Hebrews 5:7-9
I see two large parking lots crowded each Monday evening as I return home from the church. There are many people at L A Fitness and Gold’s following the weekend. Daily, as I travel back and forth on Chapel Hill road I have observed that the Monday crowd at the fitness centers is the largest of the week. Why?
My guess is because of the weekend. People are off work and off exercise. We may let go and loose discipline. For example, a Martin’s sausage biscuit and may be gravy, a visit to Taco Mac and a few wings for the game or a little treat at Starbucks may get us off course. We take a break from daily discipline.
Lent is a time to return to the Lord’s fitness center. Today’s scripture says that “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears.” His prayers came from the experiences of his life: dealing with followers who fussed about being the greatest among themselves, religious persons focusing on what they looked like on the outside rather than what was in their heart. This is fitness work.
Our inspired scripture writer tells us that Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered” or we might say what he experienced. Our example is that no matter the situation Jesus’ focus was not on the “problem” but God. There was No moaning and groaning or whining or blaming for Jesus but just a prayer for guidance his heavenly Father. Scripture says “he was heard because of his reverent submission. Do you do more complaining than praying?
Lent is a special spiritual fitness time which reminds us we are human and may get off track like a trip to Martins. But, we are called to seek the one “who gives eternal salvation” being Jesus. Tom Long writes, “to be truly human is to shape our lives into an offering to God.” So, lets exercise our prayers, do some lifting of good deeds and do a few push ups of faith.
Prayer: Gracious God, as you strengthened Jesus to deal with his daily life, give me your wisdom, patience and guidance to overcome my human. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Max
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Luke 4:1-13
When you flip to the middle of this months’ Bon Appétit magazine, you are greeted by an image of a large slice of Irish brown soda bread slathered in yellow butter. I had the magazine open for about two days before I drove to Kroger, purchased the ingredients that I needed and began kneading dough in my own kitchen. I was tempted by more than the image, as the memories of eating such bread in my visits to Northern Ireland and the thought of a warm loaf of bread emerging from my oven on a cold March day rushed through my mind. As I continually went back to the fresh loaf for my last piece of bread, I realized that I had to get the temptation out of sight – and quick!
We each face temptation – the consequences differ, but we know the feeling of being pulled in a direction in which we should not be going. Jesus knows this feeling as well. In our text today, we see Jesus resist temptation, resting in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the garden of Gethsemane, we can only imagine that Jesus was tempted to walk away, or to call on the powers of heaven to amend the situation at hand – however, we know that Jesus faced temptation, relied on the power of the Holy Spirit and made a choice which would change the world forever. During this Lenten journey, may you also be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit knowing that you do not travel alone. May you continue to rely on God to fulfill you as you use these weeks before Easter to prepare your heart, mind and spirit for the resurrection of our Savior.
Elizabeth Lobello
When you flip to the middle of this months’ Bon Appétit magazine, you are greeted by an image of a large slice of Irish brown soda bread slathered in yellow butter. I had the magazine open for about two days before I drove to Kroger, purchased the ingredients that I needed and began kneading dough in my own kitchen. I was tempted by more than the image, as the memories of eating such bread in my visits to Northern Ireland and the thought of a warm loaf of bread emerging from my oven on a cold March day rushed through my mind. As I continually went back to the fresh loaf for my last piece of bread, I realized that I had to get the temptation out of sight – and quick!
We each face temptation – the consequences differ, but we know the feeling of being pulled in a direction in which we should not be going. Jesus knows this feeling as well. In our text today, we see Jesus resist temptation, resting in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the garden of Gethsemane, we can only imagine that Jesus was tempted to walk away, or to call on the powers of heaven to amend the situation at hand – however, we know that Jesus faced temptation, relied on the power of the Holy Spirit and made a choice which would change the world forever. During this Lenten journey, may you also be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit knowing that you do not travel alone. May you continue to rely on God to fulfill you as you use these weeks before Easter to prepare your heart, mind and spirit for the resurrection of our Savior.
Elizabeth Lobello
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
John 15:12-17
And so the disciples have followed in faith their Lord and their leader, Jesus Christ. They have been privileged to see and hear the most awe-inspiring teachings that this world may ever know. They have been witnesses to incomprehensible and wondrous miracles. They have shown bravery in the face of obstinacy and disbelief. Now a command is given from the Holy One: “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends.”
If you knew you only had a few final moments to speak with those whom you love, what would you say? Just as you would choose to share the most important of your beliefs, wisdom, and expectations, so Jesus did with his disciples. Can we truly embrace Christianity without a willingness to love one another? Jesus clearly informs his disciples, and through them, us- “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
He chose and appointed you. There is no greater honor, and no greater privilege than to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to “bear fruit” - to lead others toward Christ and to show the world his nature through our actions and encouragement. One small action or word can be a life- changing event to another, positive or negative. Let it be good; let it be love!
Jeff Aybar
And so the disciples have followed in faith their Lord and their leader, Jesus Christ. They have been privileged to see and hear the most awe-inspiring teachings that this world may ever know. They have been witnesses to incomprehensible and wondrous miracles. They have shown bravery in the face of obstinacy and disbelief. Now a command is given from the Holy One: “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends.”
If you knew you only had a few final moments to speak with those whom you love, what would you say? Just as you would choose to share the most important of your beliefs, wisdom, and expectations, so Jesus did with his disciples. Can we truly embrace Christianity without a willingness to love one another? Jesus clearly informs his disciples, and through them, us- “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
He chose and appointed you. There is no greater honor, and no greater privilege than to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to “bear fruit” - to lead others toward Christ and to show the world his nature through our actions and encouragement. One small action or word can be a life- changing event to another, positive or negative. Let it be good; let it be love!
Jeff Aybar
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
We recently asked you to "rethink" church by going to your neighbors to fill up bags of food that we could share with the Good Samaritan Center here in Douglasville. We filled Max's truck up two times with food you collected! Thank you for the many ways in which you help make church a verb!
grace & peace,
elizabeth
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Psalm 116
Almost everyone can remember a time when, as a child, they found themselves in a dangerous situation from which they could not deliver themselves. Our immediate reaction is to begin looking for someone to help us. We usually will call out for help and look for a familiar face that can rescue us.
As adults, when we are delivered from a crisis, do we reflect and consider that there may be a greater purpose behind our deliverance? These crises and, ultimately, death serve to point us to a higher power and purpose for our lives. It helps us focus our attention on spirit.
Psalm 116 records the thanks that King David of Israel felt and expressed to God for delivering him from danger that could have resulted in his death. He acknowledged that God is real and that there is only one true, living God. King David knew that if he called on God, he would be heard. Do we have that same assurance today? The God of King David is full of grace, mercy and compassion toward those who call on His name. In this Psalm, David drinks from the cup of salvation (the cup of blessing) and calls upon the name of the Lord.
During this Lenten season, as lead up to the dark days of the sacrifice and deliverance of Jesus Christ, are we paying attention to the Spirit of God? Jesus Christ, through the sacrifice of His body and voluntarily giving up his life, drinks the cup and becomes the salvation of God to everyone who believes.
Though we face tough and challenging times today and have many questions about the future, the salvation of God, in Jesus Christ, is our ever present help in time of trouble.
We have been helped, we have been delivered. Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Danny Underwood
Almost everyone can remember a time when, as a child, they found themselves in a dangerous situation from which they could not deliver themselves. Our immediate reaction is to begin looking for someone to help us. We usually will call out for help and look for a familiar face that can rescue us.
As adults, when we are delivered from a crisis, do we reflect and consider that there may be a greater purpose behind our deliverance? These crises and, ultimately, death serve to point us to a higher power and purpose for our lives. It helps us focus our attention on spirit.
Psalm 116 records the thanks that King David of Israel felt and expressed to God for delivering him from danger that could have resulted in his death. He acknowledged that God is real and that there is only one true, living God. King David knew that if he called on God, he would be heard. Do we have that same assurance today? The God of King David is full of grace, mercy and compassion toward those who call on His name. In this Psalm, David drinks from the cup of salvation (the cup of blessing) and calls upon the name of the Lord.
During this Lenten season, as lead up to the dark days of the sacrifice and deliverance of Jesus Christ, are we paying attention to the Spirit of God? Jesus Christ, through the sacrifice of His body and voluntarily giving up his life, drinks the cup and becomes the salvation of God to everyone who believes.
Though we face tough and challenging times today and have many questions about the future, the salvation of God, in Jesus Christ, is our ever present help in time of trouble.
We have been helped, we have been delivered. Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Danny Underwood
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Joel 2:28 – 3:12
Our OT passage speaks of victory and judgment. What does this have to do with the Garden of Gethsemane? Jesus arrives at Gethsemane in a state of utter agony. He senses the time of His death is near. Jesus appeals for perhaps another way forward. God is silent and the procession to the cross must continue. The victory over sin must be won once and for all. Still the judgment has to be rendered. All have sinned against our Lord and the wages of sin is death. For all sin: past, present and future, Jesus must die. Two things have most stirred me on my Christian journey. First is the suffering and agony that Jesus must have felt being cut off from God when He was not deserving of this fate. And second, the love that God had for us in giving up His perfect Son for our transgressions that we might be seen as righteous before the Lord. Englebert wrote in a biography that St Francis had ‘two desires before he died: the first was to experience the pain of Christ’s agony, and the second was to feel the same love for Christ that He had when He sacrificed Himself on the cross.’ During this Lent, let us pray that our desires be changed.
John Ash
Our OT passage speaks of victory and judgment. What does this have to do with the Garden of Gethsemane? Jesus arrives at Gethsemane in a state of utter agony. He senses the time of His death is near. Jesus appeals for perhaps another way forward. God is silent and the procession to the cross must continue. The victory over sin must be won once and for all. Still the judgment has to be rendered. All have sinned against our Lord and the wages of sin is death. For all sin: past, present and future, Jesus must die. Two things have most stirred me on my Christian journey. First is the suffering and agony that Jesus must have felt being cut off from God when He was not deserving of this fate. And second, the love that God had for us in giving up His perfect Son for our transgressions that we might be seen as righteous before the Lord. Englebert wrote in a biography that St Francis had ‘two desires before he died: the first was to experience the pain of Christ’s agony, and the second was to feel the same love for Christ that He had when He sacrificed Himself on the cross.’ During this Lent, let us pray that our desires be changed.
John Ash
Monday, March 1, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Several weeks ago I was forced into total submission on the downtown connector. Snow was coming down sideways as I sat in my car not moving for hours. I couldn’t believe I had to make a trip for work across town at such an inopportune time…..Friday afternoon, blinding snow, I-75/85………..Really? While digging in my purse for gum, I came across my camera. Funny thing cameras, they often see what the naked eye does not. Within minutes I had the window down shooting pictures of everything and everyone, I was having a blast! It occurred to me that even the biggest eyesores became amazingly beautiful when covered with snow. Are we that different? If the world saw only our sin & shortcomings, how ugly would we be? During this time of Lent, we need to remember that through God’s sacrifice of his son Jesus on the cross, our sins are totally forgiven and we are made beautiful. I think this song says it best: Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe. Sin had left a Crimson stain; he washed them white as snow.
Sheryl Cobb
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Several weeks ago I was forced into total submission on the downtown connector. Snow was coming down sideways as I sat in my car not moving for hours. I couldn’t believe I had to make a trip for work across town at such an inopportune time…..Friday afternoon, blinding snow, I-75/85………..Really? While digging in my purse for gum, I came across my camera. Funny thing cameras, they often see what the naked eye does not. Within minutes I had the window down shooting pictures of everything and everyone, I was having a blast! It occurred to me that even the biggest eyesores became amazingly beautiful when covered with snow. Are we that different? If the world saw only our sin & shortcomings, how ugly would we be? During this time of Lent, we need to remember that through God’s sacrifice of his son Jesus on the cross, our sins are totally forgiven and we are made beautiful. I think this song says it best: Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe. Sin had left a Crimson stain; he washed them white as snow.
Sheryl Cobb
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