for those being served. In doing so, we can very well find ourselves relating more to a Martha preparing food than a Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Once we untangle ourselves from the work and focus on the true need, then perspectives can change toward healthy, balanced living.

What is your motivation? Why do you do what you do? Is love at the center of it all?

Prayer

Lord, reveal to me the things I may be blind to see that cause others harm or pain. May all my actions be of pure intent and benefit most the most vulnerable. May I be a good steward of the giftings and talents given unto me, and may they fully bring you glory. Amen.

Lent Devotional March 16, 2018

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Devotional

Written by Kimberly Gonxhe ’07, PTS Director of the Metro-Urban Institute

Faith without works is dead, and works without love are nothing. Some of us strive and toil under the banner of Christ . . . but with so many of the wrong motivations or approaches. A church planter enters a community without first consulting the faith leaders already in the neighborhood. A pastor fervently serves all the people at church while the minister’s own immediate family starves for attention and affection. A layperson “does for” people in need without empowering their self-sufficiency.

Often we can become consumed by the drive, repetition, and demands of service without entertaining whether the service is relevant and/or contextually healthy for oneself and for those being served. In doing so, we can very well find ourselves relating more to a Martha preparing food than a Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Once we untangle ourselves from the work and focus on the true need, then perspectives can change toward healthy, balanced living.

What is your motivation? Why do you do what you do? Is love at the center of it all?

Prayer

Lord, reveal to me the things I may be blind to see that cause others harm or pain. May all my actions be of pure intent and benefit most the most vulnerable. May I be a good steward of the giftings and talents given unto me, and may they fully bring you glory. Amen.

About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!