“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” ~John 6:11
https://www.biblegateway.com

John chapter 6:1-14 tells us of “The Miracle of the Loaves.” Jesus was traveling the countryside teaching to the crowds that were following him. They had seen or heard of the miracles He was performing and they were seeking Him. Jesus noticed during the end of the day that they were in an isolated area with no towns or villages, no lodging or places to find food. Jesus seeing the needs of the people, did not want to send them away hunger. As the disciples were discussing the lack of money and provisions to feed the people, Andrew, the disciple brought a young boy forward to Jesus and he had five small loaves of barley and two small fish and then added, how far with this go? Jesus then had the people sit in the grassy areas and he lifted the bread and fish and gave thanks and distributed it to everyone as much as they wanted and were they were all filled.  Jesus had the disciples gather the leftovers and they filled twelve baskets. This is a great example for us as we seek God in our Lenten Study this week focusing on “Hunger.” Why this miracle? Why this particular group of followers? What is Jesus teaching us to do now?

Why this miracle: Jesus saw the needs of the people both spiritually and physically. Jesus did not want to send the people away hungry, He felt compassion for them. He “thanked” God for blessing the bread and fish.

Why this particular group: Jesus had filled the crowd with spiritual nourishment and He wanted them to be also be physically feed food that would strengthen them to return to their homes and villages and cities to share the “good news” of Jesus and share what they learned.

What is Jesus teaching us to do now: Jesus wanted us to be mindful of the needs of our neighbors, our friends, our communities and our world. Jesus wants us to share our food with everyone, both spiritual and actual food. I am and have been privileged to be part of a group who actively demonstrates and fills the needs of others through community gardens, food pantries, habitat for humanity, mission oriented trips to assist victims of natural disasters and mission trips to feed the souls of God’s children around the world as well as our own community. It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to help others and to teach them to also help themselves through the power of Jesus.

Our world is a wilderness in so many places and hunger is so prevalent our society. The Bible gives us many examples of “being” Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. To continue spreading the Gospel using the gifts that God blesses us with. I invite you to seek out your gifts if you are not aware of yours and give it to others joyfully. Everyone has a gift, some are good listeners, some can build houses/do repairs, some can sing, some can teach…it is an endless list. Be a blessing today.

Bible verses about serving others (the hands and feet of Jesus):

1 Peter 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”

Matthew 25:35-40 “ I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ..”

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Proverbs 11:25 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Hebrews 13:16“ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Breath Prayer: God use me for your glory!

~Blessings and Peace~

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” ~Deuteronomy 8:3

What do you hunger for(?).

hunger     noun hun·ger\ˈhəŋ-gər\
1a : a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient
b : an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food.  The small meal wasn’t enough to satisfy his hunger.
c : a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food died of hunger
2: a strong desire : craving a hunger for success
from hunger : very bad or inept the jokes were from hunger — Mordecai Richler
*Webster Dictionary App

Hunger is a basic human response to provide ones body with sustenance, fuel for the human body to function properly. It is also refers to education, learning and gaining knowledge to be successful in life both personal and professional. I personally feel blessed to have the freedom to discover new ways to feed my hunger. I love being out observing God’s beautiful creation, taking photos of the regular and routine things that are the backdrops of our lives. I like to read, study and discuss politics and religion. I like listening to people tell their story. I crave communication and conversation. I love to write and being creative. All of these things are possible because of God; because God is the creator of all things. The devotional I am reading and commenting about is providing a centralized theme throughout Lent that chronicles the Israelites as the journeyed through the wilderness. Honestly, my belief is that we (humans) continue the same repeated methods of rebellion and disobedience as generations before us did. Have you ever got tired of or bored with something you really wanted and soon after you got it, it lost its appeal (?). I mentioned this yesterday but is important to say again, the Israelites were hungry and what did God give them? Food from Heaven, fresh every single day and what happened, the Israelites got tired of eating the same fresh manna every day, they began to complain and even wished they had never been freed from Pharaoh. Gosh, we are a fickle people aren’t we! God provides in so many ways every single day of our lives, and we often forget even the basic of salutations. The author shares a story about praying and reciting The Lord’s Prayer and how it would draw people together based upon her experiences. She stated that when she attended chapel services on campus they would hold hands reaching across the aisles to one another and it brought to life feelings of community to the participants. I have had the same experience when I was in college and even today in some church services, hold hands with someone connects you on a deeper level with people. It’s reassuring that someone is praying with you and possibly for you.

Are you dependent upon God (?) and if so, what are the things you are dependent for? If you responded, everything; you would be correct.

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9 | NIV

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 | NIV

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 | NIV

Prayer and Fasting ~Matthew 6:5-18
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%206:5-18&version=NIV

Breath Prayer: Jesus, all I have is a gift from you. ~Amen

~Blessings and Peace~

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day…” ~Exodus 16:4

Today’s passage tells us about God’s chosen people, the Israelites after they had been rescued from Egypt. The Bible tells us in Exodus 16:1-3, “The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.  In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” It did not take long for the grumbling and complaining to start, they had already forgotten all the pain and punishment Pharaoh had placed upon them. We see God’s love for His people in verse 4, which is our highlighted verse of the day, God will rain bread down upon His children as nutrition every single day and God gave them a single specific instruction to follow, to only gather enough bread to eat for the day. Sounds simple enough, right(?). See Exodus 16:20…
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Exodus%2016:20&version=NIV

God’s Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness is greater than our sins, Amen! I am no different from the Israelites, I get bored, I think I know best at times…we are all sinners. God loves His children, you are a child of God and He is the Great provider! Lent is a time of reflection, confession and reconciliation. Lent is a time to earnestly seek God’s Will in our lives. Many people practice fasting as a part of their journey through Lent. Our author today shared that not all people can participate in the fast of food due to some basic health factors and she suggest practicing other methods such as making donations of time or money to a specific cause in your neighborhoods or an issue around the world, a single person’s input can do amazing things. A small pebble compared to a large lake seems ridiculous but it’s not the size that matters, one small pebble causes ripples that affect the entire lake. So if a single pebble can generate movement, can you imagine what would happen if 10 pebbles were thrown in the lake! Don’t ever think you are insignificant, you absolutely made a difference! Some people do volunteer work as part of their Lenten journey, think about causes that are heavy on your heart, pray about it and then prepare to act as God leads you. Just as the pebble, though it is small creates big results; so too can every act of kindness you offer others. These acts of kindness can be as simple as holding a door open, saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome!” Some choose “Paying it forward” paying for someone’s bill in line behind you at a fast food drive through or paying another’s bill while sitting at a restaurant, buying a movie ticket for someone in line, the list is endless. And, if you find yourself on the receiving end of a blessing say thank you when you can and always give God the praise and glory. Lent is also a time to think about Jesus’ ministry and His love for all People, He came to earth, to be born and die so that we could be reconciled with God.

Breath Prayer: God, our Bread of Life, hear all the cries of those who hunger. ~Amen!

~Blessings and Peace~

“The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ~Matthew 4:3

This week is the third week of Lent and this week we will be discussing “hunger.” Specifically, Jesus had been drive into the wilderness by the Spirit and Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, it was at this time the tempter comes and begins speaking to Jesus. The tempter (Satan) knows that Jesus is hunger, thirsty and in a weakened stage but also knows he is not a mere mortal. He says to Jesus, turn those stones into bread, knowing full well that Jesus has the power to do so. And Jesus replies, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ~Matthew 4:4. Satan, does not give up easily, he continues his tempting by suggesting Jesus throw himself off a cliff to be saved by angels and to bow down to Satan himself. Jesus responds very adamantly, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” ~Matthew 4:7 & 10. Jesus reminds us that the sustainability of life is not solely obtained through bread (food); we are to place our faith in God, not demand proof of His might and power through testing Him, we are to trust in the Word of God and lastly that we are to worship God only, the maker and creator of all things. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

The question from the author for today is: “What are the human-made causes of hunger in the world today?” And, “How might you be called to resist those factors?”

My experiences show me that hunger exists in our world on a daily basis and it is more than food and nutrition. People are hungry for acceptance, for knowledge, power, a voice, hungry for safety and security etc. the list is so long, and I have mentioned only a few. The list of hunger items may be long; however, the solution and healing is found in just one word, JESUS! When you are overwhelmed and you don’t know what to do or say, just say JESUS!

Breath Prayer: Jesus, hear our cries of hunger today.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
http://www.abingdonpress.com
(The Sanctuary For Lent 2018 by Katie Z. Dawson

Full Lyrics – Forty Days and Forty Nights
By: George Hunt Smyttan (1822-1870)
1 Forty days and forty nights
you were fasting in the wild;
forty days and forty nights
tempted, and yet undefiled.

2 Shall not we your sorrow share
and from worldly joys abstain,
fasting with unceasing prayer,
strong with you to suffer pain?

3 Then if Satan on us press,
flesh or spirit to assail,
victor in the wilderness,
grant that we not faint nor fail!

4 So shall we have peace divine:
holier gladness ours shall be;
round us, too, shall angels shine,
such as served you faithfully.

5 Keep, O keep us, Savior dear,
ever constant by your side,
that with you we may appear
at the eternal Eastertide.

“He said this plainly. But Peter took hold of Jesus and, scolding him, began to correct him”
~Mark 8:31-38

Additional scripture for today includes Genesis 17:4-8; 15-16 along with Mark 8:31-38. These passages highlight people that are dealing with radical transitions in their lives.  Genesis 17 tells us the story of Abram and Sarai, the changing of their names by God and announcing that Abraham would become a father with Sarah, in their old age, 99 and 90 respectively. In fact, upon hearing the news that they would be parents in their old age they both responded with laughter…”Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” ~Genesis 17:17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2017:17&version=NIV
“So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ~Genesis 18:12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2018:12&version=NIV

There is nothing impossible for God.

As for Mark, chapter 8, we read the story of Peter rebuking Jesus. The author tells us that “Peter shuts his mind and challenges Jesus. In fact the Geek Word used for challenge is the same word used for silencing demons. Peter thought Jesus was out of his mind.” (Quote by Katie Z. Dawson). We read Jesus’ response to Peter in Mark 8:33, “But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%208:33&version=NIV

In both of these stories, the characters come to believe and trust in God and the specific promises made by God.   As I read these stories there are two very important things that stood out to me 1.) God’s promises are always true and delivered and 2.) It is never too late for us to be faith to God. One of my first bible verses I memorized was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” And we can know this truth, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~Matthew 19:26 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2019:26&version=NIV
As we continue our journey through Lent and live into liminal space, we can strengthen our relationship with God by naming and claiming our mistakes and sins so that we can move forward, living and growing into the people we were created to be and leave our sins and mistakes behind us.

Breath Prayer: Forgive me my sins, I choose faithfulness to God!

~Blessings and Peace~

“There’s a season for everything, and a time for every matter under the heavens.”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1

What season of life are you in right now? The author tells a story of her season of transition, leaving one job to start a new job. She compares her emotions to a weather change as a cold front moves in as she is driving. She explains the erratic and chaotic weather situations when cold fronts move into an area and the difficulties it presents to drivers especially. Have you ever experienced anything like this in your life? I’m reminded of a quote, “It’s always darkest before dawn” when faced with changes in life. *The expression ‘the darkest hour’ came into widespread use in early 19th century England. However, the usage of the phrase that has more recently become popular originated well before that, in the proverb ‘the darkest hour is just before the dawn’. A version of the proverb was recorded by Thomas Fuller in A Pisgah-Sight Of Palestine And The Confines Thereof, 1650:

It is always darkest
just before the Day dawneth  

https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Fuller

I love these two statements made by author regarding change and transitioning, and Lent, “It was the friction of what was and what will be making contact with one another. It was the chaos of transition.”

“During Lent we are invited to leave behind our past selves and to embrace the self that God intends us to be.”

Often we pick or choose something to give up during Lent, our past, who we were/are and take up new behaviors or attitudes to more fully surrender to God and become the person we were created to be. We seek God during this season of Lent, listen for His guidance and step forward in faith and emerge a renewed child of God. I have often referred to Ecclesiastes when facing difficult circumstances and events in my life, it provides comfort especially chapter 3. If you have the time I highly recommend reading chapter 1-5, better yet if you can hear an audio recording of it, it would be fantastic. I use an app on my smart phone and I really enjoy having the scriptures read to me, I feel like I am being covered with God’s Holy Word and my attention isn’t as easily swayed when trying to pronounce some of the more difficult words especially in the Old Testament.

What season were you in prior to Lent?

Where does God want you to emerge?

~Blessings and Peace~
Additional Video explaining Ecclesiastes

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.” ~Mark 9:2

Today’s scripture tells us about the Transfiguration of Jesus. I was going to try to paraphrase the story but I felt it would be best to give you the actual words from Mark. “And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” ~Mark 9:1-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%209:1-13&version=NIV
I can only imagine what this experience was like and what it meant to Peter, James and John. They had just witnessed a great miracle and Jesus tells them not to speak of it to anyone until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. This has been referred to as a “mountain top moment.” Have you ever had a “mountain top moment” in your life. The author of the pamphlet I am using talks about the passions she had in high school, she loved being artistic, always performing in plays, musicals, and speech contests and her “mountain top moments” were the actual performances, the few glorifying moments on the stage. I absolutely can relate to similar emotions. When I was a teenager I “loved” playing softball. I could play it every single day. I was really good at it and I liked that feeling of being a “clutch” player and being in the spotlight, definitely my “mountain top moments.” As I’ve grown and aged, sports have lessened and “mountain top moments” are fewer. I think mountain top moments are good and healthy for all of us, we all have special gifts and we should share them with others and encourage one another. We are not all great singers, or artists, or musicians, or story tellers, or writers…and that’s ok; maybe your gift is friendship, or positive optimism, or lightheartedness and laughter…whatever it is, share it and live into it every single day. Using our gifts and sharing our faith is “who” we are and we are the children of the Living God, who is the Light of the World. We are not here for a single performance, we are here to daily live out our faith and to spread the love of Jesus to everyone. Do you realize your actions and words might be the only “Jesus” experience some people might ever see? You might be asking, what does that even mean…I am not saying you need to learn to be a public speaker or a minister, elder or deacon… just be you, would people recognize you as a person of faith and a follower of Jesus by your actions and your words(?). Are you ever tempted to “perform” your faith instead of living it every day?

Breath Prayer: Jesus, speak to me and help me follow you every day. ~Amen.

~Blessings and Peace~

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” ~Isaiah 9:2

The text for today starts out by naming the people of Zebulun and Naphtali and that they were too familiar with wars and conflicts. In fact, their land and homes had become places of darkness, desolation and wilderness. However, hope was alive! The devotional goes into tell us about “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S.Lewis. Which happens to be one of my favorite authors. In this story, four children are sent to the countryside to live with relatives because their home was too close to active war zones during WWII. I will include a three-minute clip of the movie that directly relates to today’s text, and it too shows us that Hope is alive! Two stories happening in different time periods, one fictional and the other not. We also have the story of Jesus which is the focal point of our Lenten Study. The story of Jesus is absolutely about HOPE! Jesus is the LIGHT that drives darkness away. As we look at these three different situations, the sons of Jacob (Zebulun and Naphtali) living in a place of darkness; The four children in C.S.Lewis’ story of Narnia, they too are faced with the darkness of war and relocation. And most especially the story of Jesus, He is our HOPE! Jesus came into this world to be THE LIGHT of the world. “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.” ~John 8:12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:12&version=NIV
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” ~John 1:5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%201:5&version=NIV

Are there places near and dear to you that has been ravaged by conflict and/or dissension? What might hope look like in those situations? For me, it seems like there’s an endless list of conflicts and darkness in the world. I watched the CNN Town Hall with students and survivors of the Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Florida that happened on February 14, 2018, I saw hope in the willingness to have civil discussions and conversations with one another, I do wish people would talk and listen, showing respect for one another and to acknowledge that for one person to be right, doesn’t mean the other person has to be wrong. The HOPE we need is JESUS!

I have provided some additional information and links below if you are interested in more detail and Zebulon and Naphtali.

~Blessings and Peace~
Zebulun (also Zebulon, Zabulon or Zaboules;[1] Hebrew: זְבֻלוּן‬ or זְבוּלֻן‬ or זְבוּלוּן‬, Tiberian Hebrew Zəḇūlūn, Standard HebrewZevulun/Zvulun) was, according to the Books of Genesis and Numbers,[2][3] the sixth and last son of Jacob and Leah, and the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Zebulun.

“, Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.” ~Genesis 30:20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2030:20&version=NIV

According to the Book of Genesis, Naphtali(/ˈnæftəlaɪ/; Hebrew: נַפְתָּלִי‬, Modern Naftali, Tiberian Nap̄tālî, “my struggle”) was the sixth son of Jacob and second son with Bilhah. He was the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Naphtali.

“Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali.” ~Genesis 30:7-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2030:7-8&version=NIV

Remember-don’t ever forget!-how you made the Lord your God furious in the wilderness. From the very first day you stepped out of Egypt until you arrived at this place, you have been rebels against the Lord.
Deuteronomy 9:6-12, 18

Deuteronomy 9:6-12,18. “Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord. At Horeb you aroused the Lord’s wrath so that he was angry enough to destroy you. When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord had made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water. The Lord gave me two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God. On them were all the commandments the Lord proclaimed to you on the mountain out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. At the end of the forty days and forty nights, the Lord gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. Then the Lord told me, “Go down from here at once, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have become corrupt. They have turned away quickly from what I commanded them and have made an idol for themselves. Then once again I fell prostrate before the Lord for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the Lord’s sight and so arousing his anger.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Deuteronomy%209:6-18&version=NIV

The devotional for today talks about similarities between Jesus in the wilderness and the Israelites in the wilderness. There’s two points that are being experienced by both and they are discomfort and transformation. Yesterday’s devotion gave us insights to what Jesus went through during His forty days in the wilderness which included waiting, fasting, wrestling, trials and temptations. Jesus suffered during this time and accepted it and learned from the experience so that He could begin His ministry. He took the time to focus on the presence and power of God to sustain Him. The Israelites are a different story, they grumbled at their circumstances instead of being thankful for their freedom. Their faith lacked longevity, as soon as things became challenging their faith would waiver…too often it is easy to fall into this pattern for all of us. Remember, none of us are perfect and God does not want perfection, He wants our surrender, our devotion, He wants a relationship with us, He loves us and wants to love us even more. The Israelites were remembering how things used to be in Egypt, even though they were slaves they could eat meat and cook, they grew tired of manna from Heaven every day. They even lacked faith that God would provide daily for them that they gathering more food (manna) than they could eat after being told not to. The truth is we have the same rebellious spirit in our lives, most especially when it involves transition and changes. We are unwilling to let go of anger, frustration, betrayal, sin and hatred to name a few. This time of Lent gives us the time and space to face challenges and open ourselves up to change. There’s a question posed by the author and it is this…

Question: “How have you tried to hold on to the past in the mist of a transition in your life?

Answer: With a lot of vagueness I will say that I have struggled with closing doors on relationships that have transitioned, I am afraid that if the door closes it may never open again. The other important aspect about this is that typically I only focus on my feelings or my hurts while ignoring the other person’s feelings, not in a deliberate or brutal fashion, I’m just consumed with my fear and my doubts. This all happens for one reason only, I failed to include God…in the relationship and more fully into my life. I am happy to share that I am doing much better in this area of my life. Time and circumstances change all of us, no fault, no pointing and no blaming. People grow sometimes in different direction, it’s never wrong to go into the direction you feel God is leading. I had friends in college that I thought we would be close for the rest of our lives, I don’t love them any less today than I did when we were classmates and best friends but life happens and we lose touch…but we have memories that can still cause a smile and sometimes a (lol) and bring us JOY! I’m thankful for renewed friendships from my college days, FB and Twitter have helped in making that possible but the most important thing I’ve learned is that it takes time and if it’s important then make the time to let others know how you feel.

Let the Sun(Son)shine in!

Breath Prayer: Loving God, teach me how to let go.

~Blessings and Peace~

Tonight I had the privilege of meeting with 7 of my Esther’s Circle group of women from ACC for dinner at Charbonos. We enjoyed a wonderful meal with one another and engaged delightful conversation. Unfortunately, due to last-minute changes by the restaurant we were unable to share our “Star Words” and Lenten journeys with one another. I had prepared a short presentation and expressed to the ladies I would write my thoughts down and send them a copy. Our church is reading “Following the WAY” (Fellowship of Prayer 2018 Lent Devotional) from “The Bethany Fellows” ChalicePress.com. In addition I am writing and sharing another Lenten devotional called “The Sanctuary For Lent 2018” by Katie Z. Dawson.

Today’s text for “Fellowship of the WAY” is John 11:45-57 “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2011:45-57&version=NIV
Fear vs. Faith: The chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. They were filled with “FEAR” not faith, not a fulfillment of the scriptures. Fearful that their status would be affected they conspired to kill Jesus and convince the Jewish people it was the wish of the people to have him executed. Fear and power takes up so much space in our minds, it crippled us; however, there is hope! Faith in Jesus frees us to be open and available to do God’s work. Faith to walk where God leads, that’s life altering!

The Sanctuary For Lent text for today was Luke 4:1 “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%204:1&version=NIV
What I love about this Lenten study is the “Wilderness” theme throughout the entire study. For me it is in direct correlation of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. I am in no way comparing myself to Jesus and the trials and temptations He encountered while in the wilderness. It’s the daily reconciling that we, the reader are seeing glimpses of Jesus. I would even go as far as to say, it’s almost liminal space. For some reason I have this idea in my mind of looking through plastic wrap/saran wrap; I can sort of see the other side but it’s somewhat blurry. I’m not quite there yet but daily the view is becoming clearer and thinner. It also makes me think of a favorite verse of mine, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” ~1 Corinthians 13:12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%2013:12&version=NIV

~Blessings and Peace~