Holy Week: Let's Walk...Week 6

“So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."
–Matthew 6:34 NLT

We are now at the final week of Lent:  Holy Week!  We made it!
As you prepare for Holy Week, it is not only a time for the ultimate Lenten countdown... it is time to actually WALK!  This is what we have been preparing for over these 5 weeks.  We began this journey examining the benefits of walking with the Father.  Throughout this journey, life has changed and challenged us.  We have had new anxieties and concerns that we have never experienced in our lifetime; however we made it!  We are still here!  Can't you see Jesus making His way to Bethpage and Bethany?  It's almost Palm Sunday!  It's almost the start of Holy Week.

Jesus concluded this portion of our Lenten focus scripture with the declaration:  "so don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."  This is the very mantra that shall lead us through Holy Week.  We will not worry!  We will walk!

Walking is FORWARD motion!

Walking is PROGRESS!

Walking is NOT QUITTING!

The only way to keep moving forward, keep progressing, and choosing not to quit is to take this week (and the week's to come) one day at a time!  Let's do it with Jesus and use it as a model to get us through life.  Jesus was not concerned about the Last Supper on Palm Sunday!  He was concerned about entering as the prophets had foretold (on the young donkey) and cleaning up the Temple.

Take Holy Week one day at a time.  Really enjoy your devotions and prayer time.  Really enjoy the silence or children's voices.  Really take it in...one day at a time.

I pray this song and this Holy Week reminds you that God is Good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f9uGdJYPeA

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the completion of our fifth week of the Lent and the start of Holy Week.  We begin this week with the expectation of the glory of Palm Sunday!  We declare that we are committed to taking Holy Week one day at a time.  We will not worry about tomorrow.  We will trust you today.  Then, we will trust you the next day and the next one after that.  We will take this behavior beyond Holy Week into every day and week of our lives.  Please allow this Lenten journey and Holy Week walk to truly be transformational in our lives.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOCUS: Got Focus?...Week 5

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
–Matthew 6:33 NLT

This Lenten season is about making a decision to "Prepare to Walk With The Father".  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking alone.  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking with people.  It is my sincere prayer that this 2020 FOCUS for the Lenten season will heighten your relationship with God as you prepare to "Walk With The Father"!

During this fifth week of Lent, I challenge us to answer the question: Got Focus?  

There is so much going on during this Lenten season that it is easy to lose focus.  We began this journey four weeks ago, and life was completely different.  Four weeks and three days ago, we celebrated Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020) all over the world.  We did so, at least in America, with our only concern being abstaining and confessing.  We starting our journey of abstaining from something (FASTING) with ash on our foreheads as a sign of confession and truly choosing to walk with Christ to the cross.  What a difference four weeks and three days make?!  Now, many of us have not seen the people we physically started this journey off with in at least two weeks.  What a difference four weeks and three days make?!

So, if you are honest, perhaps you are entering week five of the Lenten season with a little skepticism.  I mean, what has Lent 2020 really brought us with these stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations?  Oh wait, this must have been how Jesus felt when he was led by the Spirit to fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights. (Matthew 4:1-11)

While in the wilderness, after He completed His fasting journey and was his weakest, the devil came to tempt/test him three times.  It was after that third tempting/testing that Jesus told Satan "Away from me, Satan!"..."For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'" (Matthew 4:10).  Jesus did not lose FOCUS while going through difficulty in his abstaining season.  Matthew 4 is one of the Biblical premises for our 40 days of Lenten fasting...what better example for our focus than this?!  Our Savior and Big Brother teaches us to send Satan packing and to boldly profess that it is God who we worship (even when under attack).  Not today Satan!

Our theme scripture has come from Matthew 6:25-34.  This passage of scripture is a portion of one of Jesus' first sermons, The Sermon on the Mount.  As you continue the rest of week five of this Lenten journey, don't forget verse 33:  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  Jesus was not preaching about a FOCUS that He had not practiced.  I mean, after all, this is exactly what Jesus did in the wilderness.  Instead of chasing after the concerns of Satan and this world, Jesus still chose to worship God only.  I invite you this fifth week of Lent to say: Not today Satan!  I invite you to boldly declare:  I will worship God only!  I invite you to use this fifth week of Lent (in the midst of unknown circumstances) as a centering week.  God, I will focus on you, your kingdom, and living as you desire for me to live (righteously).  As Jesus said, God will then give you everything you need. 

Remember, God has never lost.  God has never dropped the ball.  God has never failed.  God always wins!  Focus on this when there are so many press conferences, new releases, and conversations that could evoke fear and worry.  Good always wins!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVIO_MoktfU

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the completion of our fourth week and the start of week five in this Lenten season.  We confess that this one is the first one of its kind in our experience.  We have faced some challenging times that could have caused us to walk away from our Lenten fasts; however, we remember that we were led into this season by and with the Holy Spirit.  We still choose to prepare to walk with the Father.  Therefore, we ask that You reignite our FOCUS.  Help us to seek and FOCUS on what You desire for us.  We know victory is coming...Easter is Coming!  We always win because You always win!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOCUS: Got Trust?...Week 4

“So don't worry about these things, saying 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs."
–Matthew 6:31-32 NLT

This Lenten season is about making a decision to "Prepare to Walk With The Father".  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking alone.  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking with people.  It is my sincere prayer that this 2020 FOCUS for the Lenten season will heighten your relationship with God as you prepare to "Walk With The Father"!

During this fourth week of Lent, I challenge us to answer the question: Got Trust?

Week three was nothing short of a whirlwind!  In seven days, it feels like our world has been flipped upside down.  We have been told it is not safe to gather, to worship, to meet together.  This is downright devastating from one perspective, and this is downright perfect timing  from another perspective.  Now, I am not saying that there is anything perfect about experiencing a pandemic and also having to juggle your own personal desires, struggles, and concerns.  However, God is perfect!  God is in control!  God is aware of what we are facing!  So, got trust?

Today, is Friday...the corporate day that we ALL abstain from meat in solidarity with one another no matter what our individual fasts may be comprised of.  What better day and better week during the Lenten journey to all look in our own individual mirrors and get real with ourselves.  Do we really TRUST God?  We are not inclined to walk with someone who we do not trust.  Therefore, this week Jesus reminds us through his admonishing of the disciples: "your heavenly Father already knows all your needs".  Since God knows them, God can handle them.  Get out of God's way this week and TRUST!

When we do not trust God, we look like an unbeliever.  When we trust God, we look like a child of God!  As a child of God, we are heir to all that is God.  So, which one will you choose today?  I choose to trust God!

I added this song to my devotional time.  It helps me to trust God because God is "I AM"!  I pray that it blesses you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59H1hntyGMA

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the completion of our third week in this Lenten journey.  Whew! It has been a challenging one for sure; however, we made it.  As we continue in this peculiar season, please continue to prove yourself as I AM in our lives.  Please continue to blow our minds as we prepare to walk with You.  We trust you today and in every area of our lives.  Help us to trust you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOCUS: Got Faith?...Week 3

“Why do you have so little faith?"
–Matthew 6:30b NLT

This Lenten season is about making a decision to "Prepare to Walk With The Father".  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking alone.  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking with people.  It is my sincere prayer that this 2020 FOCUS for the Lenten season will heighten your relationship with God as you prepare to "Walk With The Father"!

During this third week of Lent, I challenge us to answer the question: Got Faith?

We are now entering the midpoint of this Lenten journey together.  This is where things could get challenging.  The newness of Lent is wearing off, and I am pretty sure circumstances are popping up in your life unexpectedly.  That's typical Lent reality!  Honestly, Lent is truly a spiritual journey that creates the ideal atmosphere for believers to grow closer to God.  After all, that is the intended goal.  So, the enemy will come to attack during this season.  Therefore, I felt led to do a faith check in.

As we determine and purpose in our hearts to "Walk With the Father," we need faith!  We need the ability to see what we cannot see in the natural realm.  We must have the belief that just because it is not so yet does not mean that it will never be so.  This week, I challenge us to make a daily effort to renew our faith.

Ok, Pastor C...I'm down.  But how?  My thoughts exactly except I was kind of yelling to God.  This is what I've been led to.  I hope it helps you as well:

1.  Remind ourselves first thing in the morning and the last thing at night that God knows us.  We belong to God.  God literally has chosen to walk with us.  This song should help.  It's set on my playlist for my morning and evening devotion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxwVHKP-zKk

2.  Write it down!!!  I've started a list on my phone as a note.  In this note, I am daily documenting what God has spoken to me.  What are you believing God for?  Write it down so that it is a tangible reminder to have faith that God is faithful to perform.


You've got this!!!  Got faith???  I bet you do.  Now, let's grow it this week!

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the completion of our second week in this Lenten journey.  We pray that you continue to guide us every single day towards Easter.  We strive, this week, to strengthen our faith in Your word.  Thank you for the reminder that we belong to you so we have the right to speak with you.  As we speak with you, we can walk in confidence and assurance- we can have the faith that you will see about us! In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOCUS: How Walk?...Week 2

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"
–Matthew 6:27 NLT

This Lenten season is about making a decision to "Prepare to Walk With The Father".  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking alone.  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking with people.  It is my sincere prayer that this 2020 FOCUS for the Lenten season will heighten your relationship with God as you prepare to "Walk With The Father"!

During this second week of Lent, I challenge us to answer the question: How Walk?

Prior to my explaining, I think this song by one of my favorite artists will set the tone for this week's challenge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBloQVxAfKE

After listening to this song, I pray that it opens your spirit to the premise for this week's devotion: "how walk" or "how can I walk with the Father"?

Oftentimes we make a decision to do something; however, we lack the followthrough.  On last week, we corporately committed to Prepare to Walk With The Father and accepted the benefits of that decision.  So, how did you do?  Did you intentionally function like a daughter or son in an unlimited possibility of benefits with an all-powerful, all-knowing, consistent Father?  Did you intentionally talk to Him more?  Come on now...be real with me!  Every day???

Well, this week I challenge us to MAINTAIN!  In other words, this week is about consistency of our walk.  So, we answer the "how walk" question in one word:  MAINTAIN!

Jesus questioned in Matthew 6:27, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

1.  Worries interrupt my WALK
When we worry, we do less walking.  We are still and stagnant and stubborn.  When we worry, we try to figure things out for ourselves instead of MAINTAINING the confidence that we talked about last week: God cares about us!

2.  Worries kill my WALK
When we worry, we shorten our days.  Well, we definitely are not adding any time to our life by worrying.  I believe that Jesus was reminding us that if we are not adding to something.  We are taking away from it.  When we worry, we are less productive in our secular and spiritual lives.  That does indeed killing our walk.

As you work on these 2 challenges throughout the second week of Lent, we will continue get our spirit prepared to walk with the Father.  When we start walking, we will maintain the walk!

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the completion of our first week in this Lenten journey.  We pray that you continue to guide us every single day towards Easter.  This week, we intentionally seek the strength and courage to maintain our walk with you.  Help us to be consistent in our devotion with you and the behaviors that come from such a lifestyle.  Help us to encourage each other while we maintain.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

FOCUS: Why Walk?...Week 1

“Look at the birds.  They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.  And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?”
–Matthew 6:26 NLT

This Lenten season is about making a decision to "Prepare to Walk With The Father".  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking alone.  There are some benefits to walking with God instead of walking with people.  It is my sincere prayer that this 2020 FOCUS for the Lenten season will heighten your relationship with God as you prepare to "Walk With The Father"!

During this first week of Lent, I challenge us to answer the question: Why Walk?

Prior to my explaining, I think this clip from Pastor Jamal Bryant is incredibly relevant for our Lenten 2020 season:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B8tfOyYlMCd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

After watching that clip, I pray that you have a greater understanding behind the benefits of "Walking with the Father".  Our God literally cares about each and every one of us even more than the birds of the air.  If God feeds them, surely God will ensure that we are fed.  However, when is the last time you have walked with Him?

This week I challenge us to do the following things intentionally as we "Prepare to Walk with the Father":

1.  Be willing to move along (walk)
-Some times God will walk with us, but we won't walk with God.  If there are some people, places, things, habits, mindsets, or otherwise that you've been feeling the unction of God to "move along" or let go.  During this first week, let's work on our willingness to do so.  Hey, it's a start!!!

2.  Be patient with your development (walk)
-No baby just jumps to their feet to walk without struggle.  Likewise, this Lenten journey is just that...a journey!  Be patient with yourself, but do not give yourself an "out".  You know the difference!

As you work on these 2 challenges throughout the first week or Lent, we will get our spirit prepared to walk with the Father.  When we start walking, we will reap the benefits!

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, here we are again.  The Lenten season is upon us, and we must admit that we might sound like a broken record.  We are coming another 40 days to walk with Jesus to the cross.  However, this year we are pushing ourselves to not simply walk with Jesus to the cross.  We want to walk with YOU daily!  Please allow this Lenten season to FOCUS us and our hearts intentionally on our relationship with You.  As we do so, we thank You for the benefits that await and our ever-improving relationship with You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.