The Lord is really great….. I mean we give Him a shout out all the time…. but when you are really struggling with something…. His greatness is so beautiful.

Yesterday, I was having a really rough time.  Friends can tell you that I looked like the walking dead.  I had no energy and well…. I wasn’t thinking clearly.  Going vegan for Lent has really made my body go into withdrawals…… My daughter’s birthday is this weekend and I had planned everything out that needed to be done yesterday….  I was going to bake the cakes so I could sit down today and decorate…. well…. I forgot to buy eggs…..I ran to the bedroom to hide the tears that were welling up…. I sorta tripped and basically landed on my knees at the foot of my bed.  I cried out, “God, I need you!”  I sobbed over eggs….I was hungry and I did exactly what you are supposed to do when you are suffering…. pray….And do you know  what???  This morning, I awoke refreshed and ready to tackle just about anything.  The foggy, sluggish feeling had gone away…. thanks to God advising me to take vitamins…..God is so great!!!

Here’s some more devotionals for over the weekend…. oh and they are based on the Creative Communications booklet I use every Lent.

Friday, February 19, 2010

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.   Psalm 51:3

In the early Christian community people though of sin as “missing the mark.”  We can miss the target a lot or even a little…. but it is missed all the same.  As we go through Lent, let us think of times we have sinned before God which makes us miss the target in our relationship with God and others……

Oh Father, I am a sinner…. You said all I need to do is to ask for forgiveness and I will receive Your blessing.  Father, we are here today asking for forgiveness and ready to receive Your bounty, our ministry, and Your love.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day…. then you shall take delight in the Lord….  Isaiah 58:13-14

There are things in life you have to do everyday—brushing your teeth, eating and drinking…. of course sleeping.  But other things you don’t have to do everyday like playing on the Wii, texting, or surfing the internet.  Do you think you could go a whole day without your computer games, cell phone or going to the mall?   God gives us one day a week to focus only on Him.  Sunday we go to worship but then what do we do?  We go home and do our thing….. why not spend the whole day with God?

Father, we hide behind the idea that we are just human.  We get busy doing our own thing and many times only see you in church.  Father, today, we want to spend more time with you.  Father, come into our home today and spend the day with us.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

[Christ] was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in spirit….

1 Peter 3:18

God sent Jesus to die on the cross.  Jesus was a hero.  He showed love for his enemies and he saved us from our own sins.  When we believe in Jesus, we ask him into our hearts, believe in how he lived his life, study his word and proclaim him to the world.  God gives us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gives us the power to say no to our selfishness and to live our lives for others.  If we follow Jesus’ example, we will fully know God’s love and mercy…. and be given all that we need.

Father, you have given us the perfect example in which to live our lives.  You sent Jesus to us to save us from our own selves.  You loved us that much.  Father, help us to love one another as you have commanded.  Father, help us forgive those who harm us.  Be with us every step of the way…..

Monday, February 22, 2010

….love your neighbor as yourself.  Leviticus 19:18

It is hard to be nice to everyone.  When someone is mean to you or has hurt your feelings it is really hard to be nice.  Love isn’t just a feeling you have for someone…. it is an action that requires practice.  Jesus loved his neighbors by curing diseases, forgiving sins and sharing meals with one another.  If you do something nice for those who annoy you, you can love.  It could be as simple as saying, “Have a nice day.”

Father, we sometimes forget to love the ones in our lives who have made us mad or have hurt our feelings.  We don’t want to be nice sometimes.  But you said that we must love our neighbors….. you didn’t say the neighbors we like…..  Father, give us the patience and love needed to love everyone.  You are the great example in which I must follow.

God Bless….

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