Lent 2022 • Week Two Jesus Is Kind

Tuesday, March 8th, 2022

“Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” —Mark 1:41 (NLT)

Bible Reading: Mark 1:29-34

“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.” (NIV)

Daily Challenge

The scripture story today tells us about compassion, specifically the compassion Jesus shared with those he encountered. Here’s a quote from the book I am reading that I found to be profound, “Part of the mystery of Jesus is that God took on human flesh to become man. And in His body, Jesus experienced the full spectrum of human emotion, including pity, indignation, and compassion — all words that describe Jesus’ reaction upon seeing His beautiful creation marred by the effects of sin. Yet Jesus didn’t just feel emotions in His body, He allowed His emotions to move Him to action, and we now are called to be His hands and feet, showing others His love in incarnate ways.”

We can ask Jesus to help us show love through appropriate means such as; shaking hands with people we meet, talking with people and making eye contact to really connect, visiting a care facility speaking directly to residents touching a hand or shoulder. The power of human touch is extremely powerful and can provide healing if only for a moment. The most important question to ask ourselves is, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? (WWJD)

Bonus Information

The Greek word for “compassion” in Mark 1:41, is:

splagchnizomai (splangkh-nid’-zom-ahee)

σπλαγχνίζομαι (Greek)

Strong’s Number G4697 matches the Greek σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai),
which occurs 12 times in 12 verses in the TR Greek.

The Greek word is splagchnizomai. The first part of the word (splagchna) means “internal organs,” so splagchnizomai literally means to be moved so deeply by something that you feel it in the pit of your stomach.

Author Asheritah Ciuciu writes this in her book on page 47-48, “And He was moved with compassion. Literally, the phrase means His intestines were twisted in response to what He saw (beyond the man’s skin disease into the loneliness of his heart. And He was moved with compassion). Jesus had a guttural physical reaction to the man’s brokenness, and He did the unthinkable: Jesus reached out and touched the man.”

Can you even imagine what the man with leprosy felt when Jesus touched his skin? After years of being an outcast and having to shout out to anyone you encountered “UNCLEAN” “UNCLEAN” which was the practice wherever he went. He must have felt so alone, ashamed and crippling isolation. We do not meet people with leprosy but we are guilty of treating people as if they have deadly diseases, mostly because they are different from us…but we must ask ourselves, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4697/kjv/tr/0-1/

A Lent Devotional ~ Uncovering the Love of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu (2020 Moody Publishers)

Further Study

Leviticus 13:1-14:32 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Leviticus%2013:1-14:32&version=NLT
Isaiah 53:4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2053:4&version=NLT
Ephesians 4:32 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%204:32&version=NLT

Lent 2022 • Week Two Jesus Crosses Borders

Monday, March 7th, 2022

“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” —John 4:7 (NIV)

Bible Reading: John 4:1-42

“Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John — although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

In the scripture reading for today we learned that Jesus crossed more than one type of border traveling from Judea to Galilee. Jesus intentionally stepped into and crossed a border when he chose to speak to the woman at the well; this action would have been viewed as problematic because most Middle Eastern cultures disapproved of men speaking to women in private. Furthermore, Jewish tradition considers Samaritan women continually unclean. In fact, most Jewish travelers would choose the longest routes around Samaria to avoid any interactions at all. Jesus comes into this particular scene knowing all truths about the woman and the negative relationship (past and present) between the Jews and the Samaritan’s, why did Jesus do this…His heart and love compelled Him to proceed. It is worth noting that even though Jesus knew of the past actions of this woman he did not chastise or belittle her in any way. Jesus crosses every man-made boundary to quench the woman’s deepest longing…with Himself. He reveals His identity as the Messiah: “I am he.” Jesus chooses this woman to witness Him not just as Messiah for the Jews, but the Savior of the world. With Jesus there are no borders that separate who we are, we are all God’s children and His love knows no limits.

Challenge Questions:

1. What stands between you and a joyful relationship with Jesus today?

• Me. I’m my own worst enemy some days.

• Worries of this world, self-absorbed.

• Not spending enough time with God.

• Me.

I love Jesus and I want to be joyful, even on my not so good days. Jesus is my source of strength and my refuge. I am who I am only because of Jesus, He created me on purpose, He gave me life and I long to spend eternity with him. The above obstacles are my stumbling blocks, I admit that I fail often and I thank God for His unending grace and mercy.

2. What stands between you and a joyful relationship with people that Jesus has called you to love, perhaps across social, racial, economic or cultural borders?

• Fear.

• Self-confidence.

• Pride.

• Did I mention Fear.

The above characteristics have a tendency to come and go in my life. I sincerely love people and try to see good in people, though some tend to make the task harder than it needs to be. Life and it’s many responsibilities affects each of us dramatically different. As I have aged, matured and experienced life I try to be more patient with others. Reminding myself that none of us are perfect. As individuals, each with our own personalities and life experiences will see the world and all that is within it differently and that’s okay. This is what I tell myself, God did not say you have to be everyone’s best friend, what he did say was, “love one another.” I don’t have to agree with everyone but I should most definitely respect and honor their choices. History of our world shows us just how cruel we can be to one another and it seems that we just refuse to learn from our past in order to prevent ourselves from repeating things in the future.

Something to Ponder: 🤔💭🧐💬🙏🏻

Think of someone in your neighborhood or workplace who is most unlike you and prayerfully plan a specific way to show them Jesus’ love this week.

Additional Scriptures for Study:

2 Kings 17:24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Kings%2017:24&version=NIV
Ezra 4:1-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ezra%204:1-24&version=NIV
Luke 9:52-56 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%209:52-56&version=NIV
Revelation 7:9-12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%207:9-12&version=NIV

🌺 🌿 🌼 🌱 🌸 🍃 🌻 🍃 🌸 🌱 🌼 🌿 🌺

Friends, thank you for visiting my blog today, I pray that you know God and know the purest of all love comes from our Heavenly Father. ~ Peace to you!

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Lent 2022 • Week Two CELEBRATION

Sunday, March 6th, 2022

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Jesus died to demonstrate His love for us.

Bible Reading: John 3:14-17

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Questions to Ponder: ❔❔❔

1. How did Jesus demonstrate His love for us?

The Bible tells us that Jesus, [and I believe] gave himself freely as a sacrifice for the sins of all people. He chose to be born human and live among His people, to take our place on the cross and defeat death to reunite God and His creation. Jesus took upon himself all sin; yours, mine and every other person created, to be a ransom for all humankind. Everything that Jesus endured in His human life was done to make a way for all creation to be in relationship with God, the Father.

• Jesus died to bring us near to God.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” —1 Peter 3:18

• Jesus died to reveal God’s character.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
—2 Peter 3:9

• Jesus died to conquer evil.

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
—Revelation 1:18

• Jesus died to establish a new covenant.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord . “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” —Jeremiah 31:31-34

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
—Hebrews 9:15

• Jesus died to set us an example of sacrificial love.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
—Ephesians 5:1-2

2. In the Bible reading, the text tells us that when we believe in Jesus, we are saved into eternal life.

➡️➡️➡️ Have you believed in Jesus for your salvation? ⬅️⬅️⬅️

I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart on September 6th, 1979. I had believed in who Jesus was long before this formal accepting in the presence of a Pastor, as I had been attending Sunday school and church from a very young age. I certainly felt and remember the nudging of the Holy Spirit on that Thursday night way back in 1979. Something quite interesting just occurred to me, I was born on a Thursday and reborn into my new life with Christ on a Thursday! THAT’S PRETTY COOL! 😎🆒😎

If you are thinking about and wanting to accept Jesus as your personal Savior you can do it right now by saying this simple prayer;

Dear God, Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. ~Amen

3. What do you want to say in response to Jesus?

THANK YOU! These words are clearly inadequate to express how I feel about having Jesus in my life. I love being a child of God, I fail miserably too often to live the life of obedience but that does not deter me from wanting to do better and to be in fellowship with God, the Father, Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. I am grateful for the grace and mercy applied to me and my life. It’s easy for me to see the blessings in my life and I have learned to accept and understand painful events in my past as blessings because they prepared me for my future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
—Jeremiah 29:11

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
—Proverbs 3:5-6

Friends, I am delighted that you visited my blog today, may God reveal Himself to you in a special way today. Always remember, you are loved and you are a child of God.

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-died-cross/?amp

Lent 2022 • Week One Jesus Does Not Boast

Saturday, March 5th, 2022

“The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.”
— John 2:9 (NIV) —

https://seedsoffaith.cph.org/2016/11/30/new-testament-2-lesson-1-jesus-changes-water-into-wine/

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20:28 (NIV)

Bible Reading for Today: John 2

“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” — John 2:1-25 (NIV)

The First Miracle : Turning Water Into Wine

“The Bible compares the relationship between Christ and the church as that of a groom and his bride, and one day He will drink wine with His bride in Heaven, making it special that His first miracle was at a wedding, personal and joyous.” *Reference 1.

Jesus did not make his first miracle about himself, he did not announce his actions or seek recognition. The actions of Jesus turning the water into wine was done out of love, he honored his mothers request and to save the groom from public disgrace and humiliation. The purpose of this particular event was to reveal Jesus’ glory to a select few and to save his friend from public embarrassment of running out of wine/fare for his wedding guests.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS (?)

1. Do you struggle with public recognition for the way you serve others?

I appreciate being recognized and careful not to let myself get self-absorbed.

2. Do you find your heart longing for praise, likes and follows?

Honestly, I like receiving praise, likes and follows but I am not consumed by it. Truth is not everyone likes everything I do and I’m ok with that. But when people take the time, their precious time to comment or just hit the “like” button, I do have a sense of accomplishment. I’m realistic too, I’m just trying to share my truths and spread God’s Word to others. Keeping the doors of conversation open as well as my heart and mind to new ideas and thoughts. Always striving for more and learning as I go and grow.

3. Are you content having your acts of love remain anonymous, known only to your Heavenly Father and those who witnessed?

Absolutely, I don’t need constant reassurance, and I’m grateful when I am recognized by others. I often say many silent prayers on the behalf of others, mostly people I’ve never met; just me & God. I tend to do a lot of “behind the scenes” things in my personal life as well as my professional life. I love to see happiness in the lives of others! I do sometimes get frustrated especially in my professional life because I’m in a position to review and make changes that no one else sees or even hears about, but I know what I do is important and it’s my job. I’m doing what I’m paid for and the recognition is just that. I have learned, sometimes, painfully that I don’t need to bring negative attention upon someone by pointing out their mistakes so I can feel good about my job. I’m part of a team, and yes sometimes I have to report mistakes, but I’m very mindful that I too make mistakes. It’s a very humbling experience for which I am grateful. Keeps me honest, and from tooting my horn!

Choose someone today to encourage or serve today, anonymously if possible, and relish the truth that your act of love is known by God—and that’s enough.

🌻 🍃 🌸 🍃 🌼 🍃 🌺 🍃 🌼 🍃 🌸 🍃 🌻

Friends, thank you for your support and stopping by today. God Bless you as you bless others.

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

1. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-was-jesus-first-miracle.html?amp

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Lent 2022 • Week One Jesus Invites Us Close

Friday, March 4th, 2022

“He appointed twelve that they might be with him.” —Mark 3:14 (NIV)

“I have called you friends, . . . Love each other as I have loved you.” —John 15:15, 12

Today, we will be reading a story from Mark 3:13-19.

“ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (NIV)

Have you ever wondered about the twelve that Jesus chose? During this time in history it would have been well known that there existed a model of teacher and disciple. Young men who exhibited passion in the study of the Torah would choose to apprentice themselves with a rabbi. This was a very competitive career choice that came with long hours and no pay; but with hope as well, the hope of someday becoming a respected rabbi with his own disciple.

This is not what Jesus did, Jesus loves all humankind and he chose men who were not qualified, per the status quo and traditions of the day. Men who had not pursued religious education and study. In fact, Jesus chose men with vocational careers; fishermen, tax collector, a zealot, and a thief. This band of misfit brothers with Jesus as their teacher would forever change the world and Jesus would make a way for reconciliation and a renewed relationship with God, the Father.

What an opportunity for the twelve disciples to be with Jesus ever day and night for three years. These twelve individuals learned from Jesus and experienced what perfect love really is. Love changes people!

The disciples were changed from spending with Jesus but we too have the same opportunity to learn from Jesus. Spending time with Jesus, up close and personal will change us. We know that every time Jesus speaks it is always the TRUTH! As we grow in our relationships with Jesus, we learn, we grow and we mature in our faith. We are sometimes even put into places or situations to teach others about Jesus, and the Love he has for all of creation.

In Jesus’ public ministry, he made time for those that one else cared about, or in many cases chose to ignore.

Are there people in your life that you choose not to see?

Why do you (we) do that?

I love the phrase, “ we are the hands and feet of Jesus.” Take time to spent time with God today, he LOVES you and he created you.

CHALLENGE QUESTION (?)

The one resource that we have that is the most precious is TIME. It may sound very basic and simple to give someone your time and to be focused entirely upon them.

Is there a cost to giving your time away (?).

Jesus did exactly that, freely gave his time to the disciples, the sick and the needy. Jesus did all these things, he chose the disciples and shared everything with his them. Do you have someone that you share your life with, even see you at your worst, to be your closest friend (?) —- that is a precious expression of love.

Who might you share your time and love with today (?).

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Lent 2022 • Week One Jesus Loves Perfectly

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” —Matthew 4:1 (NRSVA)

Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
—Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)

Jesus has loved us humans since the very beginning. The reading from Ash Wednesday in John 1, we read that he was in the beginning, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5) Jesus is the light!

God has never wavered in his love for us throughout the many times humans have sinned, strayed and forgot who God is. The Bible gives us stories covering all generations with examples of our weaknesses. God’s love remained! Here’s a few examples to ponder and even read about:

• Adam and Eve

• Cain and Abel

• Abraham and Sarah

• Jacob and Esau

• Joseph and his brothers

• Moses and Joshua

• David and Solomon

• Isaiah and Jeremiah

• Kings and Priests

None of these examples lead to a perfect relationship with God. As humans, we are imperfect but that should not deter us from trying. Jesus, chose to be born human with all the frailties of the body that you and I also inhabit with one very important difference, Jesus did so without sin, he was perfect. He loved his Father and trusted him completely. He lived his life as a model for us to follow, always seeking the will of the Father, our creator and the one who loves us unconditionally.

In today’s Bible reading we read about Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, that included fasting and praying; and the devil tempting Jesus in a weakened state both physically and emotionally from fasting as well as the dry desert heat during the day and the bitter cold at night. Jesus trusted God, the Father for all his needs. Have you ever wondered about the fact that Lent is forty days, just as Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness? Did you know that Moses too fasted for forty days before receiving the law or that Elijah spent 40 days journeying to the mountain of God before encountering God in a whisper. And, let us also remember the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness by the children of Israel, the Israelites.

It was Jesus who perfectly fulfilled the Father’s purpose for the wilderness testing, and Jesus did it all for LOVE and with LOVE.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

As we begin our collective and individual forty-day wilderness experience… some questions (?).

What are your expectations of God?

What are you expectations of yourself?

What of your experience?

Friends ~. May the peace of God surround you, comfort you and calm you. ~Amen

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/