Pastor Mary Haley

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

God is the one who is in control of all things, and He is the one who can guide us in the right direction when we are led astray.

“God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
(C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

In this particular passage, David is addressing that the glory of God is displayed through creation. Back in Genesis 1, it talks about how the world was formed and the who created it. David is addressing that God’s glory is revealed through everything that we see in creation. From the tress in the park to the white sand beaches along the gulf coast, we are witnesses to the glory of God through what we see every single day.

Psalm 8:1-9 (NLT)
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.

1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

When it comes to this particular passage in Hebrews 2, it is reminding us of what was mentioned in Psalm 8:1-8. There is a direct parallel between these sets of passages talking about how how the son of man, Jesus, was made made lower than the angels. But because He had taken the ultimate punishment for all people, He was crowned with glory and honor. In both Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2, it talks about how everything in under the authority or the subjection of God. We need to remind ourselves that He’s the one who is in complete control, not man.

Hebrews 2:5-11 (NLT)
Jesus, the Man

5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
or a son of man that you should care for him? 7 Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor. 8 You gave them authority over all things.”

Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray that as we move forward through this journey called life, You will continue to lead us in the direction that You have called us to. Remind us of how valuable we are in Your eyes. No matter what the world tells us, You say the exact opposite. Lord, I ask for Your continuous guidance as we journey through life. We know that this journey is a marathon, but we ask that You will continue to show us what we need to see and do the things that You have called to do. In His name I pray, amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

Being invited into a relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is like waking up from a nightmare [wilderness] and finding ourselves immersed in divine joy with the assurance we will be safe in the love of God from now on.

“Bliss is not for sale, cannot be earned.” (C.S. Lewis; English Literature 16th Century)

In our passage from the Psalter, Israel has faced national defeat in battle and the psalmist cries out to God for help and understanding. This writing is a lament—expression of sorrow—because the people do not understand why God would allow their enemy to conquer them. They are suffering because, in a land filled with sin, they have chosen to remain faithful to God even though it appears God is silent. However, our passage ends with the psalmist trusting God and recognizing divine love.

Psalm 44:20-26 NLV
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God, or put out our hands to a strange god, 21 would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. 22 But we are killed all day long because of You. We are thought of as sheep that are ready to be killed. 23 Awake, O Lord! Why do You sleep? Rise up! Do not turn away from us forever. 24 Why do You hide Your face? Why do You forget our troubles and our suffering? 25 For our soul is brought down to the dust. Our body holds on to the earth. 26 Rise up and help us! Save us because of Your loving-kindness.

Human effort can never bring us salvation nor give us the ability to retain divine joy. Only God can bring something beautiful out of the suffering of his children. Evil is all around us, but God continues to work his purpose in and through those who love him. God will bring something good out of every circumstance; we can trust because God is always with us.

Romans 8:26-39 VOICE
26 A similar thing happens when we pray. We are weak and do not know how to pray, so the Spirit steps in and articulates prayers for us with groaning too profound for words. 27 Don’t you know that He who pursues and explores the human heart intimately knows the Spirit’s mind because He pleads to God for His saints to align their lives with the will of God? 28 We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. 29-30 From the distant past, His eternal love reached into the future. You see, He knew those who would be His one day, and He chose them beforehand to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of a new family of believers, all brothers and sisters. As for those He chose beforehand, He called them to a different destiny so that they would experience what it means to be made right with God and share in His glory.

31 So what should we say about all of this? If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear? 32 If He did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then don’t you think that He will graciously give us all things with Him? 33 Can anyone be so bold as to level a charge against God’s chosen? Especially since God’s “not guilty” verdict is already declared. 34 Who has the authority to condemn? Jesus the Anointed who died, but more importantly, conquered death when He was raised to sit at the right hand of God where He pleads on our behalf. 35 So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing. 36 As the psalm says,
On Your behalf, our lives are endangered constantly;    we are like sheep awaiting slaughter.

37 But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us. 38 For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, 39 height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that nothing we face will ever separate us from your love. We do not need to suffer or deal with our problems alone. Thank you for providing everything we need to live for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

Moral effort is using human strength to live for what we value most whether it is the priority of self, religious or society norms, or a relationship with God.
“The price of Christ is something, in a way, much easier than moral effort—it is to want Him.” (C.S.Lewis, Present Concerns)

According to biblical history, Israel turned away from God’s instruction [law] for how to love Him and others in a righteous way; therefore, the people reaped the separation or distressful exile into which they had actually sown by their moral efforts. They were living [sowing] with a wrong or divided priority hoping they could still reap the blessings from God. Think about Adam and Eve and the exile they faced from the blessings in the Garden. Consequences come with our deliberate sin against God [knowing it is wrong but doing it anyway]. When we deliberately sin, let’s be honest, accept the consequences for our rebellion and call on the Lord for mercy and help to deliver us. Despite our foolishness and weakness, God is faithful, good, and strong. In our passage today, the psalmist returns to prayer because life is so difficult it leaves sickness in his soul; he seeks the true Cure for his distress.

Psalm 102:1-2 NLT
1
Lord, hear my prayer!    Listen to my plea!
2 
Don’t turn away from me    in my time of distress.Bend down to listen,    and answer me quickly when I call to you.

Humanity typically views life from one of three perspectives and has a choice to make: 1) Live for self; 2) Live divided between allegiance to God and society norms; and 3) Live as Christ. We were created to live in fellowship with God and live as Christ who wholeheartedly placed himself into the Father’s divine care. Christ helps us live in that wholehearted place—holding nothing back. He offers the power to leave our selfishness behind and want Him more than anything the world has to offer. In our passage today from the gospel of Luke, the widow wisely chooses to live as Christ.

Luke 21:1-19 NLT
 Looking up, [Jesus] saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And He saw also a poor widow putting in two mites (copper coins).
3 And He said, Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them;
4 For they all gave out of their abundance (their surplus); but she has contributed out of her lack and her want, putting in all that she had on which to live.

Prayer: Lord, with all the world has to offer, it constantly leaves the human soul wanting and distressed. We are tormented when we try to live with a divided allegiance. Only you can fill and satisfy us. We live in a place of spiritual exile if we do not make the choice to be completely devoted to you. Please help us to take personal responsibility and release our unholy wants for the world in order to grab ahold of your glorious grace. We choose you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

There is a big difference between asking God to forgive our sin and asking God to accept our excuses for sin.

“If you had a perfect excuse, you would not need forgiveness; if the whole of your action needs forgiveness, then there was no excuse for it.” (C.S.Lewis; The Weight of Glory)

Psalm 19:7-14 NLT
7
The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 
The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
10 
They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 
They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.
12 
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.
14 
May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

1 John 1:5-10 NLT Living in the Light
5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness [sin]; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

Please take time to read over our passages for today. I will be teaching on them and leading a discussion this evening during our Lenten Bible Study at 7PM. I hope you will plan to join us in person at Connect2Christ Church or online through our website as we explore the Scriptures together.

Prayer: Lord, we want to live in the light of your Word, so we can have fellowship with you and one another. Holy Spirit, please cleanse us from every desire to sin against you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

God has written his law or instruction upon believing human hearts; in so doing he has also given us a love for his will and his ways, as well as a hatred of sin because we are positioned to care for his world.

“In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem;
in Christianity we find the poem itself.” (C.S. Lewis, Miracles)

In our passage from the Psalter, today, David reminds us nature becomes the scientific evidence or proof of God’s existence and creative power. As we look up with wonder and observe the beauty of the heavens, we see the perfect wisdom of God in orderly and rhythmic motion each day. Oh, how I long to see the Lord’s wisdom and instruction guiding human life the same way; but of course, I realize this is something only God can accomplish!

Psalm 19:1-6 A psalm of David.
1 
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
3 
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
4 
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
    It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
    and follows its course to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

In our passage today from the prophet Jeremiah, God is making arrangements to put into place a way for humanity to operate in the wisdom and nature of God. In Christianity, believers are to be the evidence of salvation from sin and spiritual death. The proof is manifest as believers share God’s supernatural and life-changing love, mercy and grace with the world. Because the entire human race has been “infected” with sin—transgression or rebellion against God—only God can provide the proper Remedy—Jesus.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

Prayer: Lord, because You have opened our hearts to the Truth, believers can be the ongoing evidence of Your presence within humanity. Thank you for making a way to save us. Now, we can “be” the living proof of your wisdom that brings spiritual change. Lord, may You be the sought after medicine this sinful world desperately needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

God is calling us into perfection by renewing us and making us like Christ.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
(C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory)

When it comes to this passage from Psalm, it got me thinking about how our world is right now. It’s chaotic, crazy, and people are believing in the fact that they are the judge, jury, and executioner. This idea is absolutely absurd and false. That’s not our responsibility. God is the one who is in control of all things (Psalm 24:1, Romans 8:28). This passage reminds us that while the world is changing around us, God is the one who be the judge. Don’t give up because life gets hard. Just know that He is for you and is with you always (Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8, Joshua 24:15, Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 41:10, etc).

Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.

1 The Lord, the Mighty One, is God,
and he has spoken;
he has summoned all humanity
from where the sun rises to where it sets.

2 From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines in glorious radiance.

3 Our God approaches,
and he is not silent.
Fire devours everything in his way,
and a great storm rages around him.

4 He calls on the heavens above and earth below
to witness the judgment of his people.

5 “Bring my faithful people to me—
those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”

6 Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,
for God himself will be the judge. Interlude

When it comes to this passage from Ephesians, Paul is reminding us about who we are in Christ. When we become followers of Christ, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we did the study on “Same God, New You,” I mentioned the fact that we can be physically alive but be spiritually dead. Paul reminds us that we are His masterpiece. Other translations would say we are His workmanship. We need to remember that God created us more valuable than the earthly possessions and worldly things. In other words, we are unique in His eyes.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT
Made Alive with Christ

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Prayer: Jesus, You are the Mighty One Who deserves our faithful obedience. As believers, we understand what it means to be disobedient, because Your Word helps us to know that we have participated in dead living. As Your masterpieces, we no longer want to live in those dead places anymore. Rather, we want to be alive and live in You, Jesus. We call on the Holy Spirit to freely move and have His holy way within us and to guide our hearts to be more and more like You, Jesus, every single day. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

The mixed genre [historical/poetic/prophetic] literary fragments of myths [true stories] contained in Scripture help us think about the world, Creator God, and his relationship with different biblical characters, so we can gain greater knowledge and understanding about God, evil, human choice, and how He has throughout time been working to bring salvation through Christ.

The value of the myth is that it takes all the things we know and
restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden
by ‘the veil of familiarity.” (C.S. Lewis; On Stories)

In our passage from the Psalter today, David praises God for His wonderful love and care of the godly; those who love Him wholeheartedly, obey His commands, and place their trust in Him. Will fearing evil ever be a proper response for the children of God? Through Scripture’s many stories, we know the answer is “no.” We were created to dwell in God’s presence; then, He delivers us from evil. As we pray and ask for help, God covers us [like a refuge of protection] with his love, because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Fear may rise up and try to rob us of our Gift of shalom, but we can face every fear with the knowledge of God’s powerful goodness revealed in His written Word. We must take our focus off fear [refuse to feed it] and fix our faith on the power of our God’s life and love being released through us.

Psalm 34:1-8, 14 NLT
1
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
14
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace [shalom], and work to maintain it.

In our passage today from the gospel of John, God’s Word or Voice—Christ—is the Source of spiritual Life; he is the Light [Truth] that drives the encroaching and hostile darkness and evil away from God’s children. Sometimes we may feel powerless to address the challenging circumstances in our lives, but when we go to Scripture, we are assured that God is with us and loves us. If the Spirit of God lives in us and nothing can separate us from God’s love, then overwhelming victory against evil is ours through Christ (Ro 8:35-37). You are a story of victory…

John 1:1-5, 10-14 NLT
1
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2
He existed in the beginning with God.
3
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Prayer: Father, thank you for all the generational stories, biblical characters, and lessons we can learn in your Word that teach us more about you, your nature and plans for your children, the world around us, and human hearts. Scripture reveals truth to us about your faithfulness through so many unique people and their stories. Help us to cast down every fear that tries to rob us. Holy Spirit make us strong and keep us focused in a righteous direction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life (John 3:16).

“In the Christian story God descends to reascend. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him.” (C.S. Lewis; Miracles)

Humility before God is essential, because it is grounded in the life and nature of God. He came down from eternal glory to live with sinful humanity, because sin keeps us separated from God, earth bound, and destined for death. We were created for the emerging God-Life: eternal beings living in fellowship and obedience to God. In our passage from the Psalter, stay focused on God as the human race’s Creator, Lord, Savior, and Deliverer. We can NEVER ascend to God on our own, nor save ourselves from death. The psalmist knew in the Spirit one day God would bring humanity divine help; the miracle necessary to ascend into eternal life. So, God seekers waited in hope.

Psalm 33:13-22 VOICE
13
The Eternal peers down from heaven
and watches all of humanity;
14
He observes every soul
from His divine residence.
15
He has formed every human heart, breathing life into every human spirit;
He knows the deeds of each person, inside and out.
16
A king is not delivered by the might of his army.
Even the strongest warrior is not saved by his own strength.
17
A horse is not the way to victory;
its great strength cannot rescue.
18
Listen, the eye of the Eternal is upon those who live in awe of Him,
those who hope in His steadfast love,
19
That He may save them from the darkness of the grave
and be kept alive during the lean seasons.
20
We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him,
for He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield.
21
Our hearts erupt with joy in Him
because we trust His holy name.
22
O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love,
even now as we wait for You.

The Bible tells the whole story of creation, spiritual death, and rebirth into the God-life. The wait for salvation ended when God descended in Christ and brought redemption from sin to his creation—Christ dying on a cross—in order to lift the world back up in the Spirit to enjoy fellowship with the Creator. Life with God is now available to humble hearts. This is God’s Way of resurrecting lives. Christ makes us spiritually alive and sinless before God; he speaks and we humbly listen, accept his authority, and rise in Spirit-led living. Everyday God extends a Righteous Hand up. Stay humble, let Christ take your hand, and ascend with him into righteous love and living.

1 Peter 3:18 VOICE
The Anointed One suffered for sins once for all time—the righteous suffering for the unrighteous—so that He might bring us to God. Though He died in the flesh, He was made alive again through the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, as believers, we sense the clashing between the Kingdom and world around us each day. Our choice to follow you in Kingdom living will set us apart from the world, as well as position us to live in places of opposition. We cast down fear. Please empower us with love and trust each day. Grow us in the God-life you have prepared for those who love you. Grab our hands and don’t let go. We place our hope in you alone to make us victorious. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

Like a stone may determine the course of a river, a stone of deception [used metaphorically as insensitivity to the Spirit] in our minds can determine the course of our lives; therefore, we must dwell in the wisdom of Christ.

“Joy is the serious business of heaven” (C.S. Lewis; The Business of Heaven).

Psalm 31:21-24 NLT
21 
Praise the Lord,
    for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
    He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
22 
In panic I cried out,
    “I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
    and answered my call for help.
23 
Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
    For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
    but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
24 
So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Hebrews 12:1-13 NLT God’s Discipline Proves His Love
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,    and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? [really live]

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Please take time to read over our passages for today. I will be teaching on them and leading a discussion this evening during our Lenten Bible Study at 7PM. I hope you will plan to join us in person at Connect2Christ Church or online through our website as we explore the Scriptures together.

Prayer: Lord, we come humbly to your Word in order to learn from you. Teach us the Truth from your perspective, cover us with grace as you discipline us, and help us Holy Spirit to allow divine wisdom to direct the course of our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.

No matter how much knowledge the human race gains or progress we boast about making through our human endeavors, let us remember our ability to bring change has been granted by God and what we accomplish will not even scratch the surface of the perfect knowledge, wisdom, power, and love of God—the Source.

“For change is not progress unless the core remains unchanged.”
(C.S. Lewis; God in the Dock)

In our passage today, the psalmist reminds us we cannot find God unless we allow our hearts to desire and know him. At the very core of our being, all of humanity should truly stand in fear or yirah [Heb. yir-ah meaning awe/trembling] before the unchanging love of the Maker of heaven and earth. Therefore, our greatest yirah and worship must be reserved for God who has promised to sustain those who call upon his name.

Psalm 97:1-7 NLT
1
The Lord is king!
    Let the earth rejoice!
    Let the farthest coastlands be glad.
2 
Dark clouds surround him.
    Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 
Fire spreads ahead of him
    and burns up all his foes.
4 
His lightning flashes out across the world.
    The earth sees and trembles.
5 
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.
6 
The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
    every nation sees his glory.
7 
Those who worship idols are disgraced—
    all who brag about their worthless gods—
    for every god must bow to him.

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul reminds the early Christians no measure of human knowledge can explain God’s plan for a fallen human creation that is found in the work of Christ on the Cross for salvation and judgement. The revelation for salvation must come through Christ to the humble ones and upon his wisdom the Spirit builds new lives for God’s glory. We cannot enjoy the presence of God through a practice of dogma [established human opinion] that we hold higher than the instruction, revelation, and redemption of God found in a relationship with Christ. Life is a lesson for the heart; we learn to acknowledge and trust God above all things. Judgment will one day come to the proud who choose to honor and fear the created above the Creator. Do you yirah the Lord above all things?

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NLV
26 Christian brothers, think who you were when the Lord called you. Not many of you were wise or powerful or born into the family of leaders of a country. 27 But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise. He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame what is strong. 28 God has chosen what is weak and foolish of the world, what is hated and not known, to destroy the things the world trusts in. 29 In that way, no man can be proud as he stands before God. 30 God Himself made the way so you can have new life through Christ Jesus. God gave us Christ to be our wisdom. Christ made us right with God and set us apart for God and made us holy. Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from our sins. 31 It is as the Holy Writings say, “If anyone is going to be proud of anything, he should be proud of the Lord.”

Prayer: Father God, as we look at creation, we see and experience glimpses of your glory. Jesus, as we look at the cross, we gain more glimpses of the glorious love you have for the Father, human creation, and the world. Holy Spirit, re-create believers anew in the image of the Son so we may become glimpses of your glory to a fallen world that is facing judgment because it refuses to fear you above all things. May the salvation of your love come to proud and empty hearts, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.