This week’s meditations are all about the heart, making me think again of Paige’s memorable:
It’s the Heart, Stupid.
Though i have a brother who wants me to say, with good reason:
It’s the Heart, Beloved.
I have been praying differently more consistently, on guard against vending machine prayers:
(Fix my health, fix my marriage, fix my finances)
to
That doesn’t mean I cannot ask Him for specific needs, but to remember He’s most concerned not about our health, wealth, or even happiness, but about our hearts.
In fact, I believe Lent is all about heart transformation. I’m so glad we are doing Paul Tripp’s Lenten Devotional together. If you just joined us, this is what you need to get.
Sunday:
The 40 days of Lent takes Sundays off, but if you want to share a way God has worked in your life in this last week, this is the day to do it! Here are some ways you might have seen His fingerprints this week:
- A passage in Scripture becomes “radioactive,” giving you the wisdom, comfort, conviction, or just a push you need that day.
- A clear answer to prayer
- Unusual timing or circumstances that make you see His fingerprints
- Help to do His work in the world
- Something in His creation that puts you in awe
- Kindness from His children
- A sense of His presence
- Do you have a way you saw God at work?
Monday – Day 5.
George Mueller said his prayer life was transformed when he started with Scripture and let that lead his prayers instead of beginning with prayer. I feel that is what this devotional is helping us to do.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
4. Pray through Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on adoration, confession, submission, and supplication.
Tuesday – Day 6.
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship.
Wednesday – Day 7.
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why.
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
10. Use Revelation 21:1-7 to guide a prayer of praise.
Thursday – Day 8.
I lived in Nebraska for 25 years. They have had some interesting slogans to try to attract people to their flat and rather treeless and lakeless state. Steve wanted to go there because the relative lack of beauty meant they also had a lack of doctors. But he said, “I love working with farmers — they are good people — and when they finally come in, you know they are really hurting.” There were many people there that had solid values. So the slogan that lasted for a long time was:
Of course many disagreed. And Bible belt people often were seen as raining on the fun of those who wanted a more licentious lifestyle. So the newest slogan is:
11. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
12. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
13. Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and reflect on and praise God for what is yours in Christ.
Friday – Day 9.
14. Read and underline Day 9 and share what stands out to you and why.
15. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
16. Read 1 John 1:5-2:6 and spend some time in honest self-assessment, confession, and repentance. (Remember conviction is not repentance!)
Saturday: Day 10.
17. Read Day 10 and share what stands out to you and why.
18. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
19. Read Romans 5:1-21 and write a short prayer of rejoicing in Christ’s FINISHED work for you.
197 comments
Sunday:
The 40 days of Lent takes Sundays off, but if you want to share a way God has worked in your life in this last week, this is the day to do it! Here are some ways you might have seen His fingerprints this week:
A passage in Scripture becomes “radioactive,” giving you the wisdom, comfort, conviction, or just a push you need that day.
A clear answer to prayer
Unusual timing or circumstances that make you see His fingerprints
Help to do His work in the world
Something in His creation that puts you in awe
Kindness from His children
A sense of His presence
Do you have a way you saw God at work?
I really liked the phrase, “it’s the heart, Beloved.” For me, there is the balance of the objective point (it’s the heart-the truth I need to be told) and the subjective point (Beloved-I’d rather be told this although I know I have been stupid many times before). Not sure I am making sense here but just a thought.
Now, where should I start with my God hunt? (Big smile here)
A passage in Scripture becomes “radioactive,” giving you the wisdom, comfort, conviction, or just a push you need that day. I have started using Don Whitney’s praying the Bible format starting with the Psalms and to say that it has changed the trajectory of my prayer life would be an understatement. Seeking things to pray for Ukraine particularly, I found that Psalm 74 was God sent. It was work but the Spirit-led.
The rest of the ways I saw God at work was all-encompassed at a meeting yesterday with a young mom whom I have started mentoring. She was an answer to prayer, her gifts and kindness helped me to do my work (technology-related), and surely His presence was with us as we talked about the challenges of life and ministry.
I’ll have to take a look at Don Whitney’s book. Hadn’t heard of him.
I read his book, Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life a few years ago and enjoyed it too. It was published by NavPress. The foreword was from J.I. Packer. I googled him and found out he is a professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Praying the Bible is a 96-page small book. I had thoughts like, “why, I have been doing this before!” But the way he has broken down the method made sense to me. Oh, I did not mean to rabbit trail.
The book you mentioned sounded good, Bing, so I quickly went to order it from Amazon. To my delight, I recognized the cover and realized my sister had given me that book not too long ago and I haven’t read it yet. I have bookcases full of wonderful books but no time to read!! I’m a book-aholic! But only good, deep books. My kids joke that when I die they will put a big garbage container in the driveway and start throwing all my books out the window! My son was distressed when I made him keep a big bookshelf in his bedroom of my books. He said, “I don’t even like to read and I have all this big bookcase of your books in my room!” And the bookcases are everywhere. I just can’t part with the books. So many rich biographies and commentaries. I’m trying to buy more Kindle lately, but I like the feel of a book in my hand and the ability to underline and take notes in the margins.
Missy, both of these books are great! I know you are very busy but I found Praying the Bible is an easy read. Probably can be done in a couple of sitting. But oh so wonderful! Of course, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and infuse us with the strength and understanding we need.
Bing I really liked his Spiritual Disciplines book too, and another one of his but I can’t remember the name…I’ve almost bought the Praying one too many times!
I love this too from you “there is the balance of the objective point (it’s the heart-the truth I need to be told) and the subjective point (Beloved-I’d rather be told this although I know I have been stupid many times before).”
Thanks for the recommendation of the book Don Whitney’s Praying the Bible. Sounds intriguing! What a high recommendation!
I am so thankful and see God in pointing me to this devotional thru your email. Its been convicting and thought provoking daily. I’m going thru some major life changes and has helped me to focus in on HIS desires rather than mine, that its okay to groan for the right reasons.
We’re thankful He did too, Jenn!
Jenn, love this-it is okay to groan for the right reaasons.
I’m going through the changes and groaning now, too, Jenn. Good to have you here.
Sunday
1. Do you have a way you saw God at work?
I’m not real sure what God is trying to teach me right now, but I have asked Him to open my heart and give me a teachable spirit. My health has taken a turn with trying out new medications and just figuring out the best route to go. I know He is the great physician and I’m trusting Him but also realizing the importance of being dependent upon Him. Trying not to keep my groaning about me but rather focused on Him.
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
James 1:17
He is a good good Father!
Praying with you, and for your physicians to have wisdom Sharon.
Sharon, praying for you as you try out new medications.
Thank you Dee and Bing…appreciate the prayers more than you know ❤️
I’ve been praying for you as well, Sharon.
Thank you Dawn!!
Sharon–just seeing this and praying for you. I have also been struggling through some new health trials and your words minister to me, trusting Him, full dependence on Him…thank you for sharing, this helps me, and I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you so much sweet Lizzy…praying for you too🙏
Do you have a way that you saw God at work? Yes I do.
This past week has been brutal globally and in my home and in my heart.
A friend put it this way: “Like many, my heart and soul have been tired, too tired to post or grieve properly or show empathy in the ways I long to. It seems lately there have been waves of torment on global levels and in individual homes. Yet, there are moments of hope…”
I am a mama to five adult children. Yesterday, my youngest son and his wife stopped by bearing encouragement. My son is a quiet man. He is sensitive to my heart without words being exchanged. He picked up my guitar and sang this song entitled “His Mercy is More” ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5EUvOnQr4Y
What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What patience would wait as we constantly roam
What Father, so tender, is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Thank you for sharing this song, Nila. It has blessed my heart and soul. Yes, this has been a brutal time for so many. Praise God that He is bigger than all of it and His mercies are new every morning. What beautiful words~ I will save this song.
I love that song Nila, what a sweet thing, to be minster to by your son in that way ❤️
Yes m, Thanks Nila for sharing that song.
Oh what a gift, Nila. So sweet!
Nila, your music always blesses my soul. Yes, our sins are so many but His mercy IS more-encompassing of all our sins.
Nila, Thanks so much for the reminder of this song. Just hearing the name of it comforts me. Going to listen now…
Such a sweet song and such a sweet son to sing to his sweet mama about our sweet Jesus!
What a beautiful message in this song, Nila! Thank you!
Love this song and what a sweet gift from your son!❤️
Do you have a way you saw God at work?
I have been working through a very difficult relational circumstance. I was feeling quite defeated. I had a conversation with a friend that gave me hope, she pointed out how God uses the ways we are broken to minster to those around us. We cried…it helped. She was His hands and feet to me.
I’m glad, Chris.
1. Do you have a way you saw God at work?
This past week I experienced in great measure the love of God poured out to me through the kindnesses of his people. It was not a landmark birthday like we tend to have some special celebrations for and it was in the middle of the week. But it was just full of sweet surprises. All my children called me and wished me a Happy Birthday. My oldest daughter took me to lunch. A beautiful rose bowl from a sweet a Christian friend. My sis and I had lunch and spent time with our 97 year old mother who lives 65 miles from my home. Later in the day my sister said I want you take you out to dinner tonight to a favorite restaurant. Since supposedly my husband was at a meeting I was delighted to agree. At the restaurant my husband surprised me and showed up with flowers and so we had a nice dinner together with my sis and brother-in-law. On my birthday my daughter-in-law come over with the kids with a gift and a beautiful bouquet of fresh tulips. That night our small group showed up with an ice cream cake and another flower arrangement. So here we are in the dead of winter with no leaves on the trees and stark brown grass and my house looks like Spring. All beautiful reminders of the love of family and friends. And the reality of how incredibly blessed I am. When I balance all that with the fact of what is happening in the Ukraine and the calls to pray for the people there and our fellow believers who are suffering so greatly along with the fact a childhood friend passed away suddenly on Friday night and now good friends are grieving their deep loss I strive to keep perspective. Knowing God is in control I cling to his grace and mercy. It would all get out of balance with out Him. The main thought for the chapter on Day 4 was radioactive for me.
“God intends suffering to pry open our hands so we let go of the things of this earth and hold more tightly to Jesus.”
Oh how wonderful Bev — you are loved!
Loved the pictures on FB, Bev. God showed up big for you through loved ones and friends!
Beautiful, celebrating God’s blessings with you!
Happy birthday, Bev! It made me happy reading about all the blessings you received on your special day!
Happy Birthday Bev! You are loved! What a beautiful day! Thank you for including the quote. Suffering is hard, but it has done that very thing for me recently!
1. Do you have a way you saw God at work? I have clearly sensed his presence this week in that it seems like the Tim Keller sermons that I listen to, the random radio sermon that I happened upon when my podcast wouldn’t play, the sermons that the guest speakers have been preaching the past few week all have a similar themes and verses which have been very convicting to me in a besetting sin. I have been praying and meditating on the word more thanks to this bible study and Paul Tripp’s book.
Dawn, isn’t it like God to work through even random things? you have a sensitive soul to the promptings of the Spirit.
Paige’s message on Jonathan was both beautiful and convicting — how completely dedicated he was to David. Am I that kind of friend?
It’s been one of those hard weeks that we all get now and then: crossways with a brother in Christ, car breaking down, weary…yet He has been with me, helping my heart, providing for me, lifting me up. And then there are all of you and the sweet notes Bing gathered — I’m not binging but going through slowly to savor.
Dee, the refiner’s fire is making you shine. Psalm 66:10 May your weary soul rest in the One who calls ” Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
I also thought that since you came from such a powerful weekend in Manhattan, the enemy is working hard to bring you down. Praying for the refreshment of body and soul as you sleep tonight.
Thank you, dear Bing.
A way I saw God’s fingerprint this week, was in a question my husband asked me. He is a new believer, and after 22 years of being unequally yoked its a joy in my life. My husband asked me this week if in my ‘jesusy’ way of understanding things, should one go back to girlfriends you have wronged and apologize to them. This question was such a blessing because every sign of the Spirit working in my husband’s life is a blessing and a confirmation.
Wow, Tammy! Praising God for the salvation of your husband.
What great news, Tammy!
That is a big fingerprint, Tammy Jo! The Holy Spirit is busy! Yes!
How wonderful, Tammy!
Do you have a way you saw God at work?
Um, yes!! (and oops — I read Day 5 today. Will re-read it for tomorrow). I’m recognizing God’s keeping/sustaining me despite my inability to “do my part.” For the past year and a half, I haven’t been able to read/process/retain books, including the Bible. I’ve read only one book during that time, very weird for me. (However, that hasn’t stopped me from buying books that I want to read — smirk!) Despite not being able to process books/magazine articles, especially paper versions, I have found that I am able to answer questions and even study to get (some) answers to questions I have. i.e., my crazy curiosity has been helpful. I’m at the point at which I roll my eyes, though in my mind rather than visibly, whenever I hear someone say that Christians “have to” read their Bibles every day. (finally found an audio thing that works for me).
Soo… specifically, I see God’s faithfulness and his keeping me by the book Dee selected that only requires a little bit of reading every day — and I did see God at work in me through what I read today, even though for once I was ahead of schedule. Last week, when I was struggling to read the book, I did get a clue that a small part of my problem processing what I read is that my vision has gotten a little worse in the last 6 mos since I had my eyes checked (it isn’t bad but cheapo, low-power reading glasses seem to help). AND when I do these studies, I usually use an online version of the Bible, which seems a little easier for me to read. This is a long way of saying that I so clearly see God’s work in his timing and his prompting me to return to this study at this point in time. I know His faithfulness isn’t dependent on my ability to focus.
Renee,
I too have been struggling with the ability to focus in my reading. So your words here really resonate with me. Thank you:
“This is a long way of saying that I so clearly see God’s work in his timing and his prompting me to return to this study at this point in time. I know His faithfulness isn’t dependent on my ability to focus.”
Nice to have you back with us, Renee. (Or is it just me that is back?) Anyway, I’m glad that you can participate here. I hope you will continue to be able to focus enough to stay.
Hi Diane! I’m back, too — at least for Lent, though I will be gone for a few days during this time period. I’m praying that I will be able to focus. Dee’s questions and the short “chapters” do help me focus. I’m glad you’re here, too!
Renee thank you for sharing this, I am in the same boat, finding my desire to read and my ability to retain what I have read seriously diminished. I agree with Nila, in appreciation of your statement about God’s faithfulness not being predicated on my ability to focus!
Monday – Day 5.
George Mueller said his prayer life was transformed when he started with Scripture and let that lead his prayers instead of beginning with prayer. I feel that is what this devotional is helping us to do.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
Prayer is spiritual warfare, we need to be freed from our selfish hearts, we need help in order to obey and submit.
It stood out to me that what I ask for in prayer needs to be prefaced by believing that God is who he is holy and yet loving, that I am who deeply flawed and yet loved, by hopes need to be centered on believing He knows all that I do not (this feels hard to be honest) all this in place, my heart is prepared for asking prayer. I don’t argue this as incorrect but I confess though this is often backward for me, I start asking and then process all that should preface the request.
And yet I kinda think that is better than staying distant until I get the Adoration, Confession, Submission, Supplication formula right. I used to feel the need to do that, now I just come, I do feel like the Spirit sorts me out as I pray.I do pick up what is being put down though, endeavoring to a more intentional, focused season of prayer in this way.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
1) Does your typical pattern of prayer reflect the heart of prayer is worshipful submission to God?
How might your prayers change if you really embraced this definition of prayer?
I think the fact that I pray much more than I used to does show something of submission, but I pray often that the Lord will “help me with my unbelief” I think my prayers might be bolder if I worshiped more- gained a more correct vision of who God is and in submission believe all he says is true.
Thoughtful answers Chris.
One thing Paige said in this last study convicted and really helped me. She was venting worries to a friend and asked, “I bet I sound crazy.” Her friend said “No — you sound like an unbeliever.”
Dee, my counselor asked me to read scripture asking only of the text, what is God saying about himself. This was key to my seeing just how much unbelief I have made at home in me. I could believe God’s promises were for everyone else, but when I tried to imagine them being spoken to me, I realized I had my arms crossed, seeing my defensive posture was eye opening.
He is working on me…
That’s so good Chris!
Chris, that is a very insightful way your counselor has you reading Scripture.
Monday – Day 5
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
A lot stood out to me today. I felt like I underlined about half of what he wrote even before I got to the four categories to help organize prayer and worship. 😊 What it came down to for me was the statement “Prayer is a powerful weapon in the spiritual war for your heart that wages every day of your life on this side of forever.” It brought me back to Paige Brown’s teaching from 1 Samuel and her statement “It’s the heart Stupid!” Or maybe better said as Dee’s friend put it. “ It’s the heart Beloved!” Never the less it is about my heart.
Along with that Tripp’s earlier comment stood out to me as well. “For prayer to be prayer, God has to be God; without this, prayer is an act of religious futility. But God is God, and he has invited us to bring our true selves to him.” In bringing my true self to God I am bringing my heart as it is but to be effective in prayer it has to be a heart of worshipful submission to Him.
I am so grateful for this good teaching and excellent reminders directing me on how to go deeper with my God. Just get selfish Bev out of the way and let God have his way with me. He truly satisfies my heart when I do.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
3. True spiritual warfare-type prayers require study and meditation. What can you do in this Lenten season to give yourself more fully to these tasks?
Time. It requires taking time to be in the Word and meditate. I can and need to intentionally make the time count. Also for me it is beneficial to write out my prayers. Doing that requires me to slow down in my thought processes and I can concentrate better.
Good reasoning on writing out prayers!
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why?
“God is tender, gracious, and understanding. He receives our messy prayers.” (page 36) Because I especially have to know that I have a lifeline to Him when I am disoriented and desperate.
Today’s reading prompted me to get out Paul Millers book, “A Praying Life” and look at some of my underlined highlights. He says, “Learning to pray doesn’t offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy heart. In the midst of outer busyness we can develop an inner quiet. Because we are less hectic on the inside, we have a greater capacity to love….and thus to be busy, which in turn drives us even more into a life of prayer. By spending time with our Father in prayer, we integrate our lives with his, with what he is doing in us. Our lives become more coherent. They feel calmer, more ordered, even in the confusion and pressure.”
Oh how I need this inner quiet.
Nila, this resonated with me: “Learning to pray doesn’t offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy heart.” I realize now that I wanted a less busy life AND a less busy heart. It is comforting to know that I can have inner quiet even if I lead a busy life. This is completely changing my attitude towards my schedule from one of resentment to joy in doing what I believe God wants me to do.
Love less busy heart!
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
I’ve never really been good at praying. I am one of those “messy” prayer-ers.
Prayer is a gift from God.
Prayer is spiritual warfare.
Prayer takes work.
Prayer brings us into the presence of God.
I want to learn how to be better at praying.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
3. I will find time in the day to review the verse of the day and truly try to meditate on it for awhile, not just rush through.
Sunday:
The 40 days of Lent takes Sundays off, but if you want to share a way God has worked in your life in this last week, this is the day to do it! Here are some ways you might have seen His fingerprints this week:
A passage in Scripture becomes “radioactive,” giving you the wisdom, comfort, conviction, or just a push you need that day.
A clear answer to prayer
Unusual timing or circumstances that make you see His fingerprints
Help to do His work in the world
Something in His creation that puts you in awe
Kindness from His children
A sense of His presence
Do you have a way you saw God at work? – I’m always in awe of God’s beauty around me, to think some people believe this world of beauty was created by a big bang theory of sorts, I just don’t understand. The beauty is too intricate for something like that in my opinion. As I think back on this past week, I definitely saw the love of friends and family all around me as words filled with love came across. To see strangers praying for strangers in the Ukraine, gives me hope for a world of ‘me’ of ‘oneness’. It softens my heart to know that the world we live in still has caring people in it. Lord, I pray that this type of love and care happens all the time, not just when life events are happening around us.
Yes on seeing so much prayer for Ukraine.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
What stood out to me was that praying is fighting spiritual warfare against my own inward focus, against building my own kingdom, against my own desires. That prayer by God’s grace and Spirit will set my heart, my focus, and my plans on Him and His kingdom.
3. True spiritual warfare-type prayers require study and meditation. What can you do in this Lenten season to give yourself more fully to these tasks.
Half of what I need to do, I did when I gave up reading/shows/media (for pleasure), every night after supper my husband and I sit in the living room, he watches news or shows and I usually read/watch my own show or go on social media. Now during lent, I have replaced these activities with Jesus focused books that I intended to read but put on the shelves, because reading fiction can be so much fun. So I started reading Jon Courson’s commentary on Acts and I will start a book (A)Typical Woman: Free, Whole, and called by Christ by Abigail Dodds. The second half I think is to take the time to process, pray, and journal, not only what God is showing me but also some grief stuff.
That’s a big replacement Tammy – excited to see what God will do!
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why. That prayer is spiritual warfare. Not just to the outside world, but also internally. We are capable of making our prayers evidence of our ongoing idolatry. I find my prayers to be to shallow/generic and it leaves me feeling disconnected (although when I tell someone that I’m praying for them, I honestly stop right then and pray). I tell myself if I felt something, then I would pray more, but I think that I have it backwards.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here. 3) What can you do in this Lenten season to give yourself more fully to these tasks? The simple answer is to just do it. The best way I can do it is to use the free time that I have seeking him first, not anything else. It’s a no-brainer, but I have to take the time for more than on the fly prayers.
I love that when you tell someone you will pray for them, that you stop right then and pray. It is so easy for us to forget what we have promised.
I’ve been praying about your friend fleeing the Ukraine. The situation comes to my mind frequently.
Amen to that — Patti is is great to have someone specific for whom to pray.
Dawn and Dee,
Thank you for praying for our friends. They are in Warsaw, Poland now. David is an atheist. Our prayer is that he and his wife, Iryna, will come to know the Lord.
I am following along, though quietly. God is speaking to me about submitting to Him in spiritual warfare type of prayers. He has convicted me about giving up Facebook to spend more time with Him.
I’m right there with you, Diane!
Monday – Day 5
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why. – Two things really hit me on this day…“It’s hard to confess that what I need most is redeeming grace. So prayer is a fight. Prayer takes work. Prayer calls us to go to places we don’t often go and give our hearts to do what we do too infrequently.” and “Prayer doesn’t just include studying our Lord so that we would be overwhelmed by his glory; we also examine ourselves and the many reasons we have to confess our weaknesses, failures and sin.” – Prayer for me does not come easy, as a routine part of my day. I am good about praying when the need arises, for others and for my situations, but I need so much help to just come to the Lord and pray. It is a fight for me and it takes a lot of work for me to be consistent. I love to see when prayers get answered, it is such a great feeling knowing our Lord hears us and wants to answer our prayers, so why do I struggle. Where is my priority to come to Him first. Lord, help me be eager to come to you for everything and all the time, not just when the need is there. I need your grace and I need your help to make prayer and coming to you throughout the day as the best habit I will ever have.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here. – 1. Does your typical pattern of prayer reflect the reality that the heart of prayer is worshipful submission to God? How might your prayers change if you really embraced this definition of prayer? – My prayers are not currently a worshipful submission to God. Seeing this question made me think more about how I pray and why I pray. I need to get to the point that I want to pray because of who God is and what Jesus did for me. I want my prayers to come to the Lord as a grateful submission because of the truth of the cross. I don’t want Jesus to have died a painful death because of my sin and take that lightly. I want to get to my knees and honor him for that sacrifice, and my prayers are not there right now.
4. Pray through Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on adoration, confession, submission, and supplication. – Lord you are my heavenly Father and you are to be honored, because your name is above all others. Forgive me of all I do that hurts you, help me Lord to come to you, the only one that can help me be free of my sins. Lord help me be comforted in your arms as I grow in my relationship with you. I want only to please you Lord in all I do. You are holy and to be lifted high. I need you Lord in all areas of my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Prayer is a fight!
1. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
“He invites us into willing, adoring, restful communion with him.” That I may develop such an attitude in my prayers!
2. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
True spiritual warfare-type prayers require study and meditation. What can you do in this Lenten season to give yourself more fully to these tasks?
To give up some leisure readings, for now, that has occupied my time so I can focus on the practice of Praying the Bible daily.
3. Pray through Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on adoration, confession, submission, and supplication.
A beautiful experience to read and pray through this passage!
Bing, “willing, adoring, restful communion” I love that! It feels so safe, so comforting.
Renee, I needed to read that line tonight. I read something today on my FB feed that rattled me. I had to come to God to rest myself on His sovereignty once more. So easy to rest on past spiritual laurels, meaningful quiet time with the Lord but then, Bam! The enemy shoots an arrow and hits me right on my Achilles heel! Negative thoughts come from nowhere. It’s the heart again, Beloved. I needed to be reminded where my security and significance lie.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
The heart of prayer is worshipful submission to Him, which produces gratitude, humility, vision, and willingness in us. Prayer is spiritual warfare. We need rescue from our own selfish hearts. Adoration. Confession. Submission. Supplication. We must acknowledge that we know that God only is Sovereign. We pray, bearing our hearts, but knowing His answer will always be the Best answer.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here. Q 3:What can you do in the Lenten season to give yourself more fully to the task of study and meditation.
I love the book you have listed: Praying the Bible. I am praying the Psalms. I love that it helps me to focus on the four things mentioned below: Adoration, Confession, Submission, Supplication. It keeps my mind from wandering.
4. Pray through Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on adoration, confession, submission, and supplication. This is the perfect way to bring my prayers into focus. It helps me realize that I need to work on the Adoration and Submission; I need to be very intentional in my prayers.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why. ‘Prayer is spiritual warfare… Prayer takes work. Prayer calls us to go to places we don’t often go and give our hearts to what we do infrequently.” I hadn’t really thought about prayer as a fight. Although I have realized at times when I am praying that prayer takes work, I don’t usually think of prayer as spiritual warfare before I pray for something specific. When I recognize that prayer is spiritual warfare, I realize that it is a REALLY BIG DEAL and don’t take God’s holiness and his greatness for granted.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here. #3. True spiritual warfare-type prayers require study and meditation. What can you do in this Lenten season to give yourself more fully to these tasks? I can be more intentional. Identifying a different location in the house might be helpful. I probably don’t have any completely distraction-free locations, but I think it would be helpful to move to a different chair or another room — and take notes/write to help me remember, to focus on God’s glory, and to watch Him work.
I have a similar problem with distractions Renee. I generally do my Bible study on my PC because it is harder to type on my phone. When I am sitting there meditating on an answer I will see that I have notifications in my Facebook tab so I click on those to just kind of get them out of the way (so I won’t be distracted). Next thing I know I am scrolling through Facebook again.
I have found that if I do the entire study on my phone except the typing then when I am ready to answer that’s when I sit down at the computer, already knowing what I’m going to say.
I do get distracted on my computer, but I am still worse on my phone! I’ve been realizing that one of the biggest challenges to my focusing is somehow health related. (One day when I left the quarter in the cart at Aldi, I was sure I had dementia — until I remembered that I’ve also found a number of quarters in carts.). I’m noticing that my brain definitely doesn’t work if I don’t get enough sleep. I don’t sleep if I have caffeine any time after noon. I’m also starting to notice that some specific foods may be impacting both my thinking ability and how I feel physically. (and there’s more but I’m not focused enough to articulate!!)
Monday
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
Adoration. “Give yourself to meditate on all the reasons the Lord is worthy of your worship.” This statement reminds me of a statement J.I. Packer says in his book Knowing God…”Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It’s effect is ever to humble us, as we contemplate God’s greatness and glory, and our own littleness and sinfulness…”
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
#1 Does your typical pattern of prayer reflect the reality that “the heart of prayer is worshipful submission” to God? How might your prayers change if you really embraced this definition of prayer?
I have always used the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication) pattern of prayer. I really like the “submission” which being on the heel of confession pulls me back to the realization that I can’t do it on my own. It puts God at the forefront of my prayer time, which keeps it a time of worship, a time of seeking His will going into supplication.
I find that making time for prayer is a struggle, a “spiritual battle” and so I have tried to make a point of praying while I take my dog for a walk. It’s 30 minutes and they have become very precious to me.
4. Pray through Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on adoration, confession, submission, and supplication.
My Heavenly Father, the great I Am, Creator, All Sufficient, Never Changing and Provider.
Search my heart and show me any wicked way.
I long to be in Your will, that You would have Your way with me…You are the Potter, I am the clay.
You know the desire of my heart, and I pray that Your love may abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment in those I bring before You today. That they may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Your return.
Love the quote from Knowing God, Sharon. Such a good description of meditation. Thank you.
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
The focus of this season is the death of the only perfect person who ever lived. Death is required of every follower of Jesus Christ. It is the pathway to life. We are united in Christ through death and resurrection. That is an interesting thought to me! I have never thought of that before. He and I are bound through this idea of death and new life.
Death of ourselves is not defeat. It is a glorious victory! Where this happens in our lives brings peace and hope.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
1. Thinking about death at the end of Lent makes me feel free; relieving myself of some heavy burden that will make me lighter. I am not afraid, I just want to know that feeling. I want Him to be leader of all of my life, I don’t want to be the one in control. It’s such a hard job! When I allow Him to lead, life is easier for me.
Tuesday – Day 6.
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
‘The process of daily scanning our lives to see what still lives in us that should not live, then praying for the strength to die once again.’
I remember hearing it said that being a follower of christ often feels like one is having heart surgery with a butter knife. Seeing the things that live in me that ought not is painful, letting go of the hope I wanted to find in them feels hard- sometimes scary. Then the relief, when I see clearly and have my hope centered on Christ- then the discouragement when I realize I am struggling with a repackaged idol.
I do need to daily scan my life and then run to my savior unashamed of my need, sure of His help.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
2)Where have you seen victory come out of death in your own life?
There was a time when I desperately wanted out of my marriage. My husband had been unfaithful, I had biblical grounds for divorce, but when I prayed about it I had absolutely zero peace that what I wanted was what God would chose for me. I struggled and cried in prayer for a season and then submitted. Staying in the marriage really felt like dying to myself, I had everything planned out, I was going to go on assistance and get my nursing degree, I could support my children and get out from under all that was wrong in my marriage that felt like too much to bear.
My husband has truly changed, if any man is in Christ he is a new creation is really true of him. I am very, deeply grateful that we are still married, for many reasons, but I especially think of the season of loss that we endured, I shudder to think of how much worse that might have been if complicated by the after effects of a divorce.
Such a testimony Chris!
Thank you for sharing your story, Chris. Hard to share these things, but so encourages so many! You are a blessing.
George Mueller said his prayer life was transformed when he started with Scripture and let that lead his prayers instead of beginning with prayer. I feel that is what this devotional is helping us to do.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
I’m looking forward to adoring Him for this is the only way I can see my unrighteousness to confess, submit, and be able to pray for others in a deeper more passionate way.
This is so helpful for me: Meditating on all the reasons He is worthy of my worship; taking in the full grandeur of His majesty; meditating on the extent of His Love; the unending zeal of His Grace; His incalculable power; the completeness of His sovereignty; the extent of His patience; ever operating mercy; the depth of His Wisdom, and the pristine perfection of His Holiness.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
#1. Does my typical pattern reflect the reality that the heart of prayer is worshipful submission to God. How might mine change to reflect this?
Like I stated above, I so need to start with adoration and reflect on Him-everything about Him- before I will be able to examine and consider my heart and before I can with zeal enter into supplication for others and myself. I find myself thinking and praying about the sin and change of heart of a person close to me, or the outcome, ending in adoration, but I can’t see my own sin-not to minimize his-but I need to be focused on God doing the heart changes in me for I find with each day how desperately I need Him!! My sin nature is atrocious. I hate it, and I hate when I love it!!!
4. Pray through Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on adoration, confession, submission, and supplication.
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
Tripp: “We are called to die to the life where we did what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it and how we wanted to do it.” “Like the death of Jesus, this death is not a defeat but a huge and glorious victory. For everywhere you die you will be resurrected to new life in that area.”
It is not a new concept to me that I need to die, but I continue to be amazed and discouraged at the depth of my depravity. I thought I have surrendered an area of my life to the Lord, but then something happened and I discover anew that I continue to want to be boss of my own life and, not only that, but I want to run others lives as well.
And Tripp’s last paragraph about how my death is myself is not a defeat but a glorious victory, perhaps is a window into why it is so hard to die. I don’t see my death to self as a victory but as a failure, as a loss, as a defeat. I want to be in control because I think deep down that I know best. I am hanging on to “what I want” for all I am worth, even though that obviously is not working. “Oh wretched woman that I am, who can save me from this body of death?”
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
What areas in your life need to die to make room for greater, more abundant life in Christ?
If you read what I wrote above, it is probably obvious that I have control issues. I think I know best – not only for myself but for others. Not only am I “the boss of me”, but I want to be the “boss of you”. The root of this sin is very deep, very deep indeed.
However, catching a glimpse of the truth that dying to myself is not a defeat but a victory in Christ may help me pry my clinging fingernails off my need to control and release it to Jesus so that I might have “new life in that area”.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship.
Lord, you are merciful, and holy and just. You see that I need to die, for my own good. Only my death will truly make me free. Make me willing. I cannot do this on my own. Rescue me from this lies of the voice that whispers “You need to be the boss”. Help me die to self, so that I may live to serve you. Create in me a new heart and mind. Make me new so that I may praise and glorify you.
Diane, your answer echoes with me as well.
You made me smile when you wrote “If you read what I wrote it is obvious I have control issues.”
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why. “You simply cannot understand the gospel without this call to follow Christ in his death.” It isn’t a matter of am I going to do it, rather am I truly a follower of Christ if I don’t do it.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here. “Where have you seen victory come out of death in your own life?” I’ve had people in my life who seemed to go out of their way to offend or annoy me. My usual reaction is to treat them like they don’t exist or to “warn” other people about them (which is really just an opportunity to gossip) or some other passive aggressive behavior . When I have given up this ongoing behavior and started treating them the way that I should, both outwardly and in my thoughts about them, it has always resulted in relief for me in some way. I can’t say that we become friends necessarily, but there has always been a positive change of some sorts.
I need your words and example, Dawn!
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why
That the motif of Lent is death — death to selves.
But I always remember, with every death to self there is a resurrection. Help me, Lord, die to approval of others and to eating food that does not help me.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
#2 Dying to manipulation gave me restored and beautiful relationships. Dying to overeating helped me lose weight that was causing me pain.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship.
Being a living sacrifice is reasonable worship. May I die to judgmental thoughts and replace them with prayer. May I die daily, Lord. Help me.
Tuesday Day 6
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
The first thing is that “but death was not his (Jesus) defeat”.
And for us as well “Like the death of Jesus, this death is not a defeat, but a huge and glorious victory”. This truth brings such a wonderful hope into living because on the other side of death is resurrection. The comment “The gospel offers you something that nothing and no one else can offer: life.” We are a people of hope. It is that hope that carries us through the pain and losses of this world. Jesus is our very hope for living and He has set the pattern for how we are to live. As He lived to die and rose again to new life we are required to live daily in the manner of death. It is surrender and dying to self so that we can rise to a new life that frees us from sin. It involves us giving up (dying) and letting Jesus gives us his righteousness.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
3. What areas of your life need to die to make room for greater, more abundant life in Christ?
I think how often I have heard from others of you here about wanting and needing acceptance. We want others to like and accept us so we fall in to the danger of being people pleasers. I recognize in my own self the need to “feel”accepted by others and it is an idol lie that has detracted me from living in the richness of my complete acceptance by God my Father in Jesus Christ my Savior.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship.
This passage is the answer to my need in the question above.
As I “sacrifice” myself (die) that is, my total being, who and what I am to God because I belong to God I am practicing worship to God. When I refuse to conform to the world (wanting it’s acceptance) but surrender my false thinking I am transformed into having right thinking in my mind which is good , acceptable and perfect which is in essence new life.
I not sure what I just said makes sense to others but it does to me. 😊
Todays lesson is real encouragement.
I love your answers, Bev. I especially relate to the last one. One of my idols has also been wanting acceptance.
You did make sense but your closing made me smile
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
“The empty tomb is a promise that God will never leave his redemptive work half done.” “We meditate on his willingness to die, on the essentiality of that death, and on its benefit to all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Both of these thoughts help me to understand that when we die to “self” we live for Him. He gave up all for our eternal life with Him. The only things we do in this life that really count, are the things that we do (from the heart) for Him; to draw others to Him.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here. What areas of your life need to die to make room for greater, more abundant life in Christ?
Pray prayers of Adoration to God. Acknowledge His power and holiness. Submit to His will. Thank Him for all His does in my life and acknowledge ALL answered prayer. Forgive easily. Think less about myself; things & people that have hurt you. Worry less about everything. Pray for wisdom and discernment in all I do and say.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship.
I mentioned this yesterday~ “Praying the Bible”. It is really changing the way I pray.
A list of brief notes; write them in a journal and pray with a Psalm.
A journal with dates of answers to prayer and I want to start that again.
A block of “quiet time” when I just abide under the protective wings of Jesus and just breathe, think of Him and rest in Him.
So good Patti:
“Praying the Bible”. It is really changing the way I pray.
A list of brief notes; write them in a journal and pray with a Psalm.
A journal with dates of answers to prayer and I want to start that again.
A block of “quiet time” when I just abide under the protective wings of Jesus and just breathe, think of Him and rest in Him.
Tuesday – Day 6
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why. – “My death to sin is not just an event but a process and this is only given to me through the gospel and Jesus’ death. My moment of belief is a death and a resurrection. For Everywhere I die, I will be resurrected to new life in that area.” – These bring me hope, because it gives me a sense that every time I have an AHA moment, I’m dying to my old ways and making room for knew beliefs that I was just given. My death will not be instant, it is a process that I have to work through and if I can get closer each Lent to my own death, that will bring me closer to the complete path to Jesus. It saddens me to know that Jesus knew why he came to earth, his mission was to die but his death does not define Him, it was not his final story.
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here. – WOW these questions are all so good, I feel a little bit burdened and relieved that at the end of Lent is my death. Burdened in hopes that I can get to my death and relieved to know it is a process to get there. It may take me more than one Lent to get to my death, but each year will be bringing me closer to my complete death to self and resurrection to the truth of Jesus. I can see that I have come far from my first moment of belief, the way I treat people or situations is more about them then of me. I find myself seeing things in a new way that at times can help me get others to see things differently, not because I want them to see it my way, but so they can see it God’s way. My selfish pride needs to be die so the ways of Christ can be seen more fully. Lord I need your help to get me to my death.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship. – Lord, I want my body, my mind, heart and soul to be pleasing to you. Help me Lord to turn away from the bad of this world and not join in with the ‘in group’ because that is what everyone is doing. Help me stand apart from all of that, even if I’m physically alone when I do it, but help me to feel your presence in my aloneness. Help me Lord to always think of what you might be thinking of something I’m doing and nudge me toward the path that leads to your truth. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Julie, I love this verse that helps me with the sadness over Jesus knowing why He came to earth:
Isaiah 53:11 — Keller said what He saw was that He was going to get us, and that satisfied Him
1. Do you have a way you saw God at work?
So last week, I was in NC visiting our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. On Thursday evening, I got on James Martin’s FB page as he was doing a FB Live to pray for Ukraine and its people. I felt a sense of community, knowing that I was praying along with him and many others from all over who were “there”. Prayer unites God’s people in a real, tangible way.
2. Read and underline Day 5 and share what stands out to you and why.
On page 33, that God has invited us to bring our true selves to Him. So we come to Him, without any need for pretense, for wearing a mask, for hiding our true feelings and emotions. That right there gives me such a sense of relief.
It stood out to me that Tripp reminds us that we need to take the time for adoration, because without it, prayer may be reduced to us giving God a set of demands in which we expect God to serve us.
3. Answer either question 1 or 3 here.
1) Does my pattern of prayer reflect the reality that the heart of prayer is worshipful submission to God? Well, I pray a lot for other people and their needs, and not so much for my own heart and for my own will to align with God’s. Tripp said that “Prayer is submitting the desires of your heart to a kingdom greater than your own.” Embracing this idea could change my prayers to be more in tune with God’s big picture and not just for my prayers to be centered on my needs of even the needs of those in my circle.
How good to have a Facebook live page to pray for Ukraine!
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why.
We are all searching for paradise, in the wrong places. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in this world.
We can mourn paradise lost. By mourning, we consider the full tragedy of sin, we understand that we are not in control; we cannot make paradise, we cry out for a savior, we have hope in the paradise to come, and we learn to be content. God hears us and comforts us.
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
Question 1. Probably the greatest disappointment in my life has been how my children have turned out as adults. Ouch, did I say that out loud? I guess I just had a different idea of who they would be, and when that didn’t happen I was blown away. I worked so hard to take care of them and teach them. What happened?! The deeper desire was feeding an idol of control and approval for sure. I wanted the world to know how great my kids were. I wanted to stand out because of my kids. “Look at me! How great I am because I have these super children!”
Another was losing my dad as a 12 year old, when he died. No walking me down the aisle, no grandpa for my children. Sad. I’m not really sure what the deeper desire was in this case….maybe to just be like everyone else? Normal?, not different? Maybe the “pity party?” I’m guessing approval again.
10. Use Revelation 21:1-7 to guide a prayer of praise.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being in control. Thank you for being our guide, our light. Thank you for loving us enough to give yourself so that we may have eternal life. Help us to recognize what paradise really is; not our homes, not our vacations, not our children, not even our spouses. Have us remember this hope in the future. Thank you for thinking of us first. I pray this in your holy name. Amen
I think you can genuinely mourn losing your dad when you were 12. Not sure any idol is involved in that — just a fallen world.
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why.
I was struck by how, in “looking for paradise” we hop from church to church. While I think there are legitimate reasons to change churches, I also realize the harm we do by not being faithful when we have a “consumer” mentality and leave for the reasons Tripp mentioned. I love our little church, yet we are sinners and hurt each other, but I know that is true in every church. I am learning personally how I need to give grace and to overcome evil with good.
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
Mourning paradise lost helps me not cling too tightly to this world, not to be so disappointed by people or things, and to set my affections above.
10. Use Revelation 21:1-7 to guide a prayer of praise.
Thank You for these promises that You will be the One ruling — not Putin, not Trump, not Biden, not even a relatively good leader. Thank You that You will eipe away our tears and banish pain and sorrow. Help me not to put my trust in things below, but in things above.
I love your answers dear Dee. This especially spoke to me. Mourning paradise lost helps me not cling too tightly to this world, not to be so disappointed by people or things, and to set my affections above.
Love this too: Oh, I am so thankful that HE will be the ONE ruling! He will wipe our tears, banish pain and sorrow! Yes, I so need to trust in things above!
Thanks, dear Patti.
Wednesday – Day 7.
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why.
Mourning teaches you how to be content between the already and the not yet
I kept thinking of David Powlison’s book Good and Angry as I read this morning’s devotional.It helps justify our negative emotions about the brokenness if this world, God is angry about it too, but his anger causes him to right the wrongs.
The book was really helpful to me.
God hears your cries and brings a comfort that is profoundly more healing than changed circumstances
I believe this is true, I do, but oh how my comfort seeking heart pushes back…I want what I want, I often do believe getting it would provide what I am searching for.
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
1)What are your greatest disappointments in life and what deeper desires do those things reveal
My greatest disappointment is that my children do not have any outward sign of having a relationship with the Lord. The deeper desire I suppose are mixed, rightly there isn’t anything else that really matters to me, wrongly (I think but if I am honest I am not sure it’s wrong) is the feeling that if I had parented differently I could have made a difference in this. I acknowledge desire for control may be bound up in this.
10. Use Revelation 21:1-7 to guide a prayer of praise.
Thank you that all that is wrong will pass away we have a hope and a future. Lead me to mourn rightly, acknowledging all the brokenness in the world and in me that breaks your heart and the lengths that you have gone to redeem everything.
Father thank you for the promise this passage holds, the refuge it provides when all feels wrong in this world.
Lord, please hear our cry for Chris’s children. Please open their eyes, their hearts, and bring strong influencers who radiate You into their lives.
In Your Name
Amen to this prayer Chris and Dee! Please open their eyes, their hearts, and bring strong influencers who radiate You into their lives.
In Your Name
Amen! Amen!
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why. “Mourning is healthy because it makes you cry out for restorer. Mourning is healthy because it causes you to hold tightly to God’s promise of paradise to come.” His promises really are all we can trust in and they will not be taken from us.
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here. “What are your greatest disappointments in life, and what deeper desires do those things reveal?” That I don’t have any intimate Christian friends. That I am not an outgoing person. That most “friendships” that I’ve had have ended when the job or church changed. I think the deeper desire that it reveals is for the perfect relationships that God intended for us to have and that we will have in the paradise to come. Relationships that aren’t tainted.
Lord, I do pray for a close friend for Dawn. Embolden her to take risks, and open her eyes to someone who You might be gifting her with as a friend.
In Your Name I pray
Todays lesson on mourning was God inspired. I know that I try to meet a need by shopping. The high is in looking for and purchasing the item—mainly clothes. I get home and it has become stuff. Stuff that overflows my closet and usually I look and I already have 5 of the thing I jus bought. As we have moved, I know I am overspending my budget on clothes, but I shop to fill the void of activity, friends, and just to do it. This morning I woke up and said to God, “I am addicted to the high of shopping”. I do not know what or how to deal with it because I have struggled with it all my life and now I struggle with over-buying for my adult children. This brings me to Lesson 7, #1. What are your greatest disappointments in life and what deeper desired do those things reveal? I longed for “connectedness” with my mom and my sisters and have been disappointed all my life that I never had it growing up. Once a year, before school started, my mom and I would go shopping. It was always the best day and it was all about Mom and me and it was so much fun! We would buy for the whole school year and she would pull from her “secret stash” and buy the one extra item. I would go home and try my clothes on for Dad and he would exclaim about how nice they looked and actually i felt like a princess. Then the next day, life continued on. Today, I sat and mourned the loss of relationship that I have continued to search for as I shop to fill the void of my false God-love and acceptance and connectedness with my mom. I am also reading Tim Keller’s lent devotional and today he talked about Hannah and I quote “After years of this, Hannah recognized that her grief had become sin and her mourning had become an “affliction” (I Samuel 1:11), so at Shiloh she sacrificed that which enslaved her to the Lord.” I realized that my mourning has debilitated me in my growing in the Lord and I have held on to that sadness, making it become sin in my life because the longing has been for “it” instead of Christ. And the scripture in Rev 21:3 is the “with” I am searching for: Look! God’s tabernacle is WITH human beings. And from now on he will tabernacle WITH them as their God. Now God himself will have his home WITH them—‘God-with-them’ will be there God! (Tpt Bible). We have a powerful, living God!! (This study is very rich, Dee.)
Wow Becky, God’s insights for you are amazing from both Tripp’s and Keller’s teaching. Have you read “Idol Lies”. I think it would be an excellent further resource in dealing with your shopping addiction. Praying God will give you victory as you have identified this issue in your life.
Thank you for your honesty, Becky. May God give you comfort in your mourning, discernment in how to approach pulling your root idol out, and strength to obey. Also I agree with Bev, Idol Lies could be very helpful.
Wow Becky! You are getting so much out of this study! I love your post. It represents me (and others); just change the sin (mine is food/drink). Thanks for the insight this morning.
Yea! Insightful Becky is back. Thanks for this testimony — Lord please help her turn from shopping to You. In Your name.
Becky,
This hits hard:
“I realized that my mourning has debilitated me in my growing in the Lord and I have held on to that sadness, making it become sin in my life because the longing has been for “it” instead of Christ.”
Mourning can come in such waves and sometimes from different directions. And can be disorienting. Needing His help to see and sense clearly how to let go of the sadness that besets me.
Wow! Becky! What a great lesson! You wove this in so beautifully with the lesson and the Keller post. It is hard to identify our idols and I love that you shared the history of how it happened. It gave me some great insights into some of my idols. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!
Becky, I have returned to read your post three times because it is so rich and insightful. Any one of us can relate to we try to meet a need by ____. I know what mine is. The last part in how you tie-in Hannah is so insightful too. Thank you for sharing.
Wednesday – Day 7.
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why.
I underlined “Between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet’ we simply won’t get, in any situation, location, or relationship, anything remotely close to the stunningly perfect beauty of paradise.” And then Tripp outlines the choices we have neither of which deliver or produce spiritual, emotional, or relational health in us. One is becoming critical and judgmental (which I have done) or secondly becoming delusional in thinking I can create my own little paradise if I could just control things (which I have done). The third option is to mourn. What a strange truth he presents us with today. He says Jesus wants us to recognize the damage and weep. But I greatly appreciated his paragraph that goes on to outline 6 ways that mourning is healthy. His last statement says to remember to mourn with hope. Again that seems like such a conundrum. But I am so grateful to be reminded today that “remember to mourn with hope because your Lord has promised that what now is will end, and what is to come is worthy to be called paradise”. Todays lesson just gives a wonderful perspective and it’s all because of Jesus!
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
2. How can you “mourn paradise lost”—what does that look like in real life?
I respect the importance of being sensitive to the grief of others and in coming along side of them and to mourn with them in their losses but I think that mourning for paradise lost is best accomplished in the prayer closet. When we are alone with Jesus and consider what sin has done in our own lives and in this world that the Cross and the great price paid by our Savior can effectively cause us to mourn. But the beauty of being in that place is we can be comforted by Him. And there is no better or more complete comfort than what Jesus himself gives. I think that is one of the ways we share in his sufferings.
10. Use Revelation 21:1-7 to guide a prayer of praise.
Oh what a wonderful passage of scripture that gives us comfort and a great and wonderful hope.
Insightful, Bev.
Tuesday
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
We’re called to die…
-To the life where we did what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it, and how we wanted to do it.
-To setting our own rules and living how we please.
-To our rulership of our own lives.
-To our desires for our own comfort, pleasure, and glory and give ourselves to seek the glory of the King and the success of His kingdom.
He goes on to say that this death is a process of daily scanning our lives to see where things still live in us that should not live, then praying for the strength to die once again.
I have to share how many times in our last travels of going through the scanner at the airport to make sure that I was wasn’t carrying anything that I shouldn’t be…it got wearisome. The last time I got in the scanner, put my feet where they belonged and put my hands up, it seemed time should be up, and I’d turn to get off and the guy told me it hadn’t scanned yet. After the 3rd time and the man being quite perturbed with me…it finally scanned!!! Phew! I’m thankful that I don’t have to go through a “literal”scanning of my life but it is a process that I must patiently go through daily to work through all these things I must die to…in His strength!
6. Answer one of the three questions at the end here.
#3 What areas of your life need to die to make room for greater , more abundant life in Christ?
My selfish desires in my time and in my way. Dying to a critical and jealous spirit.
7. Pray through Romans 12:1-2 and consider what sacrifices God is asking you to make to make your life a life of worship.
Quite a scanning analogy!
So good to see “old” friends here again! Love you dear Chris S.–you are such a treasure to me.
I loved this from Day 7-“Let your heart be crushed at what sin has done so your heart can be comforted by your Savior. And remember to mourn with hope, because your Lord has promised that what now is will end, and what is to come is worthy to be called paradise.”
Much of my greatest disappointments (question 1) come from broken relationships. I desire to be in fellowship, unity. I have to fight the tendency to be jealous when others talk about their close relationships with their parents, siblings, daughter…but more than envy I have to fight the temptation of self-blame or thinking it’s punishment. It helps to know Jesus mournes with me, and far more than I do even, over the brokenness. This is not how it is supposed to be, and one day all sad things will be untrue.
I’m reading the book daily and hope to get back here soon. I have been struggling a while now with a new health issue and it’s taking longer than I hoped to get better. I’m just not able to be here yet, but I’m reading all of your thoughts as I can, I learn so much from you all. Love this place so much.
So thankful for this devotion for Lent. I have been praying the “scary” prayer of asking God to show me more of my sin and He is faithful! I want Him to break me and re-make me, giving me a greater realization of my depravity, my need of Him, and fill me with the Hope only He can bring. Love you all~
Love you too Lizzy. Miss your comments because they are always honest and insightful. But reading the daily lesson will bless and encourage you. Praying you get relief from your health issue.
Lizzy, I am sorry to hear of your health troubles. I hope you are feeling better soon. I am glad you can make it when you can. Praying 🙏🙏 Take care!
I’ve been praying for your healing Lizzy ever since Bing told me you’d been sick. I’m so sorry.
Lizzy,
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well.
What you wrote here resonates with me:
“Much of my greatest disappointments come from broken relationships.”
Me too Lizzy ~
Praying for you dear Lizzy. So thankful for our Heavenly Father. He is truly our Hope. I love this place too~ such beautiful and honest hearts, all willing to share and pray for one another. I love reading your posts whenever you are able. Praying you feel much better soon.
5. Read and underline Day 6 and share what stands out to you and why.
Dying stands out to me. Dying to what we want to do, to our own ways of doing things, our own rules, our own comfort , our own righteousness, and find all our needs in Christ. It stands out to me how dying to ourselves is a pretty involved process, and ongoing process.
6. Question 2: How have you seen victory come out of death in your own life. One place is my marriage. Not that I did it perfectly, or consistently, but I can remember a number of times where God asked me to die to self, when it came to my marriage, to what I wanted or having my needs met in a particular circumstance. The fact that we are still married, and that God has brought Joe to Himself is victory.
Huge victories, Tammy!
Wednesday
8. Read and underline Day 7 and share what stands out to you and why.
Mourning is healthy…that my heart must be crushed at what sin has done to my heart so I can be comforted by my Savior.
Keller says “sin isn’t breaking a known law of God, it’s breaking the heart of God!” Seeing sin as breaking God’s heart should melt my heart. And what a wonderful thing to be comforted by my Savior.
9. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
#1 What are your greatest disappointments in life, and what deeper desires do those things reveal?
Being content in having a knowledge about God rather than a knowledge of God. The deeper desire it reveals is looking good to those in my Christian circles, impressing them with what I know rather than who I know. A deep regret.
10. Use Revelation 21:1-7 to guide a prayer of praise.
Thursday—Day 8
11. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
“In this season, stop and take time to assess where you’re still telling yourself that you’re rich (righteous) and admit the extent of your past and present poverty, so that you can truly celebrate the once-unattainable riches that are yours, not because of what you have done, but because of what has been done for you.”
This stands out to me because stopping and taking time to make an assessment of my attitudes and perspective concerning my true spiritual condition is very challenging and condemning. The real Bev in her flesh doesn’t get it so much of the time and avoids the hard truths about her sin. But I am in awe that God my Father and Jesus my Savior through the power of the Holy Spirit keeps bringing me back into hope because of what He has done for me. In spite of me. Yesterday I failed miserably in regards to my eating plan. As a type 2 diabetic I have had good success over the last couple of years but I blew it in great measure. When that happens it is easy to spiral down.
But as I have been awake in the night processing my failure that I fail again and again He reminded me of the scripture put to song that says “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord. Great is thy faithfulness.” I really just wanted to beat up on my self and try to whip myself back into shape but with tears I tell you I just can’t do it. I am poor. I am needy. And what does He give me? The riches of what He has done. And I can face today, this morning because there are new mercies for me.
12. Choose one of the reflective
questions to answer here.
2. On a daily basis, how aware are you of your spiritual bankruptcy apart from Christ? How might you grow in this awareness, particularly during the season of Lent?
Reflecting on what I just wrote above in answer to question 11
I am starting to grow in the awareness of my spiritual bankruptcy because of this study. I read earlier this morning a devotional thought from Anne Graham Lotz where she asked
“How is it that you and I think we can make it through the grueling journey of life without that same humble submission to the Father”
The question was referring to what Christ did in Gethsemane. Bankruptcy is a humbling experience to most people and requires a starting over. I am so very grateful for mercies that are new every morning.
13. Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and reflect on and praise God for what is yours in Christ.
I praise Him for bring rich in mercy and grace and my being made alive because of his great love.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”
Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV
Bev–this is beautiful–it really ministered to me, my eyes filled reading it “But as I have been awake in the night processing my failure that I fail again and again He reminded me of the scripture put to song that says “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord. Great is thy faithfulness.” I really just wanted to beat up on my self and try to whip myself back into shape but with tears I tell you I just can’t do it. I am poor. I am needy. And what does He give me? The riches of what He has done. And I can face today, this morning because there are new mercies for me.”
Very honest and vulnerable. I’m wasn’t comfortable with your phrase: the “real Bev in the flesh.” But then I read the rest and saw how His Spirit corrected your view. I go back and forth between realizing how much I lie to myself, and yet how loved I am. I like the phrase in The Song “dark but lovely”
11. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
” ‘You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich’ (2 Cor 8:9)… If there were such a thing as independently rich people, this gospel narrative wouldn’t make any sense.” This stands out to me both in personal experience and observations in churches.
About a year ago, I was SO frustrated because I was not able to read/process and told my pastor that I felt like a spiritual slob. Knowing my background, he asked if I thought people with Alzheimer’s were spiritual slobs! (Duh — of course not). I even have books/have heard a speaker on the spirituality of people with mental illness/disabilities/dementia, etc. But I continued to associate my own ability to read &/or think clearly enough to “pray” with being “good enough.” I’m definitely not independently rich — in any sense of the word, and therefore, this gospel narrative makes a lot of sense! Jesus became poor so that my communion with the Trinity could be rich, too.
I’ve been reflecting on the 4 parts (adoration, confession, submission, supplication) the past few days. For a little while, I fell into the trap of connecting those steps a little too closely to my words, i.e., my come up with the right words for adoration, confession, etc. I KNOW that the Spirit prays for me/us and that I “know not how to pray as I ought” (Rom 8:26). Yesterday, I listened to a brief youtube video on contemplative prayer. The speaker described it as to Behold and Be Held. The 4 steps or parts of prayer Tripp listed definitely spoke to me, especially when I connect the dots between them (then I feel drawn to submit .. of all weird things). But it’s also easy for me to turn them into a to do list.
The Nebraska signs/slogans cracked me up — at first. There’s definitely some truth to them, though. I started thinking about churches that were primarily city vs small town/country churches I’ve attended for long periods of time. Often in the city churches, church leaders were considered to be successful professionals; many had graduate degrees. There usually were plenty spiritually mature people in those churches that didn’t fit the successful professional stereotype though. That’s not as likely in rural/small town churches I’ve attended. I moved back to the farm last summer and love it — usually!!
Renee,
I would be very interested in knowing what you listened to on youtube.
Really appreciated your comments here:
“I listened to a brief youtube video on contemplative prayer. The speaker described it as to Behold and Be Held.”
Nila, Here it is: https://youtu.be/KpBpAr14GiE What is contemplative prayer? (with Fr Mike Schmitiz)
Thank you Renee
Renee — have you listened to the podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill? Eye opening.
Dee, I listened to a little bit of it a long time ago — and just started listening again a few days ago. It definitely is eye opening — and also interesting enough to listen when I am doing house stuff.
To me the application is to be so careful about who we put in leadership — and to resist the siren call of the applause of men.
11. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
”We want to be that rich brand of Christian….No one is righteous on his own…No one naturally has all the right motives…We are, in fact, unrighteousness in every way, and this drives us to cry out for forgiveness and help…Spiritual passivity and spiritual disinterest are never the result of confessing that you are spiritually poor.” – Wow. There’s a lot to unpack here, but I think this really drives the point home to me that we cannot uproot our own idols. It is only through the Spirit that those idols are torn from us and we are filled with the desire to love and obey God. That transformation leads to an active heart, constantly recognizing sin, repenting, and walking in Faith that God will provide what we need.
12. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
#2: I have occasional glimpses of my spiritual poverty on a daily basis. I’ve noticed as I’ve been studying and learning and seeking God, I’ve been given more frequent glimpses at my poverty. I’m so thankful for that and I pray that continues to increase, because it’s those glimpses that show me how undeserving I am and how far I’ve wandered. They remind me that this world is not my life, Christ is my life. They help me take a moment to realign the priority of Christ, which is ultimately the only priority.
13. Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and reflect on and praise God for what is yours in Christ.
God has given us a path to life through Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that we are able to be apart of God’s righteous family, so that the glory of God may shine. God, through Christ Jesus, has literally given me everything, even though I am utterly undeserving. Praise God for His ultimate good and love, that I am given the chance to obey and serve Him.
So good from Brynn: I have occasional glimpses of my spiritual poverty on a daily basis. I’ve noticed as I’ve been studying and learning and seeking God, I’ve been given more frequent glimpses at my poverty. I’m so thankful for that and I pray that continues to increase, because it’s those glimpses that show me how undeserving I am and how far I’ve wandered. They remind me that this world is not my life, Christ is my life. They help me take a moment to realign the priority of Christ, which is ultimately the only priority.
6. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
“God opens the well-guarded vault of our righteousness to show us that, contrary to what we thought, it is absolutely empty…I need to realize my complete poverty. In this way, the magnificent blessings of the kingdom of God are open and available only to the poor.
2 Corinthians 8:9 You know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for MY sake He became poor so that I by His poverty might become rich. THE GOSPEL
7. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
#1 Fill in the blank: “If I just had _________________, then I would be happy.” My answers would be anything that will bring me comfort and approval from man. These are still my idols so I need to be reminded of my utmost spiritual poverty because these idols are ever before me every day. I need God’s grace every day.
8. Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and reflect on and praise God for what is yours in Christ.
What a way to praise God using this magnificent passage! Yes, Lord, giver of all spiritual gifts that we may be spiritually rich and with things that really matter.
Once dead in my sins and transgressions, gratifying of the cravings of the flesh and following its desires and thoughts, and deserving of wrath. Now made alive with Christ through grace and being raised up with Jesus and seated with Him in the heavenly realms. Praise God-such a wonderful picture of our access to God. Nothing of my salvation was earned by works-purely grace. And yet, every day is an opportunity to do good works for which we were created.
Once separated from Christ, excluded from the citizenship of the true Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God. Praise you, that now I am near. Jesus brought peace that we are one body in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world (Ukrainian Christians are not alone). We are fellow citizens with God’s people around the world, and part of the family of God.
We are like a building, thank you God that I am not alone here with Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone, and all of us joined together, built together so God can live in us through His Spirit. Praise God!
Bing, your praise of God from Ephesians is so encouraging to me…we’re not alone.
11. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
I love this, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
The way that Tripp says it:
“The infinitely rich one was willing to become sacrificially poor, so that we might be rescued from our bankruptcy and become rich.”
It tells the story in 1 sentence! wow.
12. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
1. Honestly, in the past 10 years I have started getting rid of “things” and not focusing on the things of the world as much. I am not perfect! But, we don’t have cable, only one small tv in our room, none in the family rooms of the house, and drive really old cars. A friend suggested we use an old set of china instead of going out and buying new dishes. They were just sitting in our cabinet. If one chipped or broke who cared? They were just sitting in a cabinet! I don’t care about rich people and what they have or do. Most are not Christians so why would I want anything they have? They know nothing!
It is more difficult to lose things like my cell phone, house, and face cleansing “system.” Ugh.
BUT, the thing that I want most in life is a skinny body that can eat anything and not gain weight! Oh to be my sister! She doesn’t like food (?!). I can’t even imagine that…
So, my spiritual condition is somewhat weak. I believe and I’m so much better than I was before, but I have a ways to go yet. I don’t desire God above my own wants. That makes me sad.
13. Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and reflect on and praise God for what is yours in Christ.
Thank You Lord Jesus for coming to Earth to be with us. Thank You for accepting me, a gentile, into Your kingdom. Thank You for breaking down the walls by taking away the laws of old so that anyone, who believes can be with You in the end. I am grateful and know that I do not deserve such gracious treatment as a woeful sinner. You are a beautiful picture of what I should be; I can never measure up but oh do I try my best for You! Because of Your sacrifice I am blessed with Your love, grace, and kindness. I am saved by your gift. You have made me a masterpiece. Thank You. Amen.
Your simple lifestyle is admirable. And convicting.
Thursday
11. Read Day 8 and share what stands out to you and why.
”When Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,’ He knows His words aren’t as radical as they sound. Jesus knows that no one is independently rich in spirit. No one independently has his act together. No one is righteous on his own. No one loves as he should in his own strength. No one naturally has all the right motives. No one’s mind is independently pure.
Oh, how I must become totally dependent upon Him. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. (John 15:5c). When I display my righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6).
12. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
#1. “If I just had no health problems, then I’d be happy.” What that shows me about my spiritual condition is I want control and am unwilling to let go and allow Him to have His way in me. I’m not trusting Him and think l could do so much more for Him if my health was good…self-righteousness.
13. Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and reflect on and praise God for what is yours in Christ.
I praise You Lord for Your rich mercies, Your love for me is great. Because Christ was raised from the dead I have life, I am united with Christ, incredibly wealthy with Your grace and kindness. I am saved by His grace, nothing I can take credit for or boast in, as it is a gift. I am Your masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things You planned for me long ago. I am thankful that by the blood of Christ I have been reconciled to You. I am no longer a stranger and a foreigner but a member of Your family. Through Jesus Christ, the cornerstone I am joined with others together in Him to become a holy temple for the Lord…part of His dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. Amen
It seems so reasonable to ask for good health, but how I love your insight and heart Sharon.
14. Read and underline Day 9 and share what stands out to you and why.
No one has lied to me as much as I have lied to myself — about the deceitfulness of sin. I often think back to my manipulative days and how I began to think Christy was a terrible administrative assistant. Turns out she was one of the best — she has completely forgiven me and we are close.
15. Choose one of the reflective questions to answer here.
# 3What I’m endeavoring to give up for Lent is judgmental thoughts — particularly against a brother in Christ. I can’t seem to stop the thoughts from coming to my head but I can quickly turn the finger around to myself, confess, and pray for my heart and for this brother.
16. Read 1 John 1:5-2:6 and spend some time in honest self-assessment, confession, and repentance. (Remember conviction is not repentance!)
Done.
Dee, I’m taking note of how you’re turning around those judgmental thoughts. I have them too, and it’s nearly impossible to not think them, so turning the focus around to myself and my own sin is the way to go.