Lent 2023 Day 7 “Broken Yet Bold Before the Throne”

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2032;%20Genesis%204:1-16;%20Hebrews%204:14-5:10

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. ³ This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ⁴ And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”^[b]

⁶ And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”^[c]

⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹ and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

^{Hebrews 4:15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

It is day 7 of Lent 2023 and by now we have probably come face to face with the reality, We have some weaknesses. An honest observation will reveal some variables between who we want to be and who we have become. Like any child with a loving parent, we would love to be pleasing in all areas of our life to our parents. One of the hardest things to hear a parent say is, “I am disappointed in YOU”. These words sting. Being aware of disappointing our loved ones will often lead us to want to hide or just not deal with it.

YHWH is our DIVINE Parent and pleasing YHWH is at the core of most of our lives. This text from Hebrews reminds us that even though we have weaknesses, even though we stumble through temptations and fumble the faith when under fire, we can still approach the throne of grace with confidence. Many people will beat up verbally and mentally the moment they see weakness. They will overstate the obvious that we already know, we fall down. Although this is true we don’t have to beat ourselves up or dress in sackcloth and ashes to have an audience with GOD. We can come boldly with confidence trusting that we will receive grace to help us in our time of need.

Unfortunately, church can be a dangerous place to look for grace. All around we see “Aint’s dressed like saints” who take every chance to ungrace us. The use judgement and condemnation to break us down. Thankfully we have a GOD who understands and will help with no strings attached.

As you engage this day be reminded that YHWH enters our lives BEFORE we get is right. For this reason we can go boldly before the throne knowing we are loved and knowing we can do better.

Point To Ponder: How have YOU ungraced someone? How have YOU ungraced YOURSELF? How can YOU show grace to someone today?

Lent 2023 Day 6 “A Friend Through Thick and Thin”

Daily Scripture Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2032;%201%20Kings%2019:1-8;%20Hebrews%202:10-18

^{Hebrews 2:10-18} 

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ¹¹ Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.^[a] 12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”^{[b] 13} And again, “I will put my trust in him.”^[c] And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”^[d]

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them,^[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Friendship is essential to the soul. Each day as we journey through Lent we will be confronted by many opportunities to become distracted and despondent. Just because we have made a commitment to draw closer to the creator and more intentionally release control of our lives, does not mean our adversary the devil, leaves us alone. In fact, it is when we are focusing on being stronger that the enemy will appear to fight harder to show us how weak we really are.

Our text today from Hebrews 2:10-18 encourages us by letting us know we are not alone. If you have ever been the driver on a long drive you probably can appreciate the value of having company. Even if the company falls asleep it is often comforting just knowing you are not alone. Now if you are like me, when your company falls asleep there is this moment when you think, “Man I’m the one doing the work and you can’t stay awake”. This mixture of appreciation and consternation is similar to what The Christ must have felt from time to time. We see in scripture how the followers of The Christ would be faithful one day and flaky the next. When we look at the life of the Christ we may wonder why he would even endure all that he did and how he got through it. It is here that we draw our strength.

Our passage highlights that The Christ was made human in every way so that he could make atonement for us. We have a friend in the Christ who is an example for us because he became one of us. The Christ goes through disappointment, hunger, tiredness, even distress so that when we go through these things we know we are not alone. The Master endured all these trials and tribulations and remained faithful so that we would know that it can be done. When we are tempted and tried on every side, we have a Savior who can say “been there done that, don’t quit”. We have a Savior who knows all about what it means to be forsaken and kicked when we are down. We also have a Savior who knows what it is to have a Divine Daddy that cares for us and equips us to handle the toughest of times. By looking at the life of the Christ we know we have a friend, and that friendship is essential for our soul. One line of a song that comes to mind right now is “He stooped to bless.” The Master came low so that we could rise high.

As you go through today and face temptations of many kinds, be reminded that Jesus knows all about your troubles, and He will guide till the day is done. Whatever the challenge, The Christ is there because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. And lest we forget, where there is no desire there is no temptation. If Jesus was tempted it also means that there were options that he had, but chose not to pursue all because he loves  You.

Point to Ponder: In what ways are you being tempted? How does Jesus help you in your temptations? What have you learned about yourself?

Lent 2023 Day 5 “Wondering In The Wilderness”

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Who am I? Why am I here? These are two fundamental questions that we all must answer in order to maximize the life we have been granted. It is in the peaceful moments, the serene silence that responses to these questions are easily contemplated. On the other hand the life in the wilderness is harsh, and barren, and serves as the testing ground of who we say we are and who we really are. It is easy to speak of our calling and passion when our creature comforts are in place. When we are getting good nights sleep and have enough to eat, we assume GOD is with us and all is well. Yet when our preconceived notions of how life is supposed to go are upended and everything is in disarray, who we really are is most visible. In these times we may find our selves Wondering in the wilderness. Who am I really?

In our text, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This is happening right after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and a voice has been heard from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” Now just moments later, Jesus is in the wilderness. This is significant for us who are following the path of Jesus. During our 40 days of consecration and sacrifice we are entering into a wilderness. While in this wilderness, like Jesus, we are opening ourselves up to being challenged on the very foundation of our being, Who am I? When Jesus is being tempted, the devil says, “If you are the Son of GOD.” If you are who you say you are then prove it. This is a temptation many of us will face. Jesus knew what GOD had just told him in a public audiophonic way and still the enemy challenges him. The enemy seems to know that we are most vulnerable when our comfort is challenged. Challenges can tempt us to doubt the authenticity of our calling. In times like these we refer to our big brother Jesus.

Friends although we may be challenged to our core, and we may be wrestling with our identity I encourage us to see it through. Although we know we can eat the chocolate, or skip a day of devotion, we realize this is just a test. We will remain faithful because our Master Jesus has shown us, humans do not live by bread alone. Our Master has shown us that we have the power to say “Away from me Satan For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your GOD, and serve him only.’” We will be tempted, but we will also be victorious when we rely on GOD.

Point to Ponder: What wilderness are you facing? How does this wilderness challenge how you see yourself? Journal an experience of your testimony born from a trial.

Lent 2023 Day 4 “Don’t Get It Twisted”

Isaiah 58:1-12

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
² For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near them.
³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
    and exploit all your workers.
⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high.
⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness^[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
¹¹ The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.
¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

On day 4 of this season of Lent many will sacrifice and deny themselves of something they like. This we often do with an expectation that this is pleasing to GOD. How tragic it would be to sacrifice the things we like and love, only to end up further from GOD than when we began. In our text from Isaiah 58:1-12, we get a look at what true sacrifice and fasting are all about.

Daily we go through life and through the hustle and bustle we become oblivious to the parts of our lives that are dull and no longer effective. In some ways, through neglect and lack of attention to spiritual detail, we go through the motions of spirituality without the message of the Messiah. The text begins with the words “Shout it Aloud”. A shout is intended to get the attention of the listener. A shout lets us know something deserves our immediate attention. Failure to listen or to ignore the shout could lead to negative consequences. Shout it aloud like a trumpet that GOD’s people are in rebellion. They have grown fond of the form while turning their back on the function. Don’t get it twisted. Just because we do a act on the outside, does not mean it is coming from the right place within our heart. To talk about loving YHWH without loving the creation of YHWH is to live in self deception.

How often are we like the original hearers of this text? How often do we go to church, or say our prayers, and after we are done, we are done. We get off our knees and back on our feet, yet we carry nothing with us from the experience. We know we should pray so we do it. We know we should say we love people so we say it. We do and say what we think is supposed to be done and said but we are not truly reflecting a life of relationship with GOD. The Prophet shouts to get our attention. What good is it to fast and while doing it you fuss and fight? What good is it to fast and in the midst of it mistreat others? We have an opportunity through fasting to be transformed and make a real difference in the lives of others. The text continues on to say, “we cannot do as we have been doing and expect to be heard by the Divine. I get that.

This Lenten season I encourage each of us to not only take something away from our lives but to also add opportunities to bless others. When we open our eyes we will see many in our world who are hurting and hungry and locked in emotional chains that cause them to downsize their destiny. There are many opportunities to open up our hearts and homes for those who are physically and emotionally homeless. We will have countless opportunities to be a blessing to others. The Isaiah text lets us know that as we are open to bless others we make room for GOD to bless us. The awesome thing about GOD that I have encountered is even when we think we have nothing left to offer, in our weakness GOD is strong. This Lenten season let us clean out the debris that has accumulated over the year that makes us dull to the cries of others. Let us look for opportunities to bless others. And most of all let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap a harvest of unlimited blessings, when we do not quit. When we do this we will be like a well watered garden and be known as repairers and restorers.

Points to Ponder: In what ways have you been going through the motions? How many opportunities to bless others have you missed? Today Open your eyes. Exhale. And ask YHWH to show you what you have to offer.

Lent 2023 Day 3 “Anger Management”

Todays Scriptures https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah%204:1-11;%20Romans%201:8-17

JONAH’S ANGER AT THE LORD’S COMPASSION

4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. ² He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. ³ Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

⁵ Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. ⁶ Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant^[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. ⁷ But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. ⁸ When the sun rose, God provided scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

⁹ But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. ¹¹ And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Anger Management

 What is the angriest YOU have ever been? Think back and identify with how YOU felt. What was the cause? What did YOU do about it? Anger has a way of wanting to take control of our mind and body until something or somebody pays the price. For me, it was a wall in my apartment. Before I had time to fully process the consequences I punched and suddenly there was a hole in my wall and soon to follow in my wallet. How did I lose control like that? Honestly to this day, I cannot tell YOU but I can say it happens.

In our text today from Jonah 4, Jonah is angry and the source of his anger is the compassion of YHWH. Jonah was angry because Jonah wanted Ninevah to be punished but YHWH wants Jonah to preach to them. After his encounter with the big fish, Jonah relents and preaches and to no one’s surprise, Ninevah repents. From the King to the commoner everyone repents. YHWH is pleased and Jonah is peeved. YHWH then provides an anger management lesson for Jonah. A big leaf pops up and gives Jonah shade on a sunny day and as quickly as it pops up a worm eats it and causes it to wither. Jonah gets angry with the tree and YHWH challenges him with the reality, YOU did nothing to make the tree grow but YOU enjoyed its shade.

Friends, how often have we eaten fruit from trees we did not plant with any thought of the farmer, or worker in the field, or truck driver who drove it to market? We often benefit from blessings and yet buckle when others who may have wronged us get blessed. During this Lenten season, let us choose gratitude over grudges. Identify with the Ninevites and repent. Identify with Jonah and see how we have received compassion we were not ready to extend to others. Today, I encourage YOU to be more patient, loving and forgiving.

Point to Ponder: After YOU cooled down, How could YOU have handled YOUR anger differently? How will YOU deal with anger in the future? Forgive a past hurt by building a bridge and getting over it. #LIVEBIG

Ten Tips to Deal with Anger

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/anger-management/art-20045434

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