Lent 2014 - March 11

MARCH 11 – Matthew 7:7-11
By: Jeanette Nation

Ask, Search, Knock

7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Use this time of the Lenten season to learn about the invitations God has revealed to us…”ask and it will be given”. These commonly used verses remind us that God will listen to all. We may well be dumb enough to ask for the rocks and the snakes but then God gives us bread and fish anyway. We need not worry that God will punish us for praying wrongly!

Pray boldly and with perseverance and doors will open. What an amazing thought that His promises in Heaven are far better. We have the gift of knowing, through Jesus Christ, that our relationship  begins now… each time we pray.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for hearing my prayers and revealing your promises through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lent 2014 - March 10

MARCH 10 – Matthew 25:34-36
By: Cyd Law

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

This passage reminds me that I am the hands and feet of Jesus and if anything is going to get done in the fight against hunger, homelessness, injustice, and sickness I have to step up to the plate and take action. That is a scary thought and for many years I just sat on the sidelines and watched others do the work. I gave some money here and there to help out but I always said I was too busy to actually do something myself. Then a friend asked me if I could help him deliver bread from a little bakery in Casselberry to the homeless shelters in downtown Orlando. Well what was supposed to be only when he needed help has turned into an every other week volunteer job. But I love it. I have met so many wonderful people all being the hands and feet of Jesus. My challenge to you is become the hands and
feet of Jesus and actively search for things you can do to make our world a little more Christ like.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Open my eyes so I can see the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the sick and the injustice in this world. Give me the strength to stand up and make a difference as I want to be your hands and feet. Amen.

Lent 2014 - March 9

MARCH 9 – 2 Timothy 1:8-10
By: Elaine Cornelius

8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Ugh! I stare at my computer screen where there’s another picture telling me to “share if I am not ashamed of Christ.” It sits on my page and I ignore it as usual, not because I am embarrassed by my faith, but because nothing I post on social media sites can speak of my faith more clearly than the way I live. I can be bold in sharing my faith, rely on God’s power and not my own and the message will be heard by all who choose to see.

Nothing I do will change the fact we are covered by God’s grace. It is a free gift. We are called to God’s purpose for our lives, which He selected specifically for us because of His love for us. We are to experience life for the gospel or maybe it’s more of live our life through the gospel. This would mean the gospel is such a part of our lives that we don’t need to post something on social media to tell everyone we are not ashamed, our lives will do that for us. Anyone who sees us would be certain not only of who we are but who Christ is.

Prayer
Lord, give me the courage to live life as Your follower, demonstrating Your love and grace no matter what other people may say or do. Thank you for Your gift of grace. Help me to live the gospel in all aspects of my life so all who see me, find You.

Lent 2014 - March 8

 MARCH 8 – Isaiah 58:9-14
By: Shirley Evans

I thought of two things as I read this scripture – in verse 9, the Lord answers our call and says, “Here I am.” This is a God who listens, who loves us and has compassion. He is not a distant God, but someone close and available. What a wonderful feeling!

The second thing – the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” It came to mind as I reflected on the remainder of the passage. When we give of our self, give out of our heart and soul, the reward  to us is much greater than we could ever imagine. Think of a time when you helped someone – gave them food, a ride, fulfilled a need they had – and found a sense of peace, a warmth in your heart, not because you did something good for your own glorification, but just because they needed it. God’s promise is like that – His free gift of love, mercy and grace.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for being with me today and for your continuing blessing and love. Let me share that love with someone today through an act of kindness that you have taught us. Amen.

Lent 2014 - March 7

MARCH 7 – Psalm 51:10-15
By: Lou Shives

The book of Psalms has been described as a place to go to when one is hurting or desires to praise God. Several verses describe human problems or emotions so well that they make excellent prayers regarding laments, praise, and thanksgiving.

Psalm 51 was written by David after the prophet, Nathan, confronted him regarding his adultery with Bathsheba and conspiracy to commit murder of Uriah. In verses 10-15, David seeks redemption for his sins, states that he will teach God’s ways to sinners so that they will return to Him, joyfully sing of God’s forgiveness, and praise Him.

David’s words reflect our mission at St. Stephen to love God, love people, and make disciples. During this Lenten season, as you prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, praise God for forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of salvation through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.

Prayer
Lord God, as we reflect on Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection, we are humbled that You love us so much, forgive our sins, and accept us as we are. May we be ambassadors in our community so that others will come to know You and comprehend the extent and fullness of Your love. Amen.

Lent 2014 - March 6

MARCH 6 – Luke 9:23-25
By: Matthew Swope

Deny thyself. During this time of Lent, it is customary to give up something of which we are particularly fond—chocolate, caffeine, cable…the list goes on. Thus, we deny ourselves a small pleasure in trying to focus more on Christ and His ultimate sacrifice. In Luke 9:23, Jesus challenges us to do much more by denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow him each and every day.

What does this really look like for us as Lutherans?

In this day and age, we are constantly bombarded with a focus on the individual. What makes YOU feel good? Trust YOUR instincts. YOU must take care of YOURSELF before YOU can help others.

The mixed messages of an egocentric society can muddle Christ’s message in our heads. It isn’t that God expects us to forget about our individual needs/goals/desires, it is that we are to trust entirely in God. Imago Dei—we are created in the image of God, and together as a community we form a prism of the many individual facets of God Himself. We each serve a beautiful and unique role therein. Surely God wants us to celebrate our glorious diversity; however, God also desires us to “lose ourselves” in Him. Only in striving to do so can we join in this journey to the cross.

Prayer
Dear God, help us to embrace your word. Give us the courage to take up the cross and follow you,  knowing not only that we will stumble along the path and fall short of the destination, but also that by Your grace Christ will pick us up, dust us off, and spur us on. Amen.

Ash Wednesday - March 5

March 5 - Joel 2:12-13
By: Barbara Reynolds

The book of Joel begins with the analogy of a massive swarm of locust marching on the land of Israel, devouring everything in its path. The people watch as the land is stripped of all vegetation by
huge insects resembling advancing war horses without riders.

There appears to be no hope. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart and with fasting, weeping, and mourning and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness and relenting of evil.”

In our present age we are still assaulted by hoards of advancing locust that march on many lands and strip them of all promise of a better tomorrow. The message remains the same...”Return to Me. Repent. Rend your hearts and the love of God, which is far above human understanding will have compassion on His creation.”

Prayer
Today’s world seems to be under siege by advancing evil. Children never know peace, a full belly, a warm bed. Parents are unable to provide the bare minimum for survival as the devouring swarm of locust descend on them daily. Help us in our time of need. Help us to return to You praying that You will always have compassion on Your creation.