Week 7: The Shadow of the Cross

contributed by Mark Carnes,
Director of Worship and Arts

Monday, 3/17

"What The Rock Says!"

Luke 19:28-40

After Jesus had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' " 32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34They replied, "The Lord needs it." 35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"[a]
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

I have to confess...as a child growing up, I was a professional wrestling fan. Nowadays, it’s not something I would necessarily recommend to anyone to watch because it has gotten so filthy and offensive.
Nonetheless, along with Ric Flair and a few others, one of my favorite wrestlers was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (now of Hollywood fame). I liked “The Rock” mostly because of his commanding presence in the ring when he spoke. I think he would have made a great preacher! He would always enter the arena to a song whose lyrics contained the words, “What The Rock says, what The Rock says!”. The crowd would go wild as he stood cock-eyed in the middle of the wrestling ring. They would hang on every word as they tuned in each week to see what indeed “The Rock” would say. Call me crazy, but for the wrestling fan, it was an electrifying moment!
That being said, there is a part of my life where I don’t want to know what The Rock would say, nor do I want to give The Rock any opportunity to speak on my behalf. Of course, I’m not talking about a professional wrestler in this case.
In today’s passage we meet Jesus as He has just ridden into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. The crowd is going wild cheering for Him and praising Him for all His miracles. All of a sudden, some self-righteous Pharisees chime in and tell Jesus to shut His fans down. Jesus brilliantly responds by saying, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out.” In my own paraphrase, I would interpret that as, “you can’t contain me or my worshippers. I will get the glory one way or the other!” It would have made for great wrestling theater!
It’s amazing to think God’s glory is so profound and enormous that even if we don’t give Him our own worship (which is what He desires most), He will get it from even the most unusual place...a rock! Can you imagine seeing or hearing a rock rising up and singing “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High?!” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any rocks doing my praising for me. God has been too good to me for that. So this Lenten season, let’s open our mouths and give praise to the only one who’s worthy...Jesus Christ, the true Champion of the Universe! They’ll be no rocks talking around here!

Tuesday, 3/18

“Where Are Your Credentials?”

Mark 11:27-28 (The Message)
27-28Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?"

The atmosphere in the arena was electric that night! The lights were turning and blinking, the music was loud and blaring, and close to 2,000 youth and adults had just finished singing their hearts out to God as they awaited my arrival on stage. I was the keynote speaker at a large Youth Conference. The noise was deafening, my heart was pounding as I stood on the stairs just off-stage waiting to go on. My adrenaline was flowing so unbelievably that I could not remain still. I was jumping side to side just as a prize fighter would do.
Finally, the moment arrived and just before the emcee went out on stage to introduce me, he came to me and let flow a group of words that hit me like a ton of bricks. He leaned forward and asked, “Now, how shall I introduce you, what are your credentials?” In my mind I thought, “you’ve got to be kidding me, you’re asking me this now, seconds before I’m to go and deliver the message I hope will change lives!?!?”
As anyone would do, I fumbled through words and thoughts trying to come up with enough positive adjectives to make myself look good and give myself more credibility than I probably deserved. It was an awkward thing trying to qualify myself seconds before speaking to 2,000 teens and adults. But somehow, saying, “well, I’m a balding, just past-his-athletic prime, struggling with everyday issues, in his middle thirties, normal guy” just didn’t seem to fit the bill for the occasion. Finally, I just stopped, got real and said, “Just tell them I’m a servant of Jesus who is answering God’s call on my life. Truthfully, that’s the only qualification I have right now.”
Strangely enough, in today’s passage we find that Jesus encountered a similar situation when He was teaching in the Temple. Even though He had more credentials or authority than any of us would ever hope to have, He didn’t feel the need to rest on those titles. Jesus knew the real motive of the Pharisees’ question was to try and trick him so they could find a pretense to get rid of him, so he turned the question around on them. But He was also secure enough in God’s call on His life and His authority that He didn’t feel the need to qualify Himself, for He knew His actions and ministry more than validated His work.
We live in a world where many people find their value in credentials, even to the point of requiring others to call them by those titles or to list those titles by their name when introduced. Now granted, there is value in education and those who have worked hard for those credentials deserve the respect to be recognized for their achievement. The problem is when we begin to attach our self-worth to those earthly titles. I’m not sure Heaven will be divided into parts such as “College Graduates” & “Just High-School Graduates” (and this is coming from a college graduate!).
In India, the Church has experienced a remarkable revival in recent years. I’m reminded of a letter written to America from a Pastor in India while praying for the same revival to come to America. It went something like this (and I’m paraphrasing), “In India, we have no Christian celebrities or name-brand attractive persons to attract people to our worship gatherings. We have no one with great credentials to be advertised on posters and pamphlets. We have only the power of God’s Spirit, prayer, and Jesus, and we find that to be sufficient for the thousands who come.” Striking words don’t you think?
Feeling like you don’t qualify for God to do something great in and through you for the sake of His fame and Kingdom? Think again, He’s given you some amazing credentials in His Word in I Peter 2:9-10...”chosen by God, royal priest, holy, God’s special possession, person of God.” And of course the best of all from Ephesians 1:7...”redeemed!” Now those are credentials to live by!!

Wednesday, 3/19

“The Black Beast!”

Luke 22:54-62
54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.
58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Furiously I ran ‘round and ‘round, trying to escape the black beast that was pursuing me close behind! No matter how fast I ran I could not outrun the black beast. Crack! Wham! Boom! Each time it seemed to hit me harder and harder as I turned the corner! There was no escape....
This is a true story, and it actually happened to me as a young boy. But before you begin to think I was the principle character in a horror movie, allow me to explain. The so-called “black beast” I was trying to escape was a black belt held by my mom as she was spanking me for something bad I had really done. The corners I turned were the corners of her hips as I ran circles around her trying to escape the impending doom of a spanking. As a child, I certainly committed my share of menacing acts resulting in some type of justified discipline from my parents.
Even as an adult, I still find that I struggle at times with trying to do the “right” thing rather than the “wrong” thing. The struggle with personal sin is one we all deal with as we grow in our relationship with Christ. Perhaps this is why we can relate to Peter in this passage today. At the end of the passage, we find him physically, emotionally, and spiritually broken over his personal sin. The Bible says he “wept bitterly” realizing he had just denied his Lord not once, but three times.
I used to read this story and think, “How could anyone do such a terrible thing as to deny Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!?” But I have now realized that any act of personal sin on my part is at its roots nothing more than a momentary denial of the Lordship of Christ in my life. Sin, is a refusal to deny my flesh its lustful pleasure and desire. When I make a choice to sin, I make provision for my flesh to have its way, which is basically refusing the Holy Spirit the right to have His way by helping me walk in holiness. It’s basically like saying, “Excuse me Jesus, I’m going to pretend I don’t know You for just a moment, while I assume control of my life in this area and fulfill my own desire, rather than your desire for me.”
I have a lot more sympathy for Peter these days, given my own personal track record with mistakes. I know all too well the feeling of weeping bitterly over my sin, and I don’t want to ever forget that.
One more thing, notice v.54 which says, “Peter followed at a distance.” Many of us spend our Christian lives following Christ “at a distance.” But Christ wants to know us intimately. Besides, it’s a lot more difficult to deny Him when you’re walking right beside Him rather than “following at a distance.” Peter had contradicted his own words, failed as a disciple and friend, and denied his Lord. Even so, as a result of this experience, he would change from a half-hearted follower of Christ to a disciple that Christ used to build His church. Peter finally outran the “black beast”! May we all seek to do the same.

Thursday, 3/20

“When Is The Cross Going Back Up?”

Luke 9:23-Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
John 19:16-18-16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

I am always astonished at the comments I get regarding the cross hanging in our Worship Center at Crossroads Church. This particular cross is one of the more beautiful ones I have ever seen and serves as a focal point for many of our worship experiences at Crossroads. It was also made by one of our members, which makes it very special as well.
The comments regarding this cross over the years have been as wide-ranging as there are types of rice and chicken on a Chinese buffet line. Most people love the cross and its location, as it serves as a source of inspiration for their worship. For some, it is a disturbing and uncomfortable reminder of the brutal death and sacrifice of Christ for our sin. Surprisingly, there are those for whom the cross has been a distraction, likening it to a graven image. While still, others have found it surprising that a so-called “modern” church like Crossroads would have such a “traditional” center-piece in its Worship Center, especially if it wants to attract non-believers and the rest of the world.
If the cross comes down for a particular reason, you can bet the question will soon be asked, “When is it going back up?” If we change a lighting hue or design around it, no doubt someone will ask, “When will the cross return to its original form?” The varied opinions about this cross have been amazing to me. Nonetheless, I am thankful for the diversity represented in these opinions because it would get really boring if everyone liked everything the same way all the time. This diversity keeps us on our toes and challenges us to maintain excellence for God’s glory.
While I am thankful for the cross in our Worship Center, I am much more concerned about another cross in my life. That is the one Jesus told me to carry on a daily basis as I follow Him. In Luke 9:23, Jesus tells us, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Though Jesus was speaking figuratively here, it was no coincidence he would later literally carry his own cross to his death at Calvary.
To “deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus”, simply means that we identify with His work in our lives and we walk as He walked. We lay down the rights to our priority and our agenda and completely surrender to His priority and His agenda in our lives by making Him Lord. We take on the very nature and character of Christ. This is no easy task, but He gave us His Holy Spirit to equip and enable us.
The cross in our Worship Center remains up and continues to inspire. But may we be known more by the cross we bear in our everyday lives for Christ than the one we fly by the rafters. This is what will convince a dying world that Jesus really is the Savior of the world! On this day, let us examine the cross we are called to “take up” in our own lives. Perhaps Jesus would ask us, “When is the cross going back up?”

Good Friday, 3/21

"Striking The Nails"

Galatians 5:24-“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

Today is Good Friday. Let us once again turn our hearts toward the cross.
I walked nervously down the aisle looking and gazing ferociously for what I needed. I did not have much experience in this matter. It had to be sharp, it had to be strong, and it had to penetrate well. Simply put, it had to do the job. I was not looking for a murder weapon, I was simply looking to purchase some nails. I was moving into my first home, and so now, being a homeowner, I knew I would need some nails. Every guy has nails lying around…right? Wasn’t that a pre-requisite for being a male homeowner? The only thing is that I had no idea there were so many different types of nails. I was lost…I was confused. All I wanted were regular nails, so I just bought two yellow boxes of what I thought were regular nails.
One must understand, I am not very much of a carpenter. My skills are limited, not to mention I have absolutely no interest in it. So needless to say, I am not the greatest nail-driver in the world! As a matter of fact, two houses and eight years later, I still have those two yellow boxes of nails…completely unopened! Because I am not a great nail-driver (driving the nail into the wood), I have actually become a very good nail-striker (taking the nail out of the wood). I have become a good nail-striker because I am not a good nail-driver. It seems I always put the nail in crooked, or the wrong way. Sadly, metaphorically speaking, on this Good Friday, I must admit I am too good a “nail-striker” in my walk with Christ as well…much better than I would care to admit. Allow me to explain.
In Galatians 2:20, we are told that we “have been crucified with Christ…”. Through faith-union with Christ, this is something He has done for us. Our identity is in Him as a result. In today’s passage of Galatians 5:24 it is we who are to take the action by “crucifying” our old sin-nature, that is to say we “put to death” our sin patterns by nailing them to the cross of Christ. This is the graphic meaning of the Apostle Paul’s description of repentance, turning our back on selfishness and sin. Crucifixion is to be the fate of our sinful desires. In the New Testament, crucifixion was meant to be without pity, painful, and decisive. This is how we are to approach and deal with sinful patterns in our life.
Herein lies the problem for many of us. Through salvation, with the help of Christ, we have nailed our old nature to the cross. But we so easily and often return to the scene of the execution. At the crime scene we gaze upon our sin on the cross. We then begin to fondle it, caress it. Our flesh demands to be fed and we begin to long for its release. We then begin the utterly insane act of trying to take it down from the cross, if only for a moment’s pleasure. We pick up the hammer of selfishness and begin to “strike the nails.” Do you hear them being ripped out of the wood and clanking to the floor? Can you hear it yet? Nail after nail we strike, hammer in hand, until we are left standing in a pool full of shame, guilt, and regret…and of course, a hand full of rusty nails. Can you hear the wood…can you hear the nail…ever been there? Sadly, I’ve been there more often than I care to admit.
We need to learn to leave our sin crucified and nailed to the cross. It is usually fatal to examine the sinful thoughts that enter our mind and demand full-birth. We must kick them out at once. We cannot resume negotiations with sinful patterns. We cannot pick up the hammer and consider whether or not we will strike the nail for momentary pleasure, for the issue has been settled for good through the work of Christ on the cross. We have crucified the flesh, we are not going to strike the nails. It is not easy, but it wasn’t meant to be.
So on this day, let us each drop the hammer. We will not strike the nails any longer, for the price paid was too great. Our sins have been nailed to cross forever and they are forgiven…washed away. They are meant to stay there. Do you hear the hammer hitting the nail…driving it into the wood? If you listen closely, if you remain still, you will hear it, no doubt. This is how love sounds. This is how grace sounds. This is what it means to have a second chance. This is what it means to be redeemed. Thank God for Good Friday and thank God for the Resurrection!

Week 6: Loving God Well

contributed by Assoc. Director Worship/Arts Ministry Charles Brown

God loves you. Love Him back. What a time Lent provides us, an opportunity to recall a love so amazing that an unsurpassed sacrifice was made, only to bring forth a power that none could restrain. It was finished, all for you.

Monday, 3/10

John 14:15- “If you love Me, Keep My commandments.”

This scripture provides what is arguably one of the clearest directives with regard to loving God well. No one said this would be an easy task, without sacrifice and self-denial, but neither is loving one’s earthbound partner, child, neighbor, etc. Along the way, the relationship presents one with a challenge; an event, a discussion, a disappointment. As a result, we turn inward, self-consumed with the question of what this relationship costs, “what about me…” No greater denial has occurred beyond Christ’s stepping down from His throne and His dying on a cross. But, because of His love, Christ was willing to endure. He does not ask of us a physical death to demonstrate our loving Him well. He simply asks us to “keep His commandments.” By His Spirit we are enabled to do just that. So, what’s keeping you from keeping His commandments, from loving Him well???

Tuesday, 3/11

Matthew 22:37- “ Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

Many of us are painstakingly devoted to our favorite sports team, our favorite television show, our morning coffee routine. We allow nothing to interrupt our ritual, our single-hearted commitment. Without these components of our lives intact we feel like something’s missing. Some of us would rather skip any other devotion than miss these moments. What if we would rather…fill in this space… than miss our time with Jesus, than overlook His desire for our lives, than miss our daily drink of His living water? I challenge you as we move through the Lenten period into the normalcy of our days ahead. Carve out ten minutes of your normal routine and focus all of your heart, soul, and mind on the Christ. Maybe, you turn off the radio in the car, maybe you quietly enjoy that cup of coffee while listening for the still voice of Christ. I promise you will miss that time and experience more than any other and your heart, soul, and mind will not rest until you drink of His cup again.

Wednesday, 3/12

Genesis 5:22- “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” “… he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Heb. 11:5)

To pursue a walk so closely, to be so devoted in desire and purpose, to love God so well that He could not stand to be without you. Need any more be said.

Thursday, 3/13

Psalm 91:14- “ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver Him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

To coin a phrase from an old credit card mantra, “Loving Him has its privileges.” No lottery ticket, no human relationship, no career path can guarantee you the benefits of loving Him well. Why not devote yourself to One who can assure you a consistent positive yield for all of your investment. His is indeed the gift that keeps on giving. God loves you.

Friday, 3/14

Psalm 119:97- “ Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts.”

If you love Him well, you will be keeping His commandments. If you keep His commandments, READ THE TEXT ABOVE. Not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit, you are able. Does He expect perfection; I dare say no, just a heart, soul, and mind, committed. Grace and Peace.

Week 5: Seeing as Christ Sees

contributed by Assoc. Pastor Andrew Brown

Monday, 3/03

Back to Business

"He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ " (Luke 2:49)

I lost our son one day.
I was studying, and my wife was reading in the other room. Our middle son (who was about two) was playing in the house. I thought she was watching him and she though I was watching him. Soon we realized he was gone. Panic ensued! After 15 minutes of frantic searching, we found him in our neighbor’s house watching TV and eating a snack. What joy filled our hearts when we found our son.
I can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary to think she had lost the son of God. It would be hard to explain that one. Yet, I feel her joy of finding him was t, do we love our dog the same way we love pizza? We may not fully understand love until we see love in the life of Christ.
God the Father affirmed His love for Jesus and continued to pour out his Spirit through his Son. Through this love and through this Spirit, Christ accomplished more than he ever could have alone.
The world needs love. We as followers of Christ have that love to give. Let these words sink into your soul.
You are loved, God is well pleased. Take a moment each day to say these words from God to you. Begin seeing yourself as God sees you.

Ask yourself: Do I see me as God sees me?

Wednesday, 3/05

Anointed for Service

"and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ " (Luke 4:17-19)

What in the world are we here for?
Jesus had a clear understanding of his mission. He clearly shared this passage from Isaiah in his hometown synagogue. He followed it with the words “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. He knew what he was here for – to be justice and mercy to the world.
Are we living for justice and mercy? Do we intentionally seek ways to bring good news to the poor, or are we comfortably hidden in church? Are we seeking the supernatural power of God’s healing presence or do we sit idly by while the suffering of the world increases?
We continue the work that Jesus began. We are called to see with His eyes, love with His love and serve with His heart. Let us turn to Christ’s for the example of how we are to live and love.

Ask yourself: Where in my life do I need to let the love of Christ be shown?

Thursday, 3/06

Life Given for Others

"Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' "(Luke 22:19-20)

While passing the communion elements down the row a child dropped the tray and scattered the elements all over the floor. The attentive communion server quickly took additional elements to the now crying child. The server said, “Don’t worry, there is enough for everyone.”
Jesus understood his life was not his own. His was a life given to him so that he could give it to others. Jesus’ body given and blood shed is enough for everyone – to be forgiven, to be healed, and to be empowered for service.
Are we giving what we have been given? Our lives are not our own, we have been bought with a price – the life of Christ. We therefore follow in his footsteps and give our lives for others.

Ask yourself: How can I give myself to others this day?

Friday, 3/07

Famous last words.

" ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ "(Luke 24:46-49)

Last words can say a lot about a person.
“Lord help my poor soul.” ~ Edgar Allan Poe
“I die hard but am not afraid to go.” ~ George Washington
“How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?” ~ P. T. Barnum
“The best of all, God is with us.” ~ John Wesley

I thank God that Jesus’ last words were not - “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Instead, the Father carried Jesus through death and into life eternal so that the Son could speak his last words on earth. According to Luke, Jesus’ last words were a restatement of the mission of his followers and a promise of his Spirit.
We understand God’s promises were fulfilled and our study of his word helps us to better understand who God is. We know we are to take the good news of God’s love to all people. Our acceptance of all people makes the good news available to more people. We know Christ will give us the power to do this, because we are unable to do this on our own. Let us be people reaching out to others with the power and promises of God.

Ask yourself: Where do I need to share God’s promises?

Week 4: Seeing the Face of God

contributed by Exec. Pastor Craig Luper

Monday 2/25

Reading: Psalm 34:3
“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

In seeing the face of the Lord we enter His courts and glorify Him, pushing everything besides Him into the background. We focus not on ourselves, but “fixing our eyes on Jesus,” we adore Him for who He is. We do not ask anything from Him, but only love Him and adore Him. We boast in the Lord (I Corinthians 1:29). Loveliness has great power in it. When we get a glimpse of Him, we change. We seek Him to give Him honor and receive His love.

Start the first of the week off right by glorifying the Lord, and exalting His name!

Tuesday 2/26

Reading: Romans 8:15
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

In seeing the face of God, we must remember that we did not receive a spirit of bondage, but the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry out, Abba, Father. One of the many faces of God is the Father’s face. Many people see God as a very hard taskmaster, not as a loving father. But he is really the loving daddy. He’s the Luke 15 father standing on the porch waiting for his son to come home. Not to scold him or tell him “I told you so,” but to love him, put a robe on him (symbolizing covering shame and guilt) and rejoice because his son once was lost, but has now come home. Today, take some time to look into the face of a loving father and see how much he loves you.

Wednesday 2/27

Reading: Micah 7:18
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

One of the awesome faces of God is the Passionate, Pursuing, and Loving God. He is constantly chasing after us, wooing us, loving us. How amazing is that? Isaiah says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rise to show you. For the Lord is a God of justice.” God longs to be gracious to us, he’s not looking to whip us at the first offense. I John says that God first loved us, we didn’t pursue Him, he pursued us first! He passionately, loves you! Doesn’t matter what you feel like today, whether you believe that or not, IT IS A FACT. So today just look to the Father that is passionately, pursuing you and draw near to Him.

Thursday 2/28

Reading: Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….”

One of the great images of the face of God is that of a Shepherd. Psalm 23 is such a great snap shot of what the Shepherd (God) does for his sheep. He brings rest to my weary soul; He leads me to quiet places so that my soul may be restored. He guides me, and when I walk through those valleys of darkness I don’t have to fear anything; because the Shepherd is there to defend me. He prepares a table for me, because He knows my needs, and He fills me with His Spirit and when He fills me my cup overflows. His goodness and love follow me where ever I go, and He gives me a promise that I will dwell with Him in His house. WOW

Friday 2/29

Reading: Zephaniah 3:16,17
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

I want you think about 3 things out of this verse. First thing is that God takes great delight in you! Yes, you.
You say, “How could He delight in me, I’ve done so many bad things?” He just does, doesn’t matter what you’ve done; he delights in you.
Second thing in this verse is that he will quiet you with his love.
In the midst of turmoil, heartache, financial problems, martial problems; He comes and quiets you with his love. Not with empty and vain promises but with an everlasting love.
The third thing in this verse is that he rejoices over you with singing.
God thinks so much about you and is so crazy about you that he rejoices over you with songs that He has made up for especially you. So today as you drive down the road or sit in your office, or in the living room; see a God who is mighty to save, and takes great delight in you and will quiet you in all that you are going through, and rejoices over you with singing. Now that’s an awesome God.

Week 3: Obeying the Voice of God

Contributed by Joshua Fletcher

Monday 2/18

During week 1 we talked about attending to God’s Presence. Then, last week Craig taught us about hearing the voice of God. This week is about obeying the voice of God. We will take last week’s verses and ask ourselves some challenging questions. God speaks not only so that we will listen but so that we will obey as well.

Reading: Song of Solomon 5:2,
“I was asleep, but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking; open to me.”

Hearing the voice of God is a spiritual discipline that takes time to develop, but if one’s heart is awake then a knock is sure to come. The Lord will speak when you open the door to Him. Are you prepared for the knock? Sit with this question a while. Test your motives for listening. Are you waiting for your beloved or are you waiting for a deliveryman bearing gifts?
What is the lord saying to you? Is there an invitation to deeper intimacy? What does that look like for you? Perhaps what you are asking of Him is not of first importance. What is He asking of you? Will you obey Him when He speaks?

Tuesday 2/19

Reading: Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

How much do you want to see God?
When I go grocery shopping I am constantly comparing the cost versus the benefit of purchasing this item or that item, preparing this meal of that meal, and then there are those items I splurge on because I simply want a treat. I am also training for a triathlon and often those treats are little barriers to my training. Little by little they keep me from my goals.
What barriers are keeping you from seeing Jesus? What do you need to eliminate from your life for the sake of your relationship with Jesus? What things cost more than the benefit? What things do you need to eliminate from your diet? Are you willing to deal ruthlessly with sin in your life? The promise to see God goes to the pure in heart!

Wednesday 2/20

Reading: I Chronicles 11: 10-19

“…oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

Last week Craig discussed the radical and risky behavior of David’s men when they heard David’s desire for home. Despite their tiredness, they risked their lives to get him a drink from the wells of Jerusalem to cure his homesickness.
What would you risk to please the Lord? If we earnestly seek to hear the voice of God it is likely that we will draw near to the Lord’s deepest desires for us and for others. The Lord reveals His heart for a purpose. Often God is inviting us to join Him.
What type of attitude will you bring when you draw near to Jesus? Will you let courageous obedience be a defining mark of your character or something much less? Are you willing to bolt through enemy territory to bring the King a cup of cold water?

Thursday 2/21

Reading: Psalm 46: 10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This verse is often quoted in times of distress and worry. It is comforting to hear the Lord’s command to be still and the sure statement that God will be “exalted” even amidst difficult circumstances. But perhaps there is another way to read this verse. Perhaps stillness brings exaltation.
When we are still, when we stop to hear His voice and believe in Jesus, something incredible happens! The noise, the din of the world, is silenced and we hear the God of the universe speak to us. Our souls respond to God with exaltation. We exalt Him right in the middle of our circumstances and then things don’t seem so overwhelming anymore. Perhaps the first and most immediate response of our hearts to the voice of God should be worship.
What is your first and most immediate response to God’s Word? Are you overcoming the din with stillness? Are you worshiping God through your present circumstances?

Friday 2/22

Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-19

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

An amazing prayer for us from the pen of a man who knew God’s Spirit of wisdom and revelation and experienced God’s power in his life. What would you do if you began to receive the Spirit Paul asks God to send on His people?

Make a list of your hearts deepest desires? Share that list with a spiritual companion and pray together about these dreams. Ask the Lord to align your heart with His heart then have your spiritual friend begin to pray Paul’s prayer above for you regularly.

God has a plan for us all, a calling. We are His children and none of us are here without a purpose. It may be a long journey, but God has somewhere to take you. The first steps of obedience are always to believe and surrender. How are you taking these steps?

Week 2: Hearing the Voice of God

Contributed by Exec. Pastor Craig Luper

Monday 2/11

Reading: Song of Solomon 5:2,
“I was asleep, but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking; open to me.”

Fifteen times the statement, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear,” appears in the New Testament. This indicates two things for us:

1. A basic premise: having ears to hear
2. A basic choice: choosing to use those ears to hear

If the capacity is there, the ability must be developed. All of us have the ability to hear the voice of the Lord, it is a choice that we make in choosing to use our ears. I want to give you a secret in learning to hear the voice of the Lord.

First Secret: Hearing God must be vital to you – If it is vital then it is perceived necessary or important to life. The things that are important to us in life, we make time for and make sure that we do them. In hearing the voice of the Lord it has to be vital to us, or we will not choose to hear Him. Only when it’s convenient or comfortable to us.

So today choose to “have ears to hear” and listen to the voice of the Father.

Tuesday 2/12

Reading: Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

In hearing the voice of the Lord it is so important that our hearts are pure before Him. Our hearts must be pure with a desire to follow God only. How do we attain that purity of heart? The process takes time and action on our part, but is guided by the Holy Spirit in the life of the sincere, cooperative believer. And it includes definite procedures.

#1 – Cleansing – Do you know the difference between forgiveness and cleansing? Forgiveness has to do with the results of sin. Cleansing has to do with the cause of sin. Forgiveness comes by confession and restitution. Cleansing comes by walking in the light: “God is light; in him there is no darkness…If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 5:7)

Many of us keep asking God for forgiveness for the same sins, over and over and over again. The reason is that we have never experienced cleansing. The cause of the sins has not been eradicated. If the top of the sin-weed is cut off, for a short while it cannot be seen on the surface. But the weed will soon be back again, unless it is pulled out by its root. When we keep committing certain sins, we need to ask God to show us the root, the cause of our disobedience.

To “walk in the light” means the Lord will be asking you to make a lifestyle change.

#2 – Circumcision – What is a circumcised heart? How do I get one? What will be its results?
First remember that all the physical rules of the Old Testament were just shadows of spiritual realities. This is sometimes hard to understand, but Paul clearly spells it out in his letter to the Romans: “A person is not a true Jew if he is only a Jew in his physical body. True circumcision is not only on the outside of the body. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, but the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28,29)

Cleansing takes care of the roots. Circumcision takes care of the good but unnecessary things that crowd out God. Circumcision is both our part and God’s.

Wednesday 2/13

Reading: I Chronicles 11: 10-19

“…oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

Here’s the story, David and his men had been fighting the enemies and doing battle, they were tired and worn out. They were “holed” up at the cave of Adullam, and David was just longing for the good ole days. Three of David’s mighty warriors came down to the cave to be with David and they happen to just hear David talking to himself. And David is saying, “I would really like to have a drink of water from my wells in Bethlehem.” The men heard this and they bolted through enemy lines, risked their lives to just get their commander, chief and king a drink from the wells from home. What an incredible story, but one that is for you and I as we seek to hear the Father’s voice everyday.

First of all these three guys had to be in the presence of the king to even hear his wishes. James says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to us.” The intimacy of the Father’s presence is something sought by relatively few people. These three guys drew near to their king. When is the last time we’ve drawn near to Him? It is a choice to draw near for each of us.

Secondly these three guys took risks, but the rewards outweighed the risks. To hear the voice of the Lord means that we will take risks, but the rewards far outweigh the risks. Are you risking to hear Him?

Are you close enough to the Father to even hear His whisper? It’s a choice and a privilege that we have!

Thursday 2/14

Reading: Psalm 46: 10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

In listening to the voice of the Lord, sometimes we just have to quiet ourselves to hear him. We have noise all around us, in the car, at the house, in the streets. Everything around us is screaming to get our attention. And the one thing or person that we should be listening to is Him! David gives us some clues in hearing the voice of the Lord.

First is to be still – to be still means; “to hush, silent, to be relaxed, to cease. To hear his voice we need to just hush, stop talking, relax and cease from all the things that we are doing to just be in His presence. I encourage you to take 5, 10, 30 minutes to just “hush,” you will be amazed at what you will hear.

The second thing David says is to “know,” – what is it that we are to know? To know Him! The word “know” means to experience. So as we hush ourselves, we begin to experience God! Wow! This isn’t a head thing but the Lord God Almighty comes and draws near to us and we experience Him!

So today just “hush” yourself and experience Him!

Friday 2/15

Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-19

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Paul’s prayer for the people at Ephesus was so timely and important to them; in their walk with the Lord and also their continuing hearing and listening to the Lord. That prayer is still so important to you and I today. As you are listening to the Lord today ask Him to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Why? So that you can know Him better. To “know” means to experience Him. As the Lord gives you wisdom and revelation you’ll begin to go deeper in your love and understanding of Him.

Pray Paul’s prayer right now!

Week 1: Attending to God's Presence

contributed by Joshua Fletcher

Monday 2/4

Reading: Luke 10:38-42
“…you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed…”

Martha was an active character. She is the busy host who prepared the home and the meal for Jesus. Jesus received the blessings produced by her hands. The work of an active servant is a visible and valued if not appreciated part of the faith community. But in this story Martha’s work leads to worry and distraction. Jesus gives a gentle rebuke. Mary, on the other hand, was the passive character. She sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his every word. Mary received from Jesus all that he had prepared for her. The work of a passive contemplative is often misunderstood. All of us have a little bit of the active and a little bit of the passive in us. Part of us wants to do something for Jesus and receive appreciation and encouragement while a quieter and deeper side of us realizes that “only one thing is needed.” If we are courageous enough we will choose the “better part” despite the risk of being misunderstood.

If you had an open invitation to sit at Jesus’ feet what would you do?

Lent is a call to reflection. It is a time when we are reminded that by many drops of blood Jesus Christ has bought for us an open invitation to sit at His feet. We do not need to accept His invitation or to reflect upon the cross, His suffering, and our own pervasive sin. It would be much easier to be busy through lent, preparing things for Easter, preparing things for the celebration, anticipating Easter eggs filled with candy and Spring Break activities. But perhaps the more difficult road, the road of misunderstanding, the road of passive contemplation, the road of self-denial is the way that we are prepared by Jesus. He wants us ready to receive Easter’s gift… the resurrection! Will you be busy preparing things for the holiday or will you allow Jesus to prepare you for His resurrection?

Tuesday 2/5

Reading: Luke 2:25-38
“…for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

It is usually around Christmas time that we talk about Simeon- the old guy who noticed the baby Jesus at the Temple and prophesied over him. But Simeon is significant, not just because he saw the baby Jesus but because he listened attentively to the Lord and believed. The name Simeon means “hearing.” Simeon was a man who heard. He gave attention to the Lord. As a result, he saw the Lord and the glory of God.

We also mention Anna at Christmas because she is a part of this story as well. But we may sometimes miss why she is significant. Anna was a prophet of “great age.”

Anna and Simeon lived lives of holy expectation. Filled with the Spirit of God, they looked expectantly for the Messiah. They believed the promise of God. They obeyed the Spirit’s leading for many years and were known as “righteous” and “devout” people. During Lent we want to learn to be attentive to the voice of God. We learn by leaning into our heavenly Father’s love for us, believing in Jesus the son who wants to teach us to pray, expecting that the Holy Spirit will lead us and dwell richly in our souls. Lean in, believe, expect.

Wednesday 2/6

Reading: Psalm 27:17-18
What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord.

The end of Psalm 27 is strangely encouraging. I am rarely encouraged when I am told to wait. I do not like waiting. Long lines at the supermarket are sure to get a sigh out of me. I don’t like to wait for payday to get something that I want, or worse my birthday! I want my problems or the tasks I have to get done taken care of as soon as possible. So I go about things my way according to my schedule and effort. Unfortunately, I have missed the goodness of the Lord many times because of my impatience. Could it be that I am unwilling to believe that God will show Himself faithful if I wait on Him? Could it be that my impatience stems from greed, or my own desire to be seen as competent and useful?
Have you believed? Or are you in the land of the dead where unbelief reigns? What are the root desires at the core of your being that motivate your thoughts and actions? Lent is a long journey and so is life. If we are to see God we must believe and we must wait. God makes us wait because He is strengthening our faith and refining our character. When we wait on God’s goodness we will value it more when it comes and we will be different people as a result. In what way is God asking you to wait on Him this season? Give him your heart to be comforted and be strong. God is always faithful!

Thursday 2/7

Reading: 1 Samuel 3:10-11
Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle”

One of the amazing things about the calling of Samuel is the persistence of the Lord in calling him. Four times the Lord calls his name. Three times little Samuel thinks that it is his mentor Eli who is calling him. It wasn’t until Eli’s blind eyes saw what was happening that Samuel was given the instruction to listen in response to God’s voice. Another amazing thing about this story is the obedience of young Samuel to the voice. He came running after being sent away several times and he followed the instructions given him each time. God can do amazing things with that kind of listening obedience.

If we heard God’s voice would we know what to do? If God were speaking would we come running? What would happen if we had the listening obedience of Samuel in our souls? What might God choose to do through a people with attentive hearts? May our ears tingle with attentiveness in this season and may we be attentive to the voice of God.

Friday 2/8

Reading: Luke 23: 50-53
“Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph…and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God…”

Joseph of Arimathea is a biblical character that we usually discuss on Good Friday because of his role in obtaining the body of Jesus and laying it in the unused rock-hewn tomb. But what Joseph did in the story may not be as significant as why he did it. Joseph was “waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God” and his actions suggest that even after the Jesus was crucified he was still waiting expectantly for the kingdom! Imagine the faith of the man, that he would carry the dead body of the Jesus, the man upon whose shoulders you are patiently awaiting the kingdom of God to be made manifest. Imagine the grief associated with the loss of such a core value of your soul. Perhaps Joseph placed Jesus in the tomb not because his hope for the coming kingdom of God had died, but because his love for the coming king was so great that even death could not overcome it.

What motivates you to devotion? What helps you focus on the coming kingdom? As we wait patiently for Resurrection Sunday, let us love Jesus well. Like Joseph, let us keep our hope for the Kingdom of God alive and well while we contemplate the meaning of the cross and life together in a fallen world. Even if God seems limp and silent to you right now, choose to love Him well. The cross and the tomb of Joseph looked like places of death for a short season, but in the fullness of time they became the ultimate symbols of life. The same can happen to us if we love Him well and believe.