Guideposts - Daily Guideposts: 40 Devotions for Lent

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Daily Guideposts: 40 Devotions for Lent

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Epub Edition December 2016 ISBN 9780310350835

ISBN 978-0-310-35022-4 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35083-5 (ebook)

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Interior design: Kait Lamphere

First printing November 2016 / Printed in the United States of America

Hello, friend.

Through the dark days of winter, its hard to remember that spring is coming. Night falls early, chills seem endless, and we long for just one flower to poke out of the cold ground. But even in winter, the days begin to grow longer, and we slowly move toward the next season when everything comes to life again. The rhythm of the natural world is a beautiful reminder of the hope of Christthat the problems of this world are only one season of life.

In John 11, we read the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who were mourning the death of their brother, Lazarus. They were all friends of Jesus. Although the sisters had sent word to Him when Lazarus became sick, Jesus didnt arrive until four days after their brother died. The air must have been heavy with grief. Lord... if you had been here, my brother would not have died, Martha says (John 11:21, NIV). Jesus tells Martha that death doesnt mark the end. He speaks in mystery: I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25, NIV). Then He calls Lazarus out of the tomb.

And what joy that the story doesnt end there! Jesus Himself rose from the dead. Jesuss winter season of being captured, beaten, and killed, dying on the Cross, gave way to hope eternal, the power over death resulting in everlasting life for all who believe. Jesus says in John 16:33 (NIV), In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

For the next six weeks and culminating with a special devotion for Easter Sunday, join us in reflecting on Jesus the ChristHis life, death, burial, and Resurrection. Our hope is that you will be drawn nearer to God and be encouraged to hold on to hope, never losing sight of the spring that is coming.

Blessings,

Editors of Guideposts

With his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Good morning, Erin, I said first thing that February day. She was working at the reception desk and I was rushing to my office. How are you? I asked rather automatically. I had a thousand things on my mind.

Fine, she replied. Something in her voice made me stop.

Whats wrong?

I was in a car accident last night. Her lip quivered, and I noticed the bump on her forehead.

Are you all right?

I thought I was. I wasnt hurt much. Im lucky. The other driver ran a red light. But now Im feeling kind of shaky.

If you need to go home...

No. Id rather be here. I need to be around people. Others arrived, and we listened to her, somebody got her some coffee, and the volunteer EMT in the office inspected her forehead more closely. Reassured that Erin would be okay, we went to our desks, but we were all left wondering what more we could do. An ice pack? Aspirin? Could I get her some lunch?

At midday she was gone. She went out, someone told me. Good, I thought. Shell get some fresh air, some lunch. When I returned from my lunch, she was back at the front desk and looked a lot more relaxed.

Im feeling much better, she said.

But your forehead, I was about to say. There was a dark smudge over the bump. Had the bruise gotten worse? Then I remembered the day: Ash Wednesday, when some of our fellow believers in Christ observe the start of Lent with a bit of ash in the shape of a cross. Erins smudge was the mark of the Healer.

You found the right place to go at lunch, I said.

It helped a lot, she added.

In faith, Lord, I turn to You for healing. Rick Hamlin

Digging Deeper:Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 14:1314; 1 Peter 2:24

If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him. John 14:23 (KJV)

Words. I am surrounded by them. As an editor, I poke and scratch and rework them. As a writer, I try to make them sing. As an avid magazine and newspaper reader, I use them to gather information. But sometimes I think there are too many words in the worldor at least, in my world.

So for Lent this year, Im reading only certain words in my Bible. The words of Jesus. They are conveniently printed in redbright patches of scarlet among all the lines of black. When I leaf through the Gospels, I see that Jesus is, indeed, a man of few words. Let your light shine (Matthew 5:16). Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44). Come and follow me (Matthew 19:21). Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).

I find comfort in His words. But I find challenge too. There is an energy in their sparseness. It makes much of my world seem unduly wordy. It makes much of what I say seem unduly wordy. I begin to understand: More is not always better.

So during this holy season, I will immerse myself in the red words. They are my salvation.

Dear Jesus, let me find quiet time to meditate on the most important words ever spoken: Yours. Mary Lou Carney

Digging Deeper:John 1:1, 14:15; Hebrews 4:12

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12 (KJV)

My son is withdrawn, dull-eyed. My husband thinks John is depressed, and I agree. Its time to get help. This is a hard step for us: We like to think of ourselves as competent and capable, not as failures who cant guide a six-year-old through his troubles. But we have held on to our pride too long already.

I bring John in for a full medical and psychiatric exam. Turning my son over for professionals to evaluate is rough. I do not want to cede what little control I have.

It strikes me that this feeling is not new. All too often when I finally, fully turn something over to God, it has my claw marks on it. I hold on, I waffle, I give some but not all. Today I hunt through Scripture for a better understanding of what it means to give to Christ completely. This time its Mary with her alabaster jar of nard who gives me insight (Matthew 26:613).

Truthfully, Ive never made a material sacrifice for God as generous as Marys gift. Im not sure if I even own anything that is worth an entire years wages. Yet Mary gave her whole nest egg of nard to Christ without being asked.

Judas was partially right: It was an extravagant gift. What he didnt grasp was that the cost was not to be counted in silver but in love. Christ saw first and foremost the lavish outpouring of Marys heart. She anointed the King of love with her love, in preparation for His entry into His kingdom.