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.