Reading:  Luke 12:22-28

Meditation:  Do you worry about things? What place do possessions have in your heart? How easy or hard is it to trust God to give you what you actually need?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that God would decrease your desire for more and more… and increase your desire for and trust in Him

[This post is part of an ongoing devotional series, you can find out more about the purpose of the posts here, and learn how to get the most out of the series here.]

Reading:  Matthew 9:35-38

Meditation:  When was the last time you felt moved by compassion? What did you do because of your compassion? Are you truly moved by compassion if no action follows?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that Jesus’ prayer would be answered — that more and more people would be moved “out into the fields” to not only heal and love, but to preach the Gospel with words and deeds.  Pray that God would show you your place in this mission.

Reading:  Luke 6:37-42

Meditation:  Who do you end up feeling most judgmental about?  Why?  How can we be passionate about the truth of the Gospel and convinced of the rightness of life in the way of Jesus without coming across as a jerk?  If you were wrong about something, how would you want someone to approach you?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that God would soften your heart towards others and most specifically, show you the “specks” in your own eye.

Reading:  Matthew 23:23-24

Meditation:  Do you think doing certain religious things (like fasting or observing Lent) or even not sinning makes you a better person? What are the more important matters according to this passage?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that God would use Lent to form you, to humble you, to purify your priorities and convince you of your place in serving others.

[This post is part of an ongoing devotional series, you can find out more about the purpose of the posts here, and learn how to get the most out of the series here.]

Reading:  Matthew 18:5-9

Meditations:  In what ways does sin have a grip on you? What do you know you need to let go of, but have been unwilling up to now. How might your unwillingness to deal with that affect others?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that God would search your heart and point out to you anything that needs to go, be let go of, and be crucified in your life.

[This post is part of an ongoing devotional series, you can find out more about the purpose of the posts here, and learn how to get the most out of the series here.]

Theme:  Relationship

Reading:  John 15:9-17

Meditation:  What has been the story of your relationship with Jesus? How has He pursued you? How have you pursued Him?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that God would help you know, feel, and lean into the love of Jesus for you on a daily basis.

Theme:  Greed

Reading:  Luke 12:13-21

Meditation:  Why does Jesus talk so much about money?  How is an over-emphasis on material things corrosive to our souls and our world?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that God would show you where and how you are overly concerned about and tied to money, possessions and acquisition.

[This is the first in an ongoing series, you can find out more about the purpose of these posts here, and learn how to get the most out of the series here.]

Soon enough, we’ll be celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but today we begin the journey of Lent … a journey of preparation.

[This is the first in an ongoing series, you can find out more about the purpose of these posts here, and learn how to get the most out of the series here.]

Day 1

Theme:  Simplicity

Reading:  Matthew 6:19-34

Meditation:  In what ways have the things you own ended up owning you?  In what areas of your life could you simplify if you only had the will to do so? What are we really saying to God when we place such an importance on things?  When we worry?

Prayer:  In your own words, pray that your worry would melt into trust; that your desire for things would be redirected into a desire for God and His kingdom.

You can read this post for more background on the purpose of the readings and devotionals – it’s about “repentance” and the “journey” to Easter.

Here’s a few tips on how to get the most out of this blog series:

1. Take note of the “theme” for the day – ask God to impress this principle on your heart through the reading and meditation, but also throughout the next two days.
2. Read the Scripture passage for the day.  You can read it here at the blog by simply putting your mouse over the passage; but if it’s possible, you might find it helpful to have a Bible close by and open to the passage so you can linger on the verses without distraction.
3. Let your meditation be guided by the questions listed.  Commit to being honest with yourself and allowing these questions to penetrate deep.
4. Make the short, suggested prayer your own by talking honestly with God.  Maybe it will be helpful to you to imagine Jesus is next to you during the devotion time, speak honestly to him as you pray.

To see the most recent entry, click on “Blog” in the menu above; or to see all the entries in the series, click here.

Here is an official update from the Christian & Missionary Alliance:

Haiti Update

After the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti in January, the Alliance family responded with overwhelming generosity, having given over $856,000 toward relief efforts to date. Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the C&MA’s relief and development arm, moved quickly to meet immediate needs and will continue to be involved in long-term rebuilding and development work in the impoverished nation during the months and years ahead.