On My Journey: Lent

Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts

Sunday, February 18, 2018

The Start Of the First Full Week Of Lent

It was a beautiful start for the 1st Sunday in the Lent season. I woke up feeling great. Oh, what a day this has been.

It was a special day, Feb 18th. It was the 22nd Anniversary when I viewed the church building at Word of Life Church. The year was 1996. I was longing to see the main sanctuary. When I went in back in 1996, I looked up and round. The room had a glow about it.

Today, I as I entered the sanctuary, I bowed my head and thanked God. Then I became to pray the Lord's prayer with my head slightly bowed as I made my way to my seat. I entered into the gates with thanksgiving and prayer.

I had a wonderful time chatting with some friends before and after the church gathering this morning. And when I got home, I had family members who stopped by. We had a great time together!

The Sermon Series :The Last Week: Part One of Eight to Easter Sunday.
This message "There's Always Some Dude On A Horse." by Pastor Brian Zahnd

This sounds like it will be an interesting series.
I'm on the Lenten journey.
I hope you are too.

Prayer for the Week of Sunday, February 18
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Week Sunday, February 18
Mark 11:1-11
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’”

And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.

And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
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Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Friday, March 29, 2013

Stations 13 and 14 Of The Cross Devotional

13. Jesus Dies
Luke 23:44-46
Jesus, the word spoken by the Father, You now return to Him, having accomplished the purpose for which You were sent. Your trust in the Father remains, even amid the dark clouds of death.
O Jesus, may we too accomplish the purpose for which we were created. Help us to commit ourselves into the Father's hands, to trust in Him, and believe in His love for us, a love that Your death reveals to us.

We love You, Jesus; help us to die to ourselves and live from You.

_______________________________________

14. Jesus is Buried John 19:38-42
Jesus, now the time of surrender, of being at rest, begins. It is the seventh day when God rested from the work of creation. And You, the Son of God, rest and await the dawn of the eighth day when all will be made new and we wait with You.
O Jesus, teach us to rest. Deliver us from thinking that every thing depends upon our actions. Help us to be patient in trusting that God will bring about the completion of His creation through You.

We love You, Jesus; fill us with Your peace.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Stations 10, 11 and 12 Of The Cross Devotional

10.   Jesus Is Crucified
        (Crucifixion)

     Isaiah 53, Luke23:33-38, 1 Peter 2:21-24
Jesus, Your suffering continues as nails are driven into Your hands, and feet and taunting, jeers are hurled at Your body imprisoned on the cross, Yet those who mock and challenge You, You offer no reproach, and only forgiveness and compassion for them in their ignorance.

O Jesus, how often we have acted as if the way of the cross were unnecessary and too difficult. We believe we know a better way, a way worn down by the crowd. We find that path goes nowhere. Forgive us; we do not know what we are doing.

We love You, Jesus; by Your wounds heals us.

11. The Two Thieves Luke 23:32-43
Jesus, two others are nailed on either side of You. One challenges You to release him, now; the other asks to be free with You in Your Kingdom. One sees only weakness; the other sees power and is able to trust in a promise of everlasting life with You as his time in this world comes to an end.

O Jesus, look upon us now. See us in our need and hear us as we cry out to You. Help us to trust You in difficult circumstances. Give us eyes to see Your power in hopeless times to see Your Kingdom in all we encounter.

We love You, Jesus; remember us.
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12. John & Mary John 19:25-27

Jesus, You give Your mother to the disciple You love. Even as You face death, You entrust those whom You love most into each other's care. Your dying is marked by giving, and by concern for the ones who remain You do not leave us. as orphans, You have promised Your Spirit to Your Church and at the cross the Church is born.

O Jesus, help us see that we are the disciples You love, and You have given us a family of faith. We pray that we might allow the Spirit to give us life as sisters and brothers joined in mutual care.

We love You, Jesus; make us one.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Stations 7, 8 And 9 Of The Cross Devotional

7.   The Cross of Jesus       John 19:16-17
Jesus, like Isaac carrying the wood to the mountain, You set out with the wood of the cross. But unlike him You will not ask Your Father where the lamb is because You know You are the Lamb of the sacrifice. You now begin Your journey with the people.
           O Jesus, You carry a cross, which is given unjustly. You willingly bear the burden of our sinfulness and accept the cross of our guilt. There is not greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.

          We love You, Jesus; help us to show this love in our lives.

8. Simon of Cyrene
Luke 23:26Jesus, the torture You experienced at the hands of the soldiers left You weak. When You prayed in the garden that the will of the Father be done, an angel was sent to strengthen You. Now as You seek to fulfill the Father's will, He sends Simon to help You.
O Jesus, strengthen us on our journey. Open our hearts to the help You offer through the kindness of others. Open our eyes to the needs of those who walk beside us.

We love You, Jesus; lighten our burdens.

9. The Weeping Women
Luke 23:27-31
Jesus, after being silent,You speak. You turn the eyes of the women away from Your suffering and toward the destructive power of sin. You warn them not to shed their tears for You but rather for themselves and their children. If You, the innocent one can suffer so, what will be the fate of the guilty?

O Jesus, the wood is now very dry! Set fire to the world so that it might burn with Your love. Destroy all hatred, fill us with joy again. Teach us to mourn the way things are; show us the way they could be.

We love You Jesus; weep for us.

via The Upper Room at www.wolc.com

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The 4th - 6th Stations of The Cross: Devotional For Holy Week

4   Peter Denies Jesus
    (Peter's Denial)

     (Matthew 26:69-75)
Jesus,You told Peter that he would deny You three times before the cock would crow. He did not believe You. He swore that he would never deny You, and that in fact he was willing to died for You. Peter felt that he knew himself better than You knew him. But now as dawn approaches and the cock crows, he sees the truth.

O Jesus, we set out to follow You but then quickly turn, going our own way. We are afraid to acknowledge You in front of others, but You speak to us in the midst of our denial.

We love You Jesus; keep us faithful to You.

5    Condemned by Pilate
     (Before Pilate)

      (Luke 23:13-25)
Jesus, Pilate perceives Your innocence, but the crowd insists on guilt. Hearing their persistent shouts, Pilate sets aside the judgement of his conscience, and the decision is made. He hands You over to be crucified.

O Jesus, how often do we let the threatening voice of the crowd overwhelm the voice of conscience? Fill us with compassion for the outcast and commitment to the truth.

We love You Jesus; lead us beyond the crowd.

6.     Jesus Is Scourged
        (Crown of Thorns)
         (Mark 15:16-19)

Jesus, soldiers of an earthly empire mock Your Kingship, You are so powerless in their eyes, so weak, the ruler of a Kingdom that cannot be seen, and therefore, must not exist. The treat You as a foolish imposter, caught in a lie.

O Jesus, how often do we look for the kingdom with the eyes of the world rather than with the eyes of faith. We forget Your promise that Your Kingdom is among us. Help us to see Your strength in our weakness, Your reign in our powerlessness.

We love You Jesus; establish Your rule over us.

*Source from via www.wolc.com Upper Room Prayer Chapel

Monday, March 25, 2013

The First 3 Stations Of The Cross: Devotional For Holy Week

1. In The Garden (The Garden)
Mark 14:32-40
Jesus, we see You in the garden, praying in the darkness of night. Your anguished prayer is one of deep struggle with the Father's will. While You agonize over the Father's will and are strengthened to fulfill His plan, Your disciples, overcome with sadness, can do nothing by give themselves over to sleep.
O Jesus, wake us for our sleep. Help us to face life's difficulties. honestly, knowing that we can trust in God. Strengthen us in the time of our trials. May our prayer always be an expression of all that we are, and all that we do.

We love You Jesus; teach us how to pray.

2. Betrayal & Arrest
Mark 14:41-46
Jesus, as You wake Your disciples one who has not slept arrives with an angry crowd. Judas reveals Your identify to them with a kiss. His act of affection is a signal to point You out as the one who loves but is rejected by his own.
O Jesus, we are quick to greet You with affection in our prayer and worship But how often do our external words and actions conceal hearts that are easily turned from You.

We love You, Jesus; help us to love You with all our hearts.

3.   Jesus Is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
       (Jesus Is Condemned)

       Matthew 26:57-68

Jesus, Your words are blasphemy to the ears of the high priest. He tears his garments, unable to see the presence of God in the one who stands before him arrested and accused. He can not believe in a God who, because of such great love, would willingly become so powerless.
O Jesus, we can be so limited in our vision. We find it difficult to look beyond our narrow expectations and see You as You are. Give us the grace to hear Your words clearly and to follow You in the truth.

We love You Jesus; reveal to us what God is like.

via Stations of the Cross at www.wolc.com Upper Room Prayer Chapel