LEAN INTO LENT DAY 30
(Ephesians 2:22) In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Just before this passage, Paul is telling new Christians that they are now “citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” What a privilege we have to be in such a position. Take time during Lent to delve into church history. Think about the clouds of witnesses who have come before us and are part of the eternal church. If you dare, read the book of Revelation during Lent.Learn about “lukewarm,” churches. Is your church “vanilla,” not wanting to offend, or even mention sin, in fear that someone might have “hurt feelings?” Does it “sugar-coat the gospel” without challenging beliefs? Are there small groups which discuss themes and sharpen each other’s faith holding each other accountable? Is there both local and global influence?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for including me as part of the church eternal, and for cementing my relationship to those who preceded me, those who are part of the church universal, and those who will follow me in the faith. Give me a broad sense of the fellowship of saints and the blessing that is for each of us on this earth, and in the hope of heaven where we will worship You in Your Presence. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for choosing me as Yours forever. Amen
From my book Restore My Soul Psalms: A Lenten Journey, My Psalm Discipling An added note: Our senior pastor is leading us through the book of Hebrews. His anointed preaching and my small group’s study by Nancy Guthrie on Hebrews has impressed me powerfully. One theme is clear–we must not depend on our past confession of faith years ago, and we must guard against “drifting..” reading on our “laurels, so to speak. In my other small group, we are studying the book of Romans under the leadership of R.C. Sproul, who reminds us, at the same time as the other two studies, that thinking we “deserve” heaven because of past service to the church, or “living the good life and being a “good” person (when there is not one good person except Jesus Christ,…nothing but our vibrant faith in Jesus is a “pass to heaven.” When we pray, we can use the ACTS acronym to keep us focused: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication —basically the outline of The Lord’s Prayer, to keep us from “drifting” in our prayer life as well.
MY PSALM 327 DISCIPLING
Almighty Father, Savior of the world,
I come with thanksgiving for the joy of my salvation.
Without Jesus, I wandered, hopelessly lost in this world
Without purpose
Without direction
Without strength
To face life.
Because You sent my personal cloud of witnesses
To show me Your love,
My life is now Yours,
And You have made me new.
Thank You for sending me people who know You
To teach me Your ways.
Thank You for Your Church, Your Bride.
Thank You for pastors, teachers, worship leaders,
But mostly for friends who know Jesus
And care enough to share that love with me.
I had no idea.
It is as if shackles have been removed.
It is as if scales are gone from my eyes,
And my ears hear Your truth.
My heart has been changed by Your Spirit,
And I find strength each day to go on living.
Thank You for Your Word, truth I never knew.
Thank You for the prayers
Of those committed to my teaching.
Thank You for new lessons learned each day
And for insight which explains
That this indeed is Your world.
Thank You for those journeying with me
Along new pathways,
For I am learning as a child, small steps
But giant leaps forward.
Your word tells me of Your love
Which I now embrace through those discipling me.
Thank You that You have sent them to me
As guides, for I’m learning how much it cost You
To save someone like me.
You gave Your Son, Jesus, to die for me
So that I can live eternally.
All praise to Your Name.
I bow in humility, as one so unworthy,
Yet I have inherited the Kingdom
Through Your grace and mercy
And I am eternally grateful.
All praise to Your Name. Amen.
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