Tag Archives: lent

2018 Lent day 3 – 2/24/2023

Lent Week One

We have a facebook group set up to follow and discuss – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day 3 – What can I give?

What Can I give Him? a sweet version!
Broken and Poured out – Steve Green

Scripture
The Story of “Mary” needs to be seen from all four gospels in my opinion.

From freebibleimages

John

John 12:1-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Anointing at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil—pure and expensive nard—anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
(snip)
7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Mark

Mark 14:8-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body in advance for burial. 9 I assure you: Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Luke

Luke 7:36-50 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Much Forgiveness, Much Love
36 Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil
38 and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.

Then, the heart of the pharisee is exposed!

39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”
40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”
41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”
“You have judged correctly,” He told him.
44 Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair.
45 You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in.
46 You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This one is a little different – pouring the oil on his head…and it’s not at the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus…though, it is at the house of Simon…one who had a serious skin issue…is this the same Simon that Luke tells us is the pharisee that has an issue with her gift?
Matthew

Matthew 26:6-13

Devotion:
1. FORGIVEN! Whether this is two women, or both Mary – the woman was a sinner. Even more important, she was a forgiven sinner!
Jesus talks about how much does one love? Gratitude depends on the value placed upon the gift. Outwardly, this woman was a prostitute, a very outward sinner. Some say this could be Mary Magdalene…I don’t know. That’s not the point of my devotion. Inwardly, she was an adoring follower, and that love demanded action!

2. The cost – Luke 14:25-35, Luke 18 – the rich young ruler, Phil 3:7-8 – Paul.
Jesus tells us to count the cost…to give everything. This woman gave probably her most expensive possession.  I think perfumed oil is probably a tool of the trade of a prostitute.(Proverbs 7:17). This woman gave up her livelihood to anoint Jesus in appreciation for what HE had done for her!
This could also be a statement that she was never going to go back into that business again…a statement of a life change. Not easy for a woman in Jesus’ day that has no other options! She gave it ALL!

I’ve been asked “should we tithe now, or is that old testament?” My response?
“Oh, no, we don’t tithe 10%, because yes, that is Old Testament. Now, we have to give 100%! Now we know it’s ALL His!
I thought this verse fit here very nicely!

1 John 2:15-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Warning about the World
15 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world.

3. Humility and Gratitude.
This woman, known to be a prostitute and used to haveing control over the men, humbles herself before Jesus, not only uses her expensive perfume, but BREAKS the alabaster jar that contains it. She is so intent on showing her gratitude to Jesus, she can’t even wait for the oil to run out! Is she aware of those around her making comments? OF COURSE! She is used to being ridiculed in public (possibly by the very same ones that came to her in secret). She doesn’t care. She just wants to be at Jesus’ feet, and thank Him, and give him all that she has.
Remember that Jesus showed humility by washing the feet of the disciples in the Upper Room. This is the position of a servant, who is considered less than human. This woman, in her gratitude, put herself in this HUMBLE position.

I am drawn to all the women named Mary, because my first name is Mary. One thing that I have drawn from all of them is to say YES to no matter what God calls you to do, no matter how much it costs, and no matter how others respond.

  1. What does this devotion speak to you? Are you a sinner and need to come to Christ? Wiki How gives a very clear understanding of How to Accept Jesus.

2. Are there possessions in your life that are more important than Jesus? I don’t think that Jesus was saying that everyone has to sell all that they have to come follow him, when he spoke to the Rich Young Ruler(Luke 18) – he could see his heart. What is in YOUR heart? Matthew 10:37-39

3. How can you show Jesus Gratitude for all HE has done for you? here’s an idea:

And, here’s a sweet song….
Broken Beautiful by Ellie Holcomb

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2018 Lent Day 2 – 2/15/2018 Zacchaeus and Children

Lent Week One

We have created a facebook group to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day 2 – How to come to Jesus!

Do you remember the song Zacchaeus was a wee little man?

Pass Me not, O Gentle Savior – Don Moen
Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus – Phil Driscoll
Open My eyes Lord – I want to see You. – Michael W. Smith

Zacchaeus and the Children.

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Visits Zacchaeus
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.”
6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully.

The Little Children

Luke 18:15-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Blessing the Children
15 Some people were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

I see a very similar theme in these two stories.
Zacchaeus was too small to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree.
The children were too small to go up to Jesus, so their parents brought them.
JESUS WELCOMED BOTH!

In a way, I can see Zacc as a child, climbing a tree! His innocent desire to SEE Jesus – and that heart is what JESUS saw!
Not what the others saw!
I konw that the parents were probably wanting Jesus to bless the children, but I think the children must have wanted to see Jesus also. Or he would not have stated that we need to come to him as a little child.

When Jesus went to Zacc’s house, those religious folk said “he’s gone to the house of a sinner!”(Luke 19:7)
We know that Jesus let them know elsewhere that he didn’t come for the well, but for the sick! (Mark 2:17)

Zacc’s response to Jesus coming to his house was this:

Luke 19:7-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!”
8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give[a] half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay[b] back four times as much!”
9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham.

Jesus’s response was SALVATION!!!

In Matthew 19, we are told that Jesus said this about the children and heaven!

14 Then Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this.”

In Mark 10, we see Jesus show love to the children!

16 After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.

I think that Jesus speaking to Zacchaeus, while he was in the tree, and then going to his house was just as wonderful to Zacc as being welcomed onto the lap of Jesus, and prayed over.

In the beginning of the book In His Steps, the church is confronted with a sick, homeless man. How they treat him leads them down the path to what we know as the WWJD movement. What Would Jesus Do? this book transformed my attitude about people, and helped me to see things a bit more from Jesus’s POV.

There is a movie that is NOT a reproduction of the book, but has the same premise. What Would Jesus Do.
If you are looking for something to help you reflect on your life and how to be more like Jesus, I suggest any of the WWJD movies!

Is there any people group that you are repulsed by? Or maybe just uncomfortable with? I confessed to my small group that I have trouble with Rick people. I always have. I can sit in the gutter, but I have trouble relating to those that have – a lot! I heard a quote, from Tommy Nelson, about Billy Graham’s first talk at Cambridge as a young preacher. CS Lewis came up to him and said “Don’t look at us as Cambrdge men. Look at us as sinners. We all need Christ.”

Do you have an idea of what Jesus would do in any circumstance? Do you know you have access to HIM, to ask for the wisdom, if you do not! James 1:5 Whether I know or not in the moment, I am without excuse, because God has promised to give me whatever wisdom I need at any moment!

How can we welcome others to Christ? I envision us doing it just like the children – if they do not have a reason, they welcome anyone with open arms! No judgement.

How should we come to Jesus? As a child, with all of our preconceived notions set aside, just fully engaged with HIM! And HE will inturn, welcome us with open arms!

Let’s pray! and Worship!

Jesus Loves me – great worship version by the Barrett Sisters
An Adult version of Jesus Loves me -by Chris Tomlin

How to become a Child of God:
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation
 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2018 – Lent day 1 – Or Ash Wednesday

Lent Week One

facebook to follow and discuss – 40 days of Lent!

Ash Wednesday – the day when many liturgical churches burn the palm fronds from last year, and mark themselves with the ashes to designate that they are committing to repent, and that by reflection to glorify Christ in their bodies.

Psalm 51 is a great psalm for repentant reflection to pray to the Father!

Create in Me a Clean Heart by Keith Green
Just as I am – Aaron Shust

Devotion:
Jesus did give his followers warning that he was going to die.

John 12:20-33 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion
20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”

22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 “I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!”

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him.

30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for Me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” 33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.

If someone you had been with every single day for several years told you that they were going to die soon…and not just die, die a horrible death, what would you do?

Would you possibly respond as Peter did?

Matthew 16:21-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
His Death and Resurrection Predicted
21 From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no,[a] Lord! This will never happen to You!”
23 But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns,[b] but man’s.”

I think that the only reason that Peter is the one that said something was that he was normally the one that said something…as in, open mouth before the brain is in gear! The others were probably shocked! This is their KING! He’s come to save them from the horrible Romans! Die???? There’s been a mistake!

We have the benefit of knowing that Jesus ROSE again!
We have the benefit of knowing the end of that part of the story!
And still – Jesus explained it to them, and now to us that WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS!

Matthew 16:24-28 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Take Up Your Cross
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.
26 What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done.
28 I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Lent is remembering the first part of Easter…that Jesus suffered and died. FOR US. To pay the price for our sins. Jesus was born that He would die.
Ash Wednesday – or the whole concept of Lent – is that we reflect on ourselves, and our lives, and recommit to walk the walk that Christ has asked us to walk. Good Friday is coming, but so is SUNDAY! HE conquered sin and death!

1. What does Christ’s death mean to you? It means that I do not have to suffer the penalty of my sins, and that by Christ, I can enter into the Kingdom of GOD – not just when I die and go to heaven, but NOW as I pray!

2. Is there anything in your life that you know that Jesus does not like? Are you willing to lay it down on the altar? For me, it’s complaining. I need to give up whining and disputing and do all things with joy.

3. Is there anything that often comes between you and what Christ wants you to do? For me – I’ve had difficulty with turning to food for comfort rather than turning to Christ. This is something that turns into an idol by me replacing Christ with the food.

tomorrow – Zacchaeus!

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Lent Devotions – Week One

What is LENT? (a link to all of the LENT devotions)
Wikipedia has a very complete explanation for many of the Christian denominations that observe LENT.
Short and simple, it’s making oneself prepared through humility to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the Christian equivalent to Passover for the Jews.
We’ve created a face book group to follow and discuss, please join us! – 40 days of Lent!

2023 Lent dates – week one!
2/21 – Shrove Tuesday – you are on your own! Eat pancakes, do whatever!
2/22 – Ash Wednesday – the beginning of self reflection
2/27 – Orthodox Clean Monday

1 – (2/22) preaching on his upcoming death – Luke 18:31-34 (egg rocks – black cloth)
2 – (2/23) Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10; Let the Children Come – Luke 18:15-17 (egg rocks – tree branch or children photos)
3 – (2/24) Mary anoints Jesus’ feet – John 12:1-11, Mk 14:1-9 (egg rocks -small bottle of perfume)
4 – (2/25) Donkey provided – Luke 19: 28-35 (egg rocks – donkey)

(2/26) 1st Sunday of Lent – SUNDAY WORSHIP – REMEMBER THE RESURRECTION – Father forgive them – Lk 23:34

the not quite done Lenten cross

I want these to be family activities, therefore, I’m going to list a few free coloring page websites here:

 

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Lenten Candle Cross ideas, instructions

I had the idea to create a Lenten Cross, based on my Advent Log from my Advent Devotionals.

Christmas on the Advent Log

It starts with darkness, then each candle leads up to the Light that comes into the World on Christmas Morning.

In the reverse, the Lenten Cross starts with the Light that was in the world, and goes slowly dark, towards Good Friday, when Jesus hung on the cross.

First, I designed it – based on 4.5 inch boards.  There were various upgrades along the way.


My husband cut the boards (multiple times, because of his patience with me) and drilled the candle votive spaces. I did a vinegar/steelwool wash to distress the wood.

I did a little bit of research on burial herbs and oils, and came up with cedarwood and balsam wood – and Yankee Candle has a very nice smelling votive! Cinnamon could also be used.

I wanted to keep the candles separate from the board, and I found a company that makes votive glass on Amazon. You can find whatever you like! You just need to make sure that the spots are cut to the correct dimension!

I realize that not everyone has a handy husband, or their own woodworking skill or tools, so, here is another idea. Buy some votive candles – these are ones I have around the house – and place them in a cross shape.

Here are two other ideas for votive holders, from canning jars you can purchase many places, but there are large selections at craft stores!

These are the blue 8oz mason jars. I purchased these at Walmart.


These are 4 ounce – I think I found these at World Market, though I think I’ve seen them at Hobby Lobby.


Other thoughts I’ve had…red candles for the hands and feet.
I have some heart shaped, battery powered, red, led lights from Valentines day – I may wrap them around the cross for Good Friday.

Whatever you choose to do – do what helps you, and your family, reflect on the last days of Jesus’s life here on earth, and why He went to the cross for us!

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.