We   wait for the Lord; He is our deliverer and shield, For our hearts rejoice in Him, for we trust in His holy name.  May we experience your faithfulness, O Lord, for we wait for you. Psalm 33:20-22                                                                                                                                                         There is that word again…Wait!   Can you believe it?   That seems to be a great part of Lent for us…Waiting!   Waiting!   And even more…WAITING! Actually, let’s move past waiting and delve into Deliverer!  ...

  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. John 10:10                                                                                   “ I want you to have a life lousy with joy and stinking with excitement!”   Believe it or not, this is a positive statement, in fact the writer just wished for you…are you ready…an abundant life!   Jesus said that His express purpose was to bring life filled to the brim with joy, excitement, fullness, and purpose.   Abundantly…overflowing. How can we have this life during one of the most solemn times of the year?   How can I have joy and excitement during Lent?   Is it possible to experience fullness………overflowing fullness during Len...

  But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:31                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ...

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. Matthew 6:16-18                                                                                                                                                  Fasting is willful refrainment fro...

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18                                                                                                                                                                      My Mother was a gracious and compassionate lady. Her words were full of kindness, yet truth was always the foundation of her life. She spoke volumes through words, yet at times, silence was her answer. Her presence was an encouragement as she ...

 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. Lamentations 3:25 (NRSV)                                                                                                                                                  Waiting is not one of our strong points. We wait for Lent. We wait for the internet. We wait for the traffic signal or perhaps the car in front to move! And…we continue…to wait. How long must I wait, O God? Is there a purpose in this season of waiting? Lent is our time of reflection…of preparation. We look toward the death of Jesus. We prepare to understand and accept His death ...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21                                                        What is your treasure? Your mate? Your children? Friends? Pets? Money? How do you assign value in your life? What are your priorities? What is most important to you?   The most important person…ideal…thing…in your life, is your treasure! Our thoughts betray us when we mention “treasure.” Why? Because our “treasure” is always on our mind. We think of our “treasure” constantly. We guard our “treasure” carefully. What has been on your mind during this period of Lent? Are you dwelling on the death of Jesus? Is there recognition of your personal sin leading to confession? Jesus wants to be chosen as first in our lives. He wants to be our “treasure.” Jesus, Name above all Names. Treasure above all Treasu...