2020Lenten and Pentecost Services & Devotional - cbcboston.org
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
February 26 – May 31, 2020
2020Lenten and Pentecost Services & Devotional
Concord Baptist Church of Boston -in Milton
180 Blue Hill Avenue, Milton, MA
Reverend Dr. Conley Hughes, Jr – Senior Pastor
Reverend Brenda A. Fluker – Minister of Christian Education
Lent is the forty (40) day period, exclusive of Sundays, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending at
Easter. Lent is a time of introspection, prayer, self-examination and repentance. Jesus was the perfect
man that was truly the Son of God and who gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin, therefore,
providing the perfect Savior for humankind. For everyone who is willing to spend time daily reading
and meditating on Scripture during Lent, you will be reminded of what it means to deny yourself, take
up your cross and follow Christ. Lent serves as a reminder that resurrection comes after death. New
life awaits those who believe in the risen Savior. Open your eyes, ears and heart anew during the Lenten
season and celebrate new life in Christ.
February 26, 2020 - April 12, 2020
As the Season of Lent approaches, the question on many minds is “what are you giving up for
Lent?” Too often, the answers include seemingly meaningless choices, e.g. sweets, chocolate or coffee,
or meat. Inevitably, many persons treat the promise to “give up” something much like we treat New
Year’s resolutions; they are earnestly made, but easily broken.
We are people of faith. An essential element of our relationship with God is to trust Him. “ And
without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”. (Hebrews 11:6). We cannot have too much
faith no matter where we are on our personal journey.
In a nation and a world of uncertainty, our ability to trust God has never been more significant. Faith
helps us confidently face and overcome challenges. As we journey to the cross this Lenten season, let
us practice surrendering anew to God each and every day. May our faith be increased and our hearts
transformed for greater service as we draw closer to Christ.
April 12, 2020 – May 31, 2020
The 2020 / Consecration Guide
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13&14
For the ninety days between Ash Wednesday, (Lent,) and Pentecost, a call is issued to members of the
Concord Baptist Church to gather in unity as we present ourselves to the Lord for Consecration.
Consecration refers to the act of setting yourself aside and dedicating yourself to God. During
consecration we seek the revelation and alignment of God’s will and purpose in our lives. Stay with us
and be a doer, as well as a hearer, of the Word of God. God’s Word declares good and harvest over and
in your life, as we practice the ancient traditions and disciplines of the church. During this ninety-day
period there will be two 21 Day spiritual journeys or Consecrations. We encourage you to take the leap
of faith and join us as we ask the Lord to Plant our Feet on Higher Ground.
6:00 AM Thursday, March 12 – 6:00 PM Wednesday April 1, 2020
6:00 AM Thursday, May 7 – 6:00 PM Wednesday, May 27, 2020
CONSECRATION DISCIPLINE
1. Be certain to have a DAILY DEVOTION, Monday – Saturday, spending time in the Word of
God (Bible) and in Prayer along with attending Worship on Sunday. The Article “7 Minutes
with God” offers a model for your Daily Devotions. In use since 1882, “7 Minutes with God” is
available on the Prayer table. Concord publishes a Lenten/Pentecost Guide which offers an
excellent daily devotional Word exposition, please get yours from Christian Education today. If
you are looking for more, we encourage you to also read the Gospel of Luke and the Book of
Acts. Participants are encouraged to attend all Sunday Worship and Magnification Intercessory
(Prayer Meetings) Services. This year we Introduce the Gethsemane Prayer Chapel into our
Lenten Discipline. The Gethsemane Prayer Chapel is open every Wednesday from 5:00PM –
6:00PM and is a place for private prayer and meditation. The Gethsemane Prayer Chapel is a
place for you to stop as Jesus stopped in the Garden of Gethsemane on his way to Calvary in
Matthew 26:39. The Garden of Gethsemane spoke with the Lord concerning his thoughts,
desires and fears, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” In the Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus spoke with God and God spoke back to him. Their conversation allowed Jesus to bring his
will into Alignment with God’s will and he left the garden saying “nevertheless, not as I will, but
as you will.” There are three Wednesdays in each of the Consecrations, we ask that all
consecrates spend minimally 1 hour in the Gethsemane Prayer Chapel during each of the
consecrations. Praying not for you mother, father, sister or brother, but you talking to God about
you and your relationship and your spending time in silence before God, allowing Him the
opportunity to speak into your life and situation. Our Wonderful Wednesday Lenten Vesper
Service begins each Wednesday at 6:45pm, try to make each one and especially during the
periods of Consecration.
2. WHY ARE YOU FASTING AND PRAYING?
ACTION POINTS
• Spend time daily in the Word of God and in Prayer.
• Attend Sunday & Wednesday Prayer & Vesper Services.
• Spend at least one hour with God in the Gethsemane Prayer Chapel.
For members of Concord every Wednesday from 6;00 AM – 6:00 PM is a Corporate Fast Day during
Lent. Eastertide & Pentecost. There are many types of fasts, some are listed below. We ask you to
prayerfully select one type of fast and observe it on Wednesdays or another frequency which the Lord
lays upon your heart. During our 21 Day Consecrations look for ways to increase your denial during
the 21 days. For example, can my selected level of fasting be sustained for the entire 21 Days of the
Consecration instead of just Wednesday? The purpose of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Fasting is
the abstinence of food and sometimes water and other non-edible items for a specified length of time.
Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset
button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and
mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.
TYPES OF FASTS
Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body,
your medical options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit
leads you to do.
COMPLETE FAST: In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an
option.
SELECTIVE FAST: This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example
of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet
and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
PARTIAL FAST: This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating
any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day,
such as 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, or from sunup to sundown.
SOUL FAST: This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food, have health
issues that prevent you from fasting from food, or if you wish to re-focus certain areas of your life that
are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television
for the duration of the fast and then carefully bring that element back into your life in healthy doses
at the conclusion of the fast.
3. Third traditional pillar of Lent is almsgiving.
Corporate Prayer Needs
We have selected “Lord Plant my feet on Higher Ground.” as our 2020 Lenten/Pentecost theme.
Our theme is rooted in Philippians 3:13 & 14 and is heard regularly in our congregation as we sing the
19th Century hymn by Johnson Oatman, “I’m Pressing on the Upward Way.” Here are our suggested
areas of prayer for the Concordians journey to Higher Ground.
1. We petition God that the members of Concord will not count ourselves to have apprehended: but this one thing we do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 13 & 14) 2. We petition God for the continuing growth and unity of Concord Church. We are a diverse congregation with many expressions of gifts and interests. The Holy Spirit can unify us to be effective in our character and witness. (Ephesians 4:3-6) 3. We petition God that the members of Concord Church will have the blessed assurance that Jesus is Lord. “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21 – 23) 4. We petition God to help us be more patient, compassionate, encouraging and honest with each other. We desire to build up each other in love and through the grace of God. (Ephesians 4:1-2; 29-32) 5. We petition God to direct us to use our spiritual gifts (individual and corporate) to bring us into Christian maturity, in character, ministry and effective discipleship. (Ephesians 4: 7-16) 6. We petition God to remove all barriers and strongholds that would attempt to defeat our growth and building efforts, and grant us all of the provisions necessary to complete this great task. (Nehemiah 6:15-16; 2 Corinthians 10:4)
Praying, Preaching & Consecration Guide
Noon Prayer – Each member is asked to engage in a special moment of prayer and
reflection each Wednesday during the Lent and Pentecost Season
February 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2020
Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020
5:00-6:00pm Gethsemane Prayer Chapel 6:00-6:45pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
7:00-8:30pm Lenten Service & Communion Homily: Rev. Moreen Hughes Alternate: Pastor Conley Hughes,Jr.
Second Wednesday, March 4, 2020
5:00-6:00pm Gethsemane Prayer Chapel 6:00-6:45pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Lenten Vesper Service Homily: Rev. Nanette Baines Alternate: Min. Joseph Smith
Third Wednesday, March 11, 2020
5:00-6:00pm Gethsemane Prayer Chapel 6:00-6:45pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Lenten Vesper Service Homily: Rev. Mikel Satcher Alternate: Min. Danielle Gantt
Fourth Wednesday, March 18, 2020
5:00-6:00pm Gethsemane Prayer Chapel 6:00-6:45pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Lenten Vesper Service Homily: Rev. Willa Mines Alternate: Min. Joshua Bivins
Fifth Wednesday, March 25, 2020
5:00-6:00pm Gethsemane Prayer Chapel 6:00-6:45pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Lenten Vesper Service Homily: Rev. Bettye Craft-Cardwell Alternate: Min. Walika Jacques
Sixth Wednesday, April 1, 2020
5:00-6:00pm Gethsemane Prayer Chapel 6:00-6:45pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Lenten Vesper Service Homily: Min. Betty Raye Alternate: Min. Tamisha Atkins
Holy Week Service: Palm Sunday April 5, 2020
9:45am Worship Service Preacher: Rev. Conley Hughes, Jr-Senior Pastor
Holy Week Service: Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020
6:00pm Magnification & Intercessory Prayer
7:00pm Worship Service Preacher: Rev. Brenda Fluker Alternate: Rev. James Fripp
Pastor Conley Hughes, Jr.: Pastoral Foot Washing & Officiating the Lord’s Supper
Holy Week Service: Good Friday April 10, 2020
12:00-3:00pm Worship Service Black Ministerial Alliance at designated church to be announced
Holy Week Service: Resurrection April 12, 2020
9:45am Worship Service Preacher: Rev. Conley Hughes, Jr-Senior Pastor
First Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Easter Week Sabbath
Second Wednesday, April 22, 2020
6:00pm Magnification and Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Vesper Service Homily: Rev. Willie Wiggins Alternate: Rev. Andre Morgan
Third Wednesday, April 29, 2020
6:00pm Magnification and Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Vesper Service Homily: Min. Roscoe Mills Alternate: Rev. Christopher Williams
Fourth Wednesday, May 6, 2020
6:00pm Magnification and Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Vesper Service Homily: Min. Tamisha Atkins Alternate: Min. Danielle Gantt
Fifth Wednesday, May 13, 2020
6:00pm Magnification and Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Vesper Service Homily: Min. Walika Jacques Alternate: Min. Betty Raye
Sixth Wednesday, May 20, 2020
6:00pm Magnification and Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Vesper Service Homily: Min. Joseph Smith Alternate: Rev. Howard McLendon
Friday, May 22, 2020 9:00pm Pentecost Shut-In
Seventh Wednesday, May 27, 2020
6:00pm Magnification and Intercessory Prayer
6:45pm Vesper Service Homily: Min. Joshua Bivins Alternate: Rev. Willie Wiggins
Pentecost Sunday May 31, 2020
9:45am Worship Service Preacher: Rev. Conley Hughes, Jr-Senior Pastor
Day 1 February 26, 2020
Ash Wednesday
Moreen P. Hughes
Read: Ezekiel 18:30-32
Key Verse: “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a
new spirit.” Ezekiel 18: 31a
Ash Wednesday
Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. It is the first day of the forty-seven-day
journey toward Easter. Ash Wednesday traditionally is the time when Christians set aside the 40 days
(not including Sundays) that lead up to Easter. Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday starts
Lent by focusing the Christian’s heart on repentance and prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal,
marked by fasting and ultimately celebration.
It is a time set aside for letting God renew us through self-denial and self-examination. By casting off
those habits and practices which lead to less than favorable results. We take on those habits and practices
that contribute to our spiritual, social, and even physical vitality, restoration, and renewal.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead of worshippers to
symbolize death and sorrow for sin, to remind Christians of the importance of humility, that we are but
dust. On this the first day in Lent, Ash Wednesday should remind us of our spiritual commitment.
As we begin this 40-day journey toward Easter, God reminds us to turn away from our own self-seeking
ways. He calls us to turn to him with a willingness to obey his will. If we refuse, we must know that we
are walking the road that leads to death. God longs to do the work of rebirth and renewal, but he asks
us to turn from our destructive ways and offer our hearts to him to be made new by his Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Lord, help me to turn my heart and life completely over to you. I want to obey your will and
to live for your glory. Thank you for your forgiveness and strength as I seek to find life in you. In Jesus’
name, I pray. Amen.
Day 2 February 27, 2020
Are You Sharing The Good News?
André Morgan
Read: John 3:16-18
Key Verse: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through him.“ John 3:17
Thursday, After Ash Wednesday
Jesus makes a point here. His coming into the world was good news because He saved the human race
from perishing. That point alone is a “newsflash” Christians should be sharing with the world.
I was talking with someone recently who commented, “You can always count on some folks in the
church to deliver bad news.” I chimed in, “But you can also count on some folks in the church to deliver
fantastic news.” No matter your sins, experiences, or background, God loves and cares for you, and
wants to be your Savior. The good news is that He is waiting to save you from condemnation and just
like he did for me, He will do it for you.
As Christians, we have to make up our minds that we will be a headlight and not a taillight to the world.
Let us be witnesses to others, informing them that they matter, and their lives have purpose. Most, if
not all of us, need (and want) to hear that we are important. God sees every person as such, and each
human being has a pivotal role in fulfilling God’s plan on the Earth.
On this day, and each day hereafter, let us commit to sharing the good news with others with whom we
come into contact; this is one way we can be more impactful in the world around us.
Prayer: Father, please teach, train, prepare, and fortify me such that each time I open my mouth, I
can share your good news with others. Help me to be the change-agent you desire me to be. In Jesus’
name. Amen.Day 3 February 28, 2020
God is Love
Jeannette Moreland
Read/Key Verses: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is
how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might
live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as
an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4: 8-10
Friday, After Ash Wednesday
Today’s scripture does not need a big Bible to understand. You do not need to go to college to get the
meaning of the message. You do need faith, and you need a church home to make it plain. God is
patient, God is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He does not dishonor others,
he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(1 Corinthians13:4-7) This scripture is all about God, it is all about love. God’s love gives us freedom
from our sins. God gave us this love before we even learned about him. He blessed us with his son, Jesus.
We must show this same love to one another for others to know we know God.
My prayer to my Father in heaven is that I open my heart to you, Lord Jesus, friend, know that the
prayers that I send are very true. I love you, Jesus, for loving me. Father in heaven, thank you for
allowing us to see a brand-new day. Thank you, Lord, for each and every Sunday where we can lay our
prayers at the altar, or as my church does, we go from aisle to aisle. We know you hear us; we know you
see us, and we also know that you love us,
Thought for the Day: Know God, know love. No God, no love.Day 4 February 29, 2020
Jesus The Greatest Love of All
Deborah Barabino
Read: Romans 5:8
Read/Key Verse: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Saturday, After Ash Wednesday
The kind of sacrifice Jesus made for us required a special kind of love. Most of us would risk our lives
for those whom we love, maybe those who are strangers whom we feel compassion for in their
vulnerability or those people to whom we desire to impress. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for everyone
because he did not desire eternal damnation for any of us. Agape, a word that in ancient Greek means,
according to Wikipedia, “the highest form of love.” God is love, and in his great act of love, gave his
beloved son Jesus for the salvation of all of mankind.
I have been a Christian for a long time. I am as amazed and awed by what Jesus did now as then. Why?
Why would undergoing a humiliating and brutal death be something that would cause one to ponder
how he could be so magnanimous? It is agape. Because Jesus told us the way to go was through him.
Believing in him so every believer would not be condemned to be absent from the presence of the
LORD. Think about how would you exist without God’s grace and mercy. Only because of Jesus’
obedience to the Father and his love for us, that through him we have the right to claim his father as
our own.
During this Lenten season, it is appropriate to encourage our unsaved family members, friends, and
even strangers to accept Jesus and his selfless act to save all of humanity from being without God. “He
rose from the dead, and the Lord shall bear my spirit home.”1
Thought: Jesus is the greatest love of all.
1
He Rose From The Grave. Chicago. Accessed January 13, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvEIPWKkTxM.March 1, 2020
Venessa Rosemond
Read: Ephesians 2:4-10
Key Verse: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2: 10
Sunday, First Week of Lent
Do you remember your first job, paid or unpaid? When my 7 or 8-year-old stepdaughter arrived one
summer, she announced to me that she wanted a job. “Not the kind of job you get a dollar for,” she
clarified. “Well what kind of job do you think you could do and get paid (with a W2 no less), I asked
her. “Plenty of things. I could work in a coffee store,” she replied. She was right, she had been drinking
coffee since she was 2. After more questions and answers, I convinced her that as parents, it was our
responsibility to provide the things she would need. Her job or the work that she was tasked to do was
to be an obedient daughter, the best student and a good overall person.
In today’s scripture we are reminded that we will be known by the good works that we do. As a church
we are called to bless others. Yet it is not the job that defines us as Christ followers. We are an extension
of him, and he is the example, not to be fishermen, but fishers of men. Micah tells us we are “to act
justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. (6:8) We are to show love to one another
in the church and to the stranger as well. During this Lenten season, we recommit to be an instrument
for God. We need the inner work of the Holy Spirit and a focus on prayer, reflection, fasting and study.
The work we are tasked to do is to represent Jesus until he returns. As we grow in our understanding of
God’s handiwork, our works reflect more of our creator’s character.
Thought for the Day: You can’t get to heaven if you are a good barista.Day 5 March 2, 2020
André Morgam
Read: Galatians 5:5-6
Key Verse: “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we
hope.” Galatians 5:5
Monday, First Week of Lent
This passage is part of the epistle Paul wrote to the Galatian saints, who simply wanted to live lives that
were pleasing to God. They had been taught and had come to believe that for a Christian to walk with
God, he must conform to the old Mosaic Law, which included the practice of circumcision.
Paul refuted this teaching and practice, noting that adhering to a legalistic custom would not bring the
Galatian saints closer to God. Paul further noted that what they have been taught was not of God and
condemned any teaching that validated a practice, as a means of increasing one’s spiritual status.
Perhaps one idea we can glean from this text is to not be a “by-stander” when we observe and/or are
aware that other Christians are engaged in errant ritualistic practices. Challenge your fellow Christian
on their practice/s and talk with them (in a spirit of love) to prevent them from continuing down a
destructive path.
On this day, and each day hereafter, let us commit to being our brother’s and sister’s keeper, so we may
all walk as circumspectly, as possible, as we strive to serve and please God.
Prayer: Father, please allow me to be a light today. You are the Source of Light, and You are the
Light Giver. Lighten my path and help me to be a light to others, so we may all tread rightly. Shine
Your light over my thoughts and actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.Day 6 March 3, 2020
What’s Love Got to do With It?
Mikel E. Satcher
Read: 1 John 4:13-19
Key Verse: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives
in love lives in God, and God in them.” I John 4:16
Tuesday, First Week of Lent
Very often, people utilize the proverbial “litmus test” to prove or validate a point of view. More often
than not, such a litmus test is used to validate the professed salvation of another person. For some, the
litmus test to evaluate one’s salvation is whether a person speaks in tongues or whether a person is
literally baptized in Jesus’ name.
However, during this Lenten season of spiritual reflection, repentance and renewal, our text strongly
suggests that if one uses a litmus test, the only valid one is the litmus test of “Love.” One might ask,
“What’s Love got to do with it”? The answer is simply “Everything.” according to John 3:16 which says
“For God so loved the World . . .” However, today’s text goes even farther to say that “God is Love.”
Accordingly, God’s love is known through God’s actions, e.g., “While we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us” (Rom 5:8). In other words, as my cousin Dee puts it, “Jesus loves you and there’s nothing you can
do about it.” Thus, God’s love is trustworthy, not because of who we are but because of who God is.
Therefore, instead of applying a litmus test to others, let this Lenten season be a time of applying the
litmus test to ourselves, to examine our relationship with the Holy. Let us ask ourselves whether we
have the Love of God in our hearts for the other person. As 1 Corinthians 13 makes it so plain: God’s
love is merciful and forgiving; God’s love is patient, kind and longsuffering; God’s love is not boastful
and does not seek its own way; God’s love is not easily angered or short-tempered; God love trusts,
hopes and perseveres all things; God’s love never fails. Have you embraced God’s love? Can you forgive
the person you once said that you will never forgive? This Lenten season, ask yourself, “Am I living in
love and not anger, hatred and wrath?” This is the litmus test, “Whoever lives in love, lives in God and
God in them” because “God is Love.”
Prayer: Lord, every day, teach me to love like Jesus. Amen!Day 7 March 4, 2020
Right There, Through it All
Danielle A. Gantt
Read: Romans 8:35-39
Key Verse: “…neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39
Wednesday, First Week of Lent
The old saints used to say, “He’s so high you can’t get over Him, He’s so low you can’t get under Him,
He’s so wide you can’t get around Him.” Such a beautiful reminder that we can never get away from
God. Wherever we find ourselves and whatever we may face, He is there in the midst. Our confidence
rests in the fact that God is not there as an observer or absentee party. He is there actively fighting for
us and carrying us through. Even in the moments we fall short and may stray away from God, He never
leaves our side. Scripture is clear that there is NOTHING powerful enough to separate us from God’s
love.
Through Christ’s blood, we were bought and sealed. Our failures and hardships are not powerful enough
to erase Christ’s work on the cross, and neither can the enemy. The redemption of our souls that Jesus
paid for on Calvary forever connects us to God’s presence. Where God’s presence is, victory is sure to
follow. The height, width, and depth of God’s love that hems us in and keeps us close is the same love
that buffets the enemy, keeping him at bay. We can rest in the fact that even when we go through, we
will never be overtaken because God is our ever-present help. Our Third day is coming. Just as Christ’s
suffering and sacrifice led to resurrection and victory over death, our trials also have an expected end.
We will rise again. We are more than conquerors through Christ’s love. That love never fades, never
fails, and never leaves. It remains, through it all.
Verses of Meditation: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I
go up to the heavens, you are there; if I my make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the
wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right
hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10Day 8 March 5, 2020
Hallelujah Moments
Reneé Jackson
Read: Lamentations 3:37-38
Key Verse: “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things
come? Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?” Lamentations 3:38-39
Thursday, First Week of Lent
Every minute of your life is a Hallelujah moment.
Know that you are God’s chosen and imagine your face being embraced by his hands. He is shaking
his head and saying, “My child.” And your response is, “Yes, My Lord.”
We are sinners and make bad decisions which bring consequences. It is by grace that our God sees our
hearts and not our actions. We must not mock God and deceive ourselves into believing that what is
done in secret will go unpunished. Our God is a sovereign God who is all knowing and surely knows
how to keep order and stability in our lives.
“My son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the
Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Heb 12:5-6)
God teaches us out of love so that we will remain righteous in his sight. When you are going through
something that could be the discipline of our Lord, you will have pain and anger. Stand strong and
know that the fruit of your discipline is righteousness. (Heb. 12:11)
Give God the glory in all situations because He sees something forming in you. His choice of discipline
or teaching is designed personally for you, his child. God is always present and responsive to our specific
situation. It’s a matter of us not turning our backs on a loving and compassionate God who chastises us
in order to mold us into His righteousness.
Prayer: Dear God, the good, bad and ugly are Hallelujah Moments because you are in the midst of it
all.Day 9 March 6, 2020
God is in Control:
Even When the Enemy Thinks He Is
Joseph Smith
Read: John 19:10-11
Key Verse: Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from
above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:11
Friday, First Week of Lent
Jesus is standing before Pilate after he'd been beaten beyond recognition. Yet he was still standing. Pilate
became infuriated with Jesus because he wouldn't answer his questions. It wasn't until Pilate made the
mistake of telling Jesus that he had the power to crucify him or set him free, then Jesus spoke.
When Jesus did speak, he informed Pilate that “he would have no power over him if it is given from
above.” As we continue to live in this world, we will experience all types of pain and suffering, and it's a
mandate for Christians to suffer for Christ’s sake. Allow me to offer some encouragement. Always
remember that no matter how much you're going through, the enemy will try to make you think he's
in control. But always remember who you are, and to whom you belong. You have the authority to
speak to whatever you're going through and tell it that it can only do what God allows it to do. Because
God is in control, even when the enemy thinks he is.
Prayer: Father, strengthen me to walk by faith, when things get rough, and always believe that You
are in control and You'll never forsake me.Day 10 March 7, 2020
I Got You…
Nanette Baines
Read: Psalm 121
Key Verses: “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps
watch over you as you come and go both now and forever.” Psalm 121:7-8 NLT
Saturday, First Week of Lent
I don’t know about you, but I am comforted by the knowledge that God is watching over my life. I may
not get it right all the time, and I may be blind-sided by life; but, because He is watching over me and
has my back—allows me to sleep at night!
God in His sovereignty over all creation, cares about us. He sees you and me! He loves us! We are
protected from all hurt, harm, and danger to our minds, bodies, and spirit. Who better to have than
our Awesome God watching over us?
Lenten season is an excellent time to assess our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It’s an excellent
time to take inventory of our faith walk and to check with the Holy Spirit to see what needs tweaking.
During this Lenten season, our desire should be to draw even nearer to God so that He can draw near
to us.
Challenge: Take some time to consider how God is watching over you. Write down what
our Key Verse means to you personally. Thank God for watching over you and rest in the
blessed assurance that God’s got you.March 8, 2020
Something Old into
Something New
Jeannette Moreland
Read/Key Verse: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of
Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from
of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
Sunday, Second Week of Lent
Bethlehem Ephrathah is the name for the same city, that we often call Bethlehem. The town is called
the House of Bread, which is appropriate for the name of the town where the Messiah will be born, as
Jesus is the Bread of Life. Bethlehem is also the City of David, it also is important because Jesus is from
the line of David. Other than that Bethlehem had no special distinction. The town was small and
ordinary. However, it was the place chosen for the Messiah’s birth. Only God can take something old
and give it a new and better meaning.
By the prophetic word, Micah tells us that when God declares it, it is so. The coming of the Messiah in
the form of the Christ Child still changes things. As I look back on ancient times, there were rules to
keep the peace. Those rules were hard to live by just like today. As Christians, when we take on the
image of Christ we can have peace without the old rules. We have something new, the peace of Jesus.
Now we have to depend on God’s grace and our continued faith in the peace that he brings. We know
that it is a peace unlike the world’s peace. His peace will live within each of us that we can share with
the world.
Prayer: Father, with you there is peace. I pray for peace now. I long for your statement of peace, be
still and the killing, and robbing would be over. This is my prayer, Lord. Amen.Day 11 March 9, 2020
Increasing Knowledge
Debra Johnston-Malden
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:10, 12
Key Verse: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a
child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” I Corinthians 13:11
Monday, Second Week of Lent
To grow up ‘in the church’ has the unrealistic assumption that one is ‘mature’ in their Christian walk.
What does a ‘baby Christian’ look and sound like? Compare to our ‘baby human’ babies in the earthly
realm need guidance, support, and food to grow and mature. The ‘baby Christian’ also needs guidance,
support, and food to grow and mature in Christ. If we strive to mature, we are to grow from being a
‘baby Christian’ to a Disciple of the Word. To be a Disciple of Christ, we must Think, Act, and Believe.
Babies are unable to guide, support and feed other babies. If we profess to believe; are we motivated to
mature? What does maturity look like? Babies may cry, but they learn to soothe themselves. Baby
Christians may come to the altar crying but discover that prayer changes things. Babies are unable to
feed themselves, walk without support, or eat solid food without teeth. Baby Christians mature when
they feed themselves in the Word through Bible study and prayer and become bold and confident in
their faith. Thank You, Lord, for enabling us to take the baby steps needed to walk in Your love and
grace to maturity.
Thought for the Day:
Jesus loves me, this I know-For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong-They are weak, but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
For the Bible tells me so!
Author: Anna Bartlett Warner (1859)Day 12 March 10, 2020
Patience Has Its Reward
Bertha L. Pruitt
Read: James 1:2-4
Read/Key verse: My brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptation: Knowing,
that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work; that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting for nothing. James 1:2-4 KJV
Tuesday, Second Week of Lent
The next time you are in a traffic jam, praise God that you are no longer in bondage to the natural
response of anger, impatience, and frustration. Thank God and seek his purpose. Remember his
promise in Roman 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And the encouragement in Hebrew 12:1b: “let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us.” These verses let us know that patience is not developed overnight. Know that trials
are God’s way of PERFECTING our patience and know that patience is a fruit of the spirit. My friends
“There are times to stay put and what you want will come to you, and there are times to go out into the
world and find such a thing for your Self.”1 Lemony Snicket Horseradish
It is sad to think about how we are seeking instant gratification, by instant entertainment, by clicking
away on our mobile devices to Google instant answers and calling the local pizza shop or restaurant to
deliver an immediate quick bite. We are in such a hurry that with modern technology, we can get an
instant ultrasound to determine the sex of an unborn child instead of waiting for God to make the
announcement. There are many benefits to being patience:
• Patience helps to improve your relationship with others
• Patience helps us to step back from a situation
• Patience provides empathy and compassion to understand what others are going through.
• Patience makes one happier and mentally strong because you are now in the driver’s seat. You are
in full control of the emotional faculties of your mind. Wait I say on the Lord!
Prayer: Father help me to count it all joy when I face divers temptation.
1.
www.goodreads.com/quotes/82550-there-are-times.Day 13 March 11, 2020
Focusing on Your Spiritual Journey
Patrick Johnson
Read: Hebrews 12:1-2
Key Verse: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw
off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1
Wednesday, Second Week of Lent
No one is insulated from problems. As we journey through life, we can sometimes feel overwhelmed by
the issues that surround us and at the extreme it may appear that our lives are spiraling out of control.
We live in a dynamic world and share a culture in which core values and mores seem to be constantly
re-defined. In an effort to fit into certain social circles or to keep up to date with certain trends, we may
avail ourselves of certain accoutrements. We can unwittingly become a product of our environment.
We know that there is the need to focus on and follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior, but
sometimes find ourselves caught up in the frenzy of social media and other distractions which in turn
opens us up to other vices.
So how do we avoid the sins of the world that so easily befalls us, and lead us away from our spiritual
path? Maybe it is necessary to subsume ourselves into a zone – a place where we are free from the
temptations that can so easily lead us astray. There is a saying that life truly begins when you allow
your wants to become subservient to your needs, a time in your life when what has to be done takes
priority over what is popular or what you want to do.
When we surround ourselves with like-minded people who are mindful of the teachings of our Lord
and Savior it helps us to maintain focus. We can draw inspiration from others who may be battling
issues that are superior to the ones that we face but still find it possible to maintain their poise and walk
circumspectly in the sight of the Lord. The crosses that we have to bear today are insignificant to what
Jesus had to endure. Think on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, reinforce your faith in Him, hold on
to what is pure, avoid the distractions and rejoice in the warm embrace of the Savior.Day 14 March 12, 2020
Teach, Me Humility, Lord
André Morgan
Read: Deuteronomy 8:1-3
Key Verse: He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which
neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
Thursday, Second Week of Lent
A theme that runs through the Old and New Testaments is that of humility. God humbles the proud
and exalts the humble. Consider this when things are going well in our lives, it can be easy to forget the
role God played in orchestrating our successes. We gradually start to believe our accomplishments are
attributed to our abilities and skills.
The “feeding” referred to in this passage relates to the nourishing of our spiritual lives. God's Word is
equally as essential to our spiritual lives as food is to the physical. Just as one must eat physical food, so
must one exercise discipline to take in spiritual food. When we fail to feed ourselves spiritually, we
begin to wane. God usually has to step in at this point to put us “in check.” It is then when we begin
to realize our need for and dependence on Him.
On this day, and each day hereafter, let us commit to increased prayer and study of God’s Word, so
that we might practice greater humility in fulfilling God’s plan in our lives.
Prayer: Help me, Father, to humbly submit to Your leading and to trust Your ways. Humble and
teach me to not depend on my wisdom, but to entrust my plans to You. Remind me constantly, Father,
that it is through Your wisdom and direction, that the promises in Your Word can be manifested in my
life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.Day 15 March 13, 2020
Holding Onto Jesus
Deborah Barabino
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
Key verse: Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we
might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9
Friday, Second Week of Lent
Introducing new ideas can be very difficult. Telling people about salvation can be complicated. However,
what we have as Christians are our salvation stories, how God helped and kept us. Life with true peace
because we know whose we are and that whatever happens is for His glory and not ours. Our lives as
Christians are not trouble free, yet we know that “trouble don’t last always.” The sacrifice of our Lord
Jesus Christ grants us the right to ask for help. However, sometimes even seasoned Christians are
impatient for God’s answer. Because of our propensity to err, we must be ready to wait and encourage
each other, especially, our sisters and brothers new to the faith to be patient. Because we rightfully had
received the sentence of death, Jesus’ sacrifice made open to us eternal life. While our faith is increased,
we must continue to hold onto Jesus.
Holding on to Jesus should be our first and last reaction to life’s foibles. Once, when flying on a packed
plane. No one talked much. Most people were asleep or reading. Suddenly the plane dropped about
fifteen feet. All you could hear is various ways people called on Jesus. I am almost sure that everyone
on that plane were not believers, and maybe some people did not call his name expecting help. There
were those of us when the plane righted accepted the grace we were given and responded with, “Thank
you Jesus!”
Thoughts: Our lives are so complicated, and we rush about busy with responsibilities, yet we should
remember that Jesus is with us always. Include him. Hold on to him. If you call on him. He will answer.Day 16 March 14, 2020
Confidence in the Face of Adversity
Moreen P. Hughes
Read: Hebrews 10:32-36
Key Verses: So, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to
persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10: 35-36
Saturday, Second Week of Lent
What does it mean to have confidence? If you checked the dictionary you would find that confidence
is “firm trust”. It’s the belief that you can rely on someone or something; confidence usually comes from
repeated experience, where the person or object in question proves over and over again that he/she can
be trusted. But confidence is difficult to earn in today’s culture. It isn’t something you find every day.
As Christians our faith can become tested. Pressure will come as a result of our many circumstances.
We might be persecuted for the cause of Christ, but we are to hold fast to our faith even in the face of
adversity. In this verse we are encouraged not to throw away our confidence, our faith in Christ, which
has a great and lasting reward. We might be tempted to rely on our own abilities and resources; just keep
trusting in God, remember what he did, trusting in what he will do in the present as well as in the future.
Do not lean on your own, human understanding.
We don’t usually think of suffering as being good for us, but suffering can build character, and it can
also build patience. No matter how hard it is at the moment, don't give up. Just because you
don’t see God working does not mean that He isn’t at work.
Prayer: Gracious God, please give us the confidence to patiently endure. Give us the strength to not
quit, for we know that those who preserve will be rewarded in the end. Amen.March 15, 2020
The Indelible Human Spirit
Venessa Rosemond
Read: Philippians 1:12-14
Key Verse: “And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become
confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
Philippians 1:14
Sunday, Third Week of Lent
Some of the songs I know are not in a hymnal. Well, I’m not much of a singer so I usually do not know
the entire song, just the part that speaks to my soul. One song that I heard when I was in high school is
Ella’s Song, sung by the group Sweet Honey in the Rock. In college, I saw them perform, an all-women’s
folk group. Their music was at once protest music and message music. Ella’s Song was written for one
of the unsung heroines of the Civil Rights movement, Ella Baker. One line of the refrain, I think, states,
“We who believe in freedom, cannot rest until it comes.” The plaintive melody can be shouted as an
affirmation or whispered as a solace. Somewhere buried in my DNA is an understanding of freedom
and unrest. That understanding is predicated on the belief that I am a child of God, a member of the
Family of Man.
Today when Paul speaks of his imprisonment, he delights in the perseverance of his contemporaries.
Paul was under house arrest. Imprisoning him did not silence him. Yet for ordinary Christians, they
were truly persecuted in horrible, inhumane ways. They were killed by wild beast, not simply to
annihilate them but to reign terror over others. The early Christian church created much unrest for the
Romans. However, the unrest in the early Christians emboldened them to stand up against lions. They
intrinsically demonstrated that the Creator God made them, and it was good. Not even the mightiest
empire at the time could contain their zeal. The freedom we experience in Christ supersedes any
oppression that seeks to rob us of our birthrights as new creatures, kingdom citizens, and the body of
Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help us to walk in the freedom you have promised us, forsaking all shackles, physical,
emotional, and spiritual.Day 17 March 16, 2020
The Power of Hope
Danielle A. Gantt
Read: Psalm 42
Key Verse: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in
God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5
Monday, Third Week of Lent
As I envision Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, preparing for death on the cross, I can imagine the
words of this Psalm coming to his remembrance. Christ was fully God, but also fully man. In his
humanity, his mind thought through the anguish that his body would experience the next day. He felt
forsaken by his friends and left alone to face the punishment of death. He was so overwhelmed and
filled with grief that his sweat was like drops of blood.
Yet, in his time of despair and preparation for such an excruciating experience, he longed to be in the
presence of God. He desired to lay his concerns at the Father’s feet. As he cried out, he remembered
that the expected pain would be a short-term affliction. He resolved to put his hope in God, knowing
that victory and glory were eminent.
Oh, that we could face our trials with the same resolve! Our trust in God doesn’t lessen the pain, but it
does give us hope that the pain will subside. The hurt, the trouble, and the despair won’t last always.
Our praise comes from knowing that God is working on our behalf. We don’t have to live downcast
and discouraged because God has promised to be a present help in trouble. Though we may suffer for a
while, joy and recovery are on the horizon. This Psalm reminds us to speak words of life to ourselves,
as the psalmist did and as Jesus did. When our hearts are fainting within us under the weight of trials,
we can encourage our souls to hope in God, to look to him, and praise him for his faithfulness to carry
us through.
Thought of the Day: Hope is not a wish. “Hope is the confident expectation of what God has
promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.” (Wiley Online Library) Expect God to deliver!Day 18 March 17, 2020
Unlimited Understanding
Nanette Baines
Read: Proverbs 3:3-6
Key Verse: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your
own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will
keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.” Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG
Tuesday, Third Week of Lent
Have you ever made up your mind to do something or make a certain decision? Have you ever figured
out how a situation should turn out and what the end would or should be? I know I have. Have you
understood everything all the time? Have you always been right? I know I haven’t.
I’ve learned that sometimes, things aren’t always as they seem, nor do they turn out the way I think
they should. The answer to a problem is not always readily apparent, and my way of doing something
or my thought process just might not produce the best result.
The Lenten Season gives us a convenient excuse to take inventory of our thought process and how we
approach life. Proverbs 3:3-6 is very familiar to us, but I think The Message version of our Key Verse
makes it understandable that our understanding can be limited; and, it would be wise for us to go to
God in prayer and run some things by Him first.
All through the Bible, we find examples of those who yielded to God’s unlimited wisdom and
understanding. Remember how Joseph thought his plan to “divorce” Mary quietly when he found out
she was with child was a good idea (Matthew 1: 18-24)? How about Naaman? He got mad at Elisha
because he didn’t like his prescription for the treatment of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-16). How about
Ananias’s limited thoughts about going to Saul (Acts 9:1-17)? He just knew The Lord must be mistaken.
Prayer: Psalm 147:5 “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”
Almighty God, please help me to seek Your unlimited understanding and not lean solely on mine.
Thank you. AmenDay 19 March 18, 2020
The Value in Suffering?
Christopher D. Williams
Read/Key Verse: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship
of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10
Wednesday, Third Week of Lent
The Apostle Paul expresses two ways by which he seeks to experience a deeper intimacy of Christ. First,
Paul wants to experience the dynamis or “power” of Christ’s resurrection. He desires the dynamic, life-
altering, and transformative power of God that raised Christ from the dead. Second, Paul yearns to
participate in Christ’s agony by suffering for the will of God.
Most people would not object to possessing and experiencing the dynamic death defeating power of
God. However, many would understandably pass on voluntary suffering. Who would aspire to feel pain,
agony, and affliction? Suffering disrupts the normalcy of our existence producing uncertainty and
discomfort. It has a way of making us feel helpless, painfully pushing us to the threshold of hopelessness.
Why would Paul see value in suffering?
We can see value in suffering and adversity when we understand that God reveals himself through our
hardships. To be clear, God does not will or desire for us to suffer. However, God does accomplish his
will through our suffering. This is Paul’s point. Uniting with Christ through suffering deepens our
understanding of God. We cannot know God as a comforter, unless he has had to comfort us. We meet
God as healer when he heals our infirmities. The God who empowers us to have authority and walk in
victory is the same God who draws near to us in times of adversity. We do not share in Christ’s suffering
because we desire pointless pain. We do so because God’s power is perfected through our pain.
Reflection: Think about how God revealed himself to you in difficult times; what did these experiences
teach you about the power of God?Day 20 March 19, 2020
Walk by Faith
Tamisha Atkins
Read: 2 Corinthian 5: 6-7
Key Verse: “…but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned
again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32
Thursday, Third Week of Lent
Life happens to us all. That’s a fundamental truth, and there is no exemption. That thing you could
never imagine happening happens. The skeleton you thought was locked in the closet breaks free. Your
health is uncertain. Your financial stability is compromised. The marriage failed. That person or thing
we had been praying for has not come to pass. And, you find yourself in place you thought was not
possible; unsure, uncertain, depleted, searching for that answer to your situation, and finding none.
Your faith is shaken.
We live in a world that encourages living by sight, by signs, by senses, by emotions, by feelings, and by
the notion that we are in control. However, as Christians, we are to walk by faith and not by sight - nor
by what we feel, or what we are going through. Life’s stormy seas and the mountains of difficult
circumstances should not result in a crisis of faith but be embraced as an exercise to strengthen our faith.
Moreover, we live in confidence that this, too, shall pass. God is doing; we will do and He has covered
us time and time again. For Jesus is pleading for us as He did for Simon in Luke 22:32, saying, “But I
have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your
brothers.” Therefore, stay encouraged even when your faith is shaken, don’t let go of God.
Remember, you can rely entirely on all that God has said in His Word. The life of faith is filtering our
thoughts, actions, attitudes, and words through the Holy Scriptures, as we listen to the inner promptings
of the Holy Spirit; follow His directions and trust in the Lord with all our heart.
Prayer: Father, bring to my remembrance when my faith is shaken that my confidence lies in you
and that you only want the best for me. Amen.Day 21 March 20, 2020
Great is God’s Love
Moreen P. Hughes
Read: Lamentations 3: 18-26
Key Verse: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never
fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” Lamentations 3: 22-23
Friday, Third Week of Lent
How did you start your day? With a quick push of the snooze button? A desperate search for a cup of
coffee? A rushed commute to work? By any chance, did your day start with a prayer of thanksgiving for
the steadfast love of the Lord?
What makes these words of Jeremiah particularly poignant is that they were part of a lament bemoaning
the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. If there was a time to doubt God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, that
was it. Still the poet held out hope for the future. This hope was based not on a pie-in-the-sky optimism
that their troubles would soon be over, but rather in the abiding sense of who God is and how he will
react to his people.
Jeremiah was struggling with discouragement, but he chose to focus on this particular characteristic of
the Heavenly Father—Faithfulness. When we become discouraged, we should do what Jeremiah did,
stop and remember God’s faithfulness. We need to remember how God has answered our prayers, how
He has provided for us, given us courage when we were afraid, loved us when everyone else disappointed
us, and been faithful to us when no one else was. When storms are overwhelming us, we need to get
alone and reflect on this amazing truth: God is faithful! Our Heavenly Father is faithful and full of
mercy (not giving us what we deserve) when we humbly approach Him.
Take a moment before you go out the door today and thank God for his mercies in your life and his
ever-present love for you. You have never been loved like God loves you, and there is not a person on
this planet who can keep you in their care like God keeps you in his. Because of his love and faithfulness,
you are “the apple of God’s eye.” (Zech.2:8).
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Your love and Your faithfulness. I see them every morning. You are
Great! AmenYou can also read
