Nowhere in Scripture does it tell us to practice Lent.
It isn’t an “I ought,”
It’s an “I can.”
This year we will journey together to higher ground.
In the next three days, each of us will ask God
to give us His plan for our individual journey,
and then, this Wednesday, which is officially Ash Wednesday,
we will begin, together, cheering one another on,
picking one another up when we fall,
for we will,
but we will get up and continue in a long
obedience in the same direction, ending on March 31.
40 days excluding Sundays.
Here is the plan:
Counselor David Powlison explains that “anytime something bad comes out of your life our mouth, a heart idol is operating.” A heart idol is a way you are trying to meet your needs independently of God. For example, instead of running to God for comfort or approval, you find your own means independently and in rebellion against God to have those needs met. Here are a few examples:
You have been legitimately hurt by another, and though you know God asks you to forgive, you do so half-heartedly. Obedience to God is often hard at first, because forgiveness means you pay the price of letting someone off the hook who doesn’t deserve to be off the hook. Even though Christ did that for you, you will not give up control. So you nurse the grudge, thinking about why you are right and this person is wrong, you tell others about the offense, and you complain. This eats away at you for heart idols are not our friends. You are in bondage.
You are stressed by life, and though You know God promises to be your comfort and promises peace if you set your mind on Him, it’s faster to run to food or masturbation, which provides quick temporary relief, but also, put you in bondage. These guilty pleasures become addictive and bring you down.
You feel you have gotten the short end of the stick in marriage, in money, or at work. Instead of trusting what God has allowed and setting your affections on Him, you resent Him and everyone who has what you do not. Your thought life is consumed by jealousy or imagining a different life. Again, bondage.
Our idols lie to us, promising relief but actually bringing bondage. When anything bad comes out of our life, we will be continually asking ourselves:
- What need am I trying to meet independently of God?
- How can I turn to God and trust Him to meet this need?
On Monday and Tuesday, I want you to identity a common temptation and besetting sin, and then identify the heart idol beneath the sin. This is where we will begin to practice repentance (turning) and faith (running to God). We want to walk in the light as He is in the light, and as soon as we realize we’ve stepped out, repent and run to Him in faith. By asking our soul what need we are trying to meet independently of God, we will first identify the sin beneath the sin.
We have learned that heart idols cannot be removed, but only replaced by God. On Wednesday we will begin our journey together. We will be in Isaiah during this Lent. We were there last year too, looking at the Servant’s Songs, but we only had time to take a cup of water from this ocean of beauty and wisdom. Isaiah is the gem of the prophets, the book Jesus turned to when He began His ministry, the book that inspired The Messiah, and yet many of have have not plumbed its depth. By spending time with Him in the Word, we are availing ourselves of the strength, wisdom, and love we need to replace our idols. Jesus calls us:
What we long for is for Him to replace our idols, to fill us so up with Him, that we will begin to see real changes in our lives, and that instead of the lame getting out of joint, we will be making straight paths for our feet so that we may be healed. We will come to Him with open hearts and open hands, asking to be filled.
And we will do this together, for two are better than one, and if one falls, his friend can help him up. You can be a silent reader or join in with the group. If you have just joined us, click on the banner about the blog and then on the door for the easy getting started directions. I suggest not using your last name but perhaps something like Sue from Boston or Mary Extrovert. I also suggest you do not check the box for replies for your e-mail folder will explode!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Monday: Identifying a Heart Idol
The first thing to do is to identify a common temptation for you, a “besetting sin,” a behavior from which you would like to be set free. Ask the Lord to show you what grieves Him. — and then let this sit for a day and see if this is where you want to concentrate, at least as we begin our journey. It might help you to see the following videos. One is from our own Rebecca, and many of you have seen it before. But if not, it’s a very clear illustration of not just stopping a bad behavior, but allowing God to replace that void. Some common needs we endeavor to meet independently of God are comfort/security, affirmation/approval and control/power. See if you can identify the needs Rebecca and Rachael were endeavoring to meet independently of God, and then, how they let God meet them.
2. What need was Rebecca endeavoring to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
3. What need was Rachael trying to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
(Rachael’s firstborn son Jared is fighting brain cancer — would love a prayer for them!)
Tuesday: A True Fast
Though the practice of Lent is not commanded in Scripture, fasting is. Fasting is designed to make us hungry for God — in the video above, Rachael fasted from social media, Rebecca fasted from pie — but both didn’t just fast, they turned to the living God instead. You may want to replace complaining with praise, or sowing discord with seeking peace or an hour of nightly television with an hour of reading. The practice of Lent can turn into formalism, ritual without the heart. Isaiah makes it clear this is not a true fast. What we want to begin tomorrow is to fast from our heart idol, but then seek the Lord, truly, to meet our needs and replace that heart idol with Himself, and in so doing, cause us to bear the fruit of true righteousness. You may choose to replace your idol with a good habit, but you must also come to the Lord — do this study with your sisters. I will be giving free sermons, beginning next week, so another idea is to spend time listening carefully to those. Seek God in this. He knows your needs better than you do.
4. Read Isaiah 58:1-5
A. What is the contradiction in the lives of the Israelites according to verse 2-3?
B. How is it possible to spend time in church, in the Word — and yet “seek our own pleasure,” oppressing others, enslaving ourselves, and grieving God?
5. What insight does James 1:22-25 give into how to overcome the error of impotent Bible study?
Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day: A PERFECT MATCH!
The practice of putting ashes on the forehead, often done in liturgical churches, can be meaningful or empty. It is meant to remind us of our frailty, for we are dust, and to dust we will return. If this is your practice, allow it to penetrate your heart through the day, reminding yourself of your frailty and need for God’s strength.
When Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day, it almost seems like they are fighting. But Scotty Smith suggests anticipating our wedding instead of our funeral. We associate pain with the removal of heart idols, but what we are endeavoring instead to gain is intimacy with God. When you fall in love with your one true love, you give up others that could hurt your relationship. In the same way, we want not just to turn from our heart idols, but to run into the arms of God.
We are getting ready for our great wedding day. How we long to please Him, to be presented as a “pure virgin,” to be beautiful. We want to feel more of His presence, His peace, His joy.If you didn’t see this video, which I posted for the first time last week, please watch — it is from a woman behind bars who despite all the deprivation has real joy because she is, indeed, anticipating her wedding day.
Prepare your heart with this prayer from Scotty Smith:
And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” Mark 2:19-20
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:17-19
Lord Jesus, it’s Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the season of Lent. For the next forty days we have the privilege of surveying your cross, lamenting our sin, and resting in your righteousness. For your glory and our growth, we ask you to inundate us with fresh grace in the coming weeks. Convince us again that we are much more beloved than broken.
Indeed, we don’t want an ordinary Lenten season, Jesus. Melt us in your mercies and overwhelm us with your love. Astonish us with your kindness, for your kindness leads us to repentance. It’s all about you, Lord Jesus. It is all about what you’ve done for us, not what we promise to do for you. It’s not about beating ourselves up, it’s about lifting you up.
That’s why we begin Lent today anticipating our wedding, not our funeral; for you are the perfect Bridegroom who died to make us your cherished bride. The work has been done, the dowry has been paid in full, and the wedding dress of your righteousness is ours. The invitations have been sent out and the date has been set. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Over these next forty days give us an insatiable hunger for yourself, Lord. Reveal new dimensions of your love, and intensify our longing for the Day of consummate joy—the wedding feast of the Lamb.
In light of that banquet, we choose to deny ourselves (fast) certain pleasures for this brief season; but we’re not looking to get one thing from you, Jesus—just more of you. Fill our hearts with your beauty and bounty. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.
6. Have you identified a common besetting sin or temptation? If you are willing to share, do, so we can pray for one another. Have you identified what need you are trying to meet independently of God?
7. How do you plan to replace the bad habit with a good — and how do you plan to fill yourself with God?
8. Read Isaiah 58:6-7. What illustration does God give of the fruit that can come from truly depending on Him?
9. Read Isaiah 58:8 and find the promise for those who endeavor to turn from their sin and walk in the light?
10. What fruit might come from your life this Lent is you can replace your bad habit with a habit that is pleasing to the Lord?
Thursday: Not More Love from God, but More Intimacy with God
God does not love us more when we obey or less when we disobey, but disobedience does quench His Spirit. I love how our Rebecca put it: Intimacy with God is like a stream, and I hate it when the rocks get in the way.
11. Read Isaiah 58:9-12 and find the promises of open communication and intimacy with God.
12. Compare this to 1 John 3:18-22. What parallels do you see with Isaiah 58:9-12?
13. If you have had a measure of victory over a heart idol in your life, share how it has impacted your life and intimacy with God.
14. Read Isaiah 58:13-14 and explain how we are to look at the Sabbath, especially noting the repeated commands.
It would be so easy to get legalistic about this, for the default mode of the human heart is works righteousness. J. Alec Motyer, who is considered the surpreme expert on Isaiah, writes: The Sabbath was not a fast but a feast day. The Lord is more interested in enjoyment through obedience than in self-imposed deprivations. …The Sabbath is not intended to be a burden but a day of exquisite delight.
15. We have only just begun, but have you experienced any measure of “delight” yet at turning from your idol and turning to the Lord?
Friday: Not Perfection but Progress
16. One of my favorite posts on Lent is this from Ann Voskamp. Read it and comment:
http://annvoskamp.com/2015/02/why-failing-at-lent-may-be-succeeding-at-lent/
Saturday:
17. Reflect on your week. Share any progress or take-away.
We’ve only just begun — next week we will begin with Isaiah 1 to get an overview and hear a wonderful sermon. May you continually depend on the Lord for your strength, and not allow the devil a foothold. Look ahead to the joy of real growth and the sweet fruit it brings.
157 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
SO I have to tell you this. Laura emailed me asking me a question about something on the blog-so I needed to do a bit of research in older posts and when I got back to get on Dee’s study this morning I didn’t realize I was on the April 3rd, 2016 post about Joseph, entitled “Worship Your Way Out”..SO I read it unaware it was an older post. 😉 I figured it out and came here but I believe that wasn’t an accident. God had me there to expose a heart idol through recording my blessings and anti-blessings from yesterday. Fear or what if came up pretty strong in my anti-blessings (opportunities to lament and turn if it is an idol issue). And God whispered “What are you afraid of? Am I not enough?”
So I come here..an opportunity to lament and worship my way out for I have an idol operating right now telling me that God isn’t in control. So replacing this idol with Him, and trusting Him.
And this stood out this morning: We will be in Isaiah during this Lent. We were there last year too, looking at the Servant’s Songs, but we only had time to take a cup of water from this ocean of beauty and wisdom. Isaiah is the gem of the prophets, the book Jesus turned to when He began His ministry, the book that inspired The Messiah, and yet many of have have not plumbed its depth. By spending time with Him in the Word, we are availing ourselves of the strength, wisdom, and love we need to replace our idols. Jesus calls us: come all you who are thirsty.
I look forward to drinking more of Isaiah but not alone. WITH YOU ALL.
Love you Rebecca! That was a kiss, I’m sure!
So thankful for your faithful journeying with us, dear Rebecca.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Seems like a week that might be tough for me; having to face another flaw of mine. I am interested in learning more about Isaiah. What I know, I like. I guess I’m “in!”
So glad, Laura. It could be as simple a thing as worrying — replacing it with prayer. You are loved here!
1. What stands out to you and why?
“Our idols lie to us, promising relief but actually bringing bondage. When anything bad comes out of our life, we will be continually asking ourselves:
What need am I trying to meet independently of God?
How can I turn to God and trust Him to meet this need?”
Oh, my! A line from your book, Dee, Idol lies, flashed across my mind. And I will fill my name in. I am (Bing) and I am an idolater. There! It feels good just to say that. And then, a litany of idols-pride, comfort, significance, sloth at times, approval, the internet instead of the Word etc. Like Paul, I am downtrodden just thinking of my wretchedness; but like him as well, I thank God for Jesus! This life’s journey will be with Him and His power.
The next 40 days are some of my busiest at school but like Rebecca and Laura here, I am in! so help me, God!
We are so glad you are in, Bing. You are a delight!
Bing, I was silent last week, but reading everyone’s posts, and it took courage to admit your struggle with pride, in regards to the nomination for outstanding teacher award. Oh, it’s in my heart, too – wanting to be recognized as the best, to be appreciated, to feel significant. I can also use surfing the internet on my phone as an idol, instead of turning to the Bible or another Christian book.
This is Heather. I know Ellen Dykas. I would love to be added to the lent devotional guide. My website is http://www.healthyandwholeforbodyandsoul.com.
Welcome, Heather. Ellen is a dear friend God is using mightily with Harvest and the Gospel Coalition. So glad to have you!
What stood out to me is how much I need and may wrestle with this week’s study. The half-hearted forgiveness I know is a problem. And needing to remember that God IS in control. Let go and let God.
I say this slogan but need to make it real.
Thanks for your openness, Shirley. Helps us pray well!
Thank you!
Welcome CAK!
I would love to be added for the online Lenten Study!
Welcome Marianne!
Thank you this study. I need to go back an re read and answer questions. I look forward to it.
Welcome Kelley from lovely SC!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
As soon as I started reading this I thought,”Oh my, how do I identify just one idol? I have so many! ” But I will definitely pray that God will reveal the idol He wants to help me remove during Lent! The bondage from my idols have indeed brought bondage and pain. I want to be free. God help me!
Diane–So love your heart, your humiltiy & honesty. I’m in with you sisters!
So glad for your faithfulness, heart, and diligence, Diane.
Diane, I love your heart-always..Thank you for your honesty it is so so helpful to us for you certainly are mature in the Lord and I believe your humility and honesty shows so much freedom in Him.
Looking forward to it
I ‘m looking forward to this study.
Fruit and Lent…a good combination!
Rain — I e-mailed you but ignore it — I was the confused one! Just back from a trip and a bit muddled! 🙂 Welcome!
Old idols keep showing back up and this weekend is no different. Thanks, Dee, for directly commenting in the introduction how we turn to the immediate gratification of masturbation. I may be 10+ years free from looking at porn, but I continue to struggle off and on with masturbating and fantasies. I tend to isolate at these times too, so the reminder to get involved in an online group again where accountability resides, count me in. Life is busy, but getting intimate with Jesus is a priority! I’ll do my best to check in frequently.
So good to have you Carol – your honesty is so good.
Carol, I want to welcome you here and also to say that I appreciate your honesty. I too struggle with daydreaming and fantasizing, often to escape boredom and to create in my mind what it would be like to be with the ‘perfect husband’. I was really enslaved by it about 17 years ago until God opened my eyes. It’s still a struggle for me, and I need this teaching continually. You will find everyone here gets pretty real and honest about their sin, temptations, and struggles, and I believe that it is so important to bring whatever it is into the light, because that’s when real change can start.
Thanks, Susan! I look forward to the interactions and learning from each other.
Welcome to new comers and to those just getting back! We sure have a journey ahead of us!
This is my first time and as I read the above I was shocked to find myself realizing the heart idols I could have (probably many) and am very grateful to God that he had me open this and read it and his word..
Welcome, Nancy. Glad to have you — this is eye-opening for all of us!
A “first-timer” with an online Bible study.
Welcome, Nedra!
I’d like to do the Lenten study.
Glad to have you, Beth!
This is very timely for me
Welcome, Denise.
Probably will follow more silently but I am here.
Our youngest daughter just got admitted to the hospital to be induced as she is 2 weeks late for our first grandchild. Waiting for his delivery into our world. A little boy:)
Will be praying what my biggest idol is. I too have multiples. The one I have been so working on is the approval idol. HOW I LONG TO BE RID OF IT. So much connects to that one idol. So thankful we have a mountain moving God!!!!!
Welcome Liz — praying for that daughter and grandson!
2. What need was Rebecca endeavoring to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
Rebecca was trying to fill a void she had with food. She was stressed in her life and was missing intimacy with God. She decided to replace eating pie with reading good books that helped her focus on Him and His love for her.
3. What need was Rachael trying to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
Rachael was filling her time with online and social media; taking refuge there instead of with God. She decided to use that time to listen to worship music or study His word instead.
Excited to get started on a lent study!
Glad to have you, Deanna!
I am very excited about this journey because I am looking for direction and filling
thank you for giving !!!!!!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
That I need this teaching about heart idols over and over and over ….and over, again. This question, posed by David Powlison, is so good, I’m thinking of writing it on an index card and carrying it with me: “Anytime something bad comes out of your life or mouth, a heart idol is operating.” Well, he didn’t phrase it as a question, but I must turn it into a question to ask myself whenever I see the bad fruit in my thoughts, words, and actions….what is at the root of this, what’s underneath the surface, what’s in my heart? I will write down Dee’s two questions: What need am I trying to meet independently of God? How can I turn to God and trust Him to meet this need?
I also love your very practical examples, Dee. I can insert my own situations; for example, I have been hurt because I sent my son a package with homemade cookies and a card a week ago, and I know he’s got to have received it by now, but it hasn’t been acknowledged. I’ve felt a bit angry, and hurt by this. God asks me to forgive, but I’ve been nursing it in my mind, thinking about why he’s wrong and I deserve to be thanked, and now I’ve complained to my husband about it. I didn’t think of it as an issue of not wanting to give up control, and it does ‘eat away at me’.
Another example: I often feel as if I’ve gotten the ‘short end of the stick’ in my marriage, when I see other couples who appear to be so close and intimate. Instead of trusting in God’s plan for me and my marriage, that He has assigned me my portion and my cup, and caused the boundary lines to fall for me in pleasant places (Psalm 16), I get resentful, bitterly disappointed, angry, and depressed. My thought life can be consumed by imagining a different life.
With my son, I want his approval and affirmation, and maybe I even wish I could control how our relationship should be, according to my ideal. I can turn to God for approval, affirmation, and let go of trying to control others and trust Him to be in control. God can handle my hurt feelings, and I can still feel good about doing something kind for my son without expecting anything in return. In my marriage, I have to learn to trust that God will meet my deepest longings for intimacy and companionship, but He can’t do that if I am mentally escaping from reality.
Thank you so, Susan, for being honest — helps us all. I empathize with the situation with your son — I’m right there with you battling to release control!
What need am I trying to meet independently of God?
I worship my addictive idol of self when I am bored, procrastinating, or feeling out of sorts. The rebel inside likes to resist, resent and rebel when the house needs cleaned, or I’m overwhelmed by my to-do list, or I “should on myself.” My mind is often my worst enemy in more than one way. My thoughts go dark and negative and self critical. The chemistry in my brain and flesh scream for pleasure (dopamine and adrenaline). My lack of motivation and focus (seratonine and depression) want to be pitied. What a mess!
How can I turn to God and trust Him to meet this need?
So, what to do? I often resist God – knowing he is always there for me and ready to comfort and encourage. I guess the heart idol of Control rules. So when I come to my senses (can take me a long time and usually occurs after pleasure and escape), then I surrender and cry out to my Lord Jesus, I get up, and I “do the next right thing.” Just doing one little thing, like picking up the newspapers, or clearing off the kitchen countertop makes a world of difference. Then I remind myself that I am loved and cherished by my Redeemer and I get back into studying His Word.
The story behind doing the next right thing – about 13-14 years ago when I was deep into my porn addiction and seeking help from a counselor and a Celebrate Recovery group, over the course of one week (I remember it was in the summer and I was busy teaching labs and relaxing), God “stated” to me over 3 times those very specific words – Just get up and do the next right thing!” It was via Christian radio – thru a song, a sermon by Chuck Swindoll, hearing Sheila Walsh speaking about a book (if I remember correctly), and the speaker at Celebrate Recovery saying those very words. All four sources said the same thing. I have learned over the years that when God speaks to me, it is thru multiple sources saying the same thing. And guess what, God’s word pretty much says the same thing – Paul writes that we are to leave behind our past and strive towards the goal. So I’m striving with a few stumbles along the way but I keep getting back up and doing the next right thing.
Thanks for listening!
looking forward to this study thanks for adding me to the group
So glad to have you, Lisa!
1. What stands out to you and why?
“Lent. It isn’t an ‘I ought,” it’s an ‘I can'”
I have grown to really appreciate the lenten season as a time of renewal, refocus, realigning. I am so blessed “I can.” I need this time to come away with my Beloved; to re-center in Him.
2. What need was Rebecca endeavoring to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
Rebecca was seeking comfort in food. She turned away from the nightly “fixes” of sweet treats and turned to God. Practically speaking through reading edifying Christian materials.
3. What need was Rachael trying to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
Rachael was seeking comfort in screen time. She stopped going to her computer and instead went to her bible.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – Oh WOW! Ouch! The first thing that hit me between the eyes was “Obedience to God is often hard at first, because forgiveness means you pay the price of letting someone off the hook who doesn’t deserve to be off the hook. Even though Christ did that for you, you will not give up control. So you nurse the grudge, thinking about why you are right and this person is wrong, you tell others about the offense, and you complain. This eats away at you for heart idols are not our friends. You are in bondage.” This was hard for me to read and something I need to do. This is going to be tough because my husband and I have both been put out on display (public media) and had false things said about us. Oh Lord help me through this.
Praying with you, Julie!
2. What need was Rebecca endeavoring to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God? – This is so good, thank you Rebecca and Dee. Rebecca was trying to meet the need of comfort by eating what she enjoyed. But she overcame that by surrounding herself with books that helped lead her back to the intimacy with God that she needed to fill that spot her comfort idol was in.
3. What need was Rachael trying to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God? – Thank you Rachael and Dee for letting us see how easy it is to have hidden idols. Rachael’s refuge was her computer just looking up things and reading emails. It took up time for her but kept her away from the Lord. She started reading her bible more in place of her computer and listening to music that led her back to Christ.
I will definitely be praying for your son Rachael. I’m sorry that you are going through this, we serve a Mighty God who can heal and restore.
WOW, how awesome God is to have all these new followers start up with the study and what great timing. Welcome Everyone.
I also am excited to join this heart journey- Lenten journey.
Welcome, Pat!
Welcome Pat!!
Thankful for on-line media as my husband and I are in a consistent state of travel. I would very much like the opportunity to participate in this heart idol study. I am tired of grieving God and being in bondage. Pride causes me to be hurt by others and my mind is like a bad neighborhood at times – one shouldn’t travel there alone for sure 😏 I know Christ died for me to walk in freedom and I want to do just that.
“My mind is like a bad neighborhood at times”
That is certainly a helpful word picture to make us want to set our mind on Him!
Pam the traveler..Wow, I love that work picture too. Yes that makes me want to set my mind on him!
4. Read Isaiah 58:1-5
A. What is the contradiction in the lives of the Israelites according to verse 2-3?
They contradict by seeking their own pleasures while they pursue righteousness of God.
B. How is it possible to spend time in church, in the Word — and yet “seek our own pleasure,” oppressing others, enslaving ourselves, and grieving God?
We are trying to serve two masters. We are human; we want to do right but then we get caught up in things of this world that are so easily obtained. Earthly things are tangible and heavenly things are unseen. It is hard to have faith in that which we can’t touch or see.
5. What insight does James 1:22-25 give into how to overcome the error of impotent Bible study?
We must be “doers” of the Word, not just one who reads and doesn’t ingest the words.
4.A. What is the contradiction in the lives of the Israelites, v. 2-3?
Their actions are not genuine… their fasting, worship, and righteousness is for appearance-sake. They want to appear holy and obedient, but their hearts tell a different story.
As we pray and ponder what God is leading us to “do” for Lent, in other words, how we are to prepare for Easter, I thought Scott Saul’s thoughts on moralism are worth considering. I for one, definitely lean toward being a moralistic “older brother”. God, help me.
http://scottsauls.com/blog/2018/02/12/lent2018post/
Thanks for posting this Diane…this really hit home…
“Moralism is present when you judge yourself and others against the laws, rules, beliefs, and behavioral norms that you think are important for you and others to keep.”
This morning as I was driving into work I was praying about which idol to address over lent…I felt like the Lord was impressing on me to address my tendency of comparison/judgment/envy (approval idol rearing its ugly head). Your posting this link to Scott Saul’s blog post provides reinforcement of where I am being lead this lent, what the Lord would have me focus on.
Thanks Diane for the timely link.
Ladies, I have been reaching out and praying today on what I need to bring forth for Lent. This is going to be hard for me to do, but I need to forgive our son (my stepson) and his girlfriend for bad mouthing not only me, but my husband on public media, and not just once. It has happened before. The struggle I’m having is that the last post she did was more toward my husband and I was pulled in because “I’m the bum B that is married to a man like that”. My husband keeps saying that as Christians we need to forgive, and yes I agree with him on that, but I feel that they need to be held accountable to what they have said and for me to not be a door mat because I’m a Christian. I also want him to be the one to reach out to our son (since it is his son, oh man I am saying this) and not me. I know I need to forgive, so please pray that I can reach this point and we can be a family and see our grandson again. This is going to take all of God and none of me.
Julie — I will pray for God to give you a wise and forgiving heart. Your husband sounds lovely.
Julie, I am praying for you concerning this. I do hope that either your husband, or both of you, can reach out to your stepson and his girlfriend, and perhaps meet together and talk this through? Oh, this is hard.
Please add me to the devotional Lenten Study.
You are in!
I would love to join.
Susan — we’d love to have you! If you plan to be an active presence, I wonder if you would mind going in and registering again with Susan from _____ or a middle name as we have a long time Susan here. If you are a silent follower it doesn’t matter — but if you are active, we want to tell you apart!
4.B. How is it possible to spend time in church, in the Word–and yet “seek our own pleasure,” oppressing others, enslaving ourselves, and grieving God?
By looking at worship, bible reading, etc. as a “quid pro quo” arrangement, going through the motions without one’s heart being engaged rightly.
5. What insight does James 1:22-25 give into how to overcome the error of impotent bible study?
One must put what is learned into action.
Praying about the sin below the sin for me.Thinking that I NEED to work again on my problem with control though I have done this it creeps back. Maybe it is related to insecurity.
The sin would be doubting that God will meet my need. So I need to trust Him for all my needs, that is emotional as well as physical. Yes, this is a good beginning to Lent.I will also fast from sweets, acomfort place I seek,too.
4. Read Isaiah 58:1-5
A. What is the contradiction in the lives of the Israelites according to verse 2-3? – They are fasting but only so the Lord can see them and give them recognition and a pat on the back for doing it. They really aren’t fasting from their hearts.
B. How is it possible to spend time in church, in the Word — and yet “seek our own pleasure,” oppressing others, enslaving ourselves, and grieving God? – It’s when we become weekend Christians and make it look good to others at Church but when no one is watching we go back to our normal ‘wicked’ ways.
5. What insight does James 1:22-25 give into how to overcome the error of impotent Bible study? – We need to really listen to hear what the Word of God is saying and put in to practice in our lives every day. Not just on Sunday or when we are around other believers, but each and every day we need to fill our hearts up with the Word and work on doing His Word so it becomes the norm in our crazy mixed up lives.
Hi Its Pat from Minnesota
Welcome Pat from Minnesota!
4. Read Isaiah 58:1-5
A. What is the contradiction in the lives of the Israelites according to verse 2-3?
They “sought God daily” and “delighted to draw near to Him” while at the same time using their “fasting” to hurt others, and to gain the pleasures their flesh sought. Actually their hearts while fasting upset God.
B. How is it possible to spend time in church, in the Word — and yet “seek our own pleasure,” oppressing others, enslaving ourselves, and grieving God?
It is possible since that is our natural bend..It is easy to go every Sunday, read scripture every morning, do ministry in the evening and instead of yielding to Him during the day we yield to our desires, and run to our idols for immediate comfort. We could leave for work with a skip and a hop in the morning after spending sweet time with Him and then during the day if we have been wronged by someone at work, or snapped at, we can bend to our natural bend instead of bending toward God. This scares me about myself. I don’t want that. I want that long obedience in the same direction.
Can I share a story now that I am trusting Him?? 🙂 🙂 It is boring but here it is. So I was offered a new position with pretty impressive pay CONTINGENT on passing a background check, drug test, and physical, but this place combs over everything with a fine tooth comb. I have always passed the criminal check, the drug check and now I am waiting on hearing about everything else and there is a hang up because the background check company had trouble getting a hold of some information on my resume, so I gave them the right information once, but then they called me asking me for it again-3 days later. So my stomach started turning and I started worrying that this may not be a done deal. I have already given my 3 week notice at my current job. If this falls through then I won’t have a job after next week-OH NO! It is normal to be concerned but to go the length I did with worry is totally a red flag and I was running to my husband and mom for advice so they can say, now now Rebecca, it is going to be okay. I didn’t want to run to Him and say, unless you have a different plan Lord. I thought I knew best. SO..I received an email again yesterday and I couldn’t believe it was the same hurdle they were having but they didn’t get the information I gave them the first time. So I helped them again and they should get the information they need now but it could be a few more days then HR has to decide based on their information if my offer will be good and they will hire me “for sure”. So I may not know until this Friday and my last week at my current job is next week.
Yesterday I let it go and turned and am trusting God. He is my life, not more income! I am serious now when I say if this isn’t where He wants me to attract others to Him then this isn’t where He wants me to be and I am okay with that now, but I am bothered that it took me a week to let go of my idol!! That tells me security is my bolder underneath and I need to continue to repent, turn and trust when it arises.
Oh Rebecca — I can so identify and will pray with you for good news on Friday!
Rebecca, I can SO understand your worrying reaction and how hard it is to turn to the Lord when your job is at stake. Praying for you.
Rebecca, this isn’t a boring story at all! It’s a story of trust and faith. I love to see how God comes through for us in ways we can’t imagine! I will pray that what’s supposed to happen actually happens. Love you sister!
Prayers for you Rebecca. For the door that the Lord wants you walk through will open without any other issues.
I’ve decided my idol to work on is security — the bad manifestation of that is worry. So I am going to replace worry with Scripture and praise, casting my burdens on Him, for He is my security!
So, today is Wednesday – Ash Wednesday, and the day we chose which idol to work on. Like Dee, I have to choose “security”. It has many manifestations in my life – worry, bitterness, efforts to control, insecurity, cowardice. I could go on. I am going to write down Dee’s questions on an index card to put by my computer area to ponder when the bad thoughts or words invade my life.
What need am I trying to meet independently of God?
How can I turn to God and trust Him to meet this need?
I have an immediate need in this regard. We have an important church meeting tonight and one that may seriously effect our ministry here (and with it my “security”). I feel under attack today mentally – thinking about all the worse case scenerios, feeling sure that the worst will happen. Yes, worry is the monster. If you are able, I would love it if you would uphold my pastor husband and I in prayer today in particular. (By the way, he is sick with a slight fever and sore throat since yesterday, so that feels like part of the attack since he hardly ever is sick.)
Am praying Diane. I have realize over the years how hard it can be to be a pastor. And therefore a pastor’s wife. Praying — does sound like the enemy.
Yes, Diane, I will uphold you and your husband tonight with the meeting. May God give you both calmness and trust that His perfect will be done for the ministry you are doing. Yes, I pray Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen
Thanks for the prayers. There was no crisis. However, I’m a little discouraged. Ministry is sacrifice – you keep praying and working, asking God to work, and sometimes with little visible evidence of growth, but there is more evidence of decline. I shouldn’t bother you, but I know our churches are not the only ones. How should be pray for our aging churches?
Diane, praying for you the verse in Philippians 4:8 as you are under attack mentally.
Hope all went well Diane, I will continue to pray.
Not sure what is going on here, but I’ve posted several comments and none show up. I was using my other preferred email. Maybe that’s the problem. Would like to be included in this study. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hopefully this solved it Miriam — sometimes it is a mystery!
SO…. I was gone much of Sun-yesterday & THINKING ABOUT coming back to the blog. I probably wouldn’t have gotten further than “thinking about,” especially since it already is mid-week but saw that Dee just posted on FB to join the blog 🙂 And THEN, I read the intro. Ugh! What stood out to me is that we are going to identify a temptation or besetting sin and I thought “that’s not any fun!!”
But it’s also not too hard to identify. I was in rip-roaring control mode a couple days ago when I jokingly told the nephrologist that I wanted 100% kidney function — not too realistic 🙂 But I had mentally picked out another number which sounds low but may not be realistic either. Anyhow, when I have my mind set on a “number” (of anything) and don’t/can’t achieve it, I sometimes take a nap (which I’ve needed) or lately, playing a game or reading the news on a gadget. I guess I will replace the game/gadget with turning to the living God (after a couple more games?? The battery is dead so it’s harder right now!). That may mean I shouldn’t read my Bible on a gadget (phone/tablet) except maybe when traveling. Praying for God’s strength and grace to do this because I have become hooked in the last month. I don’t keep any games on cell phone or tablet for very long & this is why.
sigh, enough juice left on the gadget to play a couple games. Played one game of Sudoku and then removed it while I still had enough juice left to do it. Now, as far as I know, I don’t have any games on any computers or gadgets. A relief to have removed that temptation.
So glad I posted that on Facebook and got you back. I don’t blame you for wanting functioning kidneys! We are so glad to have you here, Renee.
It does help not to make provision for the flesh whether games or food or whatever. My sweets are in the garage which is a good walk from the house and seems to do the trick!
Dee, great idea to keep the sweets in the garage. I have an attached garage, so I’d have to bury them in the backyard. That would take care of me for the whole winter 😉 But since the ground is frozen, I could consider the basement. If I went down there, I’d probably get my laundry done, too! (P.S. Kidneys are functioning “okay” but they don’t need to be perfect or anywhere near perfect for me to survive)
🙂 Praying for kidneys to work puts things in perspective. So much we take for granted. Love you, and you always make me smile.
Welcome to all the newcomers! So exciting to see our sweet fellowship growing. It is ALWAYS so good to hear Rebecca’s story again and I so identify with Rachel’s especially. I wasn’t sure which idol to choose, I have a few options ; ) but yesterday there was a terrible outburst at me in our home and God brought an area to mind that I need to again and again surrender to Him. I have 3 very painful relationships in my life right now, but the Lord showed me that my heart has begun to harden towards this one. My idols always feel like a combo-special mix, there is usually a control aspect, and with this one, also a self-protective mode that I guess may be comfort. I am ashamed to admit that in my sin, I have let sarcasm, snide comments, unkind glances come from me. So I confess that here and repent of it. May I have the mind and words and response of Christ and may my kindness lead her to repentance, please Lord.
I “get” you on the combo-special mix, Lizzy. FYI: I’m gonna msg you on FB about something else.
We so identify, Lizzy. Praying for you, dear one.
Hi. This is Helen.
Welcome Helen — tell us a little bit about yourself!
6. Have you identified a common besetting sin or temptation? If you are willing to share, do, so we can pray for one another. Have you identified what need you are trying to meet independently of God?
I guess my my sin is putting too much focus on my bodily image. Would that be the approval idol?
7. How do you plan to replace the bad habit with a good — and how do you plan to fill yourself with God?
Every time I let my mind wander to how I look or get down on myself for eating too much or not fitting in the clothes well, I am going to read from one of my many spiritual books, the Bible, or listen to worship music when these times occur.
8. Read Isaiah 58:6-7. What illustration does God give of the fruit that can come from truly depending on Him?
You will be free of the binds that tie!
9. Read Isaiah 58:8 and find the promise for those who endeavor to turn from their sin and walk in the light?
You will be quickly healed, righteous with God, and have God as a protector.
10. What fruit might come from your life this Lent is you can replace your bad habit with a habit that is pleasing to the Lord?
I think this life long challenge of mine will finally be put to rest and my life will be fuller. I’m hoping my love life will resurrect itself and I will know how God loves me; all of me.
This is good, Laura. You look very fit to me – -I imagine dancing increases the pressure to be perfect. And it is good to know God dances over you!
2. What need was Rebecca endeavoring to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
She craved intimacy with God and met it with food (pie). She realized pie was just a temporary fix and has become an idol of comfort. She resolved to seek God, to run to God by starting to read uplifting spiritually edifying books with the theme of intimacy with God. She read her Bible when she feels like she is going to run to food. He was a salve to her pain-“I can trust God with my pain”. What are my rocks?
3. What need was Rachael trying to meet and how did she both repent and run toward God?
Taking refuge when she felt stressed in social media to fix a problem in her life instead of taking refuge in God. She find herself going down on her knees instead of going to the internet.