Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: Jesus is The Christ
Digging for Truth: Human flesh likes to feel important, so the temptation to exalt oneself will always be present. Satan is the author of selfishness and self-centeredness. Sin causes us, as human beings, to focus exclusively on self, be puffed up, and demand others listen and bow down to our ideas, thoughts, and plans. Therefore, a person can be preoccupied with titles and see himself or herself as more important or essential to life and society than anyone else. As we reflect on the truth, today, let’s confess taking a humble posture is not our first reaction when our flesh demands attention and recognition. It is painful to practice a spiritual fast—denying the desire to demand our own way by picking up the cross of sacrifice.
Grace for the Heart: Our flesh may vie for this place of exalted and exclusive importance, but we are fighting a losing battle. There is only One who deserves an exclusive position and title in the world—Christ the Messiah who is the truth and ONLY way to have fellowship or communion with Almighty God (John 14:6). We cannot know spiritual freedom apart from Jesus; he is God’s Word made flesh for our salvation (John 1:14). Oh, I know the world maintains there are many ways to know God, but that thought flows from the sinful flesh of people. There are not many saviors or messiahs; there is only ONE who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Christ is the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and in order to know who we are and our role in the world we must accept and exalt Christ as his worshipers. By faith and obedience, we must take dominion over any rebellious thought that tries to exalt itself over this Truth, because it is the Christ who not only gives us access to the Father and rescues us from spiritual death, he is the Giver of every spiritual Gift and Blessing! Until we decide who Jesus is and begin to worship him as the Christ, the Helper is not positioned to bring the liberating power and abundant life God has designed for our lives. For this reason, the thief is busy spewing global deception.
Ephesians 4:8 NLT That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”
Challenge: Human thought that is generated from the flesh will one day be destroyed. “Therefore, God elevated him (Christ) to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11).
Prayer: Lord, we come with grateful praise to proclaim you are the Christ—the Savior of our souls and the King whom we desire to sit on the throne of our hearts. Your Word is not dogmatic; rather, your Word is the guiding Truth for salvation. You want the world to know the Christ. It may seem narrow to some, but to those of us who are being saved, we are grateful for the narrow way, because it makes righteousness easier to follow. Thank you for stripping away the things in our flesh the enemy tries to use and rob us. We submit our lives to you, resist the lies of the enemy, and long for the spiritual gifts you provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.