Holy Week...Let's Get Holy!

Holy Week...Get Holy

Final Step:  It's time to GET HOLY
Six weeks ago, we started the journey of "Turning Away from Sin" together.  Let us not give up during this critical space during the Lenten Fast.

Christians all over the world recognize this celebrated week as "Holy Week".  It is during this week that we remember Jesus' last 5 days on earth before his untimely death and unmatched resurrection.  It does not get any better than this week!  So, what are you waiting for?

This week I challenge us to truly be inspired by the Holy steps of Christ throughout Holy Week.  Jesus never gave into his fears, doubts, or even the threat of not being accepted or understood.  How quickly many of us are to throw in the towel when people do not appreciate or value WHO God has created us to be.  It is truly tempting to simply walk away and say "God, you deal with them...you made them."  HA!  This is it...did you see that?  We are willing to admit that God made them, so why do we try to take on God's creation.  Let's Get Holy!

Let us spend this final week of the Lenten season in true meditation and dedication to being Holy.  Do not let anyone or anything separate you from Christ this week.  When gossip comes your way, walk away.  If you open your mouth to speak ill, close it!  If you don't like it, give it to Jesus and let Him handle it!  It's HOLY WEEK...GET HOLY!

Let's begin to work towards being holy by focusing on this week's challenge questions and focus scriptures:
 

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS & FOCUS SCRIPTURES:

I've sinned and fallen short.  How can I get holy?
What do I do that I know I should NOT do?
How can I avail myself to the Holy Spirit so that I can be holy?

PALM SUNDAY (Mark 11:1-11) Make me ever aware of Who God is and not be tempted to offer fake praise.

HOLY MONDAY (Mark 11:12-19) Show me the ways that I fall show so that Jesus will not have to curse or turn over things in my life.

HOLY TUESDAY (Mark 11:20-Mark 13) Remind me to be careful not to misuse the scriptures to trap or trick others.  The truth is it is not our place to make judgment.

HOLY WEDNESDAY (Mark 14:1-11) Remind me of how much you have forgiven me and to have the heart of the woman with the alabaster jar.  Keep me loyal to You, God, so that I might not ever "sell you out" for popularity among people.

MAUNDY THURSDAY (Mark 14:12-51)  Help me not to fall away from you even when doing right seems to be unpopular.

GOOD FRIDAY (Mark 14:53-15)  Show me the "lashes" that I cause you daily when I do and say things that are not pleasing in Your sight.  Motivate me to help carry the cross daily.

SATURDAY  Keep me silent like your Word.  Don't let me speak unless You give me the words to say.

RESURRECTION SUNDAY (Mark 16:1-20) Show me the places that are dead in my life so that I can ever mindful that Jesus will not live "among the dead".

 CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, this week is critical.  As we continue to "Turn Away From Sin," we are truly seeking our holiness.  Please prick our hearts and make us uncomfortable in our skin until we come to know You fully.  You are not pleased with jealousy, hatred, and just plain mean-spirited behavior.  It is for these sins that You died for us long before we were born.  Teach us to truly value Your death, burial, and resurrection so that we might live HOLY, GODLY lives.  Give us the strength to GET HOLY!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lent 2015: Weeks 4 & 5

Motivated...Weeks 4 & 5

Third Step:  Pray & Pray Some More
Two weeks have almost passed, and the Lenten Devotion was held up.  What did you do?  Did you quit or did you stay motivated?

As a recap:
Week 1-We prepared for success
Week 2-We admitted that we have a problem
Week 3-We waged war & stayed the course

Now, this week I challenge us to stay motivated!  It's so easy during the second haul of the Lenten season to fall short.  You have made it through the first three weeks, but have you gotten slack in your fasting and praying?  We are still at it, and we must stay motivated!

Let us spend the remainder of this week in the Lenten season motivating and encouraging ourselves and each other.  Check in with other believers, and encourage them on this journey.  

James 5:16 tells us to "...confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  How much are we bearing alone and how discouraged have we become because we have been carrying our burdens alone?  Let's get motivated!
 

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

How can I motivate others to stay strong during this Lenten season and throughout their walk with God?  What areas of my life are discouraging me and who can I depend on to pray for me?
 

 CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we are still seeking and walking with Jesus to the cross.  We recognize that we all have our own cross to bear; however, we know that You are able to sustain us.  Help us to recognize the power in sharing our burdens with one another that we might encourage and pray for each other.  We want to please You-help us!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lent 2015: Week 3

Stay the Course...Week 3

Second Step:  Wage War
I've heard that when you show up for help most professionals affirm that the first step to defeating demons of any kind is to admit you have a problem! I believe on this Spiritual journey the second step is to wage war against the problem!

The second part of this year's focus scripture is Romans 3:24: "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." If we really want to defeat the demons that we face, we must wage war against them.  The power comes when you realize that the fight is fixed! 

This week I challenge us to continue with Step 2: Stay the Course or Wage War!  Too often we become victims when we are really already victorious. The scripture affirms for us the fact that in spite of our "falling short" Jesus FREELY GIVES grace that justifies.  In order for us to truly "Turn Away From Sin," we must wage war against sin and STAY THE COURSE!

Let us spend this week focusing on tangible ways to wage war and stay the course. Christ has already gifted us the grace and access to forgiveness. So why not turn away and fight the urge to hate...fight the urge to lie...fight the urge to doubt...fight the urge to worry...fight sin of ALL KINDS!  Let's begin to work towards a solution through this week's challenge questions.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

How can I daily decide to stay the course and wage war against the temptations of sin?
In what ways do I become a victim to sin when God intended for me to be victorious?

 CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank You for strengthening us to observe Lent for three weeks. As we seek a closer walk with you and determine ourselves to be victorious, help us to stay the course and wage war against sin.  God we want to be pleasing in all that we say and do, and we do not want to become weary in doing well.  Inspire us daily by your Holy Spirit and keep us ever mindful of the grace that you have freely given us for redemption from sin and the ties of the enemy.  In Jesus' name, Amen.