Lent 2023

 

http://thepastorc.com/lent-with-pastor-c.html

Week 4 of Lent 2022: My God and MY FATHER

 

Lent 2022. Establishing a NEW PAGE in God

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: 1 Peter 1:3 NIV   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.   Our Creator is both our GOD and our FATHER! On this fourth week of Lent, it is an opportunity for us to dig deeper into our relationship with the Creator.  From the very beginning of creation, God has been both GOD and PARENT.  The Creator is not looking to solely be revered-the Creator is offering us relationship. I believe that the Lenten season gives us an opportunity to not only value reverence of who God is as our Lord, but also who God is as our "Father".  By basic understanding, God is to be worshipped, followed, and reverenced.  Father is to be in communication and is a protector.  The beauty behind the Lenten season is we see the Creator move in both realms with Jesus.  Jesus is expected to move forward with the will of God for His life, and Jesus is assured that His Father will actually fulfill the promise of allowing Him to conquer death and the grave.   In this same way, God expects us to follow God's will for our lives. God expects us to actually do what God's word commands of us.  The Father is present to comfort us through the struggle.  These open lines of communication is what gives us the assurance that the Father will protect us no matter what comes along our journey.  CHALLENGE: Examine how you can better experience the Creator in relationship as God and Father.  It is not simply about showing up for church and offering a sacrifice.  This week, be intentional about the relationship.  Have you talked with the Father today? Have you thanked the Father for the protection that only a parent provides?

Week 3 of Lent 2022: A Living Hope

 

Lent 2022. Establishing a NEW PAGE in God

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: 1 Peter 1:3 NIV   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.   First comes Mercy, then comes HOPE! On this third week of Lent, I want us to focus on these words:  a living HOPE!  Oftentimes, our hope does not live.  We say that we hope for something, but it takes too long to realize that something.  When this happens, our hope dies.  I mean we still have hope but are we believing in a living hope? I believe that the Lenten season gives us an opportunity for new birth into a living hope!  It is a spiritual reset for us.  Life has not been the easiest since the previous Lenten season, so let us choose better.  Let us choose to still believe in the hope that we profess.  Let us choose to still believe in the waymaking God that we pray to.  Let us choose to still believe that God is not done with our marriage, family, children, community, and world.  Our God still cares and issues an invitation (because of His great mercy) to believe again. HOPE is, simply put, "expectation".  What expectations do you have for your life?  What expectations are you depending on God alone to bring to pass?  CHALLENGE: Make a list of "hope" that has died and commit yourself to choose for it to "live again".  Daily ask God to give you the strength to walk "into a living hope" that God has gifted us already because of God's great mercy!

Lent 2022: Week 2, God's Great Mercy

 

Lent 2022. Establishing a NEW PAGE in God

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: 1 Peter 1:3 NIV   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercyHe has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Now that we have made it through our first week of this year's Lenten season, it is time for us to get to the real work.  Some of us may have breezed through the first week while others of us might have had a few setbacks, maybe even been a little lax with our commitment.  Ok, get up and hit reset!  It is time to get to work! On this second week of Lent, I want us to focus on these words:  In God's Great Mercy!  We are all beneficiaries of God's great mercy.  God's mercy is shown through God's compassionate forgiveness- it is actualized when we survive events that we never should have attended or are given opportunities for success that we did not fully deserve yet along appreciate.  God's mercy is new every single day of our lives!  Thank God! As we seek to establish a new page in God, let us spend this week intentionally mindful of God's Great Mercy!  Do you see it on your job or in your home?  Do you see it in your physical and even mental health?  Every time I become aware of God's Great Mercy it is truly an opportunity for me to establish a new page.  God is giving us another chance to "get it right"!   Since God extends us this compassionate forgiveness, I want to challenge us to use this week of our Lenten journey to do the same for someone else.   CHALLENGE: Identify a person or circumstance where you can imitate God's Great Mercy:  offer compassionate forgiveness, even when it is not sought.

Lent 2022: Establishing a New Page in God

 

Lent 2022. Establishing a NEW PAGE in God

By definition, to establish means "to institute (something) permanently by agreement".  This will be our working definition to guide the corporate goal of this year's Lenten Season:  A New Page! Whenever we seek to do something new, it is typically a challenge to keep it up.  How many of you are actually still faithful to that "New Year's Resolution" or that "new workout plan"?!  Let's face it.  New is hard work!  New takes commitment!  New requires an intentional agreement that is permanent.  It is my sincere prayer that this 15th year of my corporate Lenten devotion journey will be a monumental one- whether this is your first year with me as your devotional voice or this is your fifteenth year (thanks for growing with me).  So, let us agree to make this permanent change to move to a new page in God! SCRIPTURE FOCUS: 1 Peter 1:3 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The scripture focus reminds us that God has already given and gifted us with new birth into a living hope!  In other words, this new page in God is not simply a possibility.  We are destined to start over and receive the new mercies, new peace, new joy, new hope, and so much more!  It is our decision to seek these things intentionally and permanently.  Lent is not a fad, gimmick, or temporary diet!  Lent is prepping us for a NEW way of life!

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.

Reap What? ...Week 6

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in dueseasonwe will reap, if we do not give up."
–Galatians 6:9 NIV

This Lenten season is about intentional "seed sowing".  As children of God, we are promised a harvest from God.  This harvest is contingent upon what seeds we sow.

We have been using this Lenten journey to focus on our seeds-what are we sowing?  We have also examined our behavior by questioning ourselves "water what"?  We dug deeper with the question "prune what".  Last week, we answered "now what".  It is finally time to ask and answer the question:

Reap WHAT?

Let us first find relief in knowing that we are not the first believers to get tired and want to give up sowing the right seed.  I mean, if we are honest with each other, we would all agree that sometimes it feels like there are very little benefits to sowing Godly seed.  People seem to be able to run over you...problems seem to be more frequent...and the list goes on.  However, do not quit!
Although we are closing out this year's Lenten journey, our walk with Christ is never over.  Our need to sow Godly seed is never ending, and guess what... so is our ability to reap a Godly harvest!  It never ends as long as we do not quit!

This final week, I challenge us to work towards building our stamina and determination that says I will not quit!
Paul told the believers in Galatia to not grow weary of doing good.  This doing good can be likened to sowing righteous seed.  We know this because his direct correlation is reaping.  Therefore, do not get weary of it.  Even when the Lenten season is over, keep doing/sowing good seed.  Even when people try your last ounce of patience, keep doing/sowing good seed.  Even when you doubt God's ability to get you out of "THIS," keep doing/sowing good seed!!!  

Why?
In due season we will reap!

God created an internal reproductive clock inside of women.  When a woman becomes pregnant, there is a "due date".  This "due date" cannot be manipulated.  Although the baby can be "born" early or later, the actual "due date" is determined based on this internal clock that is set at 9 months.  Likewise, we activate a spiritual reproductive clock when we sow righteous seeds.  God says, I know things can be "born" sooner or later when you plant righteous seeds; however, there is a "due season" that is appointed to you.  This promise is affirming because there is nothing any human can do to stop the reaping.  You will reap in due season!  Therefore, do not give up!

As we draw closer to Good Friday, tell yourself: I just can't quit!  My due season is promised!

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  As this Lenten season draws to a close, please continue to consecrate me for your glory.  God, please keep me motivated to walk in your will and to remain faithful with my righteous seeds no matter what I face.  I desire to reap the harvest you have appointed for me.  Please help me to remember there are benefits that no one can take from me as long as I don't quit.  I recommit myself to you as I walk in these final days of the Lenten season.  Please keep me covered and committed.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now What? ...Week 5

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness”
–2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV

This Lenten season is about intentional "seed sowing".  As children of God, we are promised a harvest from God.  This harvest is contingent upon what seeds we sow.

We have been using this Lenten journey to focus on our seeds-what are we sowing?  We have also examined our behavior by questioning ourselves "water what"?  We dug deeper with the question "prune what".  Now, it is time to pause and answer the question:

Now WHAT?

It is tempting during the Lenten season to celebrate our ability to surrender.  We get excited about accomplishing 5 weeks of fasting and intentionally seeking God; however, this is the critical part of our journey together with Jesus to the cross.  As we grow closer, we can become anxious and almost count down to our return to restriction-less eating and behaving.  But where is the glory for God in that?

Since we spent last week giving God something to prune, the question is what will we do now OR Now What???  I believe Paul helps us with this question through his assertion of God's glory and power for those who practice Biblical sowing.  Paul says:

NOW[God] supplies seedto the sower

This lets us know that once we give God something to prune, God will give us something to sow.  It is through our pruning/walking through this Lenten season that God is able to place the right/righteous seeds in our hands, hearts, and minds to sow.  

...and breadfor foodwill also supply

As God gives us seed, God will meet our needs as well.

...and increaseyour store of seed and will enlargethe harvestof your righteousness.

It is in our obedience that God brings about increase and promises to enlarge our harvest.

Now What?  Expect your seed to change.  We began by questioning what to sow; however, you should feel the transformation.  Your seeds are shifting as you avail yourself more and more to the will and move of God.

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  As we continue in this journey, we thank you for the promise of seed that will indeed produce an enlarged harvest.  We admit that sometimes we may fall short or doubt you, but we stand prepared for you to place seeds of confidence, faith, patience, love and much in our hands and hearts so that we can full receive the victory you have in store for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prune What? ...Week 4

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
–John 15: 1-2 NIV

This Lenten season is about intentional "seed sowing".  As children of God, we are promised a harvest from God.  This harvest is contingent upon what seeds we sow.

We have been using this Lenten journey to focus on our seeds-what are we sowing?  We have also examined our behavior by questioning ourselves "water what"?  Now, it's time to dig deeper in this journey with the question:

Prune WHAT?

Jesus begins the 15th chapter of John in a very pointed way by allowing us as believers to face a major fact.  Now, this fact is helpful and sobering...we are NOT in charge!  Whew.  Major weight lifted right?

For those who juggle the control gene like me...this is often challenging.  We trust God, and we want to maintain control.  However, in this Lenten season, we must relinquish control.  We are not in charge.  Jesus is the vine.  The Father is the gardener.  We are the branches.  Period, sis.  Period, bro.  

So, what will you do with this reality?
We must give God something to PRUNE!

The option is simple: cut off OR pruned.

To be pruned means that we will endure seasons where we are trimmed back and parts of us are cut off.  This means the strained relationships, job challenges, tough decisions are all from the Gardener.  God is pruning!  As God prunes, we will become even more productive...even more fruitful. And that's our goal for the Lenten season...Sow righteous seeds so that we can produce fruit of righteousness.

This week, I challenge us to give God something to prune.  Surrender your control.  Surrender your worry.  Surrender your STUFF...so that the Gardener can prune your branches and make you even more productive in season.
 

 

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  As we continue in this journey, help us to give you something to prune.  God, we do not want to be cut off from You.  We do not want to be seen as fruitless.  Help us to relinquish our control so that You can get the glory in us.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Water What? ...Week 3

“A good [person] brings good things out of the good stored up in [their] heart, and an evil [person] brings evil things out of the evil stored up in [their] heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
–Luke 6:45 NIV

This Lenten season is about intentional "seed sowing".  As children of God, we are promised a harvest from God.  This harvest is contingent upon what seeds we sow.

During the first and second weeks of Lent, we worked to answer the question: Sow What?  What will you sow this Lenten season?

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us begin to water the righteous seeds that we have purposed to sow.  How do we water?

While speaking about "Tree and Fruit," Jesus said:  A good [person] brings things out of the good stored up in [their] heart...

This affirmation about sowing and reaping offered by Jesus reminds us that we can only water what we have placed inside of us.  Additionally, what we place inside of us BECOMES US!  Hey, I didn't say it.  Jesus did!

A good[person] brings goodthings...
an evil[person] brings evilthings...

This is the time in our Lenten journey to question:

Water what???
What am I watering?

Prayerfully, we are watering "GOOD":  that which is acceptable and approved by God.  The truth of the matter is we know what we are watering, so let's fix it.  Fix the areas of our lives where we are tempted to water "evil": that which is not acceptable or approved by God.  If we are unsure about whether we are watering good or bad, just listen to what comes from our mouth:  "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Water what???

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  As we continue this Lenten journey, please make us sensitive to the seeds we are sowing/the person we are becoming.  As we pay more attention to our seeds, we pray that You will give us the strength to water them daily and to demonstrate it in what we say.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sow What? ...Week 1

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the one who is wise saves lives.”
–Proverbs 11:30 NIV

This Lenten season is about intentional "seed sowing".  As children of God, we are promised a harvest from God.  This harvest is continent upon what seeds we sow.  During this first week of Lent, I challenge us to answer the question: Sow What?

What will you sow this Lenten season?
 

The proverb affirms that when we sow righteous seeds, we prepare for fruit.  These fruit are made of seeds, and these seeds produce a tree of life.  It is somewhat of a full circle that never stops giving...never stops producing...and we never stop reaping!

So....sow what?  What will you sow this Lenten season through your fasting? What will you sacrifice?  What will you plant inside your heart and spirit?

Spend this week contemplating and writing intentionally about your Lenten "seed sowing".  Next week, we will work to water them.
 

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank you for the opportunity to walk with Jesus before the cross.  We recognize that we need preparation for the glory that You will reveal in our lives.  Help us to daily seek you over the first 7 days of this Lenten season.  Help us to hear you as you reveal the seeds that we should sow in our lives. Help us to trust you while we wait.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Harvest & Blessings ...Week 6

The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.  May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.
 -Psalm 67:6-7

Week One: harvest and manifestation
Week Two:  blessings and shiningWeek Three:  known and spread salvation 
Week Four: praise and presence Week Five:  joy and guidance
Week Six: harvest and blessings

As we close out this Lenten journey together, we end where we began:  harvest!  I truly believe that this last week of our Lenten journey should be the most transformative.  It is during this week (including Holy Week) that we should feel the manifestation of God's promises over our lives.  We are getting closer and closer to the cross.

This week, I challenge you to journal.  It does not have to be formal.  Start a note on your phone or device.  Examine the promises and expectations that you have developed and heard from God in this season and leading up to it. Intentionally pray for the harvest of those blessings.  I believe this final week of Lent will remind us that God will indeed "bless us still".  God is not done in our lives.  God is not done in your life.  No matter how long you have waited on God to do something different OR make a change OR show you the way...God is not done.  Not only is God not done, God intends to bless you still!  So write it down now.  I mean really...take note of it.  I truly believe this Resurrection season is going to bring glory to God in such a major way that we will not even be able to remember praying for some of the things we have been praying for.  So, take note!  That testimony is going to be powerful!!!

Bless us still, Lord!

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

What harvest am I expecting from God?
Why am I afraid to wait?
Why am I afraid of God's blessings?
What is keeping me from receiving, fully, his grace?

 How can I help to make God known through what I do?
What has God done that provokes me to praise?
How can my praise inspire others to praise?
What song reminds me that God is guiding me?
What areas do I see God moving in my life already?
Am I ready for the harvest?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Thank you, Lord, for the promise that you are not done.  Bless us still!  We await the cross with expectation of the Resurrection harvest.  There are so many things that we have to be thankful for, but we are ever clear that you are not done yet.  Humble us on the journey to write so that we have a testimony that brings you glory.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Joy & Guidance ...Week 5

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. -Psalm 67:4

We began this journey to the cross with the goal of harvest and manifestation.  We realized that the benefit is blessings and shining, but the reason is because of the need to make God known and spread salvation.  Last week, we affirmed that this shifts us into praise and presence. Now, it is time for us to receive joy and guidance!

Verse 4 says:

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

The Lenten journey reminds us, as we walk with Christ to the cross, that we are never alone.  In fact, God is not only with us-God is guiding us. This week, I challenge us to find a song of joy that we can sing and/or listen to whenever we get distracted by what is going on around us.  Even in the deprivation of the Lenten season, we can be assured that God is guiding us with equity.  Our name, background, educational status, or church affiliation cannot keep us away from the kindness and consistency of God's guidance.  Therefore, let us be glad and sing for joy!

Look around and see how God is guiding those who you meet along the journey or even those who are serving as accountability partners for you.  Guess what? The same way God is guiding them, God desires to guide you.  So, let's yield and accept God's guidance in this season and the seasons to come.

Thank God for the joy in knowing God is guiding us!

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

What harvest am I expecting from God?
Why am I afraid to wait?
Why am I afraid of God's blessings?
What is keeping me from receiving, fully, his grace?

 How can I help to make God known through what I do?
What has God done that provokes me to praise?
How can my praise inspire others to praise?
What song reminds me that God is guiding me?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for directing our path.  We are so grateful that as we journey with Jesus to the cross, You are walking in front of us just as you did for Jesus.  So, we receive the joy that comes in knowing we are never alone.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Praise & Presence: Week Four

Praise & Presence ...Week 4

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you. -Psalm 67:3

Now that we have made our way through week three, we must continue to press our way into the presence of God during this Lenten season.  It is tempting at this point to either get slack or completely fall off.  As a matter of fact, I challenge you to check in with some friends to make sure they are still with us on the journey.  Read and re-read the past week's devotions and begin to piece the messages of encouragement together.

We began this journey to the cross off with the goal of harvest and manifestation.  We realized that the benefit is blessings and shining, but the reason is because of the need to make God known and spread salvation.  So, week four shifts us into praise and presence!

Verse 3 says:

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

Our Lenten journey should bring us to a place of praise and presence.  Ok, let me say it a little differently.  If we have been earnestly seeking God during this Lenten season, then God has assured us that He is with us.  It may be as subtle as waking up just before the alarm clock or as grand as avoiding the car accident.  God has been present!  God has not only been present in keeping us safe, but if we have been listening...we will agree that God has been speaking!  The acknowledgement of God's presence can provoke us to praise (say thanks) to God!  In our praise, the Psalmist then says "May ALL the peoples praise you".

This is another week of inspiration!  Our praise of God will inspire others to do the same.  As I said last week:  As each of us seek to be an inspiration, someone will also inspire us.  This will then become the scripture living before us that all people will praise God.

Remember, the Lenten season is not just about our individual growth but corporate growth as well.  Let's praise in God's presence!

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

What harvest am I expecting from God?
Why am I afraid to wait?
Why am I afraid of God's blessings?
What is keeping me from receiving, fully, his grace?

 How can I help to make God known through what I do?What has God done that provokes me to praise?
How can my praise inspire others to praise?

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Most Holy God, thank you for the assurance of your presence in our daily lives.  As we journey through this Lenten season, we could get discouraged or distracted; however, we truly want to walk in your will for our lives.  We seek you for the inspiration to praise so that we can be an inspiration for others to do the same.  We honor you and thank you for everything that you continue to do in our lives.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Known & Salvation ...Week 3

...so that your ways may be knownon earth, your salvation among all nations. -Psalm 67:2

Wow...Week 3!  It's already here, and I do not know about your journey, but I must admit it has not been easy.  In fact, does it feel like everyday there is a challenge?  Sometimes, the challenge is small and sometimes it is large.  Well, welcome to Lent!  Remember, we are making an intentional effort to draw closer to God.  In order to draw closer to God, the relationship is often tested.  Without testing, we cannot reveal what we really know. So, get excited...week three is the time to show what we know!

Psalm 67 begins:  May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us...

This first verse gave us something to look forward to: blessings and shining! Verse 1 is motivation.  We all need a little motivation every now and then.  However, verse 1 is not the complete thought.  Verse 2 gives us the "why":

so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

 

Say it with me: It's not about us.  It's about Jesus!  

I absolutely loved that song, and I believe it is fitting for week 3 of our Lenten journey together.  God has indeed promised to give us blessings and shine; however, God is not doing for us to boast on ourselves or gain notoriety during the Lenten season.  God has a specific goal in mind:  to be known on earth and for God's salvation to be among all nations.

During week 3, we must take ourselves and our selfish ambition out of the picture.  We are not participating in this Lenten season for people to recognize us.  We want people to come to recognize Jesus in us.  As others see Jesus in us, they will come to know Jesus for themselves.  This is really what Lent is about in the first place-Jesus preparing to reveal himself to the world.

So, come on!  Take the challenge with me to be better every single day as we progress through this season.  Each and every day attempt to inspire someone else on their walk with Christ.  As each of us seek to be an inspiration, someone will also inspire us.  Then, we will in fact fulfill the Psalmist's desire to make God's ways known and God's salvation desired among all the earth.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

What harvest am I expecting from God?
Why am I afraid to wait?
Why am I afraid of God's blessings?
What is keeping me from receiving, fully, his grace?

How can I help to make God known through what I do?
 

CONSECRATION PRAYER:

Gracious God, thank you for allowing us to be intentional in our seeking you during this season of Lent.  As we do so, help us to truly pick up behaviors and language that will aid in others coming to know you for themselves.  We thank you for the promise of blessings and shining.  Please keep us focused on the purpose behind it all so that we will fulfill your desire through our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.