Don't Despair

The First Sunday in Lent

Jerusalem will be told: “Don’t be afraid. Dear Zion, don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. ~ Zephaniah 3:16-17 (MSG)

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. ~ Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

Don't despair because God will make a way.

PRAYER:

Indeed, Lord, you are our Savior -- and I am grateful. But I'm often right on the edge of despair. I get worn out by the struggle and worry that I won't have enough strength to move forward. Help me to push forward without turning away. Help me to be strong. For you are the source of my strength. I'm going to trust you -- and only you -- to strengthen me. And it will all work out all right. Amen.

Sing

Lent

I have complete confidence, O God! I will sing and praise you! Wake up, my soul! ~ Psalm 108:1 (GNT)

Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. ~ James 5:13 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Take every opportunity you have to sing praise to God.

PRAYER:

Lord God, I'm grateful that you give me so much about which to be thankful. Yet, I remain unmoved. I don't sing your praises very freely. It's only when you rescue me from something really bad that I get cranked up. Give me, please, a song to sing and freedom to since it. I'm going to sing more. Amen.

God helps

Lent

Cry out to me whenever you are in trouble; I will deliver you, then you will honor me. ~ Psalm 50:15 (CEB)

So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. ~ Hebrews 4:16 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God graciously responds with help when we ask for it.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for caring about me. Sometimes I worry that your help is not enough. That's probably because I already have preconceived ideas about how you should do your helping. So I am asking you to save me from my small ideas. I need to trust that you are always going to do what is the very best for me. Amen.

Integrity

Lent

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NLT)

Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head... ~ Ephesians 4:15 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Integrity and Christ-likeness go together.

PRAYER:

Lord, I'm relieved that you totally understand what is going on in my heart. You know my problems so you can work with them to transform me into a person of integrity. That is what I'm asking you to do. I want to become a totally honest Christ-like person of integrity. And by your grace, it will be so. Amen.