LEAN INTO LENT DAY ONE preface to book and entry for today:
PREFACE
From my previously published book, Restore My Soul: A Lenten Journey (2018) which includes forty original Psalms (I have written hundreds of original My Psalms in my other devotional books) here is some information about Lent:
“Because Easter date changes each year according to the Lunar calendar, Lent is a different length each year. Roughly forty days, Lent signifies Christ’s time of temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Additionally, I learned, because each Sunday represents a “little” Easter, Sundays are not included in the forty-day observance of Lent.
The other information I gained is that various church traditions end Lent on differing dates as well. According to an Irish News article, I discovered this: “For Western churches the 40-day period of Lent ends on Holy Saturday (March 31, depending on the year)), the day before Easter. But the liturgical season of Lent ends two days earlier on Holy Thursday (March 29), depending on the year.. For Eastern churches it ends on the Friday before Palm Sunday.” [1]
The season of Lent is seen as a time of repentance, reflection, and efforts toward sanctification all based upon the worship of Jesus, the Christ, who lived among us, fully human and fully divine, and Who one day will return to establish His kingship over all the earth.
Traditionally, from the early church’s practice, it is a season of penitence and reflection, sometimes accompanied by self-denial.
In this book, rather, I would like to use the following Lenten devotions as opportunities to examine the virtues introduced in Scripture, deepening our understanding of who we are compared to the example set by Jesus. Our spirituality can be molded to align with fulfilling The Great Commandment to Love the Lord with ALL your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Daily, let us Lean Into Lent by our worship.
Whether you use this volume or my earlier Lenten book which includes a journal component, I urge us to attend to our spiritual health each year during the period of Lent.
Since Lent is forty days long and starts on different dates each year, (Ash Wednesday to Good Friday) there are forty consecutive daily devotions. At the end of the book, there are four Sabbath day hymns to be used for Sundays, which technically are not part of the forty-day count for Lent
I urge you to respond to each day’s entry in whatever your favorite mode of expression is. We are all unique.
Some of you may want to write, to reflect on the scripture, the exposition, or the prayer.
You artists might like to sketch.
Musicians might compose a hymn or spiritual song or write lyrics you’ll eventually complete as a means of worship.
Responding may be new for you, but a great discipline as you reflect to the scripture, or set goals, or remember specific instances.
Each year this may become an annual practice. Watch to observe how you grow in wisdom, understanding, and devotion as a result. Response journals become treasures as you progress through your spiritual walk.
[1] [1]https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/when-is-lent-over-2018-12057591
LEAN INTO LENT DAY 1
(Matthew 16: 25-27) Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Lent is a time to examine what gets in the way of our concentrating on Christ. Do we daily arrange our activities to read Scripture, to mediate on God’s word to us, to pray? There is a cost to discipleship; it is not a spectator sport. Let us strive to be self-less so that we can sacrifice all we have and all we are to further the kingdom of Jesus. We will then find following hard after Jesus to be the most rewarding lifestyle we could possibly imagine. It truly is the life abundant we are promised.
Prayer: Lord, help me to LEAN INTO LENT with a passion to learn, to listen, to think, to pray, to absorb all I can to prepare me for a life of service to You, the Lord of the universe. Give me enthusiasm, insight, determination, renewed soul-power to share kingdom-building with others who need to hear the Gospel message of salvation. Prepare me for Your use, whatever the cost may be. In the Precious Name of Jesus and for Him alone. Amen.
RESTORE MY SOUL PSALMS: A LENTEN JOURNEY
MY PSALM 300: KEEP ME CLOSE
Dear Heavenly Father, I come into Your Presence,
Admitting that I need You more each day.
As I study Your Word,
Your message to the world and to me,
I become more and more aware
Of Your unfathomable grace
Which covers my multitude of sins,
Past, present, and future.
I bow to Your Holiness
Unable to stand in Your Presence.
Cleanse me of all that keeps me from loving You
In body, soul, strength, and mind.
Forgive my unrighteousness
Which You made righteousness
Through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Let me never lose sight of the cross
And the price He paid for my sins.
Thank You for sending Jesus,
For Your love for this world
For all tribes, languages, nations, and peoples,
And for including me as one of Yours.
Let me live this day for You,
Directed, guided, and drawn even closer to You
And those You want me to seek
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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