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40 Days of Lenten Meditations
2017
Daily Devotionals on Prayer Written by Ministry Leaders of The Church of North Portland
www.churchofnorthportland.org
the CHURCH in North Portland
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40 Days of Lenten Meditations
DailyDevotionalsfromLeadersofTheChurchinNorthPortland
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DAY1
Taking Up Our Crosses David Libby – St Johns Christian Church
Mark8:34-36:Hecalledthecrowdwithhisdisciplesandsaidtothem,“Ifany
wanttobecomemyfollowers,letthemdenythemselvesandtakeuptheircross
andfollowme.Forthosewhowanttosavetheirlifewillloseit,andthosewho
losetheirlifeformysake,andforthesakeofthegospel,willsaveit.Forwhat
willitprofitthemtogainthewholeworldandforfeittheirlife?Indeed,whatcan
theygiveinreturnfortheirlife?
TheChristianlifeisalifeofdyingtoself.Dyingtoselfisanactivechoice.Itisnotsomethingpassive.WhenJesustookuphiscross,itwasanactivechoicethathemade.HecametobringthekingdomofGodtotheworld,andindoingso,tookuphiscross.
Whenweusethephrase,“__________ismycrosstobear,”wearedescribingsomethingthathashappenedtous.ThisisnotthecallthatJesusismaking.Jesusiscallingpeopletomakeanactivechoice.Achoice,asverse35says,“formysake.”
Christcallsustotakeupourcrossesoutoffaithfulnesstohim.
OurfaithfulnessandloyaltytoJesusrequireustogiveofourselves.
TheseasonoflentisaseasoninwhichwecanactivelygiveofourselvesoutoffaithfulnesstoChrist.
I’veknownpeoplethatgaveupthingsliketelevision,sugar,extraspendingmoney,orcertainfoodsforlent.Othershavegivenuptime.Afriendofminegaveupanhoureachdaythathenormallyspentsittinginfrontofthetelevisionandwentforajogduringthattime.
Someofthesethingsappeartobelargesacrifices,whileothersmayappearlesssacrificial.Ineachcircumstance,however,ittookaconsiderableamountofprayerandefforttoabstainfromthesehabitsduringtheweeksleadinguptoEaster.
AswegiveupanormalpartofourdailylivesduringtheseasonofLent,letusrememberthatinasmallway,wearedyingtoourselves.Wearemakingan
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activechoiceforJesus’sake.TheChristianlifeisalifeofdyingtoself.Itisalifeoftakingupourcrosses.Aswefeelthelossofwhatwe’vegivenupforlent,letusrememberthatitisforthesakeofJesusthatwe’vedoneso.
PRAYER
God,helpustorememberthattheChristianlifeisalifeoflosing.Itisalife
dedicatedtogivingofourselvesforYoursake.
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DAY2
Vulnerable, Messy and Authentic Katherine Schmitt – St Johns Wesleyan
Portland’ssnowfallthiswinterleftmylawninasparklingcascadeofwhite.Mychildren’slaughterechoeddownthestreetastheygallopedacrosstheroad.Underneaththebeautyofthesnowlaythefreshlydepositeddogpoomyneighbor’sdoghadleftjustmomentsbeforethesnowfell.Thesnowsurelookedprettythough.
Sundaymorning,Iobedientlywenttochurchreadytoleadthecongregationinworship.Mycheekswerestillflushedfromthebitterfightwithmyhusband,myeyesstillbrightfromcrying.Mydresssurelookedprettythough.
Mondaymorningmydaughterarrivedatschoolwithherhairdone,uniformonandhomeworkcompleted.Nevermindthesadlookinhereyesafteramorningofrantsandyellingfromallmembersofthehousehold.Shesurelookedprettythough.
Alotofuschurchgoersarereallygoodatfakingit-showinguponSundaymorningandputtingonour“bestselves.”Weknowhowtobepolite,weknowhowtolook,whattosing,whattosayandwheretoturninourBibles.Wehaveourprioritieswrong.Focusingonwhatwearesayingandhowwearelooking-whileignoringthemessunderneath.Manyofushavebeendoingthisforawhile.Butthisisn’tourauthenticselvesanditisnotsustainable.Ourclosestfriends,confidants,andfamiliesdon’tonlyseeusatourbestorwhenwechoosetobepresentable.Theyseeallofus-themessyus.Whenwefailtoshowthoseclosesttousourstrugglesandourdeepestdesires,wemissoutontheemotionalconnectionthatrelationshipdeserves.Wefailtoenterintothetrueintimacyoffriendship.
ThesameistrueofourrelationshipwithGod.
“AfterJesushadtakenthewinehesaid,“Itisfulfilled”;andbowinghisheadhe
gaveuphisspirit…Oneofthesoldierspiercedhissidewithalance;and
immediatelytherecameoutbloodandwater.Thisistheevidenceofonewho
sawit-trueevidence,andheknowsthatwhathesaysistrue-andhegivesitso
thatyoumaybelieveaswell.Becauseallthishappenedtofulfillthewordsofthe
scripture:…Theywilllooktotheonewhomtheyhavepierced.”–John19:30,34-
37
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TheworkJesusdidforusonthecrosswasnotdressedupfancy.Itwasnotprettyorcomposed.Itwasnotpoliteorpalatable.Itwasmessy.Itwassuffering.
ItisinthesufferingofJesusonthecrossthatwesawthefullnessofGod’slove.Hislovewasmadeknowntousinthedarkestwaypossible-throughthedeathofHisson.JesuscametosaveusfromthebondsofsinandenterusintothedivineintimacywiththeFather.ThatistheworkofJesus.Jesus’ministrywasnotpretty,composed,politeorpalatable.Itwasmessy.Itwasfullofsufferingpeople.Itwasauthenticandmetpeoplewheretheyneededtobemet.
TheworkJesusdidinhisministryandonthecrossshowsushowtoenterintothedivineintimacyGodcallsusinto.WearecalledtobevulnerablewithGod.TocryouttoGod.TopraiseGod.ToserveGod.Itisonlythroughafaithwhichhasthestrengthtobevulnerable,messyandauthenticwillweexperiencethefullnessandunderstandingofGod’love.
PRAYER
“Lord,forgivemethetimeswhenIshoweduptopraypretendingtobestronger
thanIam.ForgivemewhenIshoweduptosingandlistenedonlytomyvoice-
forgettingtolistenforyours.Lordhelpmebeopentoyou.Helpmetoshowyoumywoundsandmybaggage.Helpmetounderstandthatyourgraceandyourloveknownobounds.Ilongtoenterintodivineintimacywithyou.Ilongtoknowyoumore.Thankyouforyourfaithfulness,Lord.ItisinyourbeautifulnameIpray.Amen”
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DAY3
Deny Yourself Linda Jo – Community of Hope
Thenhesaidtothemall:“Whoeverwantstobemydisciplemustdeny
themselvesandtakeuptheircrossdailyandfollowme.Luke9:23(NIV)
Afriendchallengedmerecentlytothinkaboutwhatmycrossesare.Someofthemareverychallenging.OthersarejustpettyannoyancesthatIwouldprefernottohavetodealwith.IfIthinkaboutit,Icanmakealonglist!
JesussaidIhavetodenymyself.Whatdoesthatmean?WhatdoIdeny?Wantingmyownway?Wantingthingstobeeasy,comfortable,etc?DoIhavetobemiserableallthetime,nevergettingthingsthewayIwant?I’mnotsurethat’sworthit!EspeciallywhenIfeellikemypersonalspaceandtimeareinvaded,Irebel!Iwouldalmostratherendureahardthingthatapettyannoyance!
IamreadingabookcalledQualitiesofaSpiritualWarriorbyGrahamCooke.HepresentsanotherpointofviewthatIfindstriking.HesuggeststhechallengesweexperienceinlifeareopportunitiestoseeGodactinginusinwayswewouldnototherwiseexperience.WehaveachancetogrowinourabilitytotrustHimandtobuildourjoyaswefocusonHisvictoryinfaithratherthanseeingthestrugglesonthewaythere.Wedon’tembracethecrossforthesakeofthecross.Wetakeupthecrossasawaytotheresurrection.
Icanencounteracrisisandbedefeated.OrIcanencounteracrisisanddeliberatelypraiseGodforhowHeisbothworkinginthesituationandhowHeisworkinginme.WhatisHeteachingme?HowcanIgrowinlove,trust,anddeepfaithinHim?HowdoeshewanttopurifymyheartsoIcanseewithhiseyesandbeunitedinHislove?IfIdothat,thecrisisisachancetoexperiencegreatjoyasIwonderatthegreatworkthatHeisdoinginbothmeandinmycircumstances.Whatagift!
Father,increasemytrustinyou.HelpmetoseeeventheslightannoyancesI
experienceasopportunitiestoseeyouworkinginme.Helpmebewillingtobuild
myabilitytobeuncomfortableasameanstobecomingastrongerpersonsoI
candealwithanylargercrisisthatarises.HelpendureandgrowinanythingI
experienceoutofloveforyouandthoseyouplaceinmylife.
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DAY4
Ecclesiastes 9.7-10 Aaron Morris - Hope Presbyterian Church
“Go,eatyourbreadwithjoy,anddrinkyourwinewithamerryheart,forGod
hasalreadyapprovedwhatyoudo.Letyourgarmentsbealwayswhite.Letnot
oilbelackingonyourhead.Enjoylifewiththewifewhomyoulove,allthedays
ofyourvainlifethathehasgivenyouunderthesun,becausethatisyourportion
inlifeandinyourtoilatwhichyoutoilunderthesun.Whateveryourhandfinds
todo,doitwithyourmight,forthereisnoworkorthoughtorknowledgeor
wisdominSheol,towhichyouaregoing.”
Itprobablyseemsmismatchedtoreadpassagesabouteatinganddrinkingmerrilyinaseasonoffasting,butbyverse10youcanfeelechoesofAshWednesday:“todustyouwillreturn.”LentenfastshelpussavorthegoodnessofGod’sgiftstousasweenjoythemtherestoftheyear.Likewisewelookforwardtoresurrectionwithmorefervor,becausewegivetimeforsoberacknowledgementthatourdaysarenumbered.GodlovesmysteryandtheBibleisfullofparadox–tensionsthatkeepuscomingbackwithbetteranddeeperquestions.Therealitiesofdeath,fasting,sin,andsacrificeseemliketheyshouldmakeusnothing-else-mattersnihilists.Butalloftheseliveintheshadowoffuller,betterrealitiesonthehorizon.Resurrection,feasting,holiness,andflourishingwilltakeover,andinthemeantime,weliveinthemysteriouscontentmentofstriving.WeapplywisdomandsweattothethingsthatGodplacesinfrontofus,knowingthathisapprovalandhispromisesallowustoenjoylifenowintheshadowcastbythelightofthelifetocome.
PRAYEROLord,yougivemanygifts,andeverygiftfromyouisdeeply,trulygood.Yourgraceinthemundane,andyourpresenceineternity;bothareoursthroughthefaithfullife,death,andresurrectionofChrist.Letourfastingenrichourfeasting.LetourrelationshipsswellwiththeloveoftheSpirit.Puttodeathapathyandgreedinus,andresurrectfaithfulnessinourworkandcontentmentinourrest.Amen.”
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DAY5
James 5:13-14 Matt Shea – St Johns Wesleyan
Isanyofyouintroubleheshouldpray.Isanyonehappylethimsingsongsof
praise.IsanyoneofyousickheshouldcalltheEldersofthechurchtoprayover
himandanointhimwithoilinthenameoftheLord
Haveyoueverwantedsomeonetoprayforyoubeforeyouprayforyourself?Ihave.WeneedbeabletoruntoGodfirstbeforeanyoneelse.WhenweareintroubleweshouldruntoGod.WhenwearehappyweshouldsingsongsofpraisetoGod.Andwhenwefeellikewemadeitweshouldasksomeonetoprayforuslikewhenwearesick.Weshouldaskpeopletoprayforusbutfirstweshouldprayourselves.
IchallengeallofustoseekGodfirstthislent.
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DAY6
“…Your Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Josh Hawk – AllOne Community Services
Iwasrecentlyaskedthequestion,“Howdoyougettoheaven?”Ofcourse,thereisthepropertheologicalanswerofonlythroughChrist,throughhisgrace,confessingoursin,andaskinghimintoyourlife,butIhavesinceponderedthisquestionwithmuchthought.ItisofcourseeasyforustothinkofHeavenasafar-offplacewegoafterwedie.Weallhaveourowninterpretationsandunderstandingsofexactlywhatitwilllooklikeandthestepstotakeinorderforustotakeresidencethere.However,IthinkweallcanagreethatGodwantstobuildhiskingdomonearthasitisinheaven.
TheseasonofLentisatimeformetoreflectontheculminationofGod’sincarnationthroughChrist.ItisthroughthepersonofJesusChristthatGodbroughtheaventoearth.AsapastorIamconstantlychallengedwiththetaskofmakingChristknown,bringingGod’skingdomtoearth,throughmyrelationshipwithhimandmyrelationshipwiththosearoundme.Iamcontinuallyremindedthatitisnotaboutmeandmyideas,butratheritisaboutobedienceanddiscernment.IoftenfindmyselfbeingabridgebetweenthisworldandGod’sworld.Hisdesireistobuildhiskingdomonearthandhewantstouseme.
Maywebeattentivetohisspiritandhisleadingasweavailourselvestothiskingdom,onethatismuchbiggerthanusandourfiniteunderstanding,andsubmitourselvestofullobediencetoGodandhisdesiretosetuphiskingdominourmidst.
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DAY7
Unity–John 17:20-25 Luke Glover – People of Praise
Iwasrecentlyreadingandmeditatingonthisscripture.HereJesuspraysforthegenerationsofbelieversthatwillcomeafterhearingthedisciple’stestimonyabouthim.
TheLordrevealedsomethingaboutthisscripturethatIhadneverreallypondered.Inormallytakethe“letusallbeunified”astomeaninchurch,ecclesialbodies,etc.YesitdoesmeanthatbuttheLordwassayingtomethathewantedustobeunifiedcompletelywithhimandtothefather.TonotknowwhereIendandwherehebegins.TobecompletelyandutterlycompleteinthefatherthroughthereconciliationthatJesusoffers.
Hesaysinverse21“thatallofthemmaybeone,Father,justasyouareinme
andIaminyou.Maytheyalsobeinussothattheworldmaybelievethatyou
havesentme.”(NIV)
JesussetthestandardandmadeitpossibleforustobereconciledwiththeFather.UsingJesus’example,howoftendoweseektobecompletelyunifiedwiththeFather?Howoftendowewalkinthatreconciliation?
TheverynextchapterJesusillustratesthisrealitybysayingheisthevineandwearethebranches.Thatapartfromunitywithhimwecanbearnofruit.Attachedtothevineweareourtruestself.
ToooftenIgetdistractedfromallofthe“noise”oftheworldandhavetoreorientmyselftothisreality.AllofthedemandsonmylifecangetmeoffcoursefromoperatingdailyknowingthatIaminJesusandJesusisinmejustasJesusandthefatherareone.It’sawin-win!
Jesus,weprayforunityamongallbelieversandreconciliationofallmankind.Wealsoprayforgreaterunitywithyouandwiththefather.Thankyouformakingitpossibletowalkinanewidentity.MayweincreaseingreaterawarenessofourunitywiththeFatherthroughwhatyou’vedoneandcontinuetodo.Amen
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DAY8
Lessons from Nehemiah Stephen Dilworth – Youth Dynamics ThestoryofNehemiahhasalwaysbeenoneofmyfavoritesfromscripture.Iamnotsurewhatdrawsmetoitsomuch.ItmightbebecauseNehemiahwasamanofaction,orbecauseitreallyisanunderdogstory.Italsohasgreatleadershipattributesthatcatchmyattention.Ilovehowhebreaksdownthetask,whichseemstooverwhelmthepeople,intosmallerpiecesthattheycanhandle.Basically,“Heyyou,worryaboutthepartofthewallnexttoyourhouse.”And,wheneverybodycomestogetherthewallisaccomplished.Thereisalsothispartwherethepeoplehavetoovercomesignificantnegativityfromthosearoundthem.I’dencourageyoutoreadthroughNehemiahagain,atleastthroughthefirstfourchapters.Butatonepointtheyarealmostshutdowncompletelyfromwords,andthreats.Withoutasinglestoneorstickliftedagainstthem,fearcripplesthem.Thereisalotoffearinourcountryandcommunityrightnow.Fearonbothsidesofissues.Mediamakesitloud.Maybeyouhaveheardthetermfearmongering?Fearmongeringmeans“theactionofdeliberatelyarousingpublicfearoralarmaboutaparticularissue.”FEAR…andlackofresourcesisthenumberonereasonthatthewallsaroundJerusalemlaidinruinsforsolong.Fearseemstobepolarizingourcommunitiesandespeciallyourcountry.
Butwhatcanyoudo?IfyouweretosurveyyourcitylikeNehemiahdidinChapterone,whatwouldyousee?Whatreportwouldyouget?Nehemiahdeliberatelysurveyedthecitywithouthis“advisors."HewantedtolookwithGod'seyes.Forus,Ithinkitmeansexploringourcommunitieswithoutthedirectionofmedia,ortonotbereactionarytosomeone'spost.Taketimetoexplore/survey/investigate(talkwithyourneighborhood)withGod'seyes,andseejustwhatHehasinstore.
PRAYER
Lord in troubling times, in confusing times, let us rally to support one another. Let us press into you. Give us eyes to see as you do. Let us return to the foundational prayer, “yourkingdomcome,yourwillbedone,onearthasitisin
heaven.”
Joshua 1:9 “Bestrongandcourageous.Donotbeafraid;donotbediscouraged,fortheLORDyourGodwillbewithyouwhereveryougo."”
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DAY9
Lessons from Nehemiah…. Continued
Stephen Dilworth – Youth Dynamics
Inyesterday'sdevotionIencouragedeveryonetoreadthroughthebookofNehemiah,oratleastthefirstfourchapters.Iwanttolookatanotherpiecethathasstoodoutandchallengedmeforsometime.ThisismoreabouttheheartofthismanNehemiah.
Somequickbackground.God,allpowerful,allsovereignGodthroughouttheoldtestament,oftenusedothernationsasinstrumentsofdisciplineagainstIsraelwhenthey,asapeoplegroup,wouldstrayawayfromtheLord.Thisoftenleadtoaprophetbeingraisedup,somesortofclimacticencounterwherethereisaconfrontationandthepeopleorleadersrepentandturnbacktowardsGod.(overlysimplifiedIknow)
Pre-NehemiahthenationofIsraelisoverrun,conquered.Themajorityofpeoplearetakenintoexile,intoforcedservicefortheconqueringnation,slaves.Thisgroupincludednobility,theextremelytalentedincraftsandtrade,aswellasgenerallaborers.ThiswaslongbeforeNehemiah'sbirth.Nehemiahwasactuallybornincaptivity,inexile.Whichmeans,thatnoneoftheactionstakenagainstIsrael,thecaptivity,theslavery,theexileishisfault.Hewasn’tevenbornyet,thereisnoway,fullyimpossibleforanyresponsibilitytobeplacedathisfeetforwhathadhappenedtohisnation.Guiltfreebaby,andnowhehadworkedhiswayupinserviceintheroyalcourt.HeappearstohaveacordialrelationshipwiththeKing.Maybeevenpulledhimselfupbyhisownboot-straps.
However,listentohisheartashecriesouttoGod,afterhehearstheterriblenewsofhowbadlythingsaregoingbackinhishomeland.“AssoonasIheardthesewordsIsatdownandweptandmournedfordays,andIcontinuedfastingandprayingbeforetheGodofheaven.AndIsaid,“OLordGodofheaven,thegreatandawesomeGodwhokeepscovenantandsteadfastlovewiththosewholovehimandkeephiscommandments,letyourearbeattentiveandyoureyesopen,toheartheprayerofyourservantthatInowpraybeforeyoudayandnightforthepeopleofIsraelyourservants,confessingthesinsofthepeopleofIsrael,whichwehavesinnedagainstyou.EvenIandmyfather'shousehavesinned.Wehaveactedverycorruptlyagainstyouandhavenotkeptthe
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commandments,thestatutes,andtherulesthatyoucommandedyourservantMoses."
Weseeabrokenandrepentantman.Notblamingthingsonothers,notjustifyinghimself.Heeventakespersonalresponsibility,”Wehavesinnedagainstyou.EvenIandmyfather’shouse…”Repentanceissuchabeautifulthing.Thefruitofrepentanceisreconciliationandredemption.Whythenarewesoafraidtorepent?Whyarewesoresistanttotakinganyoftheresponsibility?Ihearexcuseslikeshaming.Butisn'titpridethatkeepsourheartsfrombeingbrokenlikeNehemiah’s?Isitnotpridethatkeepsusfromrepentance?
Iamnottryingtoattackanyone,ormakepeoplefeelbad.Ijustdon'twantustomissoutonthebeautyofredemption.Ourlandisbroken,andpeoplearehurtingandgrippedwithfear.SurelyeveryonecancometogetheraroundtheacknowledgmentthatwewantGodtoshowupinabigwayandbringhealing.
PRAYERJustpraylikeNehemiah...
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DAY10
Colossians 1:3- 6 Matt Shea – St Johns Wesleyan
"WealwaysthankGodtheFatherofourLordJesusChristwhenweprayforyou
becausewehaveheardofyourfaithinJesusChristendoftheloveyouhavefor
allthesaintsthefaithandlovethatSpringsfromthewholethatisstoredupfor
youinheavenandthatyouhavealreadyheardaboutinthewordofTruththe
Gospelthathascometoyou."
HassomeoneevercameuptoyouandsaidbecauseofwhatyourministryaccomplishedmylifewaschangedandnowIfeelGodhascalledmetodosomething.Andwhenthathappensyougetsoexcitedaboutitthatyouwanttotelleveryone.Youwanttowritethemaletterofencouragementandcelebrationwhenyouhearwhattheirministryisdoing.ThisisexactlywhatPauliswritingheretotheColossians.
WhynotwritealetterofCelebrationtosomeone?
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DAY11
Let Us In Adam McInturf – Church of the Servant King
“Whenyoureaptheharvestofyourland,donotreaptotheveryedgesofyour
fieldorgatherthegleaningsofyourharvest.Leavethemforthepoorandforthe
foreignerresidingamongyou.IamtheLordyourGod.”Leviticus23.22
FastingisthecentralpracticeofLent.Invariousshapesandmeasures,ourfastthroughthe40daysofLentisanimitationofthe40daysJesusspentaloneandhungryinthedesert.Jesus’sfast,inturn,wasinimitationofthefasthisfavoriteprophet,Isaiahcalled:
IsnotthisthekindoffastingIhavechosen:toloosethechainsofinjusticeand
untiethecordsoftheyoke,tosettheoppressedfreeandbreakeveryyoke?
Fastingismorethanskippingmealsordoingwithouticecream.Aboveall,fastingisaboutrepentingofinjusticeandsettingaboutuntyingtheyokesofoppression.Perhapsthen,asweimitateJesus’sIsaiahfast,weshouldlistentotheevenoldercommandofLeviticus:donotreaptheedgesofyourfield.
Butwearenotfarmers,mostofus.Perhapswearenotevengrocerswiththeabilitytodonateday-oldfoodtoafoodbank.Weareaskedtorestrainourselves,inordertomakeroomforothers.PerhapsGodisaskingustoday:donotreaptheedgesofyourlives.
Insteadofmaximizingourownmaterialsecurity,Godasksustomakespaceforthepoorandtheforeignerslivingamongus.Godasksustoshare.Godasksustodowithoutinordertodofor.
Mayourfastingandourpraying,then,bethebeginningofarefusaltoreaptheedgesofourlives,openingourlivestothepresenceofthepoorandtheforeignerresidingamongus.ForwewereoncestrangersandforeignersandGodchosetoletusin.
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DAY12
Ask, Seek, and Knock Joshua Motes – Rose City Church
“PrayerisnotovercomingGod’sreluctance,butlayingholdofHiswillingness.”
—MartinLuther
"Keeponasking,andyouwillreceivewhatyouaskfor.Keeponseeking,andyou
willfind.Keeponknocking,andthedoorwillbeopenedtoyou.”-Matthew7:7
EarlyAfricanbelieverswereearnestandregularinprivatedevotions.EachonereportedlyhadaseparatespotinthethicketwherehewouldpourouthishearttoGod.Overtimethepathstotheseplacesbecamewellworn.Asaresult,ifoneofthesebelieversbegantoneglectprayer,itwassoonapparenttotheothers.Theywouldkindlyremindthenegligentone,"Brother,thegrassgrowsonyourpath."
PrayerconnectsourweaknesstotheendlessstrengthofourheavenlyFather.That’sprayerinanutshell.Wedon'task,seek,andknockbecauseHe'sreluctant.WepursueGod'skingdomonourkneesandknucklesbecauseGodishidingsomethingforus.He’snothidingsomethingfromus.
Jesuswasthe“firstfruits”ofHeavenonEarth.MenandwomenwhosekneesandknucklesaremarkedbykneelingandknockinghavealsobeentheveryoneswhomGodusedtobringthekingdomofheaventoEarth.Thisisprayer’spurpose:HeavenonEarth.
Ifwedesiretobemarkedbyprayer,wemusttakeJesus’wordsfromMatthew18:18toheart:“TrulyItellyou,whateveryoubindonEarthwillbeboundinHeaven,andwhateveryoulooseonearthwillbeloosedinheaven.”HealsosaidintheSermonontheMount:“Ask,anditwillbegivenyou;searchandyouwillfind;knock,andthedoorwillbeopenedforyou.Foreveryonewhoasksreceives,andeveryonewhosearchesfinds,andforeveryonewhoknocks,thedoorwillbeopened.”JesuswantedustograsptheprivilegeandresponsibilitywehaveofstandingwithHiminbringingHeaventoEarth.
Howdoweaccomplishthismorepractically?Scripturemakesitclear:1)Ask2)Seek3)Knock
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Ifwelookatprayeras“rubbingamagicallamp”wemissthecontextofmuchofwhatJesustaughtontheKingdom.Histeachingoftenreflectedaprocess.Instantaneousanswersonlyexistinmythsandmovies.God’snotagenie.He’sagardener.Heworkswithintheprocessofseed,timeandharvest.Therefore,let'slookatthreedistinctbutinterconnectedseasonsofprayer.
ASKINGisaseasonthatleadsusintoaconversationaboutpromise.AswestudythescriptureweareabletodiscoverwhatGod’swillisandthenindoingso,praybacktoGodthatwhichHealreadywills.ItisinprayingthewillofGodthatGod’swillbecomesunleashedontheworldthatweliveintoday.
SEEKINGisthesecondseasonofprayer.Theseedneedsthesoilofpromisetofertilizeit.AsweseekconfirmationofHispromisethroughtheWord,wewillfindGodconfirmingHisWordandHispromise.HemaygiveusaconfirmingwordthroughaChristfollowerwhohasnoideawhatwehavebeenaskingofGod.HemayleadyouintoamovietheatrewhereHe’sgoingtogiveyouagiantmirror(amovie)inwhichtoreflectthepromiseHehasjustsowedintoyourheart.Heisabletousenon-orthodoxmeanstoconfirmHisWordandfirmupHispromiseinyourheart.Inthisseason,wemustmixfaithwithpatienceandnotbecomelazyseekingthefertilizationofthepromise.
KNOCKINGisthefinalseasonofprayer.Wehavenowgonefromourkneestoourknuckles—frombowingdowntorisingup.WediscoverourselvesstandingmorepubliclywithChristcontendingforthedoorstobeopenedforHisKingdomtobreakthrough.If“asking”isaconversation,then“seeking”isajourneyand“knocking”bringsthebreakthrough.Eachofthemareuniqueseasons,butallofthemareprayer.
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DAY13
Praying Fully David Libby – St Johns Christian Church
Jesusgoesupontoamountainandteacheshisdisciples.Inthemiddleofthislongteaching,Jesusteachesthedisciplesaboutprayer.Hebegins,“Praytheninthisway:OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyourname”(Mt.6:9).ThefirstqualityofJesus’prayerisAWE.JesusteachesthedisciplestoacknowledgeGod’sholiness;tobeinaweoftheGodtowhomtheyarespeaking.
ThenextqualityofJesus’prayerisSUBMISSIONtoGod’sauthority.Jesusteachesthedisciplestopray“Yourkingdomcome,yourwillbedoneonearthas
itisinheaven”(Mt.6:10).Heteachesthatprayersaretoincludeanelementthatsays“Notmywill,notwhatIwishfor,butYourwillbedone.”
NextJesusteachesthatprayershouldincludeASKING.Thenextpartoftheprayeris“Giveusthisdayourdailybread”(Mt.6:11).Inaddition,theprayercloseswith“Anddonotbringustothetimeoftrial,butrescueusfromtheevil
one”(Mt.6:13).Muchofthetime,ourprayerlivesfocusonaskingGodforthings.Thismakessense—wehaveneeds,andoftenwehavehurts.However,thisisonlyaportionoftheprayerthatChristteacheshisdisciples.WemustrememberthataskingGodforthingsshouldonlybeapartofouroverallprayerlife.
ThenJesusteachestheimportanceofREPENTANCEinourprayerlives.Heteacheshisdisciplestopray“Forgiveusourdebts”(Mt.6:12a).Weareabrokenpeople,andwehavethispatternofsininourlives.PartofourprayerlifeshouldinvolveaskingGodtoforgiveuswhenwesinagainsthim.
ThefinalthemeinJesus’prayerisFORGIVENESS.ImmediatelyafterJesussays“Forgiveusourdebts,”hesays“aswealsohaveforgivenourdebtors”(Mt
6:12b).Inaddition,heclosestheprayerbysaying“Forifyouforgiveotherstheirtrespasses,yourheavenlyFatherwillalsoforgiveyou;butifyoudonotforgive
others,neitherwillyourFatherforgiveyourtrespasses”(Mt.6:14-15).Jesusistoughwhentalkingaboutforgiveness.WecannotexpecttobeforgivenwhenwesinagainstGodifwedonotforgiveotherswhentheysinagainstus.Weneedtounderstandthatwearesinfulinthesamewaythatthosewhowrongusaresinful.
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Jesusmodeledahealthyprayerlife,onethatdoesnotfocussolelyonAskingandRepentance(asourprayerlivessooftendo),butonethatalsoincorporatesAwe,Submission,andForgiveness.Aswepray,letusremembertheprayerJesusmodeled.Letusprayfully,makinganefforttoincorporateallelementsofJesus’prayer:Awe,Submission,Asking,Repentance,andForgiveness.
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DAY14
Psalm 24 Aaron Morris - Hope Presbyterian Church
“TheearthistheLord’sandthefullnessthereof,theworldandthosewhodwell
therein,forhehasfoundeditupontheseasandestablisheditupontherivers.
WhoshallascendthehilloftheLord?Andwhoshallstandinhisholyplace?He
whohascleanhandsandapureheart,whodoesnotliftuphissoultowhatis
falseanddoesnotsweardeceitfully.HewillreceiveblessingfromtheLordand
righteousnessfromtheGodofhissalvation.Suchisthegenerationofthosewho
seekhim,whoseekthefaceoftheGodofJacob.Selah”
Whenweknowitandwhenweforget,theearth–initsentirety–belongstotheLord.AbrahamKuyperpersonalizeditforhumanitythisway:“ThereisnotasquareinchinthewholedomainofourhumanexistenceoverwhichChrist,whoisSovereignoverall,doesnotcry,Mine!”Thatistrue,whetherwerecognizeitornot…butprojectspileup,kidsrunlate,deadlinesforworkambushus,socialcalendarstangle,littlemeddlingscrewsneedtighteningaroundthehouse,andweforget.Suddenlytheworldonlyfeelslikemostly,ormaybeevenpartially,Christ’s.Self-centeredliving,self-servingpriorities,andself-orientedlovesworktocarveoutsliversoftheworldwhereIcanbesovereign.Truthbetold,I’mterribleatit,butIfinditdifficulttoadmit–muchlessgiveitback.Lentisthatspringcleaningforthesoul,wherewelookatthesufferingandsacrificeofJesus,andjoinhim.Hissacrificewonhimtheworldbackfrombrokenness.So–asanaside–it’shistwice:onceincreation,andagaininredemption.OursacrificesandreflectionduringLentdon’tbuyusaportionofhisworld.Instead,it’sachancetolethimremindus,howverymuchitreallyishis,andhowverygoodheisatcaringforusinit.
PRAYER
“LordJesus,inthisquietmoment,IamremindedthatIamsmall,butbelongingtoyou,Iamnothelpless.YouaretheKingofallcreation,Rulerofhistory,globalandmyown.WouldyouusethisseasonofLenttoremindmeofyourgoodandgraciouscare.Remindmeofthesimplicityandrestthatcomefromentrustingmyselfandeverythinginmylife–thingsforwhichIamresponsible,andthe
thingsIamnot–toyou.Letusspendmoretimequietlyseekingyou,shunningthetemptationsandsinsthathavepiledupwithinattentionovertime.Amen.”
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DAY15
A Faith That Will Not Let Go! Job 19: 21 - 27 Phil Hawk – St Johns Wesleyan
Lentisaseasoninthechurchcalendarthatoffersagreatopportunitytostop,reflectandprayasweseektheheartofGodforourownlivesandforthelivesofthosethatGodhasplacedaroundus.
IliketogobackfromtimetotimeandreadthroughthestoryofJobandreflectontheincrediblefaithhedisplays.JobwasamanofprayerwithanincrediblefaithinGod.Heprayedforhisfamilydaily.Asapriestforhisfamilyhealsosacrificedburntofferingsonbehalfofhisfamily.Hisentirelifewassaturatedwithanincrediblefaiththroughout.WordsthatwereusedtodescribeJobwere;blameless,upright,fearedGodandshunnedevil.GodHimselfsaidofJob,“Thereisnooneonearthlikehim.”
AsatestofJob'sunwaveringfaith,theattacksonhisphysicalbody,thelossofhisfamily,thelossofhispossessionsandthescathingremarksfromhis“friends."Jobcriesout:
“Oh,thatmywordswererecorded,thattheywerewrittenonascroll,thattheywereinscribedwithanirontoolonlead,orengravedinrockforever!Iknowthatmyredeemerlives,andthatintheendhewillstandontheearth.Andaftermyskinhasbeendestroyed,yetinmyfleshIwillseeGod;Imyselfwillseehimwithmyowneyes–I,andnotanother.Howmyheartyearnswithinme!
IntheendGodinstructsJob's“friends”infindingdeliveranceforalloftheaccusatorythingstheyhadspokentoJob.Jobperformsastheir“priest”astheyfindforgiveness.
God,grantusthegracelikethatofJobashewrestledwithadversitybutkepton
pressingintoknowYou.Amen!
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DAY16
For They Adam McInturf – Church of the Servant King
Alargecrowdofhisdiscipleswasthereandagreatnumberofpeoplefromall
over…whohadcometohearhimandtobehealedoftheirdiseases.Those
troubledbyimpurespiritswerecured,andthepeoplealltriedtotouchhim,
becausepowerwascomingfromhimandhealingthemall.Lookingathis
disciples,hesaid:“Blessedareyouwhoarepoor,foryoursisthekingdomof
God.Luke6.19-21
ThebeatitudesareastethoscopesetonthebeatingheartofGod.Thepoor,thehumble,thepeacemakers,theyareneartoGod’sheart,andtheywillnotultimatelybeabandonedtothosewhotakeadvantageofthemandgrindtheirlivesintotheearth.Godpromisesthemthefuture:thekingdom.Youcanthinkofthetwosidesofeachbeatitudeastheflowofbloodinandoutoftheheart,andthatlittlerepeatedphrase—“forthey”—asthebeat.
**forthey**forthey**forthey**forthey**forthey**
Inthebeatitudes,JesusdrawsthelivesofthepoorintothelifeofGodlikeaheartdrawingbloodthroughitsventricles,sendingthembackintotheworldwithapromissorybeat:“whereyougo,Iwillgo.”Apromisethattheprayeroftheabandonedwillnotgounanswered:“Lordwhenyoucomeintoyourkingdom,rememberme.”Thatwhereanyoneisbeingtakenadvantageofbecausetheyareweak,Godistherewiththemandastheweakone.Thatwherearefugeeisscapegoatedbythewealthy,warm,andwell-fed,andcastoutwithnowheretogo,Godistherewiththemandastheonebeingcastout.
BecauseJesuswasfullyGod,thepoorcanbeconfidentthattheKingdombelongstothemnotjustbecauseGodlikesthem(thoughGoddoeslikethem!),butalsobecausetheyarelikeGod.Godishumble.Godismeek.Thoughrich,Godbecamepoorforoursakes.Godisapeacemaker.Godfledahomelandinfearofviolence.Godwaspersecutedforrighteousness’sakeonthecross.
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ThetransformationalheartbeatoftheloveofGod:thisisthemysteryofourfaith.ThisheartbeatgiveslifetoScripture’swrittendeclarationsofthegraciouskindnessofGod.Thisheartbeatfreesthepoortostruggleforjusticeandcallsalltojointhem,forwedonotserveanidolwhodependsonthepowerwecangatherbytramplingothers.Thepooraregivenhopeforthelossesandfailuresofalifeofmeeknessandrighteousness,fortheyarebornalongbythebloodstreamofgrace,caughtupinGod’sheartoflove,andsentoutonthebeatofapromise:fortheywillreceivemercy,fortheywillinherittheearth,fortheywillbecalledthechildrenofGod.
PRAYER
OurFather,yourSongavehislifetrustingthepromisethatthekingdombelongs
tothepoor.MayyoucausethatsameSpirittodwellinus.
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DAY17
Put it Down Christy Dirren – Cross Bridge
“Therefore,sincewearesurroundedbysuchahugecrowdofwitnessestothe
lifeoffaith,letusstripoffeveryweightthatslowsusdown,especiallythesin
thatsoeasilytripsusup.AndletusrunwithendurancetheraceGodhasset
beforeus.”Hebrews12:1NLT
“Gonnalaydownmyburdensdownbytheriverside…”hasbeensungsinceCivilWardays.Regardlessofthesinger’ssettingorsituation,thereferenceistosettingdownwhatweighsusdown.Burdensareadistraction,anuisance,adiversion…anythingthatgetsinthewayofustrulyconnectingwithGod.ThepassagefromHebrewsplacesussmackdabinthemiddleofthecrosscountryracecalledlife.Spectatorswhohavealreadyfinishedtheracearecheeringuson,callingattentiontotheirjourneyoffaith,givingushopeandencouragement.We’restandingtheredressedinthetrendiestrunninggearandshoesreadytodash.Thestarterpistolfiresandweheadlikeaherdinonedirection.Butwestruggletogainmomentumandhitadecentpace.Eachhandholdsasuitcasefullofhabitsandhobbies.Ourbackpackbulksoutfromthecreaturecomfortswefeelwecannotlivewithout.Althoughequippedwiththelatestwirelesstechnology,theplethoraofchargersbecomeentangledwithourconfusedfeet.
Wehaveanenduranceracetorun!Godhascalledus!Andequippeduswithwhatweneedtocompletetherace.Butdangit,wecallintoquestionGod’schoiceofoutfittinganddecidewemustaccessorize.Distractions.Doubt.
Startsinging.Gonnalaydownmyburdens…
Wantsomethingmorecontemporary?Feelyouarebeingjudgedbythecrowdinsteadofencouraged?DavidCrowderinvitesustolaydownourburdensandlaydownourshame…comeasyouare.
PRAYERGod,youarethegreatdesignerandhaveeverythinglaidoutbeforeus.Forgive
measIwastetimedoubtingandsecondguessingyou.Pleasereceivemy
burdens,thosethingsthatweighmedownandhindermyabilitytoruntherace.
Amen.
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DAY18
Who Do We Follow? Josh Hawk – AllOne Community Services
READ:1Corinthians1:10-18
Asaparent,oneofmygreatestjoysistowatchmychildrenplaytogetherinharmony.Itdoesn’thappenasoftenasIwouldlike,butwhenitdoesIjustwanttotakeapictureandcherishthemomentforever.IthinkthisisoftenhowGodfeelswhenheseeshischildrengetalongandworktogether.Itisonethingmerelytotolerateoneanother,butwhenweactivelypursuerelationshipswithotherpeopleinGod’sfamily,especiallythosewemighthavedifficultyfindingcommonalitywith,IbelieveGodispleased.IliketothinkthatthisheartandattitudebringsasmiletoGod’sface.
Paulwritesin1Corinthians,“Iwishyouwouldallagree…somesay‘IfollowPaul,’or‘IfollowApollos,’or‘IfollowCephas,’or‘IfollowChrist.’”Ihavebeenremindedrecentlyinsomeofmycircleshoweasyitisforustostillsay,“IfollowLuther,”or“IfollowWesley,”or“IfollowCalvin,”or“IfollowthePope.”Itisinterestinghowevensaying,“Idon’tfollowanydenomination,butonlyfollowJesus”evenworkstoputusintoacornerandcanbringaboutdivision.PaulremindsusthatChristandhisgospelisnotdivided.Sure,theremayberoomfordifferentinterpretationsandteachings,butattheendofthedayweareallpartofthesamefamilyandarepartoftheBodyofChrist.ItismyprayerthatwecontinuetoseekoutthingsthatuniteusratherthanthingsthatkeepusseparatedasweactivelyworktogethertobuildupthebodyofChrist,andnottotearitdown.
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DAY19
Mercy, Not Sacrifice Charlie Fraga – People of Praise
AsJesuswentonfromthere,hesawamannamedMatthewsittingatthetaxcollector’sbooth.“Followme,”hetoldhim,andMatthewgotupandfollowedhim.
WhileJesuswashavingdinneratMatthew’shouse,manytaxcollectorsandsinnerscameandatewithhimandhisdisciples.WhenthePhariseessawthis,theyaskedhisdisciples,“Whydoesyourteachereatwithtaxcollectorsandsinners?”
Onhearingthis,Jesussaid,“Itisnotthehealthywhoneedadoctor,butthesick.Butgoandlearnwhatthismeans:‘Idesiremercy,notsacrifice.’[Hosea6:6]ForIhavenotcometocalltherighteous,butsinners.”Matthew9:9-13(NIV)
ThispassagerevealssoverymuchaboutthepersonofJesusandhismission.AsIreadandreflectonthispassage,thesearesomeofthethingsthatstrikeme:
Jesus calls people of all walks of life to follow him, even tax collectors. (even republicans, even democrats, even anarchists, even gang members, even panhandlers, even manipulators, even the wealthy, even racists, even pastors, even ICE agents, even rebellious teenagers, even the dishonest, even the pious, even “professional Christians,” even, even, even…)
When Jesus calls someone and they respond, he appears to be desirous of entering into their lives, their houses, their networks of friends and acquaintances.
Jesus is not a “respecter of persons.” He is unconcerned about “what people think,” about what is “proper.” He is counter-cultural. He goes right to the heart of things, seeking only to be marching to the drum of his Father.
Jesus has the “solution,” the “treatment,” the “cure” for what ails every person, just as a doctor has what a sick person needs. He is the divine physician.
Jesus wants us to reflect deeply on the meaning of his Father’s words from the prophet Hosea “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
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Ifindithelpful,aswithallpassagesfromtheGospels,toread,reflect…andthenre-readandreflectmoredeeply…onpassagessuchasthisone,allthewhileseekingtoencounterthepersonofJesusinhisactionsandhiswords.IfwerelatetoJesusprimarilyasanexampleofmoralbehaviorthenwewillbenefittosomedegree,butinsodoinghecaneasilyremaindistant.Butifweseektogodeeperanddiscoverhisverypersonhood,hisdesiretohaveafriendshipwithus,hisdeeploveandmercyforusaspersons,ashisbrothersandsisters,thenthepossibilitiesforjoininghiminhisworkaresomuchmoresustainableandeffectivefortheworldthathecreatedandlovessomuch.
PRAYER
Come,HolySpirit,andburstforthintomylife,renewingmymindandmyheart,
empoweringmetodailyexperienceapersonalrelationshipwithJesus.Bringmy
baptismtolife.Fantheembersofmybaptismintoaflamethatgrowsbrighter
bytheday.DrawmedaybydayintoadeeperencounterwithJesusasmyLord
andbrother.RemovewhateverblindersIhaveallowedtolimitmyviewofwhat
ispossibleinmyrelationshipwithJesus.Setmefreefrommyconcernsabout
“whatpeoplethink”sothatImayjoinJesusinhismissionmoreeffectively.Jesus,
forgivemysinsasonlyyoucan.Healme,divinephysician,ofmysicknesses.I
wanttoexperiencewhatyoudesireforme.Drawmetoyourperson,yourself,
moredeeplythaneverthisLent.
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DAY20
New Life Through the Resurrection of Christ Stewart Minnieweather – Church of God in Christ
AsJesus'sfriendLazarushaddiedhissistersfeltthattheywouldnotseetheirbrotheragain.ButJesusassuredthemiftheywouldbelievetheywouldseetheirbrotheragain.Theysaid“Iknowthatheshallriseagainintheresurrectionatthelastday.”Jesussaithuntoher,“Thybrothershallriseagain.”Jesussaiduntoher,”Iamtheresurrection,andthelife:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:Lazarus,comeforth.”YesthemomentyouandIbelieveonhim,wepassfromdeathuntolifeinhim.ThereforeifanymanbeinChrist,heisanewcreature:oldthingsarepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecomenew.
John11:24-25,43and2Cor.5:17
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DAY21
Pick it Up Christy Dirren – Cross Bridge
“ButthefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,
faithfulness,gentleness,andself-control.Againstsuchthingsthereisnolaw.”
Galatians5:22-23
HowareyoudoingwithyourNewYear’sresolution?Stillavoidingsoda?Hittingthegym4daysaweek?Prayingforanhoureverymorning?Ifyouaresucceeding,Congratulations!!
Ifyouarefallingshortofthatgoalset8weeksago,fearnot!Lentishere!ManyChristiansfollowtheinvitationtoobservethisseasoninwaysthatwilldrawthemclosertoGod.Afewdaysbackyouwereencouragedtoputdownaburden.Today’sinvitationistopickupapositivehabitasareplacement.Forsomeitisamatterofreframing.Wanttoquitdrinkingsoda?Howabout,“IwillbedrinkingaglassofwaterbeforeIdrinkanythingelse.”Orchosetodrinkonlywaterforafewweeks.Troubleshowingup4daysaweek?ConsiderschedulingadatewithyourselfandyourfavoritetreadmilleveryTuesdayandThursdaybeforework.
Timeout…rereadthescripture.Itiseasytoget“lostintheweeds”ofdevisingadetailedplantolostweight.The9FruitoftheSpiritareintangibles.Ifdietandexerciseareneededtogetyourpersonalfruitbasketinshape,goforit!Praywhileclimbingthestationaryescalatorcarryingyounowhere.Examineeachfruitandevaluateyourpersonalsupply.PickingupthathabitofdiscernmentinformswhatyouwilldoafterApril16thinregardstowhatyouputdown.
PRAYERLord,Jesus.Weliveinaworldwheresuccessismeasuredinhumanmetrics,
insteadofspiritualgrowth.Guideustoaspaceofclaritywherewecanadopta
newhabitwhichglorifiesyou.Amen.
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DAY22
Remembering God's Promises Julia Nielsen – University Park United Methodist/St. Johns Community Church
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. Genesis 16:1-4
REFLECTION
I've been reading Genesis daily for the last few months, traveling with these early stories - stories of migration, of promise, of sin and family. The season of Lent is also infused with these themes, and it's the story of Sarai and Hagar that has hit me hardest during these scriptural wanderings.
Sarai and Abram have already received God's promise of descendants, as many as the stars in the sky. They've seen God's blessings in their own long lives. And yet, here they are manipulating God's plan because they cannot imagine it working as promised. Sarai turns her slave Hagar over to her husband as a surrogate for motherhood. Abram goes along. The child of Hagar and Abram is born and the resulting conflict rolls through generations. All because they could not wait on God. All because they took matters into their own hands... or rather, forced their own will on others, others like Hagar, who find themselves on the receiving end of more powerful peoples' anxieties, doubts, and need for control.
I find myself wondering this season about how our own inability to trust in God's promises visits hardship and suffering on the lives of others. Where my own impatience with God's timeline or my doubt in God's providence creates and multiplies pain in the lives of those around me. Love begins with first doing no harm, as we know. I draw hope from the end of the story, of course: God turns even Hagar and Ishmael's pain into blessing. No matter how we damage others with our lack of trust, God still creates good for them. They are blessed despite our brokenness.
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PRAYER
God, help us to honestly witness our own pain, doubts, and lack of trust in you so that we do not visit our brokenness on others. Help us to remember and live into the promises you have made, promises for abundant life and rich blessing beyond what we can imagine. Amen.
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DAY23
When Does God Move? JayBraband–Journey3
TheLordturnedtohimandsaid,“GointhestrengthyouhaveandsaveIsraelout
ofMidian’shand.AmInotsendingyou?Judges6:14
Gideonwashidinginawinepress,adeeppitmeantforcrushinggrapes,notforthreshingwheat,whichiswhatGideonwastryingtodo.HewasinthepithidingfromtheMidianites,theneighboringbullieswhowerebentonstealingGideon’scrops.Gideonwashelplessandhiding.
WhendoesGodmove?IwanthimtomovewhenIhaveahandleonthesituation,whenIseeaclearpathtothesolution.IwanthimtodothethingIaskhimtodo,justwhenIaskhimtodoit.ButGodoftencomestomewhen,likeGideon,Iaminthepit,helplessandhiding.“Gointhestrengththatyouhave.AmInotsendingyou?”
Idon’tlikefeelinghelpless,butIamthinkingthatGodishonoredandIthatamacceptingrealitywhenIacceptmyhelplessness.IlovetheLord’sresponsetoGideon.Go,stepoutofthepit,justasyouare,helplessandhiding,Iamsendingyou.Nothingmoreisrequired.ThenGideongoes,doubtingandfearful,buthegoes.AndGodmoves.
PRAYER
DearFather,IfeelhelplessandIwanttohide.Helpmetogivemyselftoyou,just
asIam.Amen
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DAY24
All About God Pastor Andy Gobel – St Johns Covenant Church
“Whenyoufast,donotlooksomberasthehypocritesdo,fortheydisfiguretheir
facestoshowotherstheyarefasting.TrulyItellyou,theyhavereceivedtheir
rewardinfull.Butwhenyoufast,putoilonyourheadandwashyourface,so
thatitwillnotbeobvioustoothersthatyouarefasting,butonlytoyourFather,
whoisunseen;andyourFather,whoseeswhatisdoneinsecret,willrewardyou.
Matthew6.16-18
AfewyearsagoIreallymessedupLent—andIhaveFacebooktoblameforit(notreally…itwasmyfault,butFacebookdefinitelyplayedapart).
IhadchosentogiveupallbeveragesexceptforwaterasaLentenfast,andIannouncedthatdecisiononmyFacebookpage.Thisdrewsomeattentionfromseveralfriendsandacquaintanceswho“liked”thisdecisionandencouragedmeinthecommentsection.Thiswouldhavebeenallwellandgood,hadIjustmadethatoneannouncementandappreciatedthoseresponses.ButIhadtotakeitonestepfurtherbypostingafewdayslaterabouthowchallengingthisfastwasforme,andaskingmyfriendstoprayforme.
ThisiswhenIblewit.IhadcompletelylostsightofwhatLentisallabout—focusingondevotionandfaithfulnesstoGodandGod’sways—andinsteadIhadmadeitallaboutmyself.Thankfully,anoldfriendgentlynudgedmeintorepentancebypostingthereferencefortheversesabove.Ifeltembarrassed,butwasthankfulforthecorrectivenevertheless.Fromthenon,Ifastedfrompostingaboutmyfasting.
Icontinuetobethankfulforthatsimplecommentonmyself-centeredFacebookpost,asitisnowayearlyreminderthatobservingaHolyLentisnotreallyaboutmeatall.No,thisseasonofintentionalfasting,prayer,andserviceisallaboutdrawingneartoGod.It’snotaboutaccoladesoratta-boys.It’sabouthonoringGod,whichisrewardinginandofitself.
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DAY25
In Honor of Syria: Part 1 Ryan Kennelly – Grace Christian Fellowship
ApoemonChrist'sresurrectionfromSt.Ephrem,a4thcenturySyrianfollowerof
Christ,poet,andtheologian:
1.TheLambhascomeforusfromtheHouseofDavid,thePriestandPontifffromAbraham;HebecameforusbothLambandPontiff,givingHisbodyforsacrifice,Hisbloodforsprinkling.BlessedisHisperfecting!
Refrain:BlessedisYourrisingup!
2.TheShepherdofallflewdowninsearchofAdam,thesheepthathadstrayed;onHisshouldersHecarriedhim,takinghimup:hewasanofferingfortheLordoftheflock.BlessedisHisdescent!
Refrain:BlessedisYourrisingup!
3.Hesprinkleddewandlife-givingrainonMary,thethirstyearth.LikeaseedofwheatHefellagaintoSheoltospringupasasheaf,asthenewBread.BlessedisHisoffering!
Refrain:BlessedisYourrisingup!
16.Hisbirthgivesuspurification,Hisbaptismgivesusforgiveness,Hisdeathislifetous,Hisascensionisourexaltation.HowweshouldthankHim!
Refrain:BlessedisYourrisingup!
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22.Whomhavewe,Lord,likeyou–theGreatOnewhobecamesmall,theWakefulwhoslept,thePureOnewhowasbaptized,theLivingOnewhodied,theKingwhoboredisgracetoensurehonorforall!BlessedisYourhonor!
Refrain:BlessedisYourrisingup!
(EphremtheSyrian:SelectPoems,translatedbySabastianP.BrockandGeorgeA.Kiraz[2006],81-83,91,95)
Questionstothinkaboutasyoureadthispoem:
1. WhataretheactionsChristisdepictedasdoinginthepoem?2. Whoaresomeofthebiblecharacterslistedinthepoem?Whatdothey
symbolize?3. Twice,Christ'sbaptismismentioned....whydoestheactofJesus'sbaptism
playanimportantroleintheEasterseason,andhowdoesEphremuseitasasymbol?
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DAY26
In Honor of Syria: Part 2 Ryan Kennelly – Grace Christian Fellowship
*St.Domninawasafemaleascetic(severeself-disciplineandavoidanceofself-indulgence)inthesouthernpartoftheregionofCyrus(Cyrrhus).Shelivedinacellinagardenownedbyherrelatives,whofedherandfundedheralms.Shehadespeciallycloselinkswiththelocalchurch:sheattendedmorningandeveningprayereachday.andtheparishpriestputuphermanyvisitors.Inall,shebelongedtothetraditionofpiousvirgins,livingathome,whofirstfeatureinSyrianwritingintheearlythird-centuryPseudo-ClementineEpistlesonVirginity.
ByBishopTheodoretofCyrus,Syria
"EmulatingthelifeoftheinspiredMaron,whomwerecalledabove,thewonderfulDomnina*setupasmallhutinthegardenofhermother'shouse;herhutismadeofmilletstalks.Passingthewholedaythere,shewetswithincessanttearsnotonlyhercheeksbutalsohergarmentsofhair,forsuchistheclothingwithwhichshecoversherbody.Goingatcockcrowtothedivineshrinenearby,sheoffershymnodytotheMasteroftheuniverse,togetherwiththerest,bothmenandwomen.Thisshedoesnotonlyatthebeginningofthedaybutalsoatitsend,thinkingtheplaceconsecratedtoGodtobemorevenerablethaneveryotherspotandteachingothersso....
...Asfoodshehaslentilssoakedinwater;andsheenduresallthislaborwithabodyreducedtoaskeletonandhalf-dead-forherskinisverythin,andcoversherthinbonesasifwithafilm,whileherfatandfleshhavebeenwornawaybylabors.Thoughexposedtoallwhowishtoseeher,bothmenandwomen,sheneitherseesafacenorshowsherfacetoanother,butisliterallycoveredupbyhercloakandbentdownontoherknees,whileshespeaksextremelysoftlyandindistinctly,alwaysmakingherremarkswithtears.Shehasoftentakenmyhand,andafterplacingitonhereyes,releaseditsosoakedthatmyveryhanddrippedtears.Whatdiscoursecouldgiveduepraisetoawomanwhowithsuchwealthofphilosophyweepsandwailsandsighslikethoselivinginextremepoverty?ForitisferventloveforGodthatbegetsthesetears,firingthemindtodivinecontemplation,stingingitwithpricksandurgingitontomigratefromhere.
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Thoughspendinginthiswayboththedayandthenight,nordoessheneglecttheotherformsofvirtue,butministers,asfarasshecan,totheheroiccontestants,boththosewehavementionedandthosewehaveomitted.Shealsoministerstothosewhocometoseeher,biddingthemstaywiththeshepherdofthevillageandsendingthemalltheyneedherself,forthepropertyofhermotherandbrothersisavailableforhertospend,sinceitreapsablessingthroughher.TomyselftoowhenIarrivedatthisplace-itistothesouthofourregion-shesentrolls,fruit,andsoakedlentils."
Devotionalquestionstoaskyourself:
1. WhatpartofBishopTheodoret'stestimonyofSt.Domninainspiresyou?Whatpartofherstorydoyoufeelchallengedby?
2. WhatseemstobringDomninaPLEASURE,andwhatseemstobringherPAIN?
3. WhatisbringingyoupleasureandwhatisbringingyoupainthisLentenseason?HowdoesyourstoryrelatetoDomnina's,andhowdoesDomnina'sstoryrelatetothestoryofChristandEaster?
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DAY27
Imparting Wisdom Jerome Devlaemink – People of Praise
James1.5-Ifanyoneofyoufallsshortinwisdom,theyshouldaskGodforit,and
itwillbegiventhem.
James3.17–Butthewisdomthatcomesfromaboveisfirstholy,thenpeaceful,
gentle,compliant,filledwithmercyandgoodfruits,unbiasedandsincere.
IgrewupthinkingthatLentwasjustatimeofself-denial.ButInowseethatLentissomuchmore.Asweremovedistractionsfromourlife,GodwantstofilluswithHimself.AsJamessays,HewantstogivetousHiswisdom,whichisverydifferentfromtheworlds.AsyourecallwhenKingSolomonbecameking,heaskedGodforwisdominordertorulehispeople.WisdomisagiftthatGodwantstogivetoussothatwecanserveothers.
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DAY28
Waiting Sandy Bass – Rivergate Community Church
“TheythatwaitupontheLordwillrenewtheirstrength,Theyshallmountup
withwingsaseagles,
Theyshallrunandnotbeweary,theyrunandnotfaint.”Isaiah40:31
Iremembercountingthedays...checkingthemoffoneatatimeonthecalendar.Ievenhadthenumberofdaysleftonmyphone!Itwasbothexcitinganddifficult,butthedayfinallyarrivedthatmysisterandIhadawaitedformonths.ThedaywesetoutfortwomonthsoftrainridestoseveralkeyplacesacrosstheU.S.sandwichedinbetweentwoweeksbeforeandafteratthecoast...andpaidforwithagrantthatwehadbeenawarded!
Wehadplannedthetripwithmuchflexibility;theonlyschedulewehadtokeepwascatchingourtrains...andIrememberthefreedomandthepeacewebothfeltasweleftourscheduledlifebehindandandenteredintoapacethatwasmuchslowerandfilledwithawarmandcomfortingrhythm....�ItdidnottakelongforustorealizethatGodwasgoingbeforeandopeningupourpathaswewalkedthrougheachofourdays...Theyweresofullandrichwithunexpectedtreasures,bothinthepeoplewemetandtheplaceswevisited.WeknewthetripwasagifttousfromourFather,butwecouldnothaveimaginedwhatHehadplannedandtheblessingsthatlayaheadforus!
G.CampbellMorganoncewrote:
“IarrivenowherebutthatGodhasbeentherebeforeme.”
Wequicklyadoptedthatasthethemeforourjourney.WaitingonGodeachmorningforourdayandreceivingthefullnessofwhatHegaveandwhereHeledbroughtusadeepinnerpeaceandfreedom,builtourfaithandtrustinHimanddevelopedagreatercapacityinusofgratefulnessandpraise...somethingwestrivetokeepinourwalkwithHim.
Today...Ididnotsearch.....IwatchedIdidnotask...Ilistened
Ididnotrun...Iwaited�Father,todayYoutaughtmemuch
MayeachofourdaysbespentwatchingandwaitingonaFatherwholovesusso.
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DAY29
How Do We Know If It's True? Carren Woods – Rivergate Community Church
Asapastor,Iamoftenasked“HowdoyoureallyknowthatJesusdiedandwasresurrected?”NoneofuswhoarealivenowhaveactuallyseentherisenLord.HowdowereallyknowthatwhatwebelieveasChristiansistrue?WeknowthatpriortoJesus'deaththedisciplesarguedaboutmanythingsincludingwhowasgoingtobethegreatestamongthem.TheygotfrightenedwhenJesuswasarrestedanddesertedhim,anddeniedevenknowinghim.Yet,whenweturntothebookofActsaftertheresurrectionofJesusweseethesefollowersactinginaverydifferentmanner.InActs2wereadofhowwhenPeterstoodtoaddressthecrowdinJerusalematPentecost–theother11disciplesstoodwithhim–theywereonebody.Ashebegantospeaktothecrowdthatdayhehadcourageandpowerthatwasnonexistentearlier.HespokeofJesus'deathandresurrectionandsaid“GodhasmadethisJesus,whomyoucrucified,bothLordandChrist.”Theyallriskedtheirlivesthatday,becausetheycouldhavebeenarrestedandkilledforwhattheysaid.Yet,theystoodasoneandakeyverseisinActs.2:32“GodhasraisedthisJesustolife,andweareallwitnesses.”TheyweretransformedbytheirencounterwiththerisenChrist,andtheyhadcourageandboldnesstotestifytowhattheyhadseenandheard–notjustonthisday,butfortherestoftheirlives.Andbecauseoftheirfaiththechurchcameintobeingandweareheretodaybecauseofwhattheysaidanddid.Wehavetheassurancethatitisalltruebecauseoftheremarkablechangesinthoseearliestfollowers.Thequestionforusis–HowarewedifferentbecauseofourencounterwiththerisenLord?Whatkindofwitnessareweeverydayofourlives?
“GodhasraisedthisJesustolife,andweareallwitnesses.”Acts.2:32
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DAY30
Becoming like Christ Chad Nieuwendorp – University Park Baptist Church
“Andweall,withunveiledface,beholdingthegloryoftheLord,arebeing
transformedintothesameimagefromonedegreeofglorytoanother.Forthis
comesfromtheLordwhoistheSpirit.”2Corinthians3.18
Whatbeganasaneternity-shaking,immediatetransferfromdarknesstolight,fromdeathtolife,atthetimeofsalvation,continuesasaprogressiveworkoftheHolySpiritinourlives.ThegoaloftheSpirit’sworkistoglorifytheFatherandtheSon.
FollowersofJesusarebeingtransformed—progressively,degreebydegree—intotheimageofChrist.ThatisGod’swillforus.ThatwebeprogressivelyconformedtotheimageofChrist,thatwemightreflecthisglory.WearetobecomelikeChristandgrowinourcapacitytoshowChristbybeinglikeChrist.Tosayitanotherway,wearetransformedintohisimagebylookingathisglory.Youbecomelikewhatyouconstantlybehold.
IfwewanttoshowChristsothatpeoplecanseehiminus,ourstrategymustbetoseehim.Toseehimforwhohereallyis.Tofixourgazeonhimandlooktohimandthinkabouthim,andputJesusbeforeusagainandagain.Thisisthekeytobecominglikehim.Seeingisthekeytoshowing.
HolySpiritofGod,continuetheworkoftransformationinme,thatImightbe
mademoreintotheimageofJesusChrist.Removetheobjectsofmygazethat
filteroutanddiminishthegloryofJesus.OpenmyeyesthatImightseehisglory
fullyandbefullychangedbyit.Andmaythischangeinmebecomeanamplifier
ofthegloryofJesus.
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DAY31
Prepare the Way Jay Braband – Journey3
He(JohntheBaptist)wentintoallthecountryaroundtheJordan,preachinga
baptismofrepentancefortheforgivenessofsins.Asitiswritteninthebookof
thewordsofIsaiahtheprophet,“Avoiceofonecallinginthewilderness,
‘PreparethewayfortheLord,makestraightpathsforhim.’”Luke3:3-4
JohntheBaptistissenttopreparethewayfortheLord.Hedoesthisby“preachingabaptismofrepentancefortheforgivenessofsins”(Luke3:3)
Inherbook,OpennessUnhindered,RosariaChampagneButterfieldwrites,
Ofcourse,thereisonlyonethingtodowhenyoumeetthelivingGod.Youmust
fallonyourfaceandrepentofyoursins.Repentanceisbittersweetbusiness.
Repentanceisnotjustaconversionexercise.ItisthepostureoftheChristian.
Justlikeadancer’sbodyfindsitspointsandanequestrianincorporatesherbody
weightintothemovementofthehorse,theChristianlearnshowtomeltherwill
intoGod’s.RepentanceisthethresholdtoGod.Whenheatmeetsice,thesolid
substanceliquefiescompletely.Repentanceliquefiesthewilloftheflesh.
Repentanceisourdailyfruit,ourhourlywashing,ourminute-by-minutewakeup
call,ourreminderofGod’screation,Jesus’blood,andtheHolySpirit’scomfort.
Repentanceistheonlyno-shamesolutiontoarenewedChristianconscience
becauseitprovestheobvious;thatGodwasrightallalong.
ThisiswhyweseektolivehumblyandconfessoursinstoeachotherandtoGod.WearepreparingthewayforJesustobringushismercyandforgiveness.
PRAYER
DearFather,thankyouthatyouhavegivenmetherhythmofregular
repentance.Helpmetocooperatewithyouasyoudoyourworkinme.Amen
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DAY32
Psalm 22:1-8 Alan Wilkerson – Kenton Presbyterian
MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?Whyareyousofarfromsavingme,fromthewordsofmygroaning?2OmyGod,Icrybyday,butyoudonotanswer,andbynight,butIfindnorest.3Yetyouareholy,enthronedonthepraisesofIsrael.4Inyouourfatherstrusted;theytrusted,andyoudeliveredthem.5Toyoutheycriedandwererescued;inyoutheytrustedandwerenotputtoshame.6ButIamawormandnotaman,scornedbymankindanddespisedbythepeople.7Allwhoseememockme;theymakemouthsatme;theywagtheirheads;8“HetrustsintheLord;lethimdeliverhim;lethimrescuehim,forhedelightsinhim!”
LongbeforethecrucifixionoftheLordJesus,DavidwroteofthesufferingandpainwhichtheMessiahwouldundergoforthesakeofHispeople.WearenotastrangertofeelingforsakenbyGod.Itisthenaturaloutcomeofthesinwhichwe’vechosen.Itisthepricewepayfor‘lovingthedarknessratherthanthelight(John3:19).
ButitwasanexperienceJesushadneverfeltuntilthatmomentonthecrosswhenhetookoursinsuponhimself.God’sperfectholiness,unabletolookuponsuchsin,turnsHisbackontheSonandJesusislefttrulyalone.
Aslentcontinuesconsider:
• WhatitmeansforJesustocarryyoursin.• Howhavewe‘mocked’ourLordbyouractionorinaction• Whatdoesthefactthat,Godisholymeantoyourdailylife?• HowmightyoulivelifemoreawareofthedepthofChrist’slovefor
you?• Whatcanyoudotodaytoputthistowork?
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DAY33
Being Overjoyed Linda Jo – Community of Hope Dearfriends,donotbesurprisedatthefieryordealthathascomeonyoutotest
you,asthoughsomethingstrangewerehappeningtoyou.Butrejoiceinasmuch
asyouparticipateinthesufferingsofChrist,sothatyoumaybeoverjoyedwhen
hisgloryisrevealed.1Peter4:12-13(NIV)
I’vebeenthinkingabouttakingupmycrosslately.Whywouldanyonewanttoendurepainofanykind,muchlessafieryordeal?Well,itcan’tbeforthejoyofbeinginpain,that’sforsure!
IthinkaboutthereasonJesuschosetoendurethecross.HelovedussomuchthatHechosetogototheplaceofthegreatestsuffering.HewantedtobeintheplaceHewasmostneededandleastexperienced.Hedidnotwantthepainorrejection.Butifthat’swhatittooktolove,Hewaswillingtogothere.HewentsothatourliveswouldbetransformedbyHisbeingwithusinourpainandtransformingitwithHislove.
AmIwillingtolookforplaceswherepeoplearesufferingandmostinneedofGodandchoosetobethere?Beingwithhurtingpeopleisnoteasy.Igethurt!Talkaboutfieryordeals!NottomentionthatImightbeoutofmycomfortzone!
IwillonlydoitifitIamtherewithGod,wheretheirpainfulcircumstancescanbetransformedbecauseHeandIarethereinlove.IwanttobeclosertoHim,workmoreasHispartner,andseeHimworkinpowerful,healing,freeingways.IfthatiswhereHeisandhowHeworks,Iwilltakethefieryordeals.Theywillbecomemycauseforjoy.Iwanttonotjustbejoyful,butoverjoyed!God’sgloryisrevealedasHetransformslivesthroughlove.Itdoesn’tgetanybetterthanthat!It’sworthwhateverittakes.
PRAYER
Father,showmewhereyouareworking.Helpmebewillingtoenterthelivesof
thosewhoareexperiencingpain,evenifitisuncomfortableorevenpainfulfor
me.Thankyouthattheoverwhelmingjoyofbeingwithyouthereisworthit.
HelpmetoseeyourgloryrevealedasIshareyourlove.
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DAY34
Suffer and Be Hated for the Sake of Christ? Kelly Cohoe – Grace Christian Fellowship
Ifyoubelongedtotheworld,theworldwouldloveyouasitsown.Becauseyou
donotbelongtotheworld,butIhavechosenyououtoftheworld—therefore
theworldhatesyou.(John15:19,NRSV)
DuringLentasweconsiderthesufferingofChrist,doesitshockusthatsomanyhavehatedHim?OurblessedSavior,whoonlycametoreconcileourrelationshipwithGod,wasspatuponandridiculed,mistrustedbythoseinauthority,andreviledbythecrowds.WhatdidJesusdotodeservesuchanimosity?
InlightofthisIfinditshockinghowdesperatelythechurchlongstobelovedbythisworld.Tobefair,IthinkourmotiveisthatpeoplewillremainopentofollowingJesus.AndcertainlywearenotcalledtobejerksinJesus’nameandwritetheworldoff,quotingthewordsabove.ButsometimesIwonderifourneedtobelikedmeansthatwedonotstandoutintheeyesofthisworld?Wearejustanothervoiceamongmillionswithnothingtodifferentiateusfromthemultitudeofotherculturalvoicescryingoutforeveryone’sattention.
JesuslivedandspokewiththepurestofheartsandaprofoundloveforALLofhumanity,yetHislifeandactionsledtoHisultimatesufferinganddeath.Hiswordstousare“Ihavechosenyououtoftheworld—thereforetheworldhates
you.”Irealizethesethoughtscanstirupalotoffeelingsandaredeservingofmoredialogue,butultimatelyIask–arewewillingtosufferandbehatedforthesakeofChrist?
PRAYER
Lord,Idonotwanttobehatedforbeinghateful,butIdowanttobewillingto
sufferandbehatedasonewhoisstrivingtobeafaithfulandlovingwitnessto
You.AMEN.
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DAY35
A Story of Returning Katherine Schmitt – St Johns Wesleyan
“Iwillleavethisplaceandgotomyfatherandsay,“FatherIhavesinnedagainst
heavenandagainstyou;Inolongerdeservetobecalledyourson;treatmeas
oneofyourhiredmen.”So,helefttheplaceandwentbacktohisfather.
Whilehewasstillalongwayoff,hisfathersawhimandwasmovedwithpity.He
rantotheboy,claspedhiminhisarmsandkissedhim.”
Luke15:18-20
TheChristianstoryisoneofreturning.WehavebeenandarealwaysbeinginvitedbackbyGod,toreturntoourCreator.Weareinvitedbackdespitewhatwehavedone.WearebeckonedintoworshipbyGod.OurLovingFatherlongsforourreturn.AsChristians,westrivetobethebestwecan,toliveourlivesinaccordancewithScripturewithalltheloveGodhasplacedonourheartsandasChristianswefallshortofthisgoal.God’sinvitationbacktoHislovingarms,hisloveandrejoicingofus,isnotdependentonouractions.
ThestoryoftheProdigalSonisastoryofreturning.Thesonreturnstothefatherandthefatherrejoices.Herewehaveafathermovedwithcompassion,gentlenessandpatience.Afatherwhocelebrateshissoncominghome!
Butwhatoftheson?Whatweretheson’smotivationstoreturntohisfather?Washetrulyrepentantandbroken?Werehismotivespure?No.Alookatthestoryshowsthesonwashungryandwantedsomethingfromhisfather-hewantedtobefed.Hehadaspeechpreparedforhisfather,nicewordsthatwouldhopefullygethimbackinfavorwithhisdad.Theamazingpartofthestoryisthathedidnotevenhavetosaythosewords.Hismotivesdidn’tmatter.HehadchosentoreturnandohhowtheFatherrejoiced!HeRANtomeethim.Herecognizedhissonfromfaraway.Thefatherdidnotneedwordsorpuremotives.Thefatherlongedforthereturning.
OurHeavenlyFatherlongsforourreturning.Wegetsotrappedinourownshortcomings,ourowndesires,ourownshameandguiltandwemakeourfaithsocomplicated.OurresponsibilityistoreturntoGod.Whenwereturn,ourGodrunstoembraceusandgivesustheloveandpeacewesodesire.
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Prayer
“CompassionateGod,
Creatoroftheworld.
Ithankyouforcreatingme.
Ithankyouforlovingmeandforgivingmethechancetoreturntimeandtime
again.
Thankyouforwelcomingmebacktoyou.
Inyourlovingname,Ipray,
Amen”
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DAY35
Shelter In A Storm Carren Woods – Rivergate Community Church
We'vehadquiteafewstormsgothroughthiswinter.Thereweredownpoursofrainandthenverystrongwindstormsbroughtdowntrees.Isatandwatchedasthetreesalmostseemedtobendinthemiddleasthewindscarriedoffanythingthatwasnottieddown.Weusuallydon'tgetsevereweatherinourareaveryoften,butwhenitcomesitisamazingtoseethepowerbehindthestorm.
Theeyeofthehurricaneistheplaceofpeaceandcalm.Thereissafetyinthemidstoftheragingwindsthatcirclearoundtheeye.TheLordislikethattous.Inthemidstofwhateverstormsmayberaginginourlives,wecanfindpeaceandhopewiththeLord.Heisourrockandfortressthatwillprotectusfromthestormsthattrytodestroyus.MaywealwaysknowthatwecanfindsafetyinthelovingarmsofJesus.
“HewhodwellsintheshelteroftheMostHighwillrestintheshadowofthe
Almighty.IwillsayoftheLord,'Heismyrefugeandmyfortress,andmyGodin
whomItrust.”
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DAY37
Imitators of Christ – Philippians 2:1-11 Phil Hawk – St Johns Wesleyan Christ'shumilitysetsaclearexamplethatwearecalledupontoimitateineverydayliving.Therearealotofvoicescallingouttoyoueveryday.Itisimportantforustoknowwherethosevoicesarecomingfrom.Wearegivenagoodstartingpointintheverseslistedabove.
AswepressforwardinfollowingChristarewe:
...Experiencingencouragement? ...ReceivingcomfortfromHislove? ...CommonsharingintheSpirit? ...TendernessandCompassion?
Aswehavereceivedweinturnarecalledtogiveout:(withthesamemindofChrist)
...Samemind ...Love ...Unity ...Withoutselfishambition ...Valueothersaboveyourselves ...Looktotheinterestsofothers,notyourown
BEIMITATOR'SOFCHRIST!
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DAY38
Expanse of the Kingdom Derek Beaudoin- St Johns Christian Church
READ:Matthew6.9-13
YourKingdomcome,Yourwillbedone…dowemeanit?WeoftenoverlookthispartoftheLord’sPrayeraswehurrytoaskforour“dailybread”needstobemet.Jesuscallsforourperspectivetobechanged,thatwewouldbefocusedonhonoringtheHeavenlyFatherandprayingforHisKingdomtocomeandforHiswilltobedone.WecertainlycanagreewithJesus’sentimentandhopeforGod’sKingdomtobeactiveandforHiswilltobeobeyed,butarewedoinganythingaboutit?Sometimeswepraythatpartandexpectnothingofitbecauseitisatraditionwedo,justwordsmemorized.OftentimeswepraythatpartandexpectGodtodoallthework–thatHisKingdomwouldcome,andHiswillwouldbedoneinsomeoneelse’slife.PerhapsJesus’intentionwasthatandmore!
WillweprayforHisKingdomtocome,andhowwecanbeapartoftheexpansion?CanwepraythatHiswillwouldbedoneinourlivesasweobeyHiscalltofollow?PerhapswecanobeyHiswillasweliveinChrist’sloveandgrace,extendingthatsameloveandgracewithallthosewecomeincontact.Wehavearesponseofactiontothosetwolinesofprayer.GodwillcertainlyexpandHisKingdomandshareHiswill,butithappensthroughourinvolvementasmembersoftheKingdomandfollowersofHiswill.
HowarewehelpingexpandHisKingdom?HowarewelisteningtoandfollowingHiswilltosharetheloveandgraceofChrist?
PRAYER
HeavenlyFather,Youaretrulyholyandamazing.WethankYouforYourgiftofloveandgrace.God,mayYourKingdomcomeuponthisearthaswelooktohelpitexpandintotheheartsandlivesofthosethatneedYourgrace.WealsoaskthatYourwillwouldbedoneinourlivesandthroughourlivesaswefollowtheexampleofYourSon,Jesus.Youhavelovedusandcalledustolove,sogiveus
theabilitytodosounconditionally.YouhaveextendedgracetousthroughJesus;mayweofferthatsamegracetoothers.ThankYoualways,God.Amen.
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DAY39
“Follow Me” John 21: 19 Sandy Bass – Rivergate Community Church HeknewHewasamercifulandforgivingfriend,thisJesus....HehadtraveledwithHimforthreeyears.HewaseventhefirstofthetwelvetodeclareHimMessiah!�OfcourseJesushadforgivenhim...But.....wasthissomecurseJesushadleftwithhim?No!Hewouldneverdothat!Helovedthem....LookathowwefoundHimonthebeachafterthatawfulday....aliveagain!andcookingbreakfastforusforHeavenʼssake....and...whataboutallthefish?Wehadfishedallnightandcaughtnothing!andthensomanyfishwealmostsunkundertheweightofthem!
ButPetercouldnotgetthatnightoutofhishead....Itseemedsodark...darkerthatanyothernighthehadknown...whenthesoldierscametoarrestJesus...whydidnʼtHefight?JesusjuststoodthereandevenadmittedthatHewastheonetheywerelooking�for...whydidweallrunandleaveHim?Iwassoscared!IfollowedthemfromadistanceandwaseveninearshotwhentheyquestionedHim.....
Itwassocold...Icouldnotgetwarm...evenstandingbythefirethatothershadhuddledaround...Iwassocold!Andthatwoman...whycouldnʼtshejustbequiet?whydidshekeepsayingthatIwasoneofHisdisciples?Whycouldnʼtshejustbequiet?Ididnʼtwanttolieaboutit...IdonʼtknowwhyIdeniedHim...Iwasjustsoscared...thewordsofdenialcameoutbeforeIcouldstopthem....andthen....
Thatrooster!Thatblastedroosterbegintocrow.....ThewordsJesushadspokentomeatsupperwhenIsworetoHimthatIwouldevendiewithHimifitcametothat!Imeantthosewords....butnow....Hiswordssoloudinsideofmewitheverysquawkthatcomesoutofthatbird!“Peter,doyouloveme?”Peter,doyouloveme?“Peter,doyouloveme?”OfcourseIloveHim...”feedmysheep”,Hesaid....
Wasitacurse?No....notacurseatall...butareminder...HegavemeadailyreminderthatkeepsmehumbleknowinghowweakIamwithoutHim....Hearingthatroostereverymorning...agentlereminderatthebreakingofeachnewday...topickupmyowncross....tosaynotomywillandyestoHis....LordyouknowIloveyou.
“FeedMySheep”John21:17
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DAY40
Not Orphaned Kelly Cohoe – Grace Christian Fellowship
"Iwillnotleaveyouorphaned;Iamcomingtoyou.Inalittlewhiletheworldwill
nolongerseeme,butyouwillseeme;becauseIlive,youalsowilllive.”(John14:18-19,NRSV)
Chapters14-17ofJohn’sGospelprovideuswithuniqueinsightintotheconcernsofJesusasHeshareswithHisdisciplesjusthoursbeforeHisdeath.EarlierJesusspokeofHisdeparturefromthisworldthathadleftHisdisciplesdeeplytroubled,butnowHeleavesthemwiththeseencouragingwords:“Iwillnotleaveyouorphaned.”HeclarifiesthiswhenHesays,“IwillasktheFather,andhewillgiveyouanotherAdvocate,tobewithyouforever.ThisistheSpiritof
truth…heabideswithyou,andhewillbeinyou”(John14:16-17).ThedeathofJesusmakesitpossibletobeforgivenofoursinandtobereconciledinourrelationshiptoGod,butHisdeathanddeparturealsomakesomethingelsepossible:theintimatepresenceoftheHolySpiritofGodinourlives–momentbymoment,daybyday,forever.AswemeditateuponthesufferinganddeathofourLordJesus,letusalsocontemplatethedoorsthatarenowflungopentousasaresult.OneisthedoorintoourheartthatisnowopentotheverypresenceofGodintheformoftheHolySpirit.ThisSpiritabidesintheheartsofallwhobelieve–nowandforever.Amen.
PRAYER
Jesus,aswecontemplateYoursufferinganddeath–wearehumbledbyYour
sacrifice.Wearealsoencouraged,asYourdeathandresurrectionhavemade
eternallifepossible–alifegiventouslifedailythroughthepresenceofYourself
intheHolySpirit.SpiritoftheLivingGod,berenewedinustoday.
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40 Days of Lenten Meditations
2017
Daily Devotionals on Prayer Written by Ministry Leaders of The Church of North Portland
www.churchofnorthportland.org
the CHURCH in North Portland