Easter Sunday

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Mark 16:5-6

Our journey of Lent has come to an end. We now celebrate Easter—the day that Christ was raised from the dead. For Christians, Easter or Resurrection Sunday is the most significant event in history. Without Easter Sunday, the name of Jesus would be about as recognizable as the name Theudas. Who, you may ask, is Theudas? That's the point. He lived in Israel several years before Jesus. He was, in his time, a popular prophet and teacher. He attracted hundreds of followers proclaiming that he was the Messiah. But when he offended the wrong people, he was put to death.

Sound familiar so far? Then why haven't we ever heard of him? Because after his death his followers scattered and went on to other things, andthe world soon forgot about Theudas. When Jesus died, it looked like the same thing would happen. Before Jesus was dead, the majority ofhis followers had deserted him stating that his teachings were too hard (John 6:53-66). When Jesus died, it appeared that his cause would die with him, and that he would become as obscure as Theudas.

But oddly enough, it didn't happen that way. The followers of Jesus didn't fade into oblivion. In fact, they all came back bolder and more courageous than ever before. What happened? What made the difference? The resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday made the difference. Jesus died. They put him in a tomb. And everyone assumed that this was the end of the story. But a new story was beginning as God raised Jesus from the dead.

Seeing first hand resurrection appearances of Jesus changed the disciples'perspective on life. Their encounter with the risen Christ filled them with grace upon grace. Have you had an encounter with the risen Christ? Has Christ changed your perspective on life? Celebrate Christ's death and resurrection as you create space for grace in your lives. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Prayer: Holy God, you raised up Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. By your Holy Spirit, help us to witness to him so that those who have not yet encountered him may come to believe that Christ has died; Christ is resurrected and Christ will come again! Amen.

Holy Saturday

God is with Us

I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and he answered me and put me in a good place. The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. Psalm 118:5-6

How many of us believe we are in control of our lives? We go along making decisions and plans. But it isn't until our lives go wrong that we will call out to God. We call on him to repair what we have damaged when it would have been so much simpler to speak with him first. When asking for God's advice and guidance the most important thing for us to do is to listen. God will answer us. He will whisper in our ears, and show us the right path through our life experiences. God will care for us and watch over us.

And what happens when things go wrong that we could not have even anticipated? God is still there for us. He will still answer us and send uson the right course. Our faith in God will see us through any trial. Put your faith in God. He will take your problems and make them his own. The ultimate example of this is God sending his son Jesus to die for us. As Samuel Wesley said in a poem: "Behold the Savior of mankind, nailed to the shameful tree; how vast the love that him inclined, to bleed and die for thee."

While I was in the process of writing this devotional, I had a few things go wrong in my life. The problems ranged from medical concerns to automobile-related issues. When it became all too consuming, I took my own advice: I sat down to talk with God. The problems are still there, but I am no longer overwhelmed. Peace came over me because I know, "the Lord is with me."

Pamelia J. Mayne

Prayer: Father, thank you for today and all that it brings. I know that you are beside me and if I listen to you, I will receive your guidance. Amen.

Good Friday

Shedding Tears

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." …After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." …When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 18:25-27; 28, 30

Good Friday is God's Friday. It is when we celebrate the Passover when Jesus, "the Lamb of God," was crucified and died for our sins. Like a funeral service, it was a dark day when the disciples were scattered and Jesus' mother wept. It was a day for tears. When I visited the Western Wall (a.k.a. the "Wailing Wall") in Jerusalem several years ago, I experienced the emotion of what many must have felt during the first Good Friday. I witnessed hundreds of people weeping over a piece of paper as they pressed toward the wall looking toward heaven.

I remember shedding tears over relationships and broken friendships. Even though I was taught that men don't cry, I could not overcome the powerful emotions that I felt that caused tears to well up in my eyes. The eyes are the windows to the soul and shedding tears is the soul's way of expressing the deep emotions of joy and pain. So when we cry, our souls are expressing heartfelt grief and sorrow. The shortest verse in the Bible comes to mind when I think about Good Friday and reminisce about my trip to the Western Wall: Jesus wept.

It was while Jesus was in Bethany that he joined Lazarus' sisters and friends in weeping at Lazarus' tomb. One of his best friends had died, and he was aware that he too would soon be crucified. Psychologists suggest that tears are a cathartic way of dealing with heavily charged emotional situations. I have experienced that tears often clear our minds to help us find a way to deal with the problem we are facing.

Jesus solved the problem of Lazarus' death by crying with a loud voice, "Lazarus come out!" and he came forth from the tomb in burial clothes. The tears of pain were transformed into tears of joy. This is what Good Friday means! It is the day when Jesus bore our tears of sin on the cross and through God's power transformed us. Good Friday gives us the strength to face difficult and highly charged emotional situations. Our weeping will endure through the night, but joy will come in the morning!

Quincy D. Brown

Prayer: Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. – from "When I Survey TheWondrous Cross," text by Lowell Mason, 1825

Maundy Thursday

Too Busy

Now when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21

As the Pharisees eagerly awaited the end of time, they became so busy trying to do good works in the name of the Lord that they failed to see what was really important. Because their efforts were self-centered and not God-centered, they soon grew tired of doing works. The Pharisees failed to realize that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. We must live each day by faith, rather than just works.

As Christ's followers, we must seek to live in this world, but not be of the world. We are encouraged not to worry as the Pharisees did. They were so obsessed with the Lord's coming that they missed his presencein their lives. Only God knows the exact day and hour of his return.

Many times we are so busy at being busy that we fail to find time to be alone with God. God is always around us, working everyday in our lives. We need to discover and use his energy as our source and comfort from day to day. Are you operating on his power as you seek to find his kingdom inside of you? Take time to recharge your spiritual batteries by spending time with him today.

Theresa Miller

Prayer: Lord God, please help me not to worry about troubles, but to seek you daily in all that I do. Let my service always be about you Lord, never me. Strengthen my faith day by day as I seek and experience your presence. Amen.

Wednesday in Holy Week

Dealing with Uncertainty

And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

There is a great deal of uncertainty in this world. With so many natural disasters throughout the world and contentious political issues swirling around us, it is hard for us to know who to trust. This verse helps us see that no matter what is happening in the world around us, God will always be there, helping and teaching us along the way.

God wants to use each situation to teach us and he gives us commandments to follow. All we have to do is trust in him and he will be there with us through all our trials and tribulations.

Many times we may feel as though we are all by ourselves. Like a battle between a powerhouse and an under dog, we feel like it's us against the world. It is during these times that God reminds us that it does not have to be this way. With God we will always have a companion to stand with us even until the end of the age.

Michelle Stewart

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise to be with me until the end of the age.

Tuesday in Holy Week

There's Hope

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:1-4

David is crying to God from the depths of his soul because of his sinful actions. A rewriting of this verse might read, "Out of the depths of my sin I have cried to you." David's heart is weighed down with the "guilty stain" of his sin before a righteous God. It appears that at this momen the might even be more aware of the righteousness of God than even his own sin for he asks the Lord to simply hear his voice.

During David's despair and sorrow, which seems to almost break him, God shows comfort to him. The Lord reveals to David that if he should mark iniquities against guilty people then no one would stand. If God were not patient, gracious with redemption, and full of mercy, we would not stand a chance. There would be no hope. Yet there was hope forDavid and for us. David learned that there is forgiveness with God!

The Lord responded by forgiving David. David cried for God's favor as if he were the publican in the New Testament who cried, "Father, have mercy on me a sinner." It is essential to understand what David was going through because we too are in this depth of sin. We stand before God no more deserving of forgiveness than anyone else. Yet there is ahope for us and all humanity: God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ!

Mason Gentry

Prayer: O Holy God you owe us nothing. You would be completely just in not forgiving us of our crimes against your holiness. Please hear our cry today. God we cannot appease you with sacrifices or with works or else we would do it. But a broken and contrite heart, O Lord, you will not despise. You lift up the humble. You beautify the meek with salvation. So God we ask for your forgiveness of our sins and we pray that you will create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Hallelujah Lord, you make all things new! Amen.

Monday in Holy Week

Doing God's Will

No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us. 1 John 4:12

Lent is a time when we must always be prepared to do the will of God. Doing God's will is challenging at times and we often get in the way of ourselves and God. This happens when we allow our selfish desires to supersede our desire to please God and to be used by him. We please God by loving him and others with all of our soul, heart, mind and strength—this is doing the will of God.

Through prayer, service and loving one another, we can be sure that God will live in union with us, and his love will be made perfect in us. So when the circumstances of life threaten to overwhelm us, we must always be watchful and in a spirit of prayerful openness to do God's will and receive God's grace.

David Harris

Prayer: God, give me the strength to do your will and not togive in to my selfish desires. I open myself so that I can be available at all times to be used by you. Amen.

Palm Sunday

Love

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

As a child, I remember my Sunday school teacher ending each lesson with the words "let your little light shine." Sometimes as Christians we forget that others are watching our actions and comparing them to our testament of faith. We are to be examples of Christ, the way he lived, and his message of love. Indeed one of many examples we have of God can be found in the Church. A church congregation is to be a reflection of faith, hope and love. The Bible says that of the three attributes of a congregation that will stand the test of time is love and God is love (1 Cor. 13:13).

There are times when we struggle to love one another, our neighbors, or enemies. And there are other times when we are tormented with the wrongs others have done to us. The reality is that we live in a world where people hate, quarrel, and fight; where Christian goodness is seen as odd. However, we remember that love covers a multitude of sins so we seek to be forgiven by forgiving and loving others.

It is only with God's help that we can accomplish the difficult task of loving others. For loving another human comes through receiving God's compassion in our hearts. This is the love of genuine action and not a matter of words. It is the kind of love that led Jesus to die on the cross and be raised from the dead for you and me.

Neene Gichaara

Prayer: God, save me from falling into anger. Help me to love even when it seems the most impossible thing to do. Let my little light shine especially in the dark. Amen.

Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Wake Up!

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour? Matthew 26:40

Jesus is our Savior. He died for the forgiveness of our sins. We as Christians, no matter which denomination or church we are members of, know of Jesus' sacrifice of dying on the cross. God became human to heal our wounds, to listen to us, to become our friend, and to be the light guiding us in the way to our salvation. However, many times we forget about Jesus' sacrifice and the reasons why Christ became human. It is as if we are blind and deaf and we do not pay attention to what he is trying to tell us. We ignore Jesus just as sometimes we turn our backs to our closest friends.

In Matthew 26:40, the disciples could not stay awake to wait for Jesus to come back from praying. The disciples were Jesus' closest friends but they could not stay awake to support him in the difficult situation he was going through. He knew his destiny and slowly his disciples began to realize it too. However, they turned their backs on him letting their exhaustion get the best of them. There are times when we behave as the disciples did that night. We know who Jesus is and that he died on the cross for us, but we still do not follow his example. Can we stay awake during the season of Lent for Jesus' sake? Will we ignore Jesus by turning our backs on him?

Cindy Angulo

Prayer: Lord, there are times when I sleepwalk through theday. I'm on auto pilot and I'm going through the motions. Please forgive me. Help me to wake up and experience your forgiveness. Amen.

Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent

The Key to Success

Except the lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Except the lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

What's your major? This is the first question we are asked as freshmen.There are so many choices to choose from and sometimes we aren't sure who we want to be or what we want to do when we grow up. All we know is that in order to be successful in life, we must go to college and get a degree in something.

But success isn't so much in having a degree, a lot of money or a big office. Success can be experienced when we find God's will for our lives. This passage reminds me of how unsuccessful life can be without God. He created us to depend on him for our needs, but being flawed and human we forget that until a tragedy happens or we come into misfortune. Lent is a time where we can learn not to take God's love in vain and to stop trying to do his job.

Corey Pope

Prayer: God, I come to you with reverence and in a spirit of apology. Help me to never forget that nothing I do can top what you can do for me. Amen.

Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Distractions

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Matthew 14:23

Cars, people, and odd sounds constantly distract us. Our world is filled with noises and distractions that are hard to avoid. We are so easily distracted by these things, which is why it is a good idea to get away. Many times Jesus would leave the crowds, his friends, and go out to be alone and pray. This sets forth an example for us all.

Each day during Lent, we should try to get away. We should find a place that is peaceful and away from distractions and use it to pray and grow in our relationship with the Lord. Jesus knew what he was doing when he went up on that hill! So follow after him by spending somealone time today in prayer.

Danielle MacMinn

Prayer: God, calm our world and quiet our spirit. Help us to follow after you and get away so that we may grow and learn and deepen our relationship with you. Amen.

Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Compassion

Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:2

Sometimes it seems like there's no hope and things don't seem to go our way. We lose our wallet, our car breaks down, or we don't hear our alarm clock go off and we miss an important meeting. There are also situations that we are put into that seem too hard for us to handle alone. In these times, we need assistance and that is when God's mercy comes to us. No matter what we have done, God's mercy is there for us. Although trials and tribulations come, God's mercy will always be there for us.

Mercy means "having compassion for the miserable." So the most important concept that accompanies mercy is compassion that God has for us. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ, a way is open for us to receive compassion, mercy, truth and righteousness. God's compassion for us is so great that his mercy endures forever. During this Lenten season, remember to always put God first and to place your total trust in him.

Demetris Render

Prayer: God, I know there are times when things seem so hard to handle or it seems like people are always beating up on me emotionally and spiritually, but through it all I will place my trust in you for I know your mercy endures forever. Amen.

Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

God's Time

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

It seems like every year there are a million goals that we want to achieve. Whether it is receiving a good grade in a class, or a promotion at work, it is human nature to attempt to obtain everything that our hearts desire, even though it may not be in God's divine plan for our lives. When all of our desires are part of our personal agendas and not God's agenda, then life becomes more difficult. Getting an "A" on a term paper or a promotion at work may be even harder to obtain and life will feel as if everyone or everything is out to get you.

We need to remember that everything is perfect in God's time, and not ours. What you may think is your life's direction may not be the same as God's direction for your life. Don't forget to stop, think, and pray about what God may be calling you to do. Things are much easier if we realize and follow God's will, rather than our own.

Noël Winter

Prayer: Father, what is your will in my life today? Please help me to listen to your will and not mine, and give me patience to do so as I wait on your plan in my life. Amen.

Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Trust in God

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me. Psalm 31:1-2 (KJV)

The Lord tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust him with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, but in all our ways to acknowledge him and he will make our paths straight. When we start trusting in ourselves and leaning on our own understanding, we begin to stray from the straight path.

We become self-centered and not Christ-centered. Our Heavenly Father wants us to focus on him by fully serving and trusting him. Only he can deliver us from the times where we miss the mark, stumble and fall into trouble. He will keep us on the path of righteousness that leads to life.

Zach Hall

Prayer: Father, help me to trust you with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Help me to stand for truth, honor, and integrity. Do not let me be put to shame for standing up for the truth. Keep me in your righteousness, that I may walk holy and blameless before you and men. Be quick to deliver me when I stray from the path of righteousness. Jesus, you are the rock of my foundation, my refuge in time of trouble, and the lover of my soul. For the sake of your name lead and guide me through today and the days to come. Amen.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Not Taken for Granted

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19

These simple, yet elegant words contain a majesty that is over whelming when truly examined. However, it is safe to say that many of us do not stop to take in the magnitude of the sacrifice made so many years ago for us. Jesus, the Son of God, took it upon himself to free us from our sins.

All the immature and stupid decisions that we have made are forgiven because Jesus has paid the price. The times when we have done wrong, thinking that we've let God down, have been made right again. Jesus willingly strapped on the yoke of our pride and has assumed the weight of our sins. Christ gave his life for our forgiveness. So when we participatein Holy Communion we are invited to see the taking of the bread and cup as more than a simple symbolic message. It is much more.

It is our living representation of the mighty majesty of our God. It is God's grace reaching out to meet us where we are so that we might connect with God and our neighbors. Let us hope that we never again hear these words without concentrating on the wonderful forgiveness offered to us through Jesus.

Bill Stikes

Prayer: Dear God, let me never take your word for granted again. Let the Holy Bread take on a deeper meaning through each and every experience. Amen.

Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Correcting Injustice

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

There are times when we are concerned that we are not living the way God wants us to. We tend to gauge our faithfulness and love for God by what we do that is visible to others: tithing, church attendance, mission trips, and so on. While all these acts are important, they tend to only please ourselves. God is not concerned with what we offer physically if it is not from our hearts. Micah reminds us that God has commanded what is right and wrong, and that we should abide by those laws. Beyond that, the Holy Father's requirements are quite simple: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with him.

Simply believing in justice is not enough. We must use every power we have in life to correct injustice. This can include being fair to others, spending time with them, showing interest in them, and caring for them in times of need. We must act similarly if we love kindness. Being kind to others only on the surface is insufficient. We must truly care about their spirits and be a support to them when they are in need.

In order to walk humbly with Christ, we must be obedient to him. We must hold a steady and faithful course in life and never veer from that path. By doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God, we are giving something of ourselves in a spiritual way to Christ, which pleases him above all else.

Elizabeth Cummings

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to understand all that you require of me as your faithful servant, so that I may walk humbly with you all the days of my life. Amen.

Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent

You are Worthy!

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.1 Corinthians 15:10

The subject of grace has been one of the most difficult things for me to wrap my head around in my walk with Christ. It's always seemed to be too easy and, paradoxically, too hard. Even lately it's been getting under my skin—I keep thinking that my past makes me unworthy of God's use, or if I accomplish something for Christ, it will be my own effort that makes it happen. But God keeps reminding me that I'm not seeing the whole picture. It is God's grace that makes me worthy of his use. Despite what I've done, it's this same grace that accomplishes things and not my own strength.

Paul explains it best in 1 Corinthians 15:10. He's describing how Christ died for our sins, was buried for three days, and was witnessed by the apostles when he was raised. I'm paraphrasing Paul, when suggesting what his comments may sound like today.

"Way after all the original apostles saw Christ when he was raised from the dead, I saw him too. When I think about it, it really doesn't make sense, because I am just not worthy of it. I've done a lot of crappy things like persecuting others for their beliefs. But wait! What I am now is different than what I was. And I am now worthy. This isn't because of how hard I have worked—which is a lot harder than everyone else—but it's because God chose to pour his grace over my life. So I'm really not the one doing any of this, it's Christ in me."

These last sentences are the key as Paul realizes that the only reason he is who he has become is because of the Father's grace. And he understands that his effort would be meaningless if it weren't covered by grace. Nothing that we do will amount to anything if God's grace is not present in and over our lives. Think of it like this: pens without ink are just useless pieces of plastic. You can scribble with them 'til your fingers turn blue, but they will not really leave a mark unless they are filled with ink. We are like those pens. We are pretty much useless until we are filled with God's grace and presence.

As you enter into the last leg of Lent, remember this and be encouraged: God has filled you with his grace and it has made you worthy and useful! If you let go of trying to make things happen with your own strength and really let God and his grace work through you, then what you do will truly be powerful. Why? Because when you decrease then God can increase.

Hayley Curlis

Prayer: O Holy Father, thank you for making me worthy by Christ's death and resurrection. Help me to receive your amazing grace today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent

More than Appearances

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.' The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king over Israel. When Samuel sees Jesse's eldest son Eliab, he thinks that surely this tall, good-looking, confident man is the Lord's chosen. But God tells Samuel that he does not consider the things that humans consider. And God tells the prophet Samuel that David, the youngest ofJesse's sons, is to be anointed king of Israel.

I often find myself thinking that I cannot possibly be used by God. I am too young, too awkward, and too inexperienced. I am not great; I am simply me. But this verse reminds me that God looks at people differently. God sees more than our outward appearance. God looks at the heart. He can use the young and untalented, the immature and self-conscious, just as he did when he anointed David as king of Israel.

Laura Dresdow

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for using me despite my inexperience and immaturity. Help me to be like David and strive after you with all of my heart. Amen.

Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Removing Our Robes

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

There are many times in our lives when we look upon the world through a tarnished lens. Seeing through this lens dimly, we declare for ourselves the things that we deem holy and righteous. We spy from afar the sins of others. We are sure not to get too close so that we do not dirty the pure white robe that we wear for the world to see. We enjoy standing before the mirror and seeing how wonderful and crisp our robe's exterior remains. In our primping in the mirror, we are careful to keep the robe tied. We dare not open it up and look upon its interior, for what we fear most is seeing the stains of our own doing.

Christ urges us to change our judgmental attitudes. At some point in our lives, each one of us steps off the path God calls us to follow. Each one of us falls short of God's glory; and yet, God freely gives us the incredible gift of grace through salvation in Jesus Christ. With this amazing gift, God looks upon us in a new light.

God sees not the stains that once entrenched the interior of our robes, but a new creation made pure and holy through his son. God sees us through a clear lens, one that removes all distortions once present in our lives. We are called to remove the robes that attempt to cover our indiscretions and allow Christ to purify our hearts, minds and bodies. In doing so God will cast out our distorted vision that focused on judging others and show us a new world, a world of wonderment we may travel, which will give us the opportunity to share with others the same amazing love given to us by God.

Chris Driggers

Prayer: Dear God, help me to remove the things that hinder me from being in relationship with you.

Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Avoiding Distractions

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." Mark 8:34-35

What does Jesus mean when he says he wants those who follow him to "deny themselves?" I want to focus on these two words. This is very important, Beloved. Jesus calls us to follow him. But so often we follow the things that the world puts in front of us and we soon become controlled by them. Some of the things that can control us are TV shows, music, internet surfing, pornography, gossiping and our ownselfish desires. We are led to believe that we can keep these desires in check and do what we please and still call ourselves followers of Christ. But we cannot. We cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).

We cannot act like the world by cursing and using the Lord's name in vain, drinking, partying, and filling our minds with all sorts of perversion and at the same time call ourselves Christians. So if someone were to meet you today, do you think they would be able to tell that there was something different about you? Would they be able to tell that you serve Jesus?

Telling something different about us is the result of allowing Christ to change us by denying ourselves and taking up our cross. This is a peculiar thing. In 1 Peter 2:9, we are described as a peculiar people. That means we are to be set apart and people should be able to tell we are Christians. So if others are not able to identify us as Christ's followers then perhaps it may be time to check our hearts (Psalm 139).

The only ways we can truly know the Lord is by denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow Christ. This requires us to study God's word and pray every day. We must put away all the things that sway our focus from Jesus. For if we try to hold on to those things of the world that we know in our hearts do not please the Lord, we will miss what great things God has in store and ultimately "lose our life" (v. 35). But if we give up all of our worldly desires and take up our cross and follow Jesus, being all he desires us to be, we will find life in the end! In doing this, God is able to use us for great things. It is then that we are truly followers of Christ.

Sharon Coffey

Prayer: Dear Father, forgive me for my selfishness. Teach me to deny myself daily and take up my cross and follow you. Show me the things in my life that are keeping me from knowing you more and give me the strength to let go of them. Put within me a deep desire for you and your word so that I can focus on you without distraction (1 Cor. 7:35b). Help me to focus on you, God, by drawing me closer to you!

Monday in the Fourth Week of Lent

A Wise Investment

"Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. Thus I will bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in your name." Psalm 63:3-4

There are a number of things in life that we invest our time, resources, and ultimately ourselves into. Years of study toward an education, a few hours' wages into a date with a prospective companion, or endless physical exertion into a rigorous workout routine: all investments with an expected return.

Often I've found my own quests for love and meaning take the form of such investments, requiring seemingly endless sacrifice and struggle in hopes that such would yield a lasting friendship or a rival's respect. The words of the Psalmist throw into stark contrast the love he knows as God's love which we too often reap as the reward for our investments. Regardless of personal circumstances or of past failures, it is God's love for humanity, his kindness toward his children, in which we should find our joy and meaning. May we be content to find his loving kindness, unearned and undeserved, better than life itself.

Chuck Peek

Prayer: Merciful Father, thank you for your love, made all the more perfect in my imperfections. May its place in my life be so prominent that it brings you praise. Amen.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

The Potter's Clay

And yet, LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Sometimes bad things happen. Some things are caused by our own sinfulness while others are consequences of this fallen world. We sin and things happen. That's just how it is. But I'm thankful that when bad things happen, God is bigger than our sins. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Like clay in the potter's hand, God molds and shapes us into people who will bring him glory and honor. God is the Creator and we are God's creation—the work of his hand. We are God's children and we are completely dependent upon our Heavenly Father, the Creator of heaven and earth. God listens to our cries and forgives us. He is never far away. He is here with us.

Continual praise is due to our God! He alone is the Creator and we are the creation. We are all formed by his hand. God chooses to love us and to bring us closer to him. He chooses to use us to further his kingdom. He chooses us! May you choose today to become more like our Father. May you allow yourself today to be molded and shaped by the Creator.

Tiffany Englert

Prayer: Father, thank you for creating us all by the work of your hand. Thank you for allowing us to be the clay with which your hand works. We give you praise, O God, for creating us and not leaving us. Thank you for being righ there with us through every season of life. You are here even now, listening to this very prayer. Please continue to listen to the cries of our hearts and forgive us. Father, thank you for your grace and mercy and continue to mold and shape us into your people—the people whom you have called to grow in intimacy with and further your kingdom. O Lord, I pray, that we would give you glory and honor to the fullest. Amen.