Cornerstone District News
Lenten Devotional #4, Rev. Suzanne Block
March 15, 2021 / By Cathy Hall / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is a blessing to be able to share this weekly devotional with you during this season of Lent. We are asking ourselves this question throughout Lent, “How do we see God?”
Matthew 5:8 tells us, “the pure in heart see God.” Can we become pure in heart? If so, how do we do this?
Journeying through Lent includes times of: self–examination and repentance; prayer and fasting; self–denial; reading and meditating on God's Word.
This fourth week of Lent our focus is on living our lives in the light. Living in the freedom that comes from following Jesus, who is the Light of the World. Read John 12:35-36 and John 3:19-21
Baker’s Biblical dictionary explains light as, “Light always involves the removal of darkness in the unfolding of biblical history & theology.” A Light to the World. God is light, who dispels the darkness of this world. Jesus came as the light of the world, breaking through the darkness of sin by his work on the cross. We as followers of Jesus are a light to the world as well. Jesus describes his disciples as light and light-bearers (Matthew 5:14-16).”
The opposite of light is darkness. With darkness we can experience fear (panic, distress & anxiety), condemnation (criticism or disapproval) & secrets (words & actions to be kept unknown or unseen by others – those skeletons in your closets). Living in the darkness can also mean living without following Jesus.
Proverbs 4:19 “But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
Our journeys of faith are our own. God meets us right where we are. God’s grace, forgiveness and love are ready to fill and enfold us. Even when we stumble in the darkness. Even when we stumble with: unhealthy habits, wanting to be in control, expecting others to act in a certain way, enticing worldly temptations that are placed before us and not placing Jesus first in our lives.
Here is the hope! John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness. Jesus is the Light of the World! Our lives no longer need to be shrouded in darkness.
Our desire as faithful followers of Jesus are to be faithful, obedient and intentional in our prayers and in our lives as we seek to follow the Jesus, who is the Light of the World.
When we live with humility and purpose; when we give up our self-focus and aimlessness; when we seek God’s peace and not chaos; when we allow Jesus to invade our darkness (fear, condemnation and secrets) and live in the light of Christ, we live in obedience & faithfulness to God. Seeking God’s light develops our Christ-like character becoming pure in heart.
So, over the next several weeks, I prayerfully challenge each one of us to continue a time of self-reflection & the ability to rid ourselves of the characteristics that hinder us from seeing God.
This week as you hold the nail during your prayer time, pray for the ability to receive God’s light for your life and to follow more closely Jesus, who is the Light of the World. This means ridding yourselves of fear, condemnation and secrets. Intentionally working on becoming “pure in heart.”
So, “How do we see God?” Matthew 5:8 tells us, “the pure in heart see God.”
Questions for reflection: Read John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”
Take time in prayer and ask God to reveal the area(s) of “darkness” in your life that need(s) to be brought into the light. Write them down.
What situations continue to cause you to stumble in your faith journey? Write them down.
How will following Jesus, who is the Light of the World, give you freedom from fear, condemnation and secrets?
In prayerful reflection identify the area(s) in your life where you have received the light of God. Write them down and write a prayer to God of thanksgiving.
Journeying Together,
Suzanne
Lenten Devotional #4, Rev. Suzanne Block
March 15, 2021 / By Cathy Hall / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is a blessing to be able to share this weekly devotional with you during this season of Lent. We are asking ourselves this question throughout Lent, “How do we see God?”
Matthew 5:8 tells us, “the pure in heart see God.” Can we become pure in heart? If so, how do we do this?
Journeying through Lent includes times of: self–examination and repentance; prayer and fasting; self–denial; reading and meditating on God's Word.
This fourth week of Lent our focus is on living our lives in the light. Living in the freedom that comes from following Jesus, who is the Light of the World. Read John 12:35-36 and John 3:19-21
Baker’s Biblical dictionary explains light as, “Light always involves the removal of darkness in the unfolding of biblical history & theology.” A Light to the World. God is light, who dispels the darkness of this world. Jesus came as the light of the world, breaking through the darkness of sin by his work on the cross. We as followers of Jesus are a light to the world as well. Jesus describes his disciples as light and light-bearers (Matthew 5:14-16).”
The opposite of light is darkness. With darkness we can experience fear (panic, distress & anxiety), condemnation (criticism or disapproval) & secrets (words & actions to be kept unknown or unseen by others – those skeletons in your closets). Living in the darkness can also mean living without following Jesus.
Proverbs 4:19 “But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
Our journeys of faith are our own. God meets us right where we are. God’s grace, forgiveness and love are ready to fill and enfold us. Even when we stumble in the darkness. Even when we stumble with: unhealthy habits, wanting to be in control, expecting others to act in a certain way, enticing worldly temptations that are placed before us and not placing Jesus first in our lives.
Here is the hope! John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness. Jesus is the Light of the World! Our lives no longer need to be shrouded in darkness.
Our desire as faithful followers of Jesus are to be faithful, obedient and intentional in our prayers and in our lives as we seek to follow the Jesus, who is the Light of the World.
When we live with humility and purpose; when we give up our self-focus and aimlessness; when we seek God’s peace and not chaos; when we allow Jesus to invade our darkness (fear, condemnation and secrets) and live in the light of Christ, we live in obedience & faithfulness to God. Seeking God’s light develops our Christ-like character becoming pure in heart.
So, over the next several weeks, I prayerfully challenge each one of us to continue a time of self-reflection & the ability to rid ourselves of the characteristics that hinder us from seeing God.
This week as you hold the nail during your prayer time, pray for the ability to receive God’s light for your life and to follow more closely Jesus, who is the Light of the World. This means ridding yourselves of fear, condemnation and secrets. Intentionally working on becoming “pure in heart.”
So, “How do we see God?” Matthew 5:8 tells us, “the pure in heart see God.”
Questions for reflection: Read John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”
Take time in prayer and ask God to reveal the area(s) of “darkness” in your life that need(s) to be brought into the light. Write them down.
What situations continue to cause you to stumble in your faith journey? Write them down.
How will following Jesus, who is the Light of the World, give you freedom from fear, condemnation and secrets?
In prayerful reflection identify the area(s) in your life where you have received the light of God. Write them down and write a prayer to God of thanksgiving.
Journeying Together,
Suzanne