34 “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 NET
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure if I was in the position of knowing my death was imminently soon that I would be getting up from the table to wash the dirty feet of others. However, this is exactly what Jesus did. Not only did He realize His death was near but He had inside information that He would be betrayed by one of His twelve disciples – but there Jesus was – removing His outer clothing and tying a towel around Himself, and then grabbing a basin of water He literally began to wash the feet of His disciples – and not just to wash them but to dry them with the towel He had tied around Himself. Their Lord and teacher stooped to the lowly position of a servant shortly before His death in order to show these disciples how they were to treat one another – more specifically, as He points out in verse thirty-four, how they were to love one another, “Just as he had loved them.”
Of all the things Jesus could have left them with – it was an instruction to love as He had loved them. Love would be the sign of a True Disciple of Jesus.
Me from the Inside-Out 🦋
Jesus could have spent the bulk of His time venting or teaching about the betrayal – how hurtful and wrong it was to Him and His ministry, but instead His focus remained on the way to love. The importance of surrendering to the task of a servant would be a crucial part of their witness when He was gone. For, as He explained to the disciples then – by living and loving in this way – others would identify them as the true disciples of Jesus and this would be key to their ministry of making more disciples that lived and loved like Jesus.
Reflection From the Journey
Do others know that You are a disciple of Jesus? Is it your intent for others to know
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, help us to live and love like Jesus – so that others will see and know that we belong to Him. Use us as instruments of Your Gospel so that more and more disciples will be born. You are not slow or forgetful in Your return but rather You are patient and full of mercy longing for as many people as possible to come to repentance and to place their trust in Christ. The additional time is an opportunity for more to be saved. May we faithfully work at this task in word and deed. Help us to work well while we wait for Your long awaited and greatly anticipated return. – In and for the glory of Father, Son, and Spirit – Amen
“Blessed is the kingwho comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19:38 NET
Jesus has been preparing His disciples for this moment and all that will follow – (death, resurrection, His ascension, and the great commission) throughout His ministry, and even though He has now reached the road leading up to the Mount of Olives Jesus does not shrink back. He presses on and engages the disciples in what’s next, namely securing the colt on which He would make His triumphal entry.
While we call it a triumphal entry it is worth noting that Jesus does not enter as a conquering hero who has come to save the day but rather as the humble Savior and Son of God that He knew He was. He did not make arrangements for a great or impressive horse but rather a donkey, a colt that had never been ridden.
Our focus verse (38) is one of the most well known verses from this passage and the start of what would be a celebration by a great crowd of Jesus’ disciples. For the sake of his audience, Luke keeps his account of the event short but Matthew reveals the fuller picture and, I dare say, the version most of us are familiar with: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9). Mark and John share a quote similar to Matthew’s version, but as Bibleref.com points out, “Likely, different people are shouting different things, including praising God for the miracles they have seen Jesus perform,” as Luke indicates in chapter nineteen, verse thirty-seven, “but,” continues bibleref.com, “the gist is the same: Yahweh’s chosen king, in the line of David, is coming to take His rightful throne in Jerusalem.”
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
Remember we are disciples of Christ and we are called to engage in the ‘great commission.”
Draw people’s attention to the Son of David – with a loud Hosanna or an invitation to church for Easter Sunday.
Press on through this week with eyes and thoughts on the cross and on the One who willingly lay down His life for His sheep.
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, as we, the disciples of Christ, enter this week leading up to Easter, a week referred to by many as holy, may we prepare not only our own hearts but may we make known the “Son of David”, whether with loud shouts of “Hosanna!” or simple invitations to our Easter services. May we not hesitate to engage ourselves with the work of the cross for the sake of the lost. May we remember that those who do not know our Savior will face a horrible eternity after death and may this inspire us to follow the example of Jesus and not shrink back or be silent in moving forward to the scene of the cross, the mourning of His death, and the rejoicing in His resurrection and ascension – without which there is no hope. – Father, this Easter may many hear and believe and along with us shout Hosanna to the Son of David!- Amen and Amen in Jesus’ Holy Name – Blessing and honor and glory be Yours both now and evermore 💜🦋
But you, O Lord, do not remain far away. You are my source of strength. Hurry and help me!
Psalm 22:19
Have you ever felt abandoned by God? You pray, but it feels as though He isn’t listening; you watch, but You do not see Him move on your behalf. That’s where David seems to be in this Psalm, at least at first – but oh, how I love it when David begins to remember and to remind God of how his ancestors had trusted in God and He had rescued them, how they had cried out to God and they were saved. I especially love that his ancestors had trusted in God and were not disappointed.
I love these reminders David brings up to God because I have found that when we find ourselves where David was, it’s the recalling of God’s faithfulness and goodness that begins our ascent from the pit of woes and feelings of desertion. It’s calling to mind who He is and what He’s done that leads us to remember to trust His heart even when we cannot see His hand at work in our lives. It is remembering and reminding Him that He is our source of strength that leads us to call to Him believing He is listening and will come to deliver, rescue and save us.
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
When we can’t see God’s hand we must remember who He is and what He has done in the lives of people throughout Scripture, in our lives and the lives of those around us.
When we cannot see His hand and we feel abandoned – we must trust His heart, His love that sent Jesus to the cross, and His promises to hear us when we call to Him.
When we cannot see His hand we must continue to trust that He will never leave us or forsake us.
When we cannot see His hand we must continue to trust that He is forever our source of strength.
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, thank you for teaching us in Your Word and by experience that when we cannot see You we can trust Your heart of love and acts of abundant goodness and complete faithfulness. We confess it isn’t always easy and we ask for help to pray as David did – recalling that not only are You good but You are our source of strength and You will always hear the prayers of Your children. –
THE MORE WE KNOW
I want to ask you to do me a favor, one that will bring a rich blessing to your heart and enhance your Easter celebration more than you can imagine. It is a quick and easy listen – though I will warn you I have listened to it about five times already and intend to listen to it again and again. I plead with you to listen all the way to the end – I promise you won’t regret it!
I listened to this a week ago and yet came to the Psalm yesterday in our study … You’ll understand once you’ve read our study verse and then listened to this short podcast when I say – only God!
The recording is from The Grove Podcast (one of my favorite). This episode was part of the 2023 Grove Conference and recently posted on The Grove Podcast on February 28, 2024 –
esus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who comes into the world.”
John 11:25-27
“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” This line of an old hymn came to my mind as I read and reread this passage. The world we live in brings physical death to everyone at some point. We cannot escape it this side of heaven for we live in a fallen world. Lazarus had become sick (3) and, as Jesus said, had “fallen asleep.”(11) – Jesus also said He was going to awaken Lazarus – and awaken him He did! – Four days he had lay dead in the grave but when Jesus called to Lazarus, His friend, he arose and walked out of the grave! (11, 17, and 44)
Jesus uses this death and life situation to introduce or identify Himself as “The resurrection and the life.” According to gotquestions.org, “When Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He was claiming to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, and there is no eternal life apart from Christ. Beyond that, Jesus was also making a statement concerning His divine nature. He does more than give life; He is life, and therefore death has no ultimate power over Him. Jesus confers this spiritual life on those who believe in Him, so that they share His triumph over death (1 John 5:11-12). Believers in Jesus Christ will experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, it is impossible for death to defeat them (1 Corinthians 15:53-57).”
Note that this life and power to defeat death does not belong to everyone but to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Todays focus passage and the verses leading up to them reveal Martha’s deep faith in Jesus.
In verse 21-24, Martha professes her deep faith in the power of Jesus. Then Jesus proclaims Himself to be the resurrection and the life – a statement that is wonderfully explained by gotquestions.org:
Jesus’ statement that He is the resurrection and the life provides a godly perspective on several spiritual matters. Martha believed that the resurrection is an event; Jesus showed her (and us) that the resurrection is a Person. Martha’s knowledge of eternal life was an abstract idea; Jesus proved that knowledge of eternal life is a personal relationship. Martha thought victory over death was a future expectation; Jesus corrects her, showing that victory is a present reality.
gotquestions.org / I Am the resurrection and the life
Following this “I Am” statement to Martha, Jesus asks her a crucial question concerning her faith, saying – “Do you believe this?”
After presenting Himself as the resurrection and the life, and clarifying that “the one who believes in Him will live even if he dies,” Jesus asks Martha a crucial question concerning her faith, saying – “Do you believe this?”(John 11:26). This time Martha responds with a statement of faith in who Jesus is, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who was to come into the world” (verse 27).
I look at this and I can’t help but think how Jesus could have gone straight to the grave yet he addresses Martha’s pain first and does this by reminding her, not of what He could do but of who He was. He wanted her (and us) to understand that the resurrection is not an abstract idea but a Person and the catalyst of eternal life through a personal relationship with Him. For Martha, “victory over death was a future expectation,” as she stated in verse 24 – saying, “I know that he will come back to life again in the resurrection at the last day.” However, Jesus wanted her to see that “victory is a present reality” – when we believe in the one who is: “The Resurrection and the Life.”
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Believe, not just in the power of Jesus, but in who Jesus is – “the Christ, the Son of God who comes into the world to seek and save the lost – in order that all who believe will have eternal life through Him
Make Christ known to those around you – be bold and faithful to share who He is and to ask the crucial question of faith – “Do you believe?”
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, may Martha’s faith be an inspiration that leads us to affirm our faith in You and in Your Son – both in His power and in who He is. May we, like Christ, identify and share Him as “the resurrection and the life,” clarifying that whoever believes in Him will live, even if he dies,” Then, Spirit – give us boldness to ask the crucial question of faith that Jesus asked Martha – “Do You believe this?”
If you (or someone you know) do not know Jesus or you have questions about what it means to believe in Jesus and be saved – I invite you to read “Know These Truths.” You will find answers and hope and the opportunity to have eternal life!
O Lord my God, I cried out to you and you healed me. 3 O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol; you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.
Psalm 30:2-3 NET
Sheol (in verse 3) is a place from which there is no escape. The gates are locked, the windows are barred, and the prison guard, death, is undefeatable … unidentified google search
I hope you read the whole Psalm, for David’s words are moving and enlightening, and they give insight into the depth of his soul, his reflection on the weight and significance of his sin, and his great need for God. They also paint a beautiful awareness of who God is, what He can do, and what He has done. We are wise to pay attention to them and to pattern our reflections and prayers in such a manner.
This particular Psalm is one of dedication of the temple – or according to bibleref.com – most likely the ground where the temple would be built. It is not a private prayer between David and God but rather a Psalm that was for the people to hear and respond to.
Note:
David realized not only the depth of God’s goodness but his own depth of need for God to rescue him and to spare him what he deserved and he cried out to God according to his knowledge/belief.
Not only does David praise God but he calls all followers of God to give thanks
The praise is a life-long practice of the one who turns to God and who realizes His immense goodness and power.
David obviously understood the ‘But God principle” – which says despite the odds of any given situation, despite the reality of what I deserve, despite where I am or what I have done or any obstacles that are in my way- GOD can defy the odds, change the reality, and overcome the seemingly inevitable! mefromthensideout 🦋
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
We must take time daily to reflect on the weight and significance of our sin to truly appreciate the gravity of who God is and what He has done and promised to do. If we do not understand the danger and weight of sin we will not seek God’s forgiveness nor see the need for repentance. Likewise, if we do not understand the depth of God’s love and the height of His power we will not pray accordingly.
Because he turned from arrogance to humility, David was forgiven, and God turned his grief into joy. Rather than being trapped in misery and shame, David was able to embrace the joy of God’s forgiveness. For that, David intends to offer unending thanks
bibleref.com / Ps 30:8-12
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, thank You for all the ways you rescued David and Your people. Thank You for the encouragement that this brings to us and for all the ways we have seen it in our own lives. We are blessed to be Your children and to know the greatness of Your goodness and the faithfulness of Your character. Help us to daily reflect on the weight and significance of our sin – now as we prepare for Easter – and always, so that we do not fail to remember the greatness of Your love and sacrifice on our behalf. If there are those reading this Father, who do not understand the immensity of Your goodness and the depth of their sin and need for Your salvation open their minds to understand that their hearts might yield to the promise of new life through faith in Christ Jesus, who sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. There is no hope of life apart from You and there is no sin too great for Your grace and mercy to cover. We pray and praise You in Jesus’ mighty name and power – Amen and hallelujah!
“I called out to the Lord from my distress, and he answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help, and you heard my prayer.
Jonah 2:2 NET
Note: I hope you have time to read the entire post today; but If you only have a short time to spend on today’s lesson/blog please skip from my portion of the blog to the “MORE WE KNOW” segment. It is an excellent explanation of Jonah and a wonderful focus for our minds and hearts as we approach the Easter celebration. – I don’t say it often but comments are always appreciated. I love hearing/reading what God is doing with these posts/studies.
Jonah’s story is a familiar one to most, but we would be wise to check our understanding of it, the meaning behind it and the reality of it in our own lives and the lessons God has for us through it. There’s certainly more to the story than Jonah and a ‘whale’. There’s disobedience, sailor’s tossing Jonah overboard into a stormed tossed sea, Jonah nearly drowning wrapped in seaweed, waking in the belly of a giant fish and giving thanks to God for saving him. Then there’s the fish vomiting him up on dry land and Jonah actually going to Nineveh and preaching judgment to the people as God had commanded. Just, as Jonah had feared, the people repented and believed; but instead of rejoicing, Jonah, who had just received mercy from God for his own disobedience, now becomes angry with God for showing mercy to the Ninevites and saving them from their sins – and Jonah’s anger leads him to even more distress.
Jonah’s prayer in chapter two is a prayer of thanksgiving, not for God saving him from the belly of a fish but for what God did to rescue him from drowning in the sea. Read it again – listen to his words of distress and desperation as he is drowning in the storm tossed sea. Watch as God responds in mercy, not in a way Jonah would have thought or prayed for but through what John Piper describes as “uncomfortable stages and impossible circumstances and just in the nick of time.”
In spite of Jonah’s guilt and God’s judgment, in spite of the impossible circumstances Jonah found himself in, God had delivered Jonah from death to life so that he could go and live out the calling on his life to take God’s message to the people of Nineveh so that they would repent and be saved and know the mercy of God.
Even when God is displeased with us, he never brings us into affliction merely for the sake of punishment. His purposes always include redemption.
Piper / Cry of Distress, 1982
Like Jonah, we have been disobedient. Like Jonah, many of us have run away from God and/or His calling on our life. Like Jonah, we must realize the weight and significance of our sin and what God has done to save us from perishing in our sins. We weren’t sent a great fish but rather God’s only begotten Son to save us from our sins, sins that deserved God’s wrath but received His mercy – by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
We must recognize the weight and seriousness of our sin … repent and call out to God for help … and live obediently to His Word.
John Piper presents Jonah as history more than a story or parable. He sums up the application of what we learn from Jonah like this, “And if the book (of Jonah) had recorded the rest of God’s dealings with Jonah, I think it would have ended like this (and it’s just as relevant for us):
‘Jonah, don’t you see what I was trying to teach you when I answered your cry of distress and sent the fish to save you? I had mercy on you in spite of your guilt. I had mercy on you in spite of my own sentence of judgment. I saved you from impossible circumstances. I delivered you in the nick of time. I commanded a fish to save your life. You were filled with a song of thanksgiving for my mercy and vowed your loyalty to me. Jonah, Jonah, be merciful, even as I have been merciful to you!'”
Friends, like Jonah, we were saved from our sins for the purpose of redemption – for the purpose of showing God’s mercy and love to others as we take the message of salvation to a lost and dying world.
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, You are a holy God and You cannot look on sin so in Your great mercy You made a way where there was no way for us to be saved from the weight and the death sentence of our sin. Like Jonah, we were drowning and entangled in our sin with no hope of surviving but when we called out to You in faith You heard and answered, relenting from Your judgment and saving us – not through a great fish but through a mighty Savior who laid three days in the tomb but on the third day He walked out of that grave! Now, because He lives I can live too. Because He loved – I can love too. Because You have shown great mercy – I can show great mercy. – Let me not walk in sin but live alert to any diversion from Your word and call on my life – For you heard my cry as surely as You heard Jonahs, You rescued me from the pit of destruction and by Your mercy I am redeemed!
And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
Hebrews 13:16 NET
Let’s look back at the verses prior to verse sixteen, specifically at verses twelve through fifteen, on which verse sixteen seems to hinge.” Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. 13 We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced. For this world is not our permanent home, we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. –And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.“
I’m so glad I backed up and read what came before the word “and”because I love that it bumps up against both haunting and exciting verses. In the first two verses, the author causes us to look upon our abused and suffering Savior and His sacrificial death for us. Yet, the writer quickly follows up with the exciting reminder that Jesus suffered these things so that we might be made holy and inherit the “home yet to come,” the Kingdom promised to us through our faith in Jesus. The fact that the warning or instruction to not neglect to do good and share follows the reminder of what Christ did for us is a wonderful prompter or reminder of why we should not neglect to do good and to share with others, especially since we know these are pleasing sacrifices to God.
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
As believers and followers of Christ, we should not neglect to do good and to share what we have, for God considers these things pleasing sacrifices. Gift cards for dinner, gas, or groceries are all good things to share; likewise, paying a bill for someone or helping with another monetary need are most certainly blessings to the person you help. However, I believe we could also list countless good things to share and good things to do for others that don’t involve money and would still please God. Whether it is a home-cooked meal or an offer to watch someone’s children so they can be with a family member at the hospital or even have a much-needed date night, cleaning a house for someone who has broken a leg, or mowing the grass for an elderly neighbor – what we do doesn’t have to be a monetary sacrifice. Truthfully, while monetary sacrifices are sweet and appreciated, sometimes, the gift of our time is of greater value to the recipient.
Jesus wasn’t ostentatious with His acts of doing good and sharing. He worked with what He had, like mud or five loaves and two fishes. Despite all the power of the heavens at His disposal – even His mighty and marvelous acts of healing were not flashy displays of lights and showmanship.
Me, From the Inside-Out 🦋
6 Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
John 9:5-7 NLT
Prayer for the journey
Holy, heavenly Father, I praise You for the things You teach us through Your Word; and for the things You show us through Christ Jesus, Your Son. He demonstrated in word and deed how to live and to love, to do good and to share – and to do it all as a sacrifice of praise to You and for the opportunity of pointing people to You. Help us, please, to live and love like Him. Help us in these days leading up to Easter, to remember Jesus there – sanctifying the people by His own blood, suffering outside the camp. Help us to see Him, there, outside the camp, bearing the abuse He experienced. For this world is not our permanent home, we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to You, our God, proclaiming our allegiance to Your name – for You are worthy! –Help us, please, not neglect to do good and to share what we have, for we know You are pleased with such sacrifices. I pray this all in the name of Jesus and for Your glory – hallelujah and amen!
“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
Luke 12:29-30 NLT
I find the fact that God already knows our needs and every detail of our situations in life quite comforting and encouraging. However, I confess that I still often find myself struggling with worry. The latest/current example is a situation with my mom, who – (for reasons like physical health, dementia, loneliness, and because the house had outgrown her) – needed to move into an assisted living community.
Prayer for wisdom and direction as well as grace and peace in the wait was a daily habit.
Money and availability at the “right place” were an immediate factor but God gave me a glimmer of hope that it was financially doable so we paid the deposit to put her name on a waiting list. Weeks turned into months and months into nearly a year. In the early stages I would call occasionally to gage the ‘hope’ factor of a space opening up – which was kind of silly since the waiting list was long and we weren’t at the top and the unknown factors of how and when a room would open were near to impossible for the director to even know. Yet, maybe if I kept calling she would realize the urgency and somehow put mom ahead of the others. Yes, I know how that sounds but it’s where I was in the moment and I’d like to say it stopped there but it didn’t. No, my mind went so far as jealousy over those who were getting in ahead of her! I’m not proud of these thoughts but I share them because today’s Scripture reminded me just how much I looked like the man in the parable. Concern for my mom had turned into worry and excessive planning and even envious thoughts for something that was completely out of my control.
Early on in the process, probably before the deposit was made, I began to pray every day as I drove by the road to the assisted living facility that God would create an opening and that we would get the call. However, as I realized what the desperate desire and worry were doing to my mind I gave it over to the Father and began praying:
“Father, when the time is right for mother and if it is Your will for her to move – will You please open a door to the room You want her to have.”
This was more than a prayer it was a daily exercise of faith in the God who knew not just my mother’s needs but mine and it was the daily reminder (multiple times a day, as the facility is on my way to and from work and nearly anywhere else I would be going) that He was in complete and perfect control. There was so much comfort and worship that came from the prayer. There was growth and there was peace and grace; and without a shadow of a doubt I can say that He used every day, week, and month of those prayers to make what had become a tense relationship between mom and I one that was covered with grace and peace and even more and more moments of sweet memories and laughter. Perhaps, even more importantly (and the underlying reason of sharing this story) there was renewed strength and prayer and focus on the Kingdom work of praying for the lost and getting His message out daily.
As the months stretched closer to a year and mom’s forgetfulness, daytime needs, and loneliness became more of a factor – it was apparent that she needed help sooner than later so I began looking into in-home care. After research and an interview with a trusted caregiver recommended by a friend – I was preparing to call and confirm the details of days and times when my phone rang. I recognized the number, it was the number I called so many times to ask if there was a room open yet. I answered to hear the words: “MaryEllen, your mom’s room is ready!” –
Elation, shock, and nervousness tumbled together allowing the enemy to create some pretty rocky emotions, questions and doubts. Again, I found myself looking like the man from today’s parable. Was there really enough money and what could I do to make sure there was and … “STOP, peace be still!” God was quick to send me the message – “Child, you prayed faithfully for me to open this door if it was my will and when your mom’s room was available. Are you really going to shut the door in my face or question my will and preparation for your mother? Be still and know that I am Your God!”
From that point on the door was flung open and I was walking through it – timid yet bold – calm yet nervous, concerned BUT turning every ounce of worry back to Him with the new daily prayer that He would prepare mother’s heart and mind for the move from her home of more than thirty years, the last place she was with my father and brothers. This wasn’t going to be easy and there are no guarantees of her money lasting as long as her days – but this one thing I knew – God was in complete control and He opened the door – my job was simply to walk through it in faith and keep my eyes on Him.
When my eyes were on my mom’s situation – her health, her inability to walk, her forgetfulness, her loneliness, her obstinance, her money, … worry was high and tensions were great between us. Yet, when my eyes were on God and His power, His timing, His will, and goodness through all of my life … when grace and peace became my prayer tensions were lessened, faith was strengthened, and Kingdom work was pursued – ALL GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD!
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
Be wise and plan well – but plan with God. Lay down the worry and let God direct your steps, your thoughts, and prayers. Remind yourself daily that God is in complete and perfect control. The Word of God is your armor and prayer is a powerful weapon – use them. Above all these things – “Pursue the Kingdom,”1 remembering that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“
If we are taking care of God’s business as a priority—seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others—then He will take care of our business as He promised—and if that’s the arrangement, where is worrying?
gotquestions.org / seek first the kingdom
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
God, You are holy and good and I adore You. Your ways are good and right and Your presence is encouraging. You turn worry into worship and fear into peace and concerns into prayer – and You continually amaze me! Keep us always in pursuit of Your glorious Kingdom and will. Guard us from worry and from the enemy who seeks to steal and kill and destroy. Help us to stand strong in You through prayer and time in Your Word – a light for our path and a lamp to guide our feet and the priorities of this life. We are utterly dependent on You because we know that You are in control of today and all of our tomorrows. Father, we seek Your love, and will, and presence that enable us to walk obediently… We seek Your priorities Father… the boldness to share the good news of the Gospel… and the salvation of others are the treasures we seek – guard our earthly concerns from turning to worries, help our hearts to lay down the concerns and faithfully follow after You and all the treasures of Heaven.2 – In Jesus’ Name – Amen
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
“Material possessions are temporary.” The Psalmist wrote it well in verse ten of chapter forty-nine: “Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others.” Jesus also said it well to His audience, when He pointed out to them that earthly treasures will only decay or be stolen or destroyed. We all know it, yet, somehow we all – for the most part, at one time or another – struggle against the reality of the temporary and get caught up with acquiring “earthly treasures.”
Without a doubt Psalm forty-nine, with all of its talk about death and the grave and the loss of everything they’ve worked for or enjoyed can be depressing. However, when we read carefully, we will discover a “BUT GOD” verse. I love the “BUT GOD” verses and moments of life – and there is a powerfully encouraging one found in verse fifteen. Clearly, nothing we have, do or say can keep us from ‘death,’ not even wealth, fame, or wisdom – BUT GOD will rescue His people from the power of death! For this one thing we know is true – Christ Arose!
We may not mean for our hearts to be so caught up with treasures – but as a collector of a variety of things, I am well acquainted with the realities and dangers of treasures and the focus of the heart. I am constantly learning and seeking to practice the wisdom of setting my heart and mind on God, for I know Scripture teaches that doing so brings peace, joy, strength, wisdom, guidance and so much more to our lives on earth. I am also reminded by today’s passage that there is a heavenly treasure trove of rewards we receive when we live well for God, which should be our ultimate priority. While we know that there will be rewards in Heaven, we are not told exactly what these rewards will be. However, we can and should assume that any gift we receive from God will be far greater than any earthly treasure we might attain in this life.
Christ’s point is not that Christians cannot have wealth, or they should not own anything. Rather, He means that we can only have one ultimate priority (Matthew 6:24), which should be God.
Bibleref.com / Matthew 6:21
LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)
I believe the key to applying this truth is the focus of our heart and mind. When our focus and goal in life is anything other than God’s will and glory we’ve got it wrong and it will not end well, for as Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Bibleref.com commentary on verse twenty of chapter six, asks and answers this question: How did Jesus mean for His followers to store up rewards for themselves in heaven?
“Christ has spoken a few times in the Sermon on the Mount of acts God will reward. These have included being persecuted for Jesus’ sake (Matthew 5:11–12); giving to the needy in secret (Matthew 6:4), praying in secret (Matthew 6:6) and fasting without calling attention to oneself (Matthew 6:18). In short, God rewards His people when they lead lives of sincere devotion and worship to Him.” Bibleref.com
To help us even further, Paul’s words to the Colossians, specifically in chapter three, seems to be the perfect application as to where our hearts and minds should be focused as well as what it looks like to lead lives of sincere devotion and worship to God. I encourage you to read through it several times and then mark it in your Bible and even print it to keep with you or put where you will see/read it often. Remember, we must be intentional in living the Christian life – it doesn’t just happen.
Living the New Life
3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Father, help us to seek first the things that matter to You – the treasures of Heaven and not of earth. Fill our minds and hearts with the things of Christ like love, joy, and peace and the message of His Gospel that brings salvation to all who believe. Help us to live well as representatives of our Lord, Jesus Christ – giving thanks to You always. We cannot do this well if we are living for self or earthly treasures so align our desires with Yours Father, help our ultimate priority to be to know You and make You known – and to please You in all we do and say. In this we will give You thanks – in Jesus’ name – amen.
THE MORE WE KNOW
<a href="http://”>How Can We Store Up Treasures in Heaven?
based on the LGG Study of Lent, A Season of Drawing Close to God / w3d4
The Journey (Scripture and Observation)
Scripture: Psalm 32 / SOAP: verse 5
Then I confessed my sin; I no longer covered up my wrongdoing. I said, “I will confess my rebellious acts to the LORD.” And then You forgave my sins. (Selah)
Psalm 32:5 NET
Refusal to confess sins creates physical problems but, as David teaches us here in Psalm 32, confession (repentance) brings the blessings of forgiveness and joyful deliverance!
Me – from the Inside-out 🦋
Today’s devotion by the LGG Team is a wonderful capstone for the week we have spent looking at and making repentance part of our observance and/or study of Lent.
“This week, we’ve studied repentance. Repentance is a key component of our faith. In the season of Lent, as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the saving work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection, repentance is one way we turn our hearts to Him.
In Psalm 32, David expresses the way repentance and confession of sin brought him true joy and peace. He writes how, when he refused to confess his sin, he experienced great pain. The weight of his sin tormented him, nearly destroying him, and even affecting his physical health.”
Living the Journey (Application)
David’s example sets the stage for a wonderful application – as the LGG team member writes:
“Once David confessed his sin, he recognized and accepted God’s incredible forgiveness. He no longer suffered pain but experienced great peace and joy. When he trusted God to forgive him. God’s faithfulness overwhelmed him.
David also encourages God’s people to pray and repent while they can still do so. Because of Jesus, all our sins are forgiven and paid for if we have placed our faith in Him. So our lives no longer need to be tormented by the weight and destruction of sin. When we turn back to God and seek His forgiveness, we find life, peace, and joy.”
Repentance is not a one-time action but a discipline and a posture of our hearts. The more we recognize the freedom and blessings that come from repentance, the quicker we are to repent when we make mistakes.
LGG Team/ LENT Journal w3d4
Prayer for the Journey
“May we be followers of Jesus who continually humble ourselves before Him in repentance and live in the freedom and joy that comes from His forgiveness.” – Amen!
Me From the Inside Out 