Lent – 40 Days of Spiritual Preparation (Week 1)
February 26, 2015
Categories: Easter
Find out more about what Lent is, who observes Lent, and for the full 40 days calendar.
DAY 1 – February 18, 2015
OBEDIENCE
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8NKJV
If even Jesus was obedient, shouldn’t we follow his example?
DAY 2 – February 19, 2015
HUMILITY
The word humble comes from the Latin word “humus,” meaning lowly, insignificant, and on the ground. There are many examples of how Jesus showed humility throughout His life. But even at His birth, God chose to send His Son to the ground of earth; to walk amongst us not as a god, but as an ordinary human. While His life was far from ordinary, it took this great act of physically lowering himself to get our attention.
{Read more: Proverbs 22:4; Matthew 21:5; John 13:15-16; Romans 12:16}
What changes can you make so that you fulfill the call to walk with God?
DAY 3 – February 20, 2015
LOVE
“’God is Love’ means that He tries constantly to block your route to destruction.” – Billy Graham
One of the most basic truths of the Bible is that God is Love. It is so simple, yet profound. The love that He has for us is unchanging; no matter what we do – or don’t do – His love for us will never change because God is Love (1 John 4:16).
{Read more: Psalm 136, Hosea 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Titus 3:4-5}
How will you show love to those you encounter today?
DAY 4 – February 21, 2015
JOY
Jesus prayed that the joy He had – the ultimate joy of the Father – would fill His disciples (John 15:11). In the mess, the chaos, and the mundane; through the celebrations, triumphs, and the victories, we are called to be joyful with those who are joyful (Romans 12:15). Despite what can be the harshness and rawness of life, through Him we can find joy in all these things.
{Read more: Psalm 30:5, Jeremiah 29:11-14, John 17:13}
What are some things in your own backyard that bring you joy?
DAY 5 – February 22, 2015
PEACE
Peace is such a hard thing to comprehend in times when we see the world around us aching. Jesus told us that we wouldn’t find peace in this world, but ultimately would find an everlasting peace with Him.
{Read more: Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 5:9, John 16:33}
What area of your life do you need to seek peace in today?
DAY 6 – February 24, 2015
PATIENCE
How often do we run into situations without putting in the time preparing for what is ahead? The gift of clairvoyance and discernment hand-in-hand would help each of us to exhibit the ultimate patient attitude. For the rest of us, we have the assurance that if we don’t give up, and wait on Him, we will be reap the reward of our Father’s promises (Galatians 6:9).
{Read more: Psalm 40, Proverbs 15:18, R0mans 12:12, Ephesians 4:2}
Have you rushed into life without waiting on God? How has this affected the outcome?