Cleaning house

LENT

Cleanse your heart of evil, Jerusalem, that you may be saved. How long will you entertain your destructive ideas? ~ Jeremiah 4:14 (CEB)

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. ~ James 1:21 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

If we are going to experience the benefits of God's salvation we need to get rid of the things which are contrary to him and his ways.

PRAYER:

Lord, I am grateful for the way that you save us. The salvation of Christ is the most glorious gift. But I realize that I am not fully experiencing what you give. There are things in my life that get in the way of having a fuller experience with you. And I know that I cannot get rid of them on my own. So I am looking to you to clean my house. And I am trusting that you will put things in order so that my life is consistent with you and your ways. Amen.

God responds

LENT

I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the Lord saved me from all my troubles. ~ Psalm 34:6 (CEV)

God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort! ~ Matthew 5:4 (CEV) 

KEY IDEA:

God aids the needy who seek his help.

PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for your kindness and how you respond to our needs. I get so caught up in my problems that I don't always notice the ways that you are saving me from my troubles. Help me to become more aware and to recognize your saving hand. I want to enjoy the blessing of peace and comfort that you so freely give. Amen.

God's promises

Lent

God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. ~ Numbers 23:19 (CEV)

Right away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?” ~ Matthew 14:31 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

Why doubt? God always keeps his word.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. You always keep your promises. So, I wonder why it is that I lack faith. And it's not like I can just tell myself "Don't doubt." Even with the best of intentions, I let my circumstances bother me. I think it is because I am inexperienced in trusting you. Keep lifting me up, Lord, until trusting you becomes natural for me. Even though my faith is imperfect I am going to stick close to you because over time you will perfect it. Amen.

Joy and Peace

Lent

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! ~ Isaiah 55:12 (NLT)

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. ~ Hebrews 2:1 (NLT)

KEY IDEA:

God offers lives of joy and peace to those who will stick with him.

PRAYER:

Kind God, you offer lives of joy and peace to those who will stick with you. I want to participate in what you offer. But I am not a good listener. I am easily distracted by other voices and influenced by things that are not true. So, again, I ask you to help me tune out the other voices so that I can listen carefully to you. I'm looking forward to the song I hear -- that of trees of the field clapping their hands. Amen.