Dying to live

LENT

He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. ~ Isaiah 53:7 (CEV)

I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. ~ John 12.24 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus allowed himself to be put to death so that resurrection for many could happen.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving your life so that we could go on living -- and living better than before. You are to be blessed. Save me from discouragement when I'm abused. I know that my pain won't accomplish what yours did. But I want to see it produce lots of results -- people who turn to you. That's my goal -- to highlight what you have accomplished through your sacrifice for us. Amen.

Increase our faith

LENT

Lord, don’t you look for integrity? ~ Jeremiah 5:3a (CEB)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ~ Luke 17:5 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

The Lord enables us to meet his expectations of us.

PRAYER:

Lord, I appreciate your expectations. I am even more grateful that you enable us to meet them. Of course, that assumes a willingness on our part. And I juggle a lot of conflicting expectations. I give in too easily. So, like the apostles, I need more faith. Help me to trust you more -- and you alone. I'm going to become a person of faith and integrity because of the grace of Christ. Amen.

God's care

LENT

People and animals are in your care. ~ Psalm 36:6 (GNT)

Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. ~ Matthew 6:26a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Don't underestimate God's capacity to care for the greatest and the least -- and all life in between.

PRAYER:

Lord, my natural inclination is to underestimate your capacity to care. It's so easy to think that you have used up all your care on the big and successful people. Help me to trust you and to quit comparing myself to what I think others are getting. I know that you will take care of me -- and I'm grateful. Amen.

It's happening now

LENT

I, the Lord, will bring my people back from Babylonia and everywhere else on earth. The blind and the lame will be there. Expectant mothers and women about to give birth will come and be part of that great crowd. ~ Jeremiah 31:8 (CEV)

Jesus said to his apprentices, "The 'food' that sustains me is found in doing the things on God's to-do list. Indeed, that's why he sent me; and my job is to finish the work that he sent me to do. You might say that there is no great hurry because the harvest is still four months away. But look more closely and you'll see that these 'fields' are ripening rapidly right in front of your eyes and they are ready for harvest now." ~ John 4:34-35 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

Don't get casual about doing the work of the Lord. He is really busy and ready for you to join him in his work.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for not being casual about saving me from spiritual death -- the permanent death that comes from sin. I, though, am casual about joining up to work alongside you. I'm blind and can't see how you are moving things along. So I ask that even if I can't see enough to understand, that you would light a fire under me to get me moving. I want to be a part of what you are doing. Amen.