I have been asked a zillion times about my Lent “adventure.” My response, “I haven’t killed nor eaten anyone.” So I think I’m doing very well….. The hardest for me is to remember to lean on God for all my needs…… The first couple of days I REALLY leaned on Him….but now, my body has adjusted and I feel as if I can do it…by myself…..and I am anticipating a trip up.
In order to prevent the “trip” I have another week’s worth of devotions for all of us to read and pray over……Once again, they are based on the devotions in the Watch and Wait booklet by Julia DiSalvo.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Luke 6:37
It is so easy to see someone sin and to point a finger. My mother always said if you point one finger towards someone, you have three pointing back at yourself. It is always so much easier to judge other people than to face the fact that we sin as well. We really forget to look at ourselves and own up to our sins and weaknesses.
Before you criticize another, thing about something good that the person has done. Be a friend and not a judge.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. Matthew 23:3
This verse was to expose the Pharisees, the leaders and preachers in the community. If they couldn’t be trusted–because they judged unfairly or abused their power—then who could the people trust?
God’s teachings is something we can always put our trust into…..because it is always good.
Here’s an idea…. read the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 and really practice them this week.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. Matthew 20:18
Surely, Jesus didn’t want to die. He could have avoided the chief priests. But in the end, Jesus was betrayed by his own. To avoid being killed, he would have had to leave his ministry and abandon his disciples…..and guess what, God would never, ever do that.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Now during those days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12
Jesus would pray all night. We don’t pray for that long nor with that intensity unless something was truly wrong and we are worried about a big decision we must make. Jesus had a lot on his mind. He went to God for guidance. He prayed for so long and so much so that God could help him make the best decision he could. That is good advice for all of us to hear.
Friday, March 5, 2010
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Matthew 6:7-8
So many times, people say very long prayers. They tell God each and every little thing that they have on their minds or what they want. But Jesus says all those words are not important. It is more important just to be present with God because He cares about all of our concerns and knows what we really need, even before we say a word.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you…. Micah 7:14
Jesus is compared as a good shepherd who keeps watch over the creatures in His care, protecting them from harm and leading them to good food and drink. Think of all the ways God takes care of you and gives you what you need. The only way to get benefits of the good shepherd is to stay in his flock. If we stray and try to do things by ourselves, we will become lost and lonely.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19
Somethings are just impossible. We can’t change our past or become someone else, even if we try our hardest. Other things are difficult but possible with God. We can learn new activities and improve on bad habits. We can forgive friends when we fight with them.
Just remember, don’t expect the results right away. Next, believe it will happen. God wants us to become better people and to change. Finally pray for the strength to keep going and in doing so we will find God’s will.
May God bless you…..
Inspiring Text
