Lenten Reflections, Day 16

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Written by: Matthew Swope

Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9

We are all human. Everyday we face situations in which our thoughts (and yes, at times, actions) do not seem befitting ourselves, much less worthy of God. At work, we might dwell on the co-worker or client who tends to complicate matters. Waiting for the car in front of us to realize that the light changed to green ten seconds ago, we might expel a few uncustomary words. In the face of serious illness or personal adversity, we might question God’s intentions in our lives. All of these angst and anxiety-filled moments in life remind us of our need for a merciful God whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Likewise, even when we are truly living in the spirit, our gifts and generosity pale in comparison to the ways of the Lord. The cry in the book of Isaiah exhorts us to "seek the Lord" in all things. When we call upon the Lord in good times and in bad, He quickly reminds us of His mercy and His grace. As we seek the Lord, so too He seeks us in our daily lives so that we might realize His ways in this world.

Let us Pray:

Dear God, help me to seek you in all that I do. Thank you for your grace and for always seeking me out even when I am not receptive to your call. Make the thoughts in my head, the words of my mouth, and the actions of my heart pleasing to you. Amen.

FAMILY MOMENT:

The season of Spring is a popular time for cleaning house. The Jewish people would often have a big cleaning leading up to the time of Passover. Spend some time cleaning the glass surfaces in your home together. Talk about how when things are clean they shine and show a reflection. When we are clean, we shine and reflect God’s love for us!

Loving God, help us to shine for you! Help us to be a reflection of your love in the world. When people look at us, we want them to see YOU! AMEN.

Lenten Reflections, Day 15

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Written by: Elaine Cornelius

Reading: Philippians 2: 5-8

Humbling ourselves is not something that is discussed much these days. It is more common to build ourselves up. There are huge self help sections in bookstores to show us how. We work to raise self esteem and we often place people on pedestals from which they will eventually fall. Yet, we are asked to be obedient to God. We are instructed to give up our own will and live to fulfill the will of God. We are called to be like Jesus who stepped down from the highest reaches to bring us up from the deepest depths so that we might have eternal life.

I was given a wonderful piece of advice from a friend to "just listen." Sometimes that is really hard to do. We get so wrapped up in our own ideas that we can’t see the truth: someone else may have a better way. In our arrogance, we dismiss other people’s ideas; deciding they have less value than our own. When we are called on it, we may chalk up our assumed superiority to our humanness. Yet, the Lord God of all chose to take on the form of a common man and walk among us. He came not as a member of the elite, but as one that would experience hardship and be in service of others. Christ chose to give up the glory to which He is entitled and then made Himself obedient not only to death, but the most despicable, torturous death humans could devise. He chose God’s will over His own. Am I willing to do the same?

Let us Pray,
Lord, I thank you for Your willingness to humble Yourself, to die for us, to create for us the pathway back to You. I ask that You teach me humility that I may be of service to You. Amen

FAMILY MOMENTS:

Jesus came to earth and served others. He never thought of Himself, He always put the needs of others first. Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Sacrificing is a very hard thing to do; it is much easier to think of yourself first, get what you want. Today, make a sacrifice. Give something away, do without something. Talk with your family to think of some ways to sacrifice.

God, thank you for Your Son Jesus. Thank you for all the sacrifices You made to save us. Help me to think of others before myself and be more like You. AMEN

Lenten Reflections, Day 14

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

Written by: Gardner Hussey

Reading: Mark 12: 28-31

At that time the Jews had over 600 laws governing religious behavior. One of the teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Of all the commandments which ones are the most important?" Jesus answered, in the verses from Mark 12: 28-31, "Love the Lord God with all your heart and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

This was Jesus’ way of bringing into focus the real understanding and meaning of the scriptures. The Jewish religious leaders of that time had totally lost the true understanding of God’s relationship with His people. Instead they instilled meaningless ritual that suppressed a loving relationship that God wanted with His people.

Heavenly Father we pray that we will have a loving relationship with You through Jesus that is empty of all religiosity and full of love for You and for our neighbors, as You have commanded us. Amen.

FAMILY MOMENT:

God gave us many commandments or rules to follow. One of the most important commandments is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." It is easy to love God, He is always with us, He will always help us. Write a letter to God, tell Him some of the reasons you love Him.

God, your commandments show us how You want us to live. Help me live my life by Your rules. AMEN

Lenten Reflections, Day 13

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Written by: Gail Seeram

Reading: John 8: 31-33

Through these verses, Jesus is sending the message that if you read "my word" and meditate on "my word" then you are truly my disciples. We read the word from the Bible, which has 1000 - 2000 pages (depending on the version) and we hear the word through the sermon and readings during church – but do we follow the word? As a disciples of Jesus, we should strive to not only read the word and hear the word, but also spread the word of Jesus and follow the word of Jesus.

Let us Pray:
Jesus, as a disciple, help me to read and meditate on your word on a daily basis. Guide me to follow your example in loving God, loving people, and making disciples. Amen.

FAMILY MOMENT:

"…the truth shall set you free." It is important to remember that telling the truth is always the right thing to do. Talk with you family about what can happen when you don’t tell the truth.
Lord, help me to always tell the truth. Thank you for showing us the truth in you. AMEN

Lenten Reflections, Day 12

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Written by: Char Klima

Reading: Genesis 33: 1-11

Jacob’s narrative is a story of contrasts. This line from a nursery rhyme comes to mind: When he was good, he was very good; but when he was bad, he was horrid. More importantly, the story illustrates the clear contrast between erratic human behavior and God’s enduring love.

The chief dispenser of God-like grace here is Esau. He did everything right, only to lose his inheritance when Jacob deceived their blind father. Later Jacob served his father-in-law faithfully for many years, but eventually did some shenanigans in that situation too.

In today’s text Jacob is headed for a confrontation with Esau and rightfully expects the worst. Jacob puts his servants out in front and hides his favorite wife and son in the most secure position. To his credit, Jacob does take the lead. And to his great surprise, Esau runs to meet Jacob and kisses him. How like God! When we least deserve and expect a warm reception, our God overwhelms us with His love!

Prayer
Thank you, God, for loving us at our best and at our worst. You are indeed an awesome God! Amen.

FAMILY MOMENT:

Jacob and Esau, twin brothers, have an interesting history. As the first born, Esau claimed the birthright and all of their father’s inheritance. But Jacob was born holding on to his brother’s heel! Jacob later tricks Esau out of his father’s inheritance, leaving Esau with nothing and Jacob with everything. After spending many years apart, the brothers are reunited. Jacob thought that Esau would have anger towards his brother. But in verse 4 we see that Esau ran towards his brother and embraced him, forgiving him. Is it difficult or easy to forgive? When have you been forgiven? Is there someone whom you need to forgive?

Gracious Lord, thank you for forgiving us. We make good AND bad choices every day. Help us to forgive those who have hurt us and help us to realize when we hurt others. AMEN.

Lenten Reflections, Day 11

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Written by: Rob Coble

Reading: John 11: 25-27

There is so much happening in these passages. I can’t think of anything more powerful and liberating than these words that Jesus spoke. Our reward for our stewardship and belief is eternal life, but what about life today right here on earth? My belief provides freedom from the daily grind and freedom from the struggles of staying ahead. As long as I remember to do my best and do the right thing, my belief guarantees me that I will live eternally and promises a much easier and contented life here on earth. Putting my belief first has ensured more happiness for me in this life than I could have ever imagined.

Prayer
Dear God, keep me focused on the here and now and provide me the guidance to live each and every day of my life with a smile on my face, a spring in my step, a song in my heart and an attitude of gratitude. May your gifts continue to inspire me each day of my life, today and tomorrow.

FAMILY MOMENT:

Spring is a time of new life. Flowers bloom, green leaves sprout on the trees. During the season of Lent we remember Jesus dying on the cross and rising again. This new life in Jesus gives us new life forever. Plant some flowers with your family to bring some new life to your home.

Jesus, thank you for giving us new life. Thank you for Spring! Thank you for loving us! AMEN

Lenten Reflections, Day 10

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Written by: Phyllis Chen

Reading: Psalms 46

My hero was my dad. He was my protector, mentor and inspiration to strive to be the most that I could be. He was the kind of dad that made me want to please him and love others the way he loved. The most important thing my dad taught me was to trust in God. His example of fatherly love here on Earth made it easier to believe and trust in our heavenly Father. This is the image my dad helped to engrave in my mind and heart of who God is and my love for others.

Our experiences shape images and ideas that influence trust in others and what we believe. Not everyone has the privilege of good memories of their fathers or the blessing of great people in their life that help them relate to a good image of who God is. In Psalm 46, the writer describes God as our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in (times) of trouble. He is a mighty fortress to protect us and trust in. Through reading scripture, we learn that God empowers us to live confidently and positively influence others. God has your back. Love God, Love People and Make Disciples.
Let us Pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, inspire us today to get to know you better, to study your word more, to increase our knowledge of who you truly are, to transform our minds and empower us to believe in you. Release us to the freedom of loving others the way that you love us that they may also come to know you, our Lord and our Savior. Amen

FAMILY MOMENT
Have you ever had a bad day? Some days, nothing goes right. God can be our strength on days like these. He can help us get through any bad day. Talk with your family about ways you can make a bad day better.
Lord, thank you for giving us strength on bad days. Help us remember a bad day is just one day and we always have tomorrow. Amen.