Lenten rdg #8: (a four-letter word we don't say in church!)

Thurs., Mar. 1

 LUST

Mt. 5: 27.

This isn't a word we like to say out loud, let alone think about, but Jesus just trotted it right out into theh open! Then, He intensified the discomfort of His audience by pointing out that lusting is as sinful as actually doing the deed!

How about you and me? How are we doing in the lust department? What is it that our mind focuses on to excess? What, in other words, do we crave? Is it food—chocolate, or pie, or cookies, or simply eating “comfort foods”? Is it craving beer, wine, or liquor? Is is stuff—a new car or truck, a boat, clothes, shoes, boots, jewelry, tools? Or, do you long for ease and comfort? Or money?

Or, do you crave time in prayer, in fasting, and in worship? Do you crave to spend quality and quantity time with your loved ones? Crave to read the Bible? Hmmm?

Prayer: Lord, forgive my lusting after earthly things, human wants, or even “good” things that come between You and me. Teach me to better use my time, my talents, my gifts, and my desires, so that I may better glorify You! Give me a deep dissatisfaction with my status quo, and fill me with the desire to please You in all my waking moments! Amen.

P.S. Your comments are welcomed on any and all of these posts!

Lenten rdg #7: WHAT? ME, ANGRY?

Wed., Feb 29

Mt. 5: 21-26. ANGER

“Murder? Of course not, I would never—but, Lord, I was only angry!”

Jesus tells us that our sinful attitudes are every bit as evil as performing a sinful deed. This isn't merely hard to bear, it's impossible. I've struggled with anger and hatred about terrorists...oh, and dictators...yes, and ruthless institutional forces...and...I'll bet a few things have already come to mind that inflame you to anger, too. (We don't like to use the word “hatred,” it sounds too, well, sinful, doesn't it?)

Prayer: Lord, it sounds like I have a problem with anger. And with control. And with trusting You. I confess, I cannot live a righteous life, no matter what I try. Forgive me, cleanse me yet again, and buoy me up with Your Spirit. Amen.

Lenten rdg #6: Tues....LET IT SHINE

Tues., Feb. 28

Mt. 5: 16. LET IT SHINE

Did you ever stop to notice, this is a command? “Let your light shine...” is not just a cute song. It isn't just a pretty picture of a candle or a lighthouse on a greeting card. It isn't a sunshiny day. It is a command to stand out. Be different. Shine the light of God's love around you.

Happily, we've recently seen quite a demonstration of letting one's light shine, as we watched and heard all the media flap over Tim Tebow's faith. I'm taking the young man at his word: he is a believer, lover, and follower of Jesus. May we be as brave, trusting Our Lord to give us timely words as we stand up for our faith. It may take some setting aside of pride. In fact, the Lord may lead us out of our (oh-so-precious) comfort zone. So be it.

Prayer: Lord, let me not prize comfort...it's easier to just not be noticed...but that's not my calling. Forgive my selfishness, and nudge me forward at the right times, that I may shine Your light into my little corner of the world. Amen.

#5, for 2/27. SALT.

Mon., Feb. 27

SALT

Mt. 5: 14.

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink,” declares an old adage. Jesus would add, “But, you can feed him salt!”

That is our job in this world. We won't convert any soul to a saving belief in the Gospel. We cannot change anyone's errant ways. But...we can help them to develop a thirst for the Truth. How we treat others, how we speak, and how we explain ourselves—all are ways that we add salt to life.

“I'm doing this in response to Jesus' gifts to me,” or, “I'm happy to share with you what God has given me.” Grains of salt, not overwhelming, not spread too thickly, just lightly shaken. Let the salt do its work.

Need some help in feeling salty? Try Rebecca Manley-Pippert's book, OUT OF THE SALTSHAKER. Try praying for a different friend or family member or neighbor each day of the week. Don't put pressure on yourself to perform some act or speech, just pray the Lord's love into their life. And, pray that you'll be just the right dash of salt at just the right time.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my hope and my confidence. Open my eyes to see how those truths need to shine through my life, that I may be a salty influence on others. For the sake of Your kingdom, amen.

NOT JUST BREAD! (Lenten Reading #4)

4

Sat., Feb 25

Mt. 4: 4. NOT JUST BREAD

“Man shall not live by bread alone,” Jesus said, reminding us that there's more to life than the earthly, horizontal plane. To clarify, Jesus continued, telling us that the vertical plane of communication with God is vital, “...not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Let's encourage one another to pursue prayer and study of God's word. Agree with a reliable friend or family member to check in with you, asking you how you're doing in feeding yourself spiritual food.

Going without some favorite food during Lent might be just the right reminder that “soul food” is more important than meat and potatoes! Let's eat!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for prayer, for Your truths. Help me to be a good example to those around me, and to speak the truth with love and encouragement. Amen.

Rdg #3: John the Baptist's Message.

Fri., Feb. 24

Mt. 3: 1-3. JOHN'S MESSAGE

John the Baptizer did not soften the hard edges of the truth—he preached a straight-forward message of repentance. Change your ways, he cried out. Rich or poor, temple leader or farm-hand, John brought them God's command to change. His message is not outdated—the call to repent from sin is as timely today as it was then.

What is the Spirit bringing to mind right now, from which you need to repent? Pause and pray for insight, and give the Lord permission to show you the painful truth. Let us confess, and determine to allow the Spirit to change us by His power, not by our self-determination (pretty much a losing battle when we do things ourselves, isn't it?)

Prayer: Lord, I confess my sin to You. Refresh me with Your Spirit, that I might not sin against You. Change my heart and mind and will, I pray. Amen.

FLEE! (Reading #2 for Lent)

Thurs., Feb. 23

Mt. 2: 13. FLEE!

Joseph was warned in a dream: run for your life! Now that we have the Gospels and Epistles, the need for angelic warnings isn't so common. Paul declares, “Flee from immorality” (I Cor. 6: 18). Paul later warns us, “...Flee youthful passions...” (2 Tim. 2: 22).

Where do we flee; what is our refuge? Not Egypt, no. Rather, the Timothy passage continues, “...pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Notice, that the antidote to evil isn't running away from so much as it is running toward! What a positive mindset! Reminds me of the saying, If you aim at nothing, you'll succeed at nothing. Paul aims us at high goals, the goals for a lifetime pursuit.

Please notice that Paul not only offers us goals of righteousness, faith, love, and peace, but he continues “...along with those who call on the Lord...” That's right, this is a group project. As the author of Hebrews said, “Consider how to stir up one another to good works...” (Hebrews 10: 24). Yes, let us come together, pursuing right living, deep faith, godly love, and spiritual peace. May this Lenten time bring us together as a united body, looking to see Godly fruit coming to ripeness in one another, and encouraging one another with joy and gladness and praise!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for warning me to flee, and for giving such a great set of goals to run toward. Encourage me by Your Spirit, and, in turn, help me to be a good encourager of my brothers and sisters. Amen.

WHERE IS HE? (Lenten rdg #1, Ash Wednesday)

Wed., Feb. 22

Mt. 2: 2. WHERE IS HE?

Since Epiphany precedes the Lenten season, what could better bridge us into this time of examining our relationship with the Lord than revisiting the story of the Magi? These mysterious men appeared from nowhere, inquiring, “Where is He? We have traveled long and hard, that we might bring Him our worship.”

Many of us have traveled long and hard since last year's Lenten season. The year has brought hard times, perhaps perplexing times, times that may have raised your blood pressure and thwarted your worship. Like the Magi, may we focus on the long-term goal, of arriving to worship. Worship. Where the focus shifts away from human aches and pains, from oh-so-real wants and needs. Worship. When we lift our hearts and minds and souls (and maybe even our hands!) in worshiping our King and Savior, Jesus. We need to check our baggage at the doorway, acknowledge and confess that baggage, be cleansed, and come near to worship.

The Magi had many miles to ponder, many days to think about the King whom they came to worship. Let's join together with them and contemplate the life of our Lord this Lenten time, and arrive every day to a time of worship.

Prayer: Loving Lord Jesus, You alone are the object of my praise and my thanks. You are the King over all. Thank You for waiting for us to journey through the cities and deserts of life, waiting for us to arrive and ready ourselves for worship. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. Attune our hearts to better pray and praise You this Lenten season. Amen.

Introduction to Lent, 2012

2012 Lenten Studies in Matthew

Intro:

These meditations arose from my latest read through the Gospel of Matthew. As I read, I looked for typical Lenten themes such as repentance and self-denial. Some passages surprised me, helping me to look at Lent from a different angle.

 

Meditate on each day's Bible passage and listen for what insights the Spirit may bring to your mind. Use my prayer word-for-word, as a model, or just free-lance!

It is my prayer that the power of the Risen Word will be seen and felt as we read His Word.

Lenten rdg # 37, for Wed., Apr. 4: WEEPING.

WEEPING

Mt.26: 75.

“...and Peter went out and wept bitterly.” At least Peter was capable of being overwhelmed by his shame. Our culture has lost much of its sense of shame, of remorse, of sorrow over sin. We explain and excuse rather than ask for pardon and to promise to change our ways.

Does this verse resonate with the Church of the 21^st century? Are we (often? ever?) brought to tears, weeping over our sinfulness? Do we come to Our loving Father with an awareness of how much He hates sin?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me a better understanding of my sinfulness. Guard me from evil. Praise You for abundant forgiveness. Cleanse me anew, and change my ways. Amen.