IT CAN BE SUCH A RICH TIME,
BRINGING LIFE FROM THE BARREN SOD
WINTER INTO SPRING
THE RICHEST TIMES ON THIS BLOG HAVE BEEN DURING LENT!
WHY?
IT’S THE UPSIDE DOWN THINKING OF GOD
FOR IN DYING, WE FIND LIFE
THE THING WE FEAR THE MOST
IS THE SECRET TO SETTING US FREE
WE ARE IN SLAVERY TO OURSELVES
TO OUR IDOLS
TO THE LIES OF THE ENEMY
BUT CHRIST LONGS TO SET US FREE
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE
THERE WILL BE A BATTLE
AS JESUS BATTLED SATAN FOR FORTY DAYS
WE WILL BATTLE HIS LIES FOR FORTY DAYS
BUT AS JESUS CLUNG TO THE WORD
SO WILL WE, AND WHEN WE FAIL, WE WILL LOOK TO THE CROSS
ALLOWING THE GOSPEL TO TRANSFORM US FOR
LENT IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT FORFEITING BUT ABOUT FORMATION
If you have never observed Lent, or if you observed it by giving up candy or meat on Fridays but never quite knew why, this will be a rich time for you. It begins on Ash Wednesday, which is Wednesday of this week, and continues to Easter. Not counting Sundays — that is forty days — paralleling the forty days Jesus was in the wilderness battling Satan. Often people do “give up” something for Lent, but the reason has often been lost. We turn away from something so that we will have the time to be with Jesus, or so that His life might bloom in us. We die that we might have life.
For those of you who have been sojourning with us for a while, or for those of you who have read my book Idol Lies or have studied “gospel transformation,” in a study, you know that what gets in our way of intimacy with the Lord is our heart idols. Instead of running to the Lord for comfort, approval, and security, we run to one of his gifts and turn it into a god. We may say, for example, that God is our refuge and we know He loves us, but in reality, when we are longing for refuge we run to friends, Facebook, or food. We are enslaved, as Galatians says, to “nongods.” This is not the gospel way of life. It is the opposite.
So the big goal this Lent will be to replace our heart idols with the Lord. But a smaller goal to help us move in that direction, is to replace the time we’ve spent feeding our idols with being in His presence. For example, you may choose any of these or another plan:
- Replace an hour or all of nightly television with this study and the supplemental reading
- Replace three lunches with three walks listening to mp-3 sermons
- Replace Facebook time with endeavoring to seek God’s face through worship music and praying the Word
- Replace staying up late and sleeping in with getting up and being with Him before your day begins
WE WANT TO KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION. WE WANT TO EXPERIENCE HIS BEAUTY AND HIS BEAUTY IN US THIS LENT. THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN HAPPEN IS GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION — BEING CHANGED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
This year I am so excited about where God is leading — we are going to consider how the gospel is not just the ABC’s of Christianity (the way in) but the A to Z of Christianity — (the way to live in victorious intimacy with Christ every day). As we apply the gospel to all of life and begin to plumb its depths, it will affect how we mother, how we face suffering, how we overcome our besetting sins, and most of all, our intimacy with God. I have only come to truly begin to grasp this in the last ten years. Before that, if you would have asked me if I understood the gospel, I would have been miffed. Of course! But now I so understand what Tim Keller means when he says:
If you think you understand the gospel, that proves you don’t, and if you say, “Oh I hardly understand it,” that means you are getting it.[1]
For some of you, especially in the first few weeks, much will be review, but that is good, for as Martin Luther says, “We must beat this into our heads every day.” The default mode of the human heart is idolatry, either trusting in His gifts or in ourselves — because we don’t really trust His love enough to fall into it. We must keep resetting our hearts to the gospel.
Together we are going to seek His presence, turning from our idols and running toward Him. We will share, on this blog, what we are learning, what we are questioning, and how He is meeting us.
HOW DOES THIS LENTEN STUDY WORK?
This Sunday through Tuesday, we’ll get ready. Beginnings are always a bit messy, and we have an enemy, but I and others are praying you will not only start but stay with it! You don’t have to stay with the suggested time line — in fact this week especially, you’d be wise to work ahead.
I would like you to watch two short (under seven minutes) testimonies from women who found victory over a besetting sin, and also read a post from Ann VosKamp about Lent. Prayerfully consider what you will give up so that you have the time to do this study diligently. You might, as Rebecca did, give up television after supper. Or you might, as Rachael did, give up most of her internet activities for Lent. (But not this one!) You may decide to skip Starbucks or a weekly lunch so you can buy the MP3 sermons I am going to suggest (some are free, but some are 2.50) and have the time to listen to them. (The Keller sermon money goes to help the suffering, who are many, in New York City. ) Idols cannot be removed, only replaced. So our purpose is always intimacy with God in our sacrifices during Lent. In these next three days pray about how you can carve out the time (or the possible 2.50 a week) to better understand how to apply the gospel to your life. By Ash Wednesday, you should have a plan.
If you are new, on my homepage on the right click on the Getting Started and follow those directions. Identify yourself by more than just a first name. You may want to be April from Baltimore or, as some women from my Kansas City church might be joining us, you may want to be Melissa@GPC. (Gashland Presbyterian Church) Some women don’t comment on the blog at all, but keep their answers in a notebook. There are wonderful women on this blog and you are free to have discussions with one another, pray for one another, or not. I am diligently trying to read all the comments, particularly when I see questions about the text or misunderstandings — and there are a few women who have been with us a long time, are grounded in the Word, who help me. And all of you are free to jump in and encourage one another. We see better together than we do alone. Together we find warmth, like many logs on a fire, instead of a lonely log dying. That is the beauty of Christian fellowship — and yes, it can happen on a blog. We are experiencing God here. Idols have been demolished, sins overcome, and grief subdued. You are also free to disagree here. This is a very loving group.
Beginning this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, we will start our study by looking at some basics on the gospel way of life. Then next Sunday, and every Sunday, there will be a new post that will help you peer into the gospel and see how it might be applied to every problem you face. Please pray for God’s quickening on us all!
Sunday: Icebreakers
1. Tell us a sentence about yourself and why you have come.
2. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Monday: Testimonies from Rebecca and Rachael:
If you haven’t seen these testimonies (They are from the Idol Lies video curriculum) please watch them and comment on them. If you already have seen them, then you don’t need to watch, but answer the questions. (However, I think they are profound and worth re-watching.)
Rebecca’s story: (This is our Rebecca!)
3. How was Rebecca feeding her comfort idol? How is she replacing her comfort idol? What did God do in her life?
Rachael’s story (This Rachael has been a silent blogger, but will be joining us on the blog during Lent.)
4. How was Rachael feeding her control idol? How is she replacing her control idol? What did God do in her life?
Be praying about what you will “give up” and how you will be replacing it with God. Think about when and where you will do your study, come up with an occasional 2.50 to spend on sermons that are not free, and how you can get the most from this study. I’ll ask you to share your plan on Ash Wednesday.
Skip ahead to Tuesday if you have time.
Tuesday: What’s Lent All About?
Read Ann Voskamp’s discussion about Lent up to her “book list”: Link
5. Ann said Lent isn’t so much about forfeiting but about formation. One needs to be dispossessed of the possessions that possess ā before one can be possessed of God. What possesses — obsesses you? Food? Facebook? Television? Texting? (This will help you decide what to give up that you might replace it with God.)
6. Ann failed the very first night, showing her her depravity, and leading her to the cross.She said: A failing lent? It is a good Lent because this Lenten Lament of my sin ā it is preparing me for the Easter Joy of my Savior. How will you respond when you fail?
7. What else stood out to you from Ann’s post?
Lenten Book List
I am suggesting you also read, during Lent, one of the following books which will give additional support to living a gospel-transformed life. If you act now, you can probably get them through inter-library loan within a few weeks. The first is basic — if you haven’t read it, then this is your book during Lent:
THE PRODIGAL GOD by Tim Keller:
Watch this two minute trailer to whet your taste:
This is a small book, but a paradigm changing book on the gospel-centered life. You can also listen to eight free sermons on The Prodigal God by going to this link and finding the sermons on Luke 15.
If you have already read or listened to The Prodigal God, then choose one of these books as supplemental Lenten reading:
Bread and Wine Readings for Easter with selections from C. S. Lewis, Luther, Bonhoeffer, John Donne…
WHAT’S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE? by Philip Yancey.
In Yancey’s classic he says, “Grace is amazing because it’s not natural.” Gospel-transformed living is not natural — it’s supernatural. The natural default of the human heart is idolatry. This is what keeps us from forgiving, from loving well, from the peace God longs for us to have. Grace is another way to describe the gospel – and the gospel is the only remedy to our heart idols.
IDOL LIES by Dee Brestin
We are essentially going on from the concepts in Idol Lies, though we will review — but if you haven’t read it, you will find it helpful to do so. I am indebted to Tim Keller, Martin Luther, David Powlison, and so many others who have helped me understand idols of the heart.
ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp
When God changes us, He moves us from guilt, to grace, to gratitude. A transformed heart is a grateful heart. A gospel transformed heart is no longer trying to earn God’s approval, for it is resting in His grace (another way to describe the gospel) and responding with gratitude. But since the default of the human heart is idolatry, then continually being aware of His presence through His blessings, or as Ann calls it, “living eucharisto” can help switch that default mode of idolatry back to gospel transformation.
If you have read all of the above, I also recommend these excellent books that are related to gospel transformation:
Soul Idolatry: What Keeps Men Out of Heaven (David Clarkson)
Spiritual Depression (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Grace-Based Parenting (Elyse Fitzpatrick)
A Grace Disguised (Jerry Sittser)
The Gospel in Life (Tim Keller)
Go see the movie Les Miserables while it is still in the theatres!
And an easy reading extra:
Pearl in the Sand (Tessa Afshar — light historical fiction in which the author demonstrates an understanding of gospel transformation) Our own Nanci recommended it and I think you’ll like it. But this is not to be your main supplemental reading book!
8. What book will you get for your supplemental reading — and why?
Skip ahead to Wednesday if you have time.
ASH WEDNESDAY — WE OFFICIALLY BEGIN!
Many churches will have a service tonight in which ashes are placed on the foreheads of believers to remind them that they are dust and to dust they will return. This life is so short and we tend to be so earthbound in our perspective. When we are earthbound, we become enslaved to our idols. During Lent we want to set our affections on things above with particular diligence.
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him?
Ann Voskamp said: “I can’t seem to follow through on giving up for Lent, which makes me want to just give up on Lent.” Even this week, as God gives you a plan on what you might give up in order to have more of Him, you will face a battle. You may stumble and even fall, and you will consider giving up. But don’t let the enemy win so easily — for failing will lead you to the cross, and the cross will transform you. Lent is about Gospel formation, so keep repenting, and do not give up on Lent! You will find increasing strength. Prepare a prayer for the times when you are tempted to not follow through. Use Scripture, the Sword of the Spirit.
For example, I tend to run to food when I’m stressed or bored. I am very disciplined at meals, but I can easily wander into the pantry in an almost hypnotic trance between meals to grab crackers or a handful of cheerios. Why do I do this? I am feeding my heart idol of comfort with something besides The God of All Comfort. One of my Lenten disciplines therefore is to fast for some meals, but also, cut out all in-between meal snacking and to replace it with running to Him. I will not buy tempting provisions and I will not grab things between meals, but when tempted, will say this prayer and then run to Him: Lord, only in Your presence are fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. [Psalm 16:11] Yet here I am tempted to find pleasure in snacking. Remove this desire and as I run to You now, meet me, O Lord, and help me wait upon You and trust You to be my comfort. Will I stumble? Most likely. Will I give up on giving up? If I do, I am so deceived — for He is the only One who can rescue me. Lent is about Gospel Formation and learning to repent from my idols and run to Him.
10. What scriptural prayer can you prepare that fits your need for when you are tempted to retreat from your Lenten discipline?
THREE WAYS TO LIVE
In The Prodigal God, which is based on the parable Jesus tells of the two sons in Luke 15, Keller explains there are 3 ways to live:
- Irreligion: As when the younger son, in rebellion, ran away from the father and wasted his inheritance and life.
- Religion: As when the older son, in self-righteousness, thought he could be right before the father by keeping the rules.
- Gospel: As when the younger son returned, in true repentance, throwing himself on his father’s mercy and receive grace.
Too often we fall into the error as believers that if we are not “irreligious,” if we are not being bad, then we are right with God. We may be busy in church, even going to choir and Bible study, but we may not have a gospel-transformed heart. We tend to fall into th error, not of irreligion, but of religion. Instead of resting in the Father’s love, and responding to it in gratitude and service, we try to “earn” our own righteousness. The older son was not resting in the father’s love, and certainly not joyful or thankful, for he said, “I’ve slaved for you all these years…” He was showing, by the bad fruit emanating from his heart, that he had fallen into the other error, that of religion. (Christianity, by the way, is not a religion. Christianity is not earning favor with God, but believing, through the gospel, that we already have favor with God.)
As we will see, this week and next, we all have some “older brotherishness” in our hearts — even if we are not complete older brothers. We can be saved and yet still, on a day to day basis, not really be resting in God’s love. Our prayer lives, for example, may be filled with petition rather than praise, for we are not yet experiencing intimacy with God, not yet having a melted heart that is overwhelmed by His love.
Jesus tells three parables, the parable of the lost sons is the third. But it is important to see whom He was addressing.
11. According to Luke 15:1-2:
- To whom was Jesus speaking?
- About what were they murmuring?
- Which of the three ways of life do you think was true of the Pharisees and why?
12. Read Luke 15:13-16 and find all you can about the “irreligious” way of life.
13. Have you tried the above way of life? What did it bring you?
Read Luke 15:17-24 for The Gospel Way of Life and meditate on Rembrandt’s painting.
Rembrandt: Return of the Prodigal
14. Remember: If you think you understand the gospel, you probably don’t. So slow down, using both the Word and Rembrandt’s painting, and answer:
- What did the son plan to say to the father, after he “came to himself?” (v. 18-19)
- How did the father respond before he ever heard why the son returned or what he planned to say? (vs. 20-24)
- In Rembrandt’s painting, how does he portray the destitute nature of the son and the love of the Father? Tell us all you see.
- Ask the Lord, through the above, to help you begin to comprehend His gospel love for you. Write what He impresses on you.
15. Read Luke 15:25-30 The Way of Religion (Remember — this is the pit into which believers tend to slip)
A. What does he say to his father? How does he show a lack of love and gratitude?
B. How was the older son not seeing his depravity?
Lent will show us our depravity — and that is a good thing.
THURSDAY (IF YOU ARE FALLING BEHIND, SKIP TO FRIDAY) COME BACK IF POSSIBLE
Read the following from Richard Lovelace, Professor of Religious History:
Only a fraction of the present body of professing Christians are solidly appropriating the justifying work of Christ in their lives. Many…have a theoretical commitment to this doctrine, but in their day-to-day existence they are …drawing their assurance of acceptance with God from their sincerity, their past experience of conversion, their recent religious performance or the relative infrequency of their conscious, willful disobedience. Few know enough to start each day with a thoroughgoing stand upon Luther’s platform: You are accepted, looking outward in faith and claiming the wholly alien righteousness of Christ as the only ground for acceptance, relaxing in that quality of trust which will produce increasing sanctification as faith in love and gratitude.
16. Contemplate the above:
A. What does Lovelace say most Christians rely upon for feeling accepted by God?
B. What does he say few know enough to do?
C. How does this speak to you?
17. How did the father offer grace to the son who was choosing the way of religion? (verse 31)
18. How did the father give grace to the son who chose the way of irreligion? (verse 32)
Friday
Listen to this free MP3 sermon. (You can just play it, but it will be less likely to skip and you will be able to stop and start it more easily if you download it. If this is new, please have a young person help you. It’s not hard to learn.): Link
19. Share your notes from this sermon.
Saturday:
20. What is your take-a-way from this week and why?
858 comments
i double sent my last input and it did not get sent through. do i need to do something to correct that?? sorry, i am not very computer smart and this is the first time i’ve ever done a bible study like this. thanks for your patience!
I don’t bjs — it may be lost among the many comments. If it keeps happening, write david@deebrestin.com for help. Sorry! I know it must be frustrating.
So, today I was thinking about how I’ve never done Lent before, and it sounds like a really long amount of time to stay all in, and it was a little overwhelming. Then I remembered a poem I wrote a year ago. I keep forgetting that I wrote it and remembering whenever the message of the poem is pertinent to my situation. Thought I’d share. š
Nothing that I do is wrong.
In your weakness
My power is strong.
I know you’re impatient
But My time is ancient;
It’s only to you this feels long.
Love you guys!
If you feel overwhelmed by comments, remember the study is the top priority!
You have a talent for writing Liz!
I think you will find it goes more quickly than you imagine, rather like life.
We come here to hear from God, to draw closer to Him, to fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith.
When I think of it that way, what would be a better use of my time than this?
I needed those words this morning!! Thank you!
8. What book will you get for your supplemental reading ā and why?
I like so many of these, I think Iām going to ācheatā and re-read Yancy because my retention is terrible and I need to hear it again and againā¦but I have recently stumbled upon several excerpts from āSpiritual Depressionā by Martyn Lloyd-Jones and they were excellent. Unfortunately, before I look into that one, I need to begin the pile of unread already purchased books beside meā¦oh and āBread and Wine Readings for Easterā sounds incredible too. Iām a hopeless book-buyer, just wish I read and retained better! š
I hear ya, Elizabeth – I am a hopeless book buyer and have many unread or half finished great books lying around. I want to finish what I start this time – hope you are successful at retaining what God leads you to – I have the same problem! Take care!
Linda V — always glad to have someone from my home state. Where in Wisconsin are you?
Hi Dee! I’m in Walworth, SE WI, just north of the Illinois border, east of Beloit and west of Lake Geneva. We moved here a year and a half ago and bought a 5 acre farmette to live our back-to-the-country dream š Thanks for making this study so available and working so hard using the gifts God’s given you to build up the Body! š
Wow Linda, I am very close to you – I am east of you in Twin Lakes. Welcome to Wisconsin, and this study!
Hi Liz!! Thanks for the welcome! My hubby works at Breezy Hill Nursery in Salem, so he’s right in your neck of the woods! I think he plows snow somewhere in Twin Lakes! We thought we’d wind up around there, closer to work, but this is where we landed. š Happy to be Cheeseheads now!
Welcome Linda V from the farmette!
Thank you!
Welcome Linda!
I am glad we are reading the same thing at the same time
Thank you, C.!! Have a great Ash Wednesday – and thanks for your encouragement for all us ladies as you interact and share! You’ve been busy! š
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him?
This is where my lent idea is hard. I really feel convicted (again) to try to give up trying to fix my daughter. Itās a long story (sheās only 9!), but in any caseāmy heart desire is to take my thoughts captiveāre-entrust her to Him 1000+ times a day, and replace my critical-laden words with grace. Iāve tried this before (and failed), yet I still feel it has to be my focus right now. OK, Iām going to make it hardāI will commit to memorizing Romans 12, and Iām terrible at memorization! I will continue to meet with Him in the morning, with an alteration though. I typically read my daily Scripture online with an RSS feed of my daily reading. Problem is, I easily get distracted by emails, even āgoodā stuff like Gospel Coalitionā¦before Iāve finished my reading for the day. So I am going to stop reading online, read from my hard copy Bible before turning on the computer.
Elizabeth, It is hard, very hard to leave one’s kid in the Lord’s hands and let Him do the fixing. In my case, it wasn’t a scripture verse that got my attention. One day when I was trying to leave my son in the Lord’s hands and failing miserably at it, when I was asking the Lord how to really leave my son there my next thought was “you do not control the outcome”. I still have difficulties, mostly cause I am mom, and my kids are supposed to be perfect (haha)but now when I am “fixing” a lot of times I will remember that phrase and I am better able to step back (not always but better than I was). I actually have a better (not perfect) relationship with my son as I am much better at not pointing out as many areas for improvement. I am still mom, but I am more relaxed and I have noticed that he is too. Not sure if that will help it at all.
Also, over the past couple of months, there have been a couple of times where something that you posted has jumped out and really made a difference to me (yeah, thanks again) really helped a point that I needed to hear sink in. Perhaps someone will post something that will stand out for you that will make the hard parts easier. I will pray that it will occur for you.
Oh, I just remembered something (hopefully will make you smile) when I was younger I had to work a part time job, in addition to my full time job just to make ends meet. The part time job was at a retail clothing store. One night a gentleman and his preteen daughter came in and I asked him if I could help him…he pointed to his daughter and said “get her to 20”. I doubt he controlled the outcome in his house either. I just remembered that and thought it was funny and would perhaps brighten your day š
Mary-thank you so much for your encouragement. Your words blessed me this morning. The situation is much much better than it has been in the last few years. It’s never been a situation of harsh words or “fights” between us–but my default is to control and to speak truth not tempered with grace…so I’m seeking to let Him soften those parts of my heart. That my truth-telling would be balanced with grace-giving! Thank you so much for listening to my heart and sharing yours–that really ministered to me this morning. Praying now for your day, Mary, thankful you are here.
Mary, that is funny! I remember wishing I could skip over the teen years of my kids too! Your first pharagrah helps me alot too…thank you.
I can relate to the distractions when doing my bible readings on the computer, but I can see it better :/
Praying for powerful heart change for you in your lenten discipline, how your desire for it honors God!,
Just this week, I was searching the internet for Lenten devotions. This morning, a friend who lives many miles away told me about this website. She and I and another mutual friend plan to do this Lenten study together. I’m very excited to begin and look forward to hearing from the Lord.
Meemers — so glad to have you here. Who are your two friends?
Meemers is fun to say!
welcome š
5. What possesses me? This is a perfect question for me right now because of how God has been speaking to me. I don’t want to share this but I think I must. First, I just need to see it in writing.
I have found the most wonderful prayer ministers. They are a blessed gift from God at the right time in my life. Each time I visit them God leads me to something I do not expect. Except this last time. Perhaps I am beginning to understand a little bit about what is important to Him.
I went with an image from Him on my heart. It was me clinging to the rock face of a cliff. Holding onto what I know instead of letting go, spreading my wings and soaring on the warm updraft coming up the face of that cliff. I knew it is His love, that wind.
Oh how God spoke to me in those hours. Last year for the 2nd time in my life I have come into possession of a rather large sum of money. The first time it almost destroyed my marriage and left us limping. Now I see what it has done to me. First it occupied my mind with decisions that had to be made and distracted me from fellowship with The Lord. I saw that early on and worked at steering around it. But what I did not understand until this night of prayer is that it is a source of my fear. It is a fear of what will happen when it is gone. Fear of what people with think of how i let it go rather than clinging to it and making it grow. When I did not have it, I did not have that fear. I was amazed when I saw it! It has been like chains on me! We prayed through and I gave it to The Lord. Very soon it will be gone. I am making final decisions and letting it go. God will provide and I will ride the winds of His love.
God blessed us so much through this inheritance but it was never my treasure. He is my treasure and He will never run out. This is easy for me to say and believe but it is also easy to forget. Rather than defaulting back to former patterns I want to make it my new normal. Lord please help me during this Lent to see how broken I am without You. Break off all paths that lead to my glory in Jesus Name.
Anne–what an incredible story–your beautiful heart–thank you for sharing, so glad you’re back
Oh, I appreciate your honesty, Anne.
Thank you both. That was hard to write and look at. I appreciate the freedom of your friendship. Kim, I am so glad you are here with us for Lent.
Anne, your depth so inspires me; you are always deeply soul-searching, and I love to hear the things God shows you.
Anne, I don’t know if you are familiar with the worship band Jesus Culture, but your story made me think of their song Break Every Chain. I’m inserting a link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ncg2pLYks
I’m excited you’ll be doing this study! š
Lovely to see Him gently revealing this to you and you trusting Him and letting go…
Anne, your heart is so unselfish~
3. How was Rebecca feeding her comfort idol? How is she replacing her comfort idol? What did God do in her life?
She rewarded herself with food and tv and alone time. She listened to the lie that she deserved this because her life was difficult.
God showed her that He could come to her and comfort her and intimacy with Him was so much better.
4. How was Rachael feeding her control idol? How is she replacing her control idol? What did God do in her life?
Going to the computer when she was stressed. She turns to the Lord realizing her trials were friends. God drew close to her and called her out of the shadows to His rest.
5. Ann said Lent isnāt so much about forfeiting but about formation. One needs to be dispossessed of the possessions that possess ā before one can be possessed of God. What possesses ā obsesses you? Food? Facebook? Television? Texting? (This will help you decide what to give up that you might replace it with God.)
Selfishness pure and simple is what possesses or obsesses me. I forget Him so easily and this sickens me.
6. Ann failed the very first night, showing her her depravity, and leading her to the cross.She said: A failing lent? It is a good Lent because this Lenten Lament of my sin ā it is preparing me for the Easter Joy of my Savior. How will you respond when you fail? I will remember the draughts of joy that will be mine as I refuse to give up. I will remember how He forgives.
7. What else stood out to you from Annās post?
Lent gives me this gift: the deeper I know the pit of my sin, the deeper Iāll drink from the draughts of joy.
I love this line from Ann’s blog:
Let the things of this world fall away so the soul can fall in love with God.
It is so easy to get distracted in busy everyday life and lose track of what really matters. This is my prayer for myself this Lent- to at least become more aware of when I am letting things of this world cloud my soul, and then to ideally begin to change.
Welcome Kelsie — so glad to have you.
Kelsie, welcome you are beginning to change already I think
3. How was Rebecca feeding her comfort idol? How is she replacing her comfort idol? What did God do in her life?
I agree with Dee that these videos are so profound, they are worth re-watching!
Often in a Bible study, I’ll learn a Scripture passage, and we will talk about what we have learned, but then comes the hardest part – the application of the truth I’ve learned to real life; the nuts and bolts of actually living it out.
Rebecca’s testimony is a crystal clear example of how it’s done, and I don’t ever get tired of hearing it! She said she felt like she was “drowning under the weight of all the stress”. So she needed comfort and relief, and she turned to eating pie and watching TV at night. Ironically, the comfort idol only pushed her further down, heaping weight gain and depression on top of her. She made a decision to stop eating at night, and to replace the food with spending time with the Lord, reading books that would encourage her in her spiritual growth. She wondered if God would let her sit in her pain, but as she continued, HE came to her, giving her His peace and His presence. He did not change her circumstances, but gave her more of Himself.
10. What scriptural prayer can you prepare that fits your need for when you are tempted to retreat from your Lenten discipline?
Oh Lord, my anxious soul finds rest in You alone (psalm 62:1). I run to You and lay down my burdens, my controlling ways, my desires to change others to fit my agenda. I will entrust them to You, and I will hold unswervingly to the hope I profess because You are faithful to Your promises (heb10:23. Thank You Lord that You steadfast love never ceases; Your mercies never come to an end; they are new every morningāoh how desperately I need Your daily mercy and grace; great is your faithfulness. (lam. 3:22-23).
5. Ann said Lent isnāt so much about forfeiting but about formation. One needs to be dispossessed of the possessions that possess ā before one can be possessed of God. What possesses ā obsesses you? Food? Facebook? Television? Texting? (This will help you decide what to give up that you might replace it with God.)
Well I can be “obsessed” by more than one thing Food, TV…and one that I wonder about, having enough money to be comfortable. I don’t want to be wealthy (by my definition) but I do so like to be comfortable. I don’t think I hold onto money as I don’t think I have a problem giving away either…but I am wondering if it has a stronger hold than I think it does…and since I am wondering about it, it probably does (if I am being honest). But I had been praying about Lent and I do really feel that the thing that the Lord wants to work on is TV. I think I said earlier that this is what I feel I am to “give up” and take that time and spend it with the Lord. I have set up an area in my room, away from the rooms where the TV is where I can quietly be working through this study and just spending quiet time thinking and pondering things the Lord will have me ponder.
6. Ann failed the very first night, showing her her depravity, and leading her to the cross.She said: A failing lent? It is a good Lent because this Lenten Lament of my sin ā it is preparing me for the Easter Joy of my Savior. How will you respond when you fail?
Well I already failed when I thought that spending time in the evening away from the TV was okay cause I could watch online later…which defeats the giving it up part. Even though Lent doesn’t “officially” start until tomorrow, it was my thought process that was my failure. If I am truly willing to give it up, then I really ought to have been okay with no watching period and yet my brain didn’t go there. I had to go to the Lord and asked Him to change my heart as I think that is the only way that I will truly repent. I can say I am sorry too easily, but that is not what He is after. He doesn’t want an “oops I’m sorry”, He wants a fundamental shift in my heart where I am not looking for loopholes, but looking only for Him. I can’t do this on my own, I can’t even truly repent, without His help. I can’t even change my heart or my focus without Him.
7. What else stood out to you from Annās post?
āWorseā¦ at timesā¦ I donāt even want to keep the law. Lentās revealing my depravity, my impotence. The utter death of my flesh. I can do nothing. My Lent convicts: I am a lawbreaker. ā
Does the emptying come only when we know how empty we are?
I am totally helpless to do anything. The more I learn, the less I know kind of scenario is what comes to mind. I feel empty, but when I think I am really empty, when I think I have really given it all to God, then oh so magically up pops something that I do or don’t do that demonstrates how deceived I was to think that I had truly given it all over to Him.
I feel so small and helpless. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The reverse is also apparent, I can do nothing without Him. I am pretty confident that without a fundamental shift in my heart that I will at some point during Lent fail. But I am as equally confident that the Lord is working a process in my heart that it will be changed, even if I don’t see it. Sometimes His best work is when He doesn’t tell me He is changing my heart or my focus, He does it subtly and quietly and it’s done even before I realize it.
Mary Canada as I read you post I thought of this passage:
Luke 10:38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lordās feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, āLord, donāt you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!ā
41 āMartha, Martha,ā the Lord answered, āyou are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are neededāor indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.ā
You are in your room sitting at His feet, choosing the better thing!
Chris, thank you so much for the encouragement of sitting at his feet in my room. I will however confess that most of the time I am more like Martha than Mary. Doing rather than sitting. Perhaps that is why He chose this for me for Lent, just quietly sit. Thank you for that thought, it will probably help me on days that I struggle with it.
4. How was Rachael feeding her control idol? How is she replacing her control idol? What did God do in her life?
Rachael began to ponder David Powlison’s questions, such as “Where do you get your comfort? What do you trust?” She began to see that often during the day, she took refuge in the computer – checking email, Facebook, coupon sites, health sites. When she took a break from computer time during Lent, she saw just how much she’d been turning to those things, and she replaced that time with reading Scripture, music, going to the Lord when she felt stressed. She recognized a control idol with her children – wanting them to act a certain way or become what she wanted them to become. She thought that if she could control and fix everything in her family, she would be happy. She found that her idols were not her friends and that they were hurting her relationships.
God is giving her more of Himself, and she is trusting her children to God, and her husband saw the change in their family – there was more peace and love.
I had received the email about this Lenten study – then promptly forgot it š The Lord reminded me today, I think – so I’m jumping in just as we’re ready to begin, getting caught up. Giving up Facebook for Lent – as I told my son tonight, it’s got its talons in me, and I need to break free. Less time at the computer, more time directed at Him!!
One day at a time… Blessings on all who are on this journey, too! May we discover the Lord in new ways and change to be like Him because of it!
just got bread and wine on amazon. there were 19 reviews and they were ALL 5 star! that NEVER happens.
I am going to give up my tv time, with 7 in the house its on but I will not turn it on and sit and watch it. I am also giving up facebook time, i have to get on it for promotional stuff for work but other then that, I am going to add yoga and praise and worship.
I was going to give up laundry, cooking and grocery shopping BUT my husband objected š I thought it was a great idea! it would have given me TONS of time with the lord:-)
I am also going to add writing on my blog again. my goal is to write once a week throughout lent.
I love how Ann talks about how its in the failures of lent that opens our hearts to our need for Jesus! I love that! It gives me hope since I fail a LOT!
I also watched the talk on parenting that you suggested Dee, it was a great reminder! I need to keep turning my childrens hearts to the one who can save them….and it is NOT me! when they lie, I need to let them know that I struggle with sin too and help them go to God for forgiveness and restoration and not try to shame them into good behavior. GOD is the only one who can change a heart!!!! thanks DEE!!!
failure/brokeness…. they are not the killers of faith but the seeds of it. It is only when we need grace that we understanding grace…..ITs only in our failure that we learn to surrender…..Its only when we are aware of our lack of control that we let go of our pride. And by we I mean I š
Love this Cyndi, lol on the giving up laundry and cooking!
This is gold:
“I need to keep turning my childrens hearts to the one who can save themā¦.and it is NOT me! when they lie, I need to let them know that I struggle with sin too and help them go to God for forgiveness and restoration and not try to shame them into good behavior. GOD is the only one who can change a heart!!!!”
Smiles smiles
Only problem with giving up laundry, grocery-shopping and cooking is when you have to start doing them again. Speaking from experience š It’s amazing how many healthy groceries an Internet addict can get online, but freeze-dried fruit and vegetables get kinda spendy.
you do not want to see what my laundry room looks like after 3 days of not doing laundry! 7 people and a bed wetting issue! OH MY
š
Cyndi, at first I thought you meant you got real bread and wine from amazon! I suppose you could, they have everything else!!
I love your last sentence about failure and brokeness…Oh so true!
My friend recommended this blog for Lent a few days ago and I just read through the prep and I’m glad I did this tonight so I can pray on what God wants me to do starting tomorrow. Thank you for doing this.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6
So glad to have you Patti from NY!
It has been one of those crazy busy days which included me locking my keys in my car! So I haven’t done any study today but I wanted to share with you, my sisters in Christ, a conviction God showed to me…it is an idol but I am not sure of the label, ??control,?? pride. Three of my children have given me grandchildren. Two of them are married, I enjoy the children and feel we have good relationship. I rarely have an opinion about their parenting and stay detached from that as they are their children not mine….that said, my oldest daughter is divorced from an emotionally abusive man, she has 3 kids, the divorce has been ugly and I feel she is stuck in the “poor wronged woman.” My husband and I have been very involved in helping her financially as well as lots of child supervision, surrogate parenting at times. After 4 yrs we have stopped the financial aid. But I often sacrifice my time and energy to have the children extra. Today, I was convicted of thinking that I could parent these kids better than her! Where do I get off thinking like that! They are her children and not mine, whether or not I like it, she has to raise them as she sees fit. The kids were out of school today so I let my 12 yr old granddaughter spend the whole day with me. I did it out of obligation and ended up angry at myself for being a wimp and not setting a boundary. Then it hit me this afternoon…I thought she was better off with me than her mom…Wow, I humbly ask God’s forgiveness in my judgement of my daughter and my attitude of superiority.
OH SO HARD TO RELEASE — I KNOW — PRAYING FOR YOU SARAHSAL.
Thank you for trusting us with confession, there is such power in bringing things into the light.
I also can relate.
Praying for you, the children and you daughter right now
Amen. This is so hard. Praying for you, and for emotional healing for your daughter, and for the precious grandchildren.
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him?
Ā I have struggled this week to figure out what to give up and how I will replace it with Him. I will admit, it is hard to think of giving up anything! I thought I would start with dinner, but it seems so difficult at the end of a long day to give up nutrition. I then thought I would give up a glass of wine I usually have with dinner, although I have really already done that for another reason. So, here I am, stuck on what to do. I think Dee’s idea of giving up in between meal snacks is good. I am also stuck on a prayer to say because I don’t know the Bible well enough. I like the prayer Dee says from psalms. I will probably “steal” that since I don’t know it and could learn it. I have tried to do some of the bible study in the morning hours.xI also check in often during the day. I will add a late afternoon or dinner hour component to the schedule.
11. According to Luke 15:1-2:
To whom was Jesus speaking? The tax collectors and pharisees.
About what were they murmuring? His action of talking to and eating with “sinners.”
Which of the three ways of life do you think was true of the Pharisees and why?
These people were definitely “religious.” they thought they were pious and knew the law better than anyone else. They looked down on those who seemed to not obey the rules given to them as a people. They were self-righteous for sure!
I have decided to add christian music to my repentance when I fail. Some of you are quick to find music online. Can you share how you do that? I am not very good at searching for it. I don’t know a lot of the contemporary artists and song either. Any suggestions? I would lime a variety of uplifting songs.
http://www.pandora.com. put worship music in the search. I have also used laura story in the search…just pick an artist you like and type it in the top left box š you can also just go to kloves site and push listen on line. good luck!
Laura another music suggestion, go to YouTube and type in an artist you like, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Keith and Kristen Getty for example. Choose a song and over on the right hand side there is usually a Top Tracks for the artist you are listening to, if you click on that it will play song after song from that artist.
Hi Laura, you can also try Klove, there is an app for your iphone if you have one. š
Thanks ladies š
It’s Ash Wednesday — a holy day. And our official beginning, though we have surely already begun! š Let me pray.
Father, I thank You for each individual You have brought here and I ask that Christ be formed in her during this Holy time, as we journey toward the cross and the glorious resurrection. May we know You and the power of your resurrection and the fellowship of Your sufferings, becoming like You in Your death, that Your life might rise in us. Hedge us from the enemy, may we recognize his lies and defeat them, as You did, with Your Word during those forty days in the wilderness. May we love You more and this world less.
In Jesus Name, I pray.
Amen.
Yes yes, thank you and Amen
Amen.
Amen
I’m looking forward to this study and growing closer to the Lord. My life seems to get in the way of spending time with Him. I pray He will open my eyes to my idols and the things I can put aside to spend more time with Him.
Susanne — so happy you are here! Loved Sunday morning in your class.
Laura dancer and others: If anyone is still interested in purchasing Ann Voskamp’s Lenten wooden wreath, I found a website you can order it:
for Canada:
http://adventtolenttoascensionwreath.blogspot.ca/
or for US:
http://adventtolenttoascensionwreath.blogspot.com/
Hi. I’m new to the blog and haven’t observed Lent in a while. I’m looking forward to participating (even though I only have access by smart phone, which I’ve only had for about 2 months, so I’m apologizing in advance for typos). Although I may not always leave a comment, I am committing to following along and journaling the experience. I’m praying for growth spiritually and I hope to be stretched just as Jesus was during His 40 days. Please pray for me as I pray for you.
Glad you are here, our Michigan sisters are growing! And we’ve other smart phone texters!
im from toledo! we are close š
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him?
The Lord is leading me to not only spend more time with Him but to rely on Him. I spend way too much time on Facebook. I’ve also realized after watching Rachel’s video and seeing some of the other posts that I also have a control idol with my two oldest children. They are both going through things right now that could affect the rest of their lives. They have disappointed me and in some ways I’m embarassed by them. I just don’t understand the choices they are making and they are hurting themselves. The mom in me wants to protect them. Like Rachel, I sometimes try on my own to “fix” or help them by “researching” things on the computer. I’m going to replace these with spending more time in the Word, praying more, doing this study, doing my small group from my Church, and reading The Prodigal God. I plan to do the study in the mornings before anything else either at my kitchen island or my front living room.
10. What scriptural prayer can you prepare that fits your need for when you are tempted to retreat from your Lenten discipline?
I will turn toward my favorite verse, Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me”
10. Lord I want to learn the secret of being content in any and every situation! God what I long for is a gentle spirit! I want to live out phil. 4:4-9 help me to rejoice in you always and let my gentleness be evident to all remembering that you are near! and in that I will be able to not be anxious about anything but in prayer and petition with THANKSGIVING I will let you have all my worries and when I do that your peace will guard my heart and mind!
When all I want is to fall into the nothing place in my brain and watch TV give me the strength to run to you and let you empty me. When I fail Lord help me to respond with humility and a willingness to start again instead of pride and a hardness that calls me to just give up.
14. Remember: If you think you understand the gospel, you probably donāt. So slow down, using both the Word and Rembrandtās painting, and answer:
What did the son plan to say to the father, after he ācame to himself?ā (v. 18-19)
That he had sinned AGAINST HEAVEN and before his father, he planned to offer to serve his father, to in a small way repay the harm he had done
How did the father respond before he ever heard why the son returned or what he planned to say? (vs. 20-24)
While he was still a long way off, made me cry, the thought that God is waiting eagerly for us to return to Him breaks my heart. Though the sone was dirty, ritually unclean from contact with pigs, have you ever smelled pigs? The Father embraced and kissed him.
In Rembrandtās painting, how does he portray the destitute nature of the son and the love of the Father? Tell us all you see.
His posture, he is on his knees, I imagine tha his hands are clasped, he looks dirty, he has no cloak, he is essentially going around in his underwear, his sandals are falling apart, his eyes are closed, his mouth shut, his head is bald. A sign of repentance?
Isaiah 22:12Ā
The Lord, the Lord Almighty,āØĀ called you on that dayāØ to weep and to wail,āØ to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.
Ask the Lord, through the above, to help you begin to comprehend His gospel love for you. Write what He impresses on you.
The way the sons head is resting on the Father, as if he canāt believe the tenderness, the love. My father does not withhold His love out of concern and anger for what I have done, how much shame I have brought on myself and my family, He is aching for relationship with me, He is eager to welcome me into His love, when I repent, when I come home to Him, it is a cause for rejoicing.
I admit this is still a bit much for me to really take in, but I am internalizing this truth more and more, that God really loves Me, Christina, me not merely as a speck of a cell in the body, but as a child he created to bring Him glory and enjoy Him. I am contemplating and weepy.
Chris, You make my heart weep too
1. Tell us a sentence about yourself and why you come
I believe The Lord is bringing me to a place of brokenness.
Lent has always symbolized a renewing of my spirit & mind.
A time to remove obstacles and stumbling blocks in order to draw closer to Him. To find a new Revelation of the Cross.
Wow! I’m loving this. Not sure exactly how this works but I will say this. Yes, my heart is depraved, full of rebellion. For many years I have been saying to God, Your will, my way. Since 2009 He has been changing me. My need is great, each day must include relinquishment and I fail often. Comprehending Gods love is like waves flowing over me, overwhelming yet tangible, difficult to express to anyone but fills me with joy. Ephesians 2:10 ā For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.ā Amazing GRACE, before I knew Him and I am His masterpiece! Overwhelming love.
Welcome, Sherry. So glad you are here.
Just read Psalm 61
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is not water
My plan this Lent is to stay off of social media; wake early 5 and persue Him through worship!
I am going to the area I have always enjoyed, Graue Mill in Hinsdale.
I haven’t walked here in months but I feel closer to God when I am out in nature enjoying creation!
Have a Blessed Day!
This psalm really hit home for me. It reflects my plan for Lent, too. I work early in the morning, so I rarely spend time with God before going to work. I plan to get up early enough to spend time with Him every day. š
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him?
God is leading me but I need to be sure.
There is a storm that has been brewing and God is bringing some things to the surface inside. Most of the ladies know we have been losing income pretty steadily-lately we just had another cut-so we have incurred a HUGE loss and things are tighter than before. Not sure what will happen.
My bend is to worry-to love security more than Him..to forget He is my comfort and instead run to snacking to comfort me. I have failed, but I know He will meet me.
SO..I will continue meeting him in the mornings early as I do-but also in the evenings. Throughout the day I will cry out to Him first when I am tempted to go to food instead of Him-Psalm 18. I love imagining that Psalm in my head-He hears me and will rescue me! He is THAT passionate for me! Also, I sing songs to Him and Psalms in my head when I am tempted to run to my comfort idol-There are a few in my mind-and the Holy Spirit brings them to mind-I love it when He comes to me that way. I sense God leading me to read “The Gospel In Life” by Keller-I will read that in the evenings instead of dessert after dinner.
I am sorry to know this about your finances, but rejoice to see the determination you have to turn to Christ in this storm.
“He hears me and will rescue me!”
Rebecca, I am sorry about this too. I will pray. You are so right about His passion for you.
Lord I pray that you will help Rebecca and her husband to comprehend Your passion for them individuals and as a family. Come to them both now with assurance and the comfort of Your presence. Come to them with provision. Amaze them with how You provide from the most unexpected places and in most unexpected ways. Open the windows of heaven on them. How hard her husband works! Please bless his family through the work of his hands. May it be enough for every need. Lord, we trust You and love You so.
I am praying Anne’s prayer for you too, Rebecca and that you will feel His peace overcome your worries.
Amen to Anne’s prayer….Rebecca – we will anticipate what the Lord will do!
Anne, š He came-thanks SO MUCH for praying! Keep praying our heads stay in His lap.
Oh how GOOD He is! Thank You Lord!
Oh Rebecca — praying about this.
Me, too — praying for you and your family, Rebecca.
I am praying also, Rebecca.
Lord, please do a miracle in their finances and we thank you in advance and give you all the glory. Amen (It is done). Rebecca, I believe the Lord is up to something and we will rejoice when the miracle comes. I am totally speaking out of faith here and it seems a little risky but the Bible says without faith we cannot please God so let’s please Him!!!
Praying for you and your family Rebecca, I know how hard you and your husband work.
Wow, thanks ladies for praying-wasn’t expecting this response from HIM through you. š He is faithful!
My husband came to me yesterday morning-it was God comforting me-and he said, “Don’t worry-God is in control-these things are happening because he is telling me it is time to leave the paper routes. He will provide and we need to trust Him.” š š š š
Kim-I am so glad you are back. I do think you are right-My worry is turning to wonder-I sense He is doing something in my husband’s heart as well as mine-and He wants us in this place-not to hurt us but because He loves us. I know God is faithful and full of surprises-love that about Him. š
Need prayers. We (my parents and I) have an appointment this afternoon with a lawyer. Someone my parents were recommended to. Hoping she is our answer to prayers!
I will pray now, Krista.
I know it’s late now, but still praying for this lawyer to help you, Krista
Thank you, Dee, and all the women on this 40-day journey. I am truly looking forward to this. May our eyes and hearts be open to all that God has for us.
Thank you, Dee, and to all the other women who are on this 40-day journey. I am truly looking forward to this. May our eyes and hearts be open to all that God has for us.
Welcome Judy, is the Frisco for San Francisco?
How is God leading me to approach Lent? what do i run to instead of him?
I run to “Doing” rather impulsively-like a fix. Doing my computer, doing my house, doing shopping, doing visiting friends. My verse for this lent is Mt. 6:6(message) Here’s what i want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
i am commiting to 1/2 hour a day to do this and on monday mornings to fast and pray for at least an hour.
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him?
My flesh IS corrupt and it fights so hard to remain in control. The longer I walk with the Lord the more I see just how incapable I am to do anything apart from him…..and that is the problem I am in bondage to thinking that somehow I must do it. It’s up to me. I must be perfect and do everything right. I need to be the perfect mom, wife, friend, daughter, Christ follower. But over and over I fail. I fail miserably. I can’t keep the law. I can’t be good. I can’t do everything right. I can’t! And instead of it driving me straight to Jesus and the cross, in the past it has caused discouragement, depression and a “I’ll just try harder” attitude. But I am tired. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep trying only to fail and fall short. Besides, God never intended me to do it anyway. All I can do is cling to the cross and beg for mercy and grace.
My plan? Since I believe that the reason I feel I need to control is a lack of trust in God then I am going to do a topical study on Trusting God- looking at various verses that have to do with trust.
What is frustrating is that I know that I know God is trust worthy. He is sovereign and good. Over and over He has shown me His faithfulness in my life to work out all things for my good and His glory. And yet, when things get hard I often head back to Egypt to serve my god of control….and pride and self-righteousness. ugh
10. What scriptural prayer can you prepare that fits your need for when you are tempted to retreat from your Lenten discipline?
This prayer is based on Lev 19:4, Ps 9:10, Ps 24:4, Ps 28:7 and 33:4
Father only those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not worshiped idols can receive a blessing. So Father I ask for forgiveness for returning once again to my idol of control. Help me to remember that You and You alone are God and you can be trusted. You will never abandon me. You are my strength, my shield and I will trust you with all my heart. Oh Father you alone are worthy of my trust. Fill my heart with joy, thanksgiving and help me to seek Your face in this moment. Amen.
His strength made perfect in our weakness, I need this good prayer too Sharon. Praying that when you look back on this time, you will see such an increase in trust.
Thank you C.Swan for praying!
For those of you seeing this, please pray! Very important meeting today for Krista at 12:30 Atlantic Time (that is 1 hour ahead of EST)!
got it Diane–praying!!
Praying.
Diane – I just saw Krista’s request above – I am praying! Please keep us posted.
Praying for all of you.
On questions 11-15 I thought I would just add some things I saw that I haven’t seen mentioned instead of repeating what everyone has already said. š
12. Read Luke 15:13-16 and find all you can about the āirreligiousā way of life.
I don’t think I ever really took notice before but he leaves his family. He removes himself from his support system. When we isolate ourselves from people and community that love and care for us then we open ourselves up to a greater risk of a life apart from God.
15. A. What does he say to his father? How does he show a lack of love and gratitude?
I wonder if this son was obedient out of a sense of obligation? He didn’t serve his father with a heart of humility or love – if he had he wouldn’t have desired reward. True love for the father would have rejoiced with the father for the lost son who had returned.
So good on isolation…and the older son attitude…
What scriptural prayer can you prepare that fits your need for when you are tempted to retreat from your Lenten discipline?
The Message Matthew 26:41 Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire. ”
Hebrews 3:12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Psalms 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Oh my Lord and my God, as I set my mind on the lavish grace you offer, let me remember how dearly you paid to redeem me, I long to be alert, to watch and pray, but I know how easily my thoughts and heart are turned, let your goodness bind my heart to you.
Show me where I have an evil unbelieving heart, and then I see my need and can ask for your power to change, change me from the inside out. I donāt want to cling to my idols and be hardened by them, deceived by them…..please illumine me. Show me how to worship in spirit and truth, I want to really bow before you to truly allow you to be my Lord.
I am so humbled that, when I am still a long way off, you run to me.
Beautiful Chris, I need all of those verses~
5. What possesses me? obsesses me? Approval and affirmation of others. I am the “Labrador Retriever” type – seeking to please, eager to hear praise. (And I even own a Lab….) I have gotten somewhat better over the years, but still – one critical comment will destroy a dozen affirmations. I need to seek God – to base everything about me, about who I am and what I do on Christ, not Chris…..that as Ann V often says, “All’s grace” and she’s right. All is grace. This Lent I plan to memorize Ephesians 2:1-10 – an important scripture about grace and who I am am/we are in Christ.
6. My response to when I fail this Lent: rather than beat myself up and deposit more guilt, I plan to just stop – right in the middle of whatever I am doing – take hold ofthe cross necklace I wear, and pray – reminding myself of grace and God’s presence and power, which invites me to His heart, not out of guilt but hunger…not to earn approval but receive grace.
7. The line from Ann’s blog “Jesus with a crown of thorns. Jesus bent low.God carrying my rotten mess and I cannot ascend to Him; He will descend to me.” Such a wonder – such powerful grace – reminds me of one of my favourite hymns “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” which always leaves me with a sense of holy awe.
8. The supplemental book on my list: Tim Keller, The Prodigal God.
9. My approach to Lent this year: when I crave food (especially spoonfuls of peanut butter! – ah, the secret sin….revealed!) to comfort me, or crave talking on the phone to give me affirmation/approval, I plan to read/recite Ephesians 2:1-10 in a prayful way….to cut out in between meal snacks…and limit the times I visit Facebook to three times per day….morning, noon and night, instead of checking in a dozen times a day! Please pray that I will do all this; especially as my husband is away a lot on business, and the work load at the churches grows heavy as we get further in to Lent.
10. My scripture prayer will be one of gratitude, based on Ephesians 2:8-10.
Such a good start, Christine. Welcome!
Christine–from one “Labrador Retriever type” to another , love your thoughts on #6–and I have a Lab too š
“not out of guilt but hunger…” so good
In response to question 9: As a new stay-at-home mom in a 1 bedroom apartment, I can often feel listless and bored (or maybe more often lazy?), and waste much time on Facebook. I also, like Rachel, tend to run to the internet to research things and try to “figure out my life” when problems arrive. I have realized the last couple of weeks that even when I have a desire to do something that would please the Lord, the way I go about trying to accomplish it is anything but pleasing to Him–I need to rely on HIM to accomplish His good works for my life, not the internet and my own strength. And Dee, when you mentioned that you go to the pantry without thinking in-between meals to snack, I immediately thought of my recent snack addiction–chocolate chips!! I eat them out of boredom, not just because I love chocolate.
I am wasting the precious time that God has given me on useless things, that in the end turn detrimental. My life is nothing if it is not used for God, and lived with God. So yes, I very much need Lent this year! I am going to stay off of Facebook during the day, and I will not buy any more bags of chocolate chips these next forty days unless I have a recipe planned to use them in!
My husband gets a discount at Lifeway Bookstore, and there are two books in stock there that you listed Dee–Idol Lies, and the Prodigal God. I will ask Chris which one he’d like to buy!
Welcome, Linnea. I remember the adjustment of being home with a baby in a little apartment. Glad you are here!
i remember how bored I was when i was at home in a little apartment! I would live for MOPS and grocery shopping š I also watched TV ALL day! I cant imagine that now but I felt like those on the TV where my only adult companionship. your hands are so busy but your mind is not when you have little ones. I so envy you that you are seeing this and wanting to make better choices so early! good for you!
Linnea — I have to teach you because I know you. I was smiling about this:
I’m giving up chocolate chips for Lent unless a recipe calls for them.
(But the Facebook thing is big!) I’m praying for that empty spot to be filled with Him.
Welcome Linnea-glad you’re here
Welcome Linnea-so glad you are here!
5. Ann said Lent isn’t so much about forfeiting but about formation. One needs to be dispossessed of the possessions that possess – before one can be possessed of God. What possesses – obsesses you? Food? Facebook? Television? Texting? (This will help you decide what to give up that you might replace it with God.)
I find myself going to the computer during the day for “a little lift”, or out of boredom, and I like to look at different online sites and do some “window shopping” – clothes, health/beauty stuff…even if I don’t buy anything, but sometimes I do buy something and it gives me a temporary lift in my mood. Or it’s the catalogs that come in the mail – I like to spend time perusing them. This is what I actually did yesterday. I was at a luncheon at my church, and I felt sort of embarrassed b/c my jeans were a little too short and my shoes a little beat-up, and some of the other ladies looked so polished and put-together. So afterwards, I headed to the shoe store, and with the sale and a coupon, bought myself a great pair of boots for like $33 and took them out to the car and put them on, then I had a few more errands to go on. But there was this thing that I guess “possessed or obsessed” me – I needed to look better than I did, I needed to be more fashionable. I looked to a new pair of boots to make me feel better about myself.
Food can also obsess me – especially sweets. I could really relate to Eunice’s story (the lady who did the audiobook of Idol Lies) when I heard her tell it on Midday Connection.
The other thing that can obsess me is cleaning – wanting a room to look perfect.
6. Ann failed the very first night, showing her her depravity, and leading her to the cross. She said: A failing lent? It is a good Lent because this Lenten Lament of my sin – it is preparing me for the Easter Joy of my Savior. How will you respond when you fail?
I like that the question is phrased, “How will you respond WHEN you fail?” – not IF you fail.
I know I will fail – I already failed to get up early this morning like I had planned (and promised). I need to keep looking at the Cross.
Love your last line, Susan.
“I need to keep looking at the Cross.”
What book/books will I read? I’ve ordered Prodigal God & put 1000 Gifts on my Kindle. Wow, that one is a powerful read! 10. My scripture prayer is Phil. 4:8. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, LORD let my thoughts dwell on those things.” 11. Jesus was speaking to tax collectors, sinners, the Pharisees & teachers of the law. The P. & teachers were talking about who Jesus was hanging out with. Oh! Those Pharisees were religious! 12. The irreligious life is a blast, til “famine ” comes. 13. A bit. Guilt & regrets. 14. The son was going to confess his sin against his father & God, & just ask to be a servant in his father’s house. The father ran to his son,hugged & kissed him, & threw a party. God’s compassion & love & desire for me, to return to Him, into His arms, to be clothed as a “son”.
6. cont…. I just thought of something I once heard Nancy Leigh Demoss say, and it was to stop trying to climb up Mount Sinai (live under the Law), and instead, go to Mount Calvary. My biggest obstacle is to feel defeated and want to give up. Yet, when one of my kids does something wrong, and comes and says I’m sorry, I never turn them away. When I fail, I have to remind myself that I’m not earning anything with God by doing it right, and losing anything by doing it wrong. He loves me either way.
7. What else stood out to you from Ann’s post?
The point of Lent – who am I following?
Lent is like going with Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days, to come face to ugly face with our enemy.
Let the things of this world fall away so the soul can fall in love with God. God only comes to fill the empty places. – I really like this picture – if I’m so filled-up (or so I think) with other things – so self-satisfied with things of this world, like new clothes or a savory sweet – how can God come to me if I am full of that stuff?
Ann said: Worse, at times, I don’t even want to keep the law.
Does the emptying come only when we know how empty we are?
My lent has me hard after the light…looking for release from this wretched body of death.
God carrying my rotting mess. He will descend to me.
A failing Lent? It is a good Lent – this lament of my sin is preparing me for the Easter Joy of my Savior.
Just pulled Prodigal God out of the mailbox! And wow, Satan is hard at work today! We homeschool & there are some major attitudes here today! Pray for me/us!!
From the heart of an ex-homeschooler: Father! Protect Sheree and her children today! Calm the hearts and minds in their household. I pray for productivity beyond belief and an atmosphere of love. Thank you, Lord! Amen.
we had attitude in our home schooling house today too! you are right, the enemy is at work! I was SO glad to go to my part time job š
“Lord we know that the enemy hates it when we start on the right path and will even use our kids to take us off path, please protect our families and our hearts!”
Yes Father, Amen
5. Ann said Lent isnāt so much about forfeiting but about formation. One needs to be dispossessed of the possessions that possess ā before one can be possessed of God. What possesses ā obsesses you? Food? Facebook? Television? Texting? (This will help you decide what to give up that you might replace it with God.)
Identifying the root of what to dispossess was harder than I thought. What NEEDS to be dispossessed seemed so obvious: time on the computer (and it has become obvious that this, again, has sucked up my life). Digging deeper: most of the time I spend on the computer is work-related. Ok: dispossess work (some of it, anyway). But I’m not a workaholic in the traditional sense. And I do get distracted when on the computer, but even avoiding useless distractions wouldn’t provide much time.
My curiosity/quest for understanding (about EVERYTHING) has become a problem. The same desire that used to draw me to Him is drawing me away from Him.
I don’t need to dig deeper when preparing for class or preparing material for target audiences! I think it is somewhat intelligent to dig deep enough to understand what material in text books is accurate and up-to-date versus what is garbage (a surprising amount in some books/publications). But students typically don’t benefit if I have unearthed ancient information or if I develop innovative material on most topics.
Much of my “work” learning is entertainment (and literally gives me a headache because of time on the computer). That learning comes from my heart, but doesn’t connect me with Him or feed my soul.
Surprisingly, even when I do the same style of digging (into Scripture, sermons, interpretations of Scripture from other cultures), the process doesn’t seem intellectual or academic at all. He meets me in that process — and the intellectual stuff seems to hit my heart before my brain (to the point that it is hard to come up with specific, descriptive words). A side benefit is that knowing Him and His impact on how I see the world informs my work.
So: give up seeking and processing MORE work-related information, usually on computer, and replace it with seeking Him first (“first” may not mean first part of day because it works well to do mindless stuff before brain cells start functioning). “Seeking Him first” may take a variety of forms, and I do think that some of those forms will not involve reading. LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME WITH HIM!
9. I think that, for me, Lent will be about giving up my time. I tend to clutter my time with lots of things that, while they are good, keep me from Him. God hasnāt been my first priority. So, I will be fasting from a lot of my āmeā time online, reading, watching TV, sleeping, etc. I am going to make sure to get up early enough to start out my day at His. When I get home from work, I wonāt instantly turn to mindless activities or food. Iāll check back in with my Father first. And I will use the time that I do chores to pray instead of letting my mind wander. š
10. Scripture prayer! Matthew 6:33 ā But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.ā
Liz–I relate to “me” time–such a humble desire to let it go for Him–will pray for you
I can definitely tell it is going to be a struggle – I have quite a few habits to break as far as what I do when I get home from work. Thank you for your prayers!! <3
11. Jesus was talking to the tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees were muttering about how awful it was that Jesus was welcoming to these people. I think the Pharisees are definitely religious. They obey all the rules and look down their noses at those who are irreligious. But they miss the grace of God. They think they have earned Godās pleasure by behaving.
12. The irreligious lifestyle does not lead to a good time and/or fulfillment. It leads to emptiness and selling yourself short of the life you were created to live.
13. I admit that I have lived the irreligious lifestyle. For the second semester of my freshman year in college. I threw away my time on parties and one night stands. By the end of it, I couldnāt look myself in the mirror. I hated what I had become and felt worthless. These things that the culture told me made a life worth living made me wish I was dead. My one goal was to make it through the day so I could go back to sleep. I thought I would never be wanted for anything other than my body. Then God caught me through a small group at my church and turned my world upside down. He showed me what I was worth. That he was crazy about me. And that His heart was more broken than mine was by the life I had been living.
14. The son planned to throw himself at his fatherās feet and beg to become one of his servants, because he wasnāt worthy of his love since heād squandered everything his father had given him. His father was ecstatic to have him back in his arms, he had forgiven his son before he was even asked. In the painting, the son looks horrible. Head shaved, probably due to lice, clothes in tatters, he probably smells, too. The father is in rich colors and in front of friends who look equally rich and influential. But, still, the father soils his clothes and image to embrace a man who seems untouchable. I had forgotten how important physical touch was because I had adulterated it. It had become cheap. But this picture shows such an amazing love that is impossible to describe in words summed up in this simple act of an embrace. This touch means more than anything. And that is the way God holds me. I donāt deserve it, but He pours out His affection anyway. Because I can never be so covered in the filth of my sin that He wonāt stop what Heās doing to wrap His arms around me.
Love your post and your honesty, Liz, especially this: “And that His heart was more broken than mine was by the life I had been living.”
Love that you are seeing His love for you.
Loved “Because I can never be so covered in the filth of my sin that He won’t stop what He’s doing to wrap His arms around me.”
9. How is the Lord leading you to approach Lent? Is there something that you tend to run to instead of to Him? How will you replace it? When, where, and how will you meet with Him? I think I am to give up all desserts and sweets that are “extras” I usually run to those for comfort. I think when I lose my sense of control I run to these “extras” which bring me no peace. However, I am not going to be legalistic either, if someone gives me a gift or something I will accept it. In years past I have put such restrictions on myself and this year I want to be more free in it. I want it to truly accomplish the driving me to Christ part.
10. What scriptural prayer can you prepare that fits your need for when you are tempted to retreat from your Lenten discipline? This Psalm has baffled me. We are studying the universe for our science in homeschool and learning the magnitude of it all. It is amazing so this verse, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;” Psalm 103:11
11. According to Luke 15:1-2:
To whom was Jesus speaking?whole lot of people, tax collectors, sinners, pharisees, and scribes
About what were they murmuring?how Jesus receives sinners and eats with them.
Which of the three ways of life do you think was true of the Pharisees and why?religion/they thought they could earn their way, thought they were good enough.
12. Read Luke 15:13-16 and find all you can about the āirreligiousā way of life.
reckless, self-focused, self-sufficient
13. Have you tried the above way of life? What did it bring you?Yes…overall unhappiness. Self always lets you down at some point.
What did the son plan to say to the father, after he ācame to himself?ā (v. 18-19) I have sinned, I am no longer worthy
How did the father respond before he ever heard why the son returned or what he planned to say? (vs. 20-24)COMPASSION! Ran to Him.
In Rembrandtās painting, how does he portray the destitute nature of the son and the love of the Father? Tell us all you see. The son has his head buried in the Fathers skirt and is on his knees. Truly he is probably sorry. The father is full of compassion and holding him not holding his sin against him just happy and thankful he is home but sorrowed of the sorrow the son experienced to bring him to this point.
Ask the Lord, through the above, to help you begin to comprehend His gospel love for you. Write what He impresses on you.
15. Read Luke 15:25-30 The Way of Religion (Remember ā this is the pit into which believers tend to slip)
A. What does he say to his father? How does he show a lack of love and gratitude?it is interesting because instead of talking to the Father first he sent someone else to find out what was going on. Interesting. His Father had to go to him. Then he said, what have you ever done for me the good son and look you are wasting the best on the bad son.”
B. How was the older son not seeing his depravity?He was not looking into his own heart but instead at the sin of his brother.
Lent will show us our depravity ā and that is a good thing.
Such a great reminder Angela of the awesomeness of God’s love āFor as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;ā Psalm 103:11
1.Iām retired, a mother of 3 children and 12 grandchildren, and Iāve come to this study after learning of it from an email I received. Iāve never done an in-depth Lenten study like this before and believe the Lord is leading me here.
2.What stood out to me from the reading was the idea of giving up something for Lent, but not quite knowing why. Iāve done that in the past, so I really appreciated the suggestions for a plan to follow to replace time spent feeding idols with time spent being in his presence.
Lila — welcome welcome! You are such a lovely lady. I think I must tell people you are Rebecca’s mother — unless this is a different Lila?
Dee, you are right-Lila is my wonderful mamma! š
Hey mom, you did it-I am SO impressed-your tech skills are improving! Love you and so glad you are here. š
Oh Lila, I can’t even put into words how precious your daughter is to me! What a blessing to have you join us!
Lila, Welcome and we love your daughrter!
Oh wow – just saw this! So glad to have you, Lila – and yes – we love Rebecca, your daughter!