God walks us

LENT

Remember how the Lord your God has blessed you in everything that you have done. He has taken care of you as you wandered through this vast desert... ~ Deuteronomy 2:7a (GNT)

Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” ~ John 8:12 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God walks his people through the hard times.

PRAYER:

Lord, I don't know where I would be without you -- probably still out there wandering aimlessly in the middle of nowhere. Thank you for leading me through the difficult times that I have experienced in life. I should know by now that I don't need to panic when new problems arise. Somehow I just seem to forget and I go back to worrying. Please remind me again of your faithfulness and how you walk your people through the hard times. Because of you I am going to make it to the end of the journey. Amen.

Pay attention to Jesus

LENT

The judgments of the Lord are just; they are always fair. ~ Psalm 19:9b (GNT)

If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature." ~ John 15:10-11 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

If you want to remain close to God pay attention to what Jesus says and does.

PRAYER:

Just God, I'm grateful that you are always fair. I have come to rely on your justice -- even though I'm not a consistent follower of Jesus. Continue to fill me with your love -- your direction -- and your joy. I want to become a mature, convinced, and convincing follower of Christ Jesus. Amen.

God is patient

LENT

At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting— it will happen! ~ Habakkuk 2:3 (CEV)

The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. ~ 2 Peter 3:9 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God is patiently waiting for us to get with his program.

PRAYER:

Lord of day and night, your timing is perfect. I am so often impatient waiting for you. You have proven yourself faithful time and again. Forgive my self-serving ways. Let me learn from your divine patience. May my desires be shaped by your will, that all should come to repent. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)

Love

LENT

Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate. ~ Proverbs 15:17 (GNT)

Paul writes: If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Love is the active ingredient that makes life work.

PRAYER:

Lord, you loved us so much that you sent your only Son to die for us. That's a lot of love. But I've heard this so often that it does not seem like such a big deal. Help me to recover the sense of wonder and the faith to extend your love to others -- particularly to those who don't get along with me. I'm going to love as Jesus loves -- and that is a big deal. Amen.