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40 Days of Lenten Meditations

Daily Devotionals on Prayer Written by Ministry Leaders of The Church of North Portland

www.churchofnorthportland.org

the CHURCH in North Portland

DailyDevotionalsfromLeadersofTheChurchinNorthPortland

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

activechoiceforJesus’sake.TheChristianlifeisalifeofdyingtoself.Itisalifeoftakingupourcrosses.Aswefeelthelossofwhatwe’vegivenupforlent,letusrememberthatitisforthesakeofJesusthatwe’vedoneso.

PRAYER

God,helpustorememberthattheChristianlifeisalifeoflosing.Itisalife

dedicatedtogivingofourselvesforYoursake.

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-

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”

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.

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.”

James 5:13-14 Matt Shea – St Johns Wesleyan

Isanyofyouintroubleheshouldpray.Isanyonehappylethimsingsongsof

praise.IsanyoneofyousickheshouldcalltheEldersofthechurchtoprayover

himandanointhimwithoilinthenameoftheLord

Haveyoueverwantedsomeonetoprayforyoubeforeyouprayforyourself?Ihave.WeneedbeabletoruntoGodfirstbeforeanyoneelse.WhenweareintroubleweshouldruntoGod.WhenwearehappyweshouldsingsongsofpraisetoGod.Andwhenwefeellikewemadeitweshouldasksomeonetoprayforuslikewhenwearesick.Weshouldaskpeopletoprayforusbutfirstweshouldprayourselves.

IchallengeallofustoseekGodfirstthislent.

“…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.

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

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."”

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

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...

Colossians 1:3- 6 Matt Shea – St Johns Wesleyan

"WealwaysthankGodtheFatherofourLordJesusChristwhenweprayforyou

becausewehaveheardofyourfaithinJesusChristendoftheloveyouhavefor

allthesaintsthefaithandlovethatSpringsfromthewholethatisstoredupfor

youinheavenandthatyouhavealreadyheardaboutinthewordofTruththe

Gospelthathascometoyou."

HassomeoneevercameuptoyouandsaidbecauseofwhatyourministryaccomplishedmylifewaschangedandnowIfeelGodhascalledmetodosomething.Andwhenthathappensyougetsoexcitedaboutitthatyouwanttotelleveryone.Youwanttowritethemaletterofencouragementandcelebrationwhenyouhearwhattheirministryisdoing.ThisisexactlywhatPauliswritingheretotheColossians.

WhynotwritealetterofCelebrationtosomeone?

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.

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

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.

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.

Jesusmodeledahealthyprayerlife,onethatdoesnotfocussolelyonAskingandRepentance(asourprayerlivessooftendo),butonethatalsoincorporatesAwe,Submission,andForgiveness.Aswepray,letusremembertheprayerJesusmodeled.Letusprayfully,makinganefforttoincorporateallelementsofJesus’prayer:Awe,Submission,Asking,Repentance,andForgiveness.

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.”

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!

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.

ThetransformationalheartbeatoftheloveofGod:thisisthemysteryofourfaith.ThisheartbeatgiveslifetoScripture’swrittendeclarationsofthegraciouskindnessofGod.Thisheartbeatfreesthepoortostruggleforjusticeandcallsalltojointhem,forwedonotserveanidolwhodependsonthepowerwecangatherbytramplingothers.Thepooraregivenhopeforthelossesandfailuresofalifeofmeeknessandrighteousness,fortheyarebornalongbythebloodstreamofgrace,caughtupinGod’sheartoflove,andsentoutonthebeatofapromise:fortheywillreceivemercy,fortheywillinherittheearth,fortheywillbecalledthechildrenofGod.

PRAYER

OurFather,yourSongavehislifetrustingthepromisethatthekingdombelongs

tothepoor.MayyoucausethatsameSpirittodwellinus.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

3.Hesprinkleddewandlife-givingrainonMary,thethirstyearth.LikeaseedofwheatHefellagaintoSheoltospringupasasheaf,asthenewBread.BlessedisHisoffering!

16.Hisbirthgivesuspurification,Hisbaptismgivesusforgiveness,Hisdeathislifetous,Hisascensionisourexaltation.HowweshouldthankHim!

22.Whomhavewe,Lord,likeyou–theGreatOnewhobecamesmall,theWakefulwhoslept,thePureOnewhowasbaptized,theLivingOnewhodied,theKingwhoboredisgracetoensurehonorforall!BlessedisYourhonor!

(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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

Prayer

“CompassionateGod,

Creatoroftheworld.

Ithankyouforcreatingme.

Ithankyouforlovingmeandforgivingmethechancetoreturntimeandtime

again.

Thankyouforwelcomingmebacktoyou.

Inyourlovingname,Ipray,

Amen”

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.”

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!

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.

“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

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.

Daily Devotionals on Prayer Written by Ministry Leaders of The Church of North Portland

www.churchofnorthportland.org

the CHURCH in North Portland

40 Days of Lenten Meditations - Grace Christian FellowshipO Lord, you give many gifts, and every...

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