Day # 20 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #20

WORD OF TODAY:  Colossians2:13-14 (ESV)

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Yesterday we encountered the need to help another with their burden. In the questions, we asked how did our burden become light. It became light because the weight of our burden was taken upon Christ’s shoulders, His wrists, His ankles, His bloodied back and bruised head. He took those burdens from us, and set them aside, nailing them to the cross.

Consider anew today, the magnitude of the Truth that Jesus Christ brought you back to life. You were dead in your trespasses, your sins. You were uncircumcised, you were not of the Tribe of Israel. Your very soul was burdened by the weight of your trespasses. Jesus takes it all away from you and bears it all Himself. What has been the heaviest weight in your life? What great trespasses do you regret? Do these trespasses still burden you?

Scripture tells us the record of debt is canceled, and being set aside the record of the debt, the guilt of the trespass, has been nailed to the cross. Consider today this thought, have you given the record of debt you owe fully to Jesus? The debt must be confessed with the cry for forgiveness accompanied by the amendment of life. This is how the account of your trespass, your debt, is handed over to Christ Jesus to be nailed to the cross.

Have you confessed all and cried to your Lord for forgiveness of all? Have you amended your life completely, and found the peace of renewal in Christ Jesus?

Day # 19 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #19

WORD OF TODAY:  Galatians 6:2-4 (ESV)

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

The verses before us today are embedded in a wealth of instruction found in the chapter from which they come. The first verse is a reminder of the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. We bear one another’s burdens, we help carry the load because we are yoked, one to another, as disciples of Christ Jesus, by whom we are yoked. It may be possible, sometimes likely, that we resist the weight of another’s yoke and do not equally bear another’s burden. Take a moment to reflect on someone close to you today that carries a burden. How might you help them with their load?

The reason we might avoid bearing another’s burden could be because of pride, or spiritual weakness, or as we have previously seen-improper judgment. No matter the reason, it is all in one way or another deception.

Do you look at someone in need and think “they brought this on themselves” or “they got themselves into this so they can get themselves out”. It is true that loving another will at times require the Christian to give another room to choose, it is also true that at times another’s burdens become too heavy for them to climb out. No matter the reason, they need help getting out.

Reflect today on why you might think you are not under the same burden as your neighbor who is. What did you do to deserve the lighter load? Will you repent? Will you humble and help another with their burdens today?

Day # 18 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #18

WORD OF TODAY:  Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Trust is a challenging concept to fully embrace. We trust most when we are young, but as we age and our trust is violated and abused, we become more calloused and cautious. We become less trusting.

Consider the unsinkable ship Titanic, many people put their trust in the design and the proclamations made, until it sank. How many never set sail after that disaster, having lost all trust in ship building and transatlantic travel? It is logical to consider, in our own understanding, that all ships would be just like the Titanic and all Naval Architects, and Naval Engineers, are not to be trusted. Or, it may be also logical to consider some ships are safe while others are not safe. But since our own knowledge is inadequate to know which is which, we avoid them all.

Both of these scenarios encourage an untrusting nature from the evidence of the world and our own earthly wisdom. But is we want straight paths to eternal life, we must differentiate between healthy skepticism of things worldly, and unwavering trust in things godly. Consider today your trust in the LORD and the ways in which you might lean on your own understanding. Think of the Body of Christ today, and consider, do you trust God enough to tithe? Do you trust God enough to obey His call? Do you trust God enough to speak up for the weak, the wounded, the poor in spirit? Where does worldly distrust bleed over into your faith?

Day # 17 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #17

WORD OF TODAY:  John 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

We begin the week, on this 17th day of Lent, with a very familiar portion of Scripture. There is much hope for God’s creatures here in these words, and in the Truth it contains.

Do you ever wonder if God established righteousness in order that we be found guilty and condemned in our unrighteousness? Is this like a “gotcha” thing that God is playing with creation, lurking in the heavens waiting to punish every sinful thought and action? There are many wounded in believing this lie. You may be one of them. If so, hear the Word of today again and meditate on its depth and breadth of meaning.

God doesn’t desire anyone to be condemned, and God does not desire creation to be stricken with the horrors of condemnation. Furthermore, there is no depth of sin too deep for Christ Jesus to pull you out of, and no wound He cannot heal.

Today consider the questions that are present within you, the whispers of Satan that beg you to consider if you can be forgiven, and if you will be forgiven, from all of your wretchedness. Then read God’s Word again. Today consider the wounds of the world that you are deceptively encouraged to believe they are the product of God, and not the product of a corrupted and sinful world (as they actually are). Then read God’s Word again. Meditate on God’s love for you.

Day # 16 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #16

WORD OF TODAY:  2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

The people of God are given four specific actions that the LORD says will result in the ear of God hearing from heaven, with the result of forgiveness of their sin and also the healing of their land.

The first action is for God’s people to humble themselves, which we saw in our Scripture yesterday also. Here the call for humility is to be from the very heart of the person, humble yourselves. This reflects the very words as the ashes are placed on the forehead on Ash Wednesday, remembering that we are of dust, and to dust we will return. We are brought low, and we surrender ourselves before God. The second action is to pray, and the prayer from a humble heart produces the third and fourth actions-seeking the LORD’s face and turning from wickedness.

Today, consider how you might embody these four actions. How might you humble yourself today? How might you pray in humility today? How might you seek the face of Almighty God? How might you turn from your wicked ways? Consider how God Incarnate humbled Himself to be obedient to the Father. Jesus did so for you. Will you pray to God for a humble heart, for the Holy Spirit to guide you into a more Christ-like existence today? Will you seek the face of Almighty God, instead of hiding from Him in the bushes for fear of your wretchedness? Will you quit trying to serve self, and turn from all wickedness? Hear the Word-if you do this God will hear, and He will forgive, and He will heal!

Day # 15 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #15

WORD OF TODAY:  Isaiah 5:15-16 (ESV)

15 Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. 16 But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Israel has been unfaithful to the LORD and the LORD has humbled them (a more complete background is found from the beginning of Chapter 5).

All of God’s people are humbled, each one brought low. How challenged are you to be brought low, humbled? When God directs moments that bring forth conviction, awareness, humility, how difficult is it for you to accept and embrace?

If we are to be obedient, we should always seek correction. The LORD provided for the people of God a dwelling place, and they did not obey God’s commands so He destroyed the hedge and tore down the walls and removed His favor from them.

If favor is removed from you, prayerfully consider today if there is a place within your heart that is contrary to God. Is there a place within the provision God has blessed you with that is self-serving, self-directing, or self-exalting?

God is Righteousness, and only God is exalted. We are all sinners, haughty and humbled, and it is in our humility that we most clearly see God in all holiness and in all righteousness. It is in our humility that we see God’s love and grace too.

How might you embrace a humble heart before the holiness of the Righteous One today? In your alms-giving, will you give up yourself totally to the glory of God?

Day # 14 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #14

WORD OF TODAY:  Psalm 32:5-6 (Coverdale Psalter of the 2019 BCP)

5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee; and mine unrighteousness have I not hid. 6 I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord; and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

We spend our Lenten season considering our vast sinfulness, areas of our lives that we have yet to surrender and the ways that we continue to walk wayward from God. We are tasked with intentionality, but that is only the start.

In this portion of Psalm 32, we learn from the Psalmist that forgiveness begins with conviction, and conviction leads confession, which leads to repentance. We must stand before God and acknowledge our sin, we must not hide any unrighteousness. No matter how hard we might try to hide our sin, God sees all. Consider the parent that sees the child disobey. For the child, the fear of punishment can keep them from admitting wrong. For the parent, though the disobedience is offensive and disappointing, the love for their child simply desires the child’s confession and repentance, which brings reconciliation.

If we do not confess, we cannot be reconciled. If we hide our unrighteousness, we can never be forgiven. But if we confess our sins and do not hide our unrighteousness, Almighty God is mighty to save through the Son who bore our sin upon Himself.

What sin do you attempt to conceal from God, or withhold confessing? Today, consider the love of God, who loved you so much He would endure the punishment of your sin upon Himself so that you might be forgiven. Do not fear, and do not conceal (it does no good, God sees all anyway), commit today to confess and amend your life so that you may be reconciled to God.

Day # 13 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #13

WORD OF TODAY:  James 2:8-9 (ESV)

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

We all know the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, Saint James calls it the royal law. However, the full consistency of this royal law can be quite the challenge. This is because we all have a tendency to pick favorites, or choose sides. But Saint James says that if we show partiality, we are committing sin.

So how might we show partiality? In short, we show partiality when we make improper judgments. We tend to think that everyone else thinks as we do. We tend to believe that what matters most to us in expression or action also in the same way matters to others. But we do not know what might be in another’s heart, what weight they bear or circumstances in which they find themselves. We may choose to show one grace and mercy, while another we show disdain and rebuke. Of course, these all have their appropriate places, but how tempted we might be to show disdain when grace is needed, or grace when rebuke is necessary.

Do we take the one who sits distant to be selfish? Do we take the one who is magnetic to be at peace? How might partiality be justified in our minds? Consider today the ones you encounter, ask God to help you see a glimpse into their day, their lives, and their moments. Consider today how economics, outward appearances, mannerisms, education, wealth, disfunction, cruelty, etc. influence your love for others and showing partiality. Consider alms-giving today in areas that partiality might have kept you from doing so in the past. Commit a fast today against improper judgments.

Day # 12 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #12

WORD OF TODAY:  Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

These words come just after what is commonly known as the summary of the law. In the summary, God teaches us that to love Him we must truly surrender to Him. And this surrender must be in every part of our lives. The command to love God with all of our being shall be on our hearts. Yet, we so often place other things at the forefront of our hearts. What is upon your heart?  Not only are we to have God’s commands upon our hearts, we are to teach them to our children. What are we teaching our children?

We are to talk of the command to love God with all of our being in every moment and in every way, be it sitting in our homes or walking to wherever we might be traveling, when we rest our heads upon our pillows at night, and when we welcome the new day with a yawn and a stretch. Consider today how many times you catch yourself being distracted by the worldly moments and situations and lose a handle on loving God.

God says His command should be bound upon our hand (as a sign, a reminder), and as frontlets between your eyes (who can ignore that!). Is this the display of your heart, that even the hair on your head brings to mind the love of God? Finally, the command of God shall be the markers upon your dwelling place, and as a reminder as you enter and exit your home. What marks your home, your gates, your heart? Commit today to give God your undivided love and attention and intentions. Try stopping at the top and bottom of each hour today and pray for the eyes to see God’s love, ears to hear God’s love, a mind to know God’s love, a will to do God’s love, and a heart bound by God’s love.

Day # 11 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #11

WORD OF TODAY:  Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

The perfect Christian walk is summarized by Jesus for all to hear. In this saying, Jesus restates what was said by the LORD to the people of God through the voice of Moses, Deuteronomy 6:4-5. These words express the true nature of the Christian heart.

We are challenged today to consider our love toward God. Is it with all of our heart? Is it with all our soul (to the depths of our very being)? Is it with all of our mind? Consider what this really means, how our walk should be completely given in love to the Lord our God, not 99.99%....but 100%.

Likewise, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. We do not wish ourselves to suffer or be condemned; therefore, we should not wish suffering or condemnation upon our neighbors. We wish to be found forgiven, restored, saved for eternity. Consider how loving the Lord our God is expressed in the fullness of all that you are, all that you think, and all that you do. Consider how that reflects upon your love of self, and your love toward others.

Consider today the areas of your life that might reveal a true and complete love of God. How does loving yourself, and your neighbor as yourself reinforce this complete love of God?

Day # 10 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #10

WORD OF TODAY:  Psalm 51:10-11 (Revised Coverdale of the 2019 BCP)

Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away for thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Consider this simple question, “do you desire a clean heart?” As David makes his cry unto the LORD for forgiveness, he cries out to God to make him a clean heart, and that God would renew a right spirit within him.

A clean heart and a right spirit belongs to the one that desires to store up treasurers in heaven, and does not find value in the treasurers in the things of the world. When we open ourselves to be made clean, we may find ourselves in the refiner’s fire. Impurities must be removed, and at times the exposure to the heat is difficult to endure. But we need not endure it alone, for the Spirit walks with us to encourage us through the fire that purifies us and cleanses our hearts and renews in us a right spirit.

Take some time today and consider the refiner’s fire you have faced, and how God brought you through it. Consider the ones around you who might be in the refiner’s fire now. How might you reach out and make them your alms-giving today? How might you be light to them, surrendering something to their benefit? A right spirit is one who loves their neighbor as Christ has loved them. Consider your heart, consider your spirit-do you cry out to God as David did? How might you make a more truthful cry unto Almighty God to make in you a clean heart, and a right spirit?

Day # 9 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #9

WORD OF TODAY:  1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Today we must consider the way in which the Christian is to approach daily life with fellow Christians. St. Peter makes this final petition in his first Epistle to “all of you”. This is for every Christian, one to another. First, we are taught to be in unity. We may disagree, but we are not to remain in disagreement of mind, or of our sympathy, or of our brotherly love, or of our tender heart, or of a humble mind.

Disagreement of mind causes division, and God’s people should not be divided, for a house divided against itself cannot stand. What may help you find unity of mind with your Christian neighbor? Christ followers are to also be in unity in sympathy and brotherly love. How might you show sympathy today, and where might it be found void? Consider also the expression of brotherly love you show today. Take time today to consider how your heart is hardened, and how it got that way, and finally consider the ego’s influence on the callousness of your heart.

Today you will have an opportunity to repay evil for evil, will you bless instead? Consider this as your alms-giving today. What might you fast from today that could be found a blessing to your fellow Christian on your left and on your right? Be sure to watch for the blessing that will come, from your willingness to be a blessing to another today.

Day # 8 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #8

WORD OF TODAY:  Psalm 143:10-11 (Revised Coverdale of BCP 2019)

10 Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee; for thou art my God: Let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. 11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy Name's sake; and for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Why else would we desire the will of Almighty God except that we know indeed that there is but one God, and He is our God? What pleases Almighty God will bring us joy, because what pleases Almighty God is to be glorified by mankind, and mankind’s glorifying Almighty God leads us, those who glorify God, to redemption by the glorifying of the Son by the Father, who gave glory to the Father, and now we are glorified through Him, Christ Jesus, who died for us.

“Quicken me, O LORD, for thy Name’s sake” proclaims the Psalmist. Today, consider making this your cry also. In the course of our day, O LORD, let us be quickened for thy Name’s sake!

Consider today the ways in which you are being taught to do that which is pleasing to the LORD. What action, or actions, do you find joy in pleasing the LORD? Today look for the responses that are visible from your actions, your prayers, your thoughts, your intentions. Do you see Spiritual encouragement? Consider the ways in which the LORD has taught you what is pleasing to Him, and where you have chosen to stray by telling the LORD was is pleasing to you. How might you be taught by the Spirit to walk in the ways pleasing to the LORD today?

Day # 7 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #7

WORD OF TODAY:  Proverbs 7:2-3 (ESV)

...2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; 3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

These words hearken back to the petitions of Deuteronomy 6, and in particular, verse 7 of chapter 6 of Deuteronomy (7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.). Jesus Christ was obedient to the will of the Father from the moment of His incarnation until His glorious ascension to the Father’s right Hand. Jesus kept the commandments and lives. We, having died with Him in the waters of our baptism and given the Holy Spirit, are made new through His sacrifice that we too might partake of His resurrection.

Having received this most gracious and eternal gift, we grow more like Christ daily. Emulating Him, we desire to keep the commandments of God, and His teaching as the “apple of our eyes”. Or do we? Are the commandments and teachings of God bound on our fingers such that everything we reach out and touch reminds us of them? Are they written on the tablet of our hearts?

Consider today how you might place the commandments and teachings of Almighty God upon your heart and bind them upon your fingers. Today, what might you offer as a fast from self, and what might you give in love of God’s commandments and teachings?

Day # 6 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #6

WORD OF TODAY:  Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV)

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

St. Paul teaches us much in these verses. First, within the Body of Christ, we are all members and we are to speak truth to one another. And note, the Apostle does not say we should always be happy with one another, but instead says “be angry.” It is okay at times to be angry, but that anger should not give way to sin. That anger must be dealt with, and it should be dealt with that same day.

How does it make you feel when you find yourself confronted with error that you had not previously known was in you? The confrontation often leads to anger, and in particular, anger towards the one who spoke the truth to you. St. Paul doesn’t say this is an incorrect initial response, but he does say it needs to be overcome.

And if it is not overcome, or if we fail to speak the truth to one another , we have given the devil an opportunity. When we let the sun go down on our anger, we open the door for the devil to enter. When we hesitate to speak truth for fear, quite likely fear of an angry response, we also open the door to the devil. As Christians, we must be ready to speak truth as well as receive truth. We must seek reconciliation with one another when we encounter correction. What truth might you speak to a fellow member today? What truth might someone be hesitant to speak to you for fear of anger and division?

Day # 5 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #5

WORD OF TODAY:  Matthew 6:1 (ESV)

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

What is the value you think you place on what others think of you?  What is the value you actually place on what others think of you? Jesus reminds us in this one verse that our Christian walk and discipleship is not just about what we do, it is also about why we do what we do. As to the questions asked to begin these thoughts, what we convince ourselves of is true doesn’t always mean that those things are actually true.

 Consider today how you might behave in situations you find yourself if no one noticed you. True love is a gift given without expectation of reciprocation. How does it make you feel when your friendly smile is not returned, a kind “hello” is met with an empty stare, or a gift given finds no “thank you” in return?

 We can place great importance on the responses we receive as we encounter others in our homes, offices, and even churches.  As Jesus said, it’s easy to love the one who loves you. The real challenge is to love those who do not love us. Today, consider the purpose for which you do that which you do, and how much of an impact the reaction of others affects you. Today, take some time to consider how much Jesus cared for those who cared little for Him, and how any righteousness that is in you is only a reflection of His righteousness imputed.

Day # 4 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #4

WORD OF TODAY:  2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV)

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

There are two sides of this Scripture that we might consider today. First, we might consider the perspective of St. Paul and his companions. They are the ones who have devoted their lives to Christ, and Christ has called them to be ambassadors of His Gospel (the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ). Are you called to serve as an ambassador?  Hear the heart’s cry from the words of the Apostle as he writes “We implore you....”. In the old English we would say “We beseech you”, which means to strongly appeal, or beg. Do you speak with such conviction and concern for those you serve? It could be family, friends, coworkers, or even a stranger. Consider how this simple account reflects the command upon us all to love one’s neighbor.

The second viewpoint, the perspective from the other side (that being the side of the Corinthians), brings about the question “do we know that we are loved this much?” Who has shown you such love that they might beg you to be reconciled to God? Consider today in your almsgiving how you might be the love of Christ as St. Paul and his companions were to the people in Corinth.

Finally, consider how the Christian walk embodies both the proclamation and the reception of God’s love. Are you open today to give God’s love? Are you open today to receive God’s love?

Day # 3 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #3

WORD OF TODAY:  Job 42:5-6 (ESV)

5I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Job has made his petition before God, and God has answered. Now, Job has a new understanding.  In these words, Job reveals he has grown into a new awareness and that new awareness has convicted him. He had heard God, but now he sees God.  Job now sees the magnitude of the greatness of God, and he is humbled, overwhelmed, awakened.

How often do we make our cry unto God from our hearing and not our seeing? Take time today to close your eyes and consider your understanding based solely on what you hear. Then open your eyes and consider the truth of what you now see. Consider how we can cry out with false interpretation into our moment.

Today reflect upon the perspectives you have, and consider where you might have heard correctly, but interpreted incorrectly, because the depth of Truth has not yet been seen. Job provides for us a great example today of surrender and a true heart’s desire for the Lord, despising himself for the error of his ways and repenting. What will you find in yourself that brings you to repent in dust and ashes?

Day # 2 - 40 Days of Lent Challenge

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40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #2

WORD OF TODAY:  James 1:14-15 (ESV)

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:

Today we are reminded that we all have a nature that is selfish. We all want to be our own gods and rule over our own kingdoms. This is the stained desire of every person’s nature. In our reading the translators use the word “lured”, which brings to mind how one fishes. The fisherman uses a lure to catch the fish. Satan uses a lure to tempt us to yield within our own nature and be hooked into sin, reeling in the wayward soul into the depths of eternal sorrow and despair. This is a good time to consider for a moment what lure Satan uses to entice you to “bite”. Is it money, power, authority, control, lust, fame, or some other shiny object of desire?

St. James reminds us that once sin is grown, there is only one result-death. What sin has been birthed into your life by the desires of your broken nature? Consider how that sin is fed, and by what means it is able to grow. How will you deny the sin it’s sustenance today?

As you walk today, by what means will you use to identify the lure of Satan that is tempting you to be hooked by your desire? What pleasurable desire might you surrender today? What gift might you give today? What fruit will be born of your heart’s desire today?

Day #1 - Ash Wednesday

[Download a pdf of this entry along with printable journal page for today HERE.]

40 DAYS OF LENT:  DAY #1 Ash Wednesday

WORD OF TODAY:  Joel 2:12-13 (ESV)

12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

THOUGHTS ON THE WORD: 

On this first day of the Lenten Season, many will be marked on the forehead with ashes mixed with blessed unction oil. The ashes are produced from the burning of the blessed palm crosses remaining, or returned, from last year’s Palm Sunday. It’s a sobering moment that puts our very lives into perspective and brings forth a conviction that we are sinners and face the curse of sin, which is death.  “Yet even now,” declares the LORD....

Yet even now we remember that the LORD our God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.  The LORD our God desires the sinner to rend their hearts for Him, it is His desire that we be truly penitent.

Today is the beginning of this season of devotion to do just that, to be truly penitent; to rend our hearts, and to return to Almighty God.  And the LORD desires that we return to Him with all our hearts, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. What is it in your heart that keeps you from returning?  Will you commit to a fast-denying yourself something today that is temporally satisfying to the honor and glory of God? Will you weep for the wrongs you have committed?  Will you mourn for the distance your sin has caused between you and Almighty God? Will you turn away from your sin, and return to God?

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IN YOUR 40 DAYS OF LENT JOURNAL:

Take time to reflect on today’s message recording your personal reflections, and make a note of how much time you meditate on God’s Word and today’s message. Next, record in your journal what convictions were revealed to you. Then record your confession(s) and make your confessional prayer before Almighty God, recording your prayer in your journal also. Finally, commit to a fast along with alms-giving for the day and record this also in your journal.