THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1,2

Reflection:

The way we live our life is often referred to as a "walk." When we tell people we are Christians, they don't want to hear us simply "talk the talk," they want us to prove it by "walking the walk." Another way you might hear it put is, "Don't sing it, bring it!" This is nothing different than the Lord expects of us.

If we want to live out the life we profess, we must avoid ungodly counsel and philosophies that are contrary to God's ways as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. We determine to live a life of holiness and find delight in obedience to the Lord. When we do this, we discover that our walk lines up with our talk, and our lifestyle doesn't conflict with our profession. As a result, our lives are fruitful and prosperous to the glory of God.

Prayer:

Lord, we want our lives to be fruitful in a way that brings glory to you. Keep us from places we shouldn't go - in our minds as well as in our persons, from submitting to ideas that conflict with yours, and from the negativity that seems to assault our faith from so many directions. In your Word we find life and refreshing; cause us to not only go there often, but to bring it with us in our hearts and in our minds. Lord, we long to be fruitful, we desire to be blessed by you. Amen.

WEDNESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave." Matthew 20:26-27

Reflection:

Servant? Slave? Those words are not often associated with what we would call greatness in our society. Who's in control? Who's on top of the heap? Who's at the front of the line? Who has the most stuff? These are things we often attribute to great people. But Jesus sees things differently. Often a church is considered great if it has hundreds or thousands of people in attendance, Jesus might judge by a different standard: How many people are being served. Lent is a great time to humble ourselves and remind ourselves that "it is not about me" and to reach out to others.

Prayer:

Lord, you told your disciples, you told us, that you did not come to be served, but to serve. You have put before us the challenge to follow your example. You have called us unto greatness, but may we never forget that the path to Kingdom-greatness is marked by humility, acts of kindness and deeds of service to others. Create within us servant's hearts that we might truly extend servant's hands. Amen.

TUESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT -2013

Scripture:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Reflection:

It can be dark out there at times. Be it the world around us, the political/economic situation, difficult relationships, or just life in general. At times we don't know where to turn, which direction to go. It's like we are wandering around in the dark in a strange place. We need a guide to direct us. We need a clear path. We need someone to turn the light on. When we add the reading of the Holy Bible to our daily prayer time, things seem brighter and the path ahead seems more sure. Life in general is more hopeful. It is the difference between night and day.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank you for your Holy Word. May we never forget the riches that await us within its pages. As we open its pages and begin to read and as we make the reading of your Word a daily discipline, enlighten the path of our lives. Remind us, Lord, that as a lamp needs to be turned on before it can emit light, your Word must be opened, read and obeyed in order to illuminate our lives. Then, when we are walking in your light, may we bring that light to others we meet along life's journey. Amen.

MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT -2013

Scripture:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."  Matthew 5:43-44

Reflection:

Well, that kind of goes against our grain. Loving the people we like and hating those we don't, sure is a lot easier and seems to make much more sense. But Jesus calls us, commands us, to do the contrary thing, to take the unlikely action, to follow his example. Our enemy might be someone who hurt us or a loved one in some way. It might be someone we think is out to get us at the first opportunity. It might just be someone of a different nationality or religion, or someone who just rubs us the wrong way. Whatever the reason, whether real or imagined, we are called to pray for - not against - our enemies. Pray for blessing, pray for encouragement, pray for God's best. We might be amazed how God changes them, or more likely... us.

Prayer:

Lord, you know there are people that we just don't like. There are others who have hurt us. There are others who are just, simply put, bad people. But it is for these people you came and served and died. We were some of "these people." As we struggle to pray for our enemies, those who curse us, those who hate us, those who use us and persecute us, put within us a Christlike heart of compassion that not only prays, but sincerely desires to pray for them. May we truly desire your best for them. Because of the example of Jesus and for his sake. Amen.

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"When a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive." Ezekiel 18:27

Reflection:

We've all done wrong, we've sinned, we've acted wickedly. Lent is a time of self-examination leading to repentance. Repentance is not just ceasing to do something bad, it is a replacing of the bad with something good. When we make that exchange, we find a refreshing, we receive a surge of encouragement and a breath of new life. Lent isn't a time to simply "give up" something, it is a time to get rid of something - something that might be holding us back and keeping us defeated in certain areas of our Christian life.

Prayer:

Lord, we want your best for our lives. May we not be satisfied with anything less. Remind us that we cannot embrace the priceless while clinging to the petty, nor the precious while cherishing the paltry. It is only by your grace that we are brought to the place of repentance. Grant us, Lord, this necessary grace where needed. Amen

SATURDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11

Reflection:

Many have a distorted view of God. This view is often shaped by our parents, our fathers in particular. If our father was harsh with his words, severe in his discipline - perhaps even abusive, this is how we might see God. If he was gentle, kind and forgiving that is how we might picture God to be. We he overly permissive or unreasonably strict? Was he involved in our lives or completely absent?

Mothers and fathers and other authority figures should strive to be a true reflection of the Heavenly Father, but this is not always the case. We all fall short of that awesome responsibility. God cares about us, forgives us and wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. He desires to give us good things, the best things. Take time to humbly ask, gratefully receive and rejoice in the fact that God loves us. God loves you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in your love and grace, shape our view of you. Reform, repair, reconstruct any faulty ideas we might have concerning you. May we not let the disappointments or hurts or misconceptions from others distort our view of who you truly are. As we look to Jesus, we see your love demonstrated, your forgiveness granted, your compassion expressed. May we never be satisfied to see you as less than you revealed yourself in your Son, Jesus. For his sake and for your glory. Amen.

FRIDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight..." Psalm 51:3,4a

Reflection:

Psalm 51 is King David's prayer of confession after he is confronted about his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the ordering of the death of her husband. David's sin was very grievous. Lives were thrown into turmoil and destroyed. People died as a result of David's transgression.

You may sometimes hear people say, "What's wrong with ___________, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone?" Sin almost always hurts others in some way. But we must understand that all sin, whether or not it directly hurts someone, is first and foremost a sin against the holy God. That it offends God is why certain things are wrong. When God's holiness is minimized, the heinousness of sin is downplayed and scoffed at. That is why certain religions and individuals are not concerned about what we might call sin. They don't acknowledge the all-holy God.

Prayer:

Holy Father, may we never lose sight of your holiness. In our pride we tend to want to see only our goodness and want to underestimate the seriousness of our sin. This Lenten season, grant us a greater sense and clearer picture of your holiness. As we are humbled in the light of your holiness, may we confess and forsake our sin, that we may become more like you. Amen.

THURSDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8

Reflection:

God is all-knowing. His omniscience is one of the qualities that makes God...God. He knows what is in our hearts even before those things become our desires. He knows our struggles before we wrestle with them. He know our prayers before we even thought of praying them. If this is true, why even pray?

Prayer isn't for God's benefit - to inform him about our needs and the needs of others. Prayer is for our benefit. Prayer reminds us of our total dependence on God. It keeps us in touch with our Heavenly Father. He doesn't need to hear from us, but we need to hear from him. We need to be in his presence, listening, longing for more of him in our lives. We need to grow and spiritual growth takes place only in his presence. Prayer brings us to that place of his presence.

Prayer:
Lord, you are omniscient; you know the end from the beginning. We pray because we need you. We pray because we need to hear from you. We pray because we have a hunger and thirst that only you can satisfy. We pray that you might direct us, not that we might direct you. May we never forget these simple truths as we pray to you, the all-knowing God. Grant us humble hearts as we pray. Amen.

WEDNESDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'" Luke 11:1

Reflection:

In the verses that follow this passage, we have Luke's version of what we know as the Lord's Prayer. Luke records it as Jesus' answer to an unnamed disciple's request to better know how to pray. Some have looked at the Lord's Prayer as an outline for prayer, containing key points around which we are to build our prayer time. That's fine to do so, but the early Church believed it to be an actual prayer and not just an outline for prayer.

In the Didache (which means: "The Teaching"), a first century treatise or catechism which summarized some of the basic teachings of the Twelve Apostles, the fledgling Church is encouraged to pray the Lord's Prayer three times daily - not as an outline, but as a prayer in and of itself. This prayer contains: worship, petition, confession and intercession. When prayed from a sincere heart, we can be sure that the Father hears us, for Jesus said this is how we are to pray.

Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

TUESDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

" 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' " Matthew 25:38-40

Reflection:

How we treat others is how we treat Jesus. If we help someone in need it is as if we are helping Jesus. If we are kind or gentle or generous toward others, we are being so to Jesus. On the other hand, if we are rude or harsh or selfish we are also being so toward Jesus. Lent is a time of prayer and fasting, a time of repentance, but also a time of almsgiving. This Lenten season find someone, perhaps unlikely or even unlikeable, that you might give a gift, or share an act of kindness. It just might be Jesus in disguise.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to see you in those we meet. May we be aware of those around us, give us an ability to see the needs and the willingness to help meet those needs. May we not ignore "the least of these," for to do so would be to ignore you. Create in us hearts of Christlike compassion and mercy. Amen.

MONDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness..." Luke 4:1

Reflection:
Immediately following his baptism, Jesus entered a 40-day period of prayer and fasting. This would be his final preparation for his earthly ministry. There in the wilderness he faced, not only hunger, loneliness and perhaps wandering thoughts about the reason for which he came, but great temptation from the devil. It is to be noted that this time of testing was at the leading of the Spirit of God. Oh, the temptations were from the devil, but these were necessary for the task ahead. Jesus remained faithful to the Word of God and his calling. He endured the trial and passed the test.

Prayer:

Lord, we often face wilderness times, times of doubts and fears, times of loneliness and tears. We feel like were are just wandering and getting nowhere. It's dry and barren, nothing is happening; it's desertlike. Sometimes we are tempted to sin, or give up, or listen to voices other than yours. During these time may we remain faithful to you and to your Word. May we understand that you are doing more in us during these times than we realize. Prepare us for the tasks ahead. Amen.

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT - 2013

Scripture:

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Reflection:

As those who are called by the name Christian, we are to see ourselves and live our lives as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is a high-ranking, official representative. We represent both the Kingdom and the King. What an awesome responsibility we have been given. We are sent with a message that that not only invites, but implores others to be reconciled to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we examine our lives this Lenten season, should ask ourselves, "Are there areas in my life that are unbecoming of an ambassador of the King of kings?"

Prayer:
Lord, we are your representatives to those we meet and spend time with. Wherever we go, we go in an official capacity. We represent you; we represent your Kingdom. May we not bring dishonor to you by what we say or by what we do. May we not misrepresent you. For your sake, may we be found to be worthy ambassadors. Amen.

______

Saturday After Ash Wednesday - 2013

Scripture:

Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Luke 5:31-32

Reflection:

As healthy as we may be, there are things that could be better. Physically, we could do with fewer aches and pains; we could use a little (or a lot) more energy; we could see better, hear better, or have fewer cavities. There may even be internal problems of which we are not yet aware. That is why regular check ups are highly recommended.

Spiritually, we could always do better, as well. That anger, that thought-life, that unforgiveness, that _____________... well, you can fill in the blank. Even more than the physical self, the spiritual self needs regular check ups. Sometimes with the physical, a change in diet can make all the difference in the world. The same often goes for the spiritual. The spiritual diet change is called repentance. As you pray this Lenten season, ask the Great Physician to examine you heart, your mind, your motives. As he finds areas that need attention - and he will find them - don't be surprised if you are prescribed a regular dose of repentance. Sometimes hard to swallow, it always what the Doctor orders.

Prayer:

Oh, Great Physician, I make an appointment for a complete spiritual check up. I'll take that immediate opening; I cannot postpone it any longer. Find what you will find, do surgery where needed, write me that prescription for daily repentance. I trust in you and look forward to better spiritual health. I ask for your sake. Amen.

Friday after Ash Wednesday - 2013

Scripture:

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free,

and that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

when you see the naked, that you cover him..." Isaiah 58:6, 7

Reflection:

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving, though emphasized and focused upon more during the Lenten season, should be part of the normal Christian experience. During Lent some of us "give up" certain things: meat, chocolate, TV, smoking, alcohol and any number of other things. Some do it out of some sense of obligation, while others, out of a sincere heart, truly seek to use this time to draw closer to God. Remember: what you do for Lent is far less important that why you do it. As you fast in some way this Lenten season, may God become more real to you and may your faith become more sure. May you see in yourself and others, bonds broken, burdens lifted and the oppressed set free.

Prayer:

Lord God, we commit this Lenten season to you. May our motives be pure and sincere. Use us in some way to meet the needs of others during this time. As we fast in some way and experience certain levels of hunger, may our greatest hunger be to know you more. In your mercy, grant that the more we know you, the more we see those bonds broken, burdens lifted and the oppressed set free. For your glory. Amen.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday - 2013

Scripture:
"Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

Reflection:

Self-denial. Cross-bearing. Follow-the-Leader. In a day when self-promotion, crown-wearing and wanting to call all the shots seems to be the the mindset of the general populace - even within the Church - these don't sound like great selling points to market your "product." Jesus didn't offer a religion of convenience, nor did He promise a life of comfort. As Lutheran pastor and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoffer said in book, The Cost of Discipleship, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." The Master calls. He set the example. How will we respond?

Prayer:

Lord, we have heard the call. We have heard the terms of discipleship. We count the cost. May we not be content being mere believers, but put within us the desire be true followers. Your steps, your example goes before us. May we walk in those steps as you lead us through this life unto the next. May we be reminded that it is only your steps that lead to your Kingdom, and that our steps would lead us elsewhere. For the sake of the Master we ask this. Amen

Ash Wednesday - 2013

Scripture:

"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Reflection:

With these words, or a variation of these words, Christians of various faith traditions receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance and humility. Today, Ash Wednesday, we make a conscious and purposeful decision to begin a period of self-examination and repentance that lasts until Easter. "To repent" literally means to change your way thinking. It is a turning away from sin and, at the same time, a turning toward God with greater faith. True repentance, however, isn't just a one-time act, or something we so on a seasonal basis during Lent. True repentance is a lifestyle - a continual turning from sin toward God.

Prayer:

Lord, as we begin this Lenten season, reveal to us the areas of our lives where repentance is needed. Grant us the grace we need to turn away from the things that hinder our relationship with You and with our fellow man. Grant us the grace to faithfully believe the message of the Gospel. Amen.