Committed people

LENT

God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. ~ 2 Chronicles 16:9a (MSG)

A woman who was of questionable standing in the town because she didn't put great effort into keeping the rules of the Jewish religion, found out that Jesus was visiting and dining at a certain Pharisee's house. She bought a really expensive bottle of perfume and went and stood behind him. Then she started crying and washing his feet -- with her tears. After that, she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume all over his feet. ~ Luke 7:37-38 (ABP)

KEY IDEA:

Sometimes the committed people of action, those who have God's attention, are not the ones whom we'd expect them to be.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, you liked to hang out with the people that everyone else labeled "sinners." I'm sure that I fit into that category -- although I'm eager to point out that others are more sinful than me. It's easy for me to explain how good I am. But you are looking for action rather than explanations. Transform my words into committed activity so that everyone can see how kind and merciful you are. Amen.

God's message

LENT

The commands of the Lord are just and give understanding to the mind. ~ Psalm 19:8b (GNT)

Jesus says: The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit. ~ John 6:63b (GNT)

KEY IDEA:

God's messages to us give us what we need to live the Jesus-life.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am grateful that you have given us instructions for living the life. I do not always follow your instructions as closely as I should. I tend to take the easy path rather than the best path. Please continue to speak to me. Impress on me the importance of what you are saying and empower me to follow Jesus through you life-giving Spirit. I'm going to live. Amen.

Stick close to Jesus

LENT

The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. ~ Isaiah 50:5 (NLT)

If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. ~ John 12:26a (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

Follow close to Jesus so you can eagerly serve the Lord.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for including me on your team of disciples. Forgive me when I'm more interested in being served than in serving. Blind me to the distractions which would keep me from serving only you. I'm going to stick close to Jesus. Amen.

Life from Christ

LENT

God says: "You will have to work hard and sweat to make the soil produce anything, until you go back to the soil from which you were formed. You were made from soil, and you will become soil again." ~ Genesis 3:19 (GNT)

Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:22 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Christ came to reverse the death that was unleashed by Adam.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, you are the reason that we are alive -- really truly alive. Thank you for coming into the world and making the sacrifice that brings us life. Forgive me for being so slow to share that life with others. This Easter I'm going to look for a new way to tell people about your resurrection. Amen.