“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
Forty Day Journey with Christ
This year, the penitential season of Lent begins the first week of March. Starting tomorrow, on Ash Wednesday, March 6th, I’d like to invite you to join me for a 40 day, online, Lenten journey. Here’s what I’d like to offer.
On each day of the Lenten Journey I’ll post the following:
- a link to a Gospel reading
- a brief meditation
- a prayer and a few questions for reflection
- on the Sundays of Lent, I’ll post something brief so that we can “sabbath”, cease from our work and receive all of the works of Jesus
If you journey forty days with the posted meditations (not counting Sundays), they will lead you through Holy Week and bring you to the cross of Good Friday and the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.
The Next 40 Days
Each day of the Lenten Journey begins with a selected portion from one of the Gospels.
Following the Scripture reference is a brief, written meditation centered on the Gospel for the day. Read the meditation with a receptive heart, asking Christ to reveal himself through the words. The words aren’t perfect. Neither are the thoughts behind them. Together, though, they just might be a means by which the Holy Spirit may choose to reveal the person and work of Jesus.
After each reading is a prayer. Use the prayer to focus, direct, and capture the desire of your heart on that day. Apply it to your situation in life. Let it guide and shape your understanding of who Christ is. Come back to it throughout the day and allow it to do whatever work Christ may choose.
Finally, there is a section for reflection.
Seven Sabbaths
Scattered throughout the forty days are seven “Sabbaths”.
- The first allows you to sit and rest awhile.
- The second provides you with a moment to remember the goodness and the grace of Christ in your life.
- The third stills the soul and prepares it for repentance.
- The fourth quiets your world and allows you to listen and respond to his voice.
- The fifth is a refreshing moment, a time to sit by the still waters and reflect on the journey thus far.
- The sixth gives a brief respite that relaxes the hands to receive whatever Christ would give.
- And finally, the seventh Sabbath is a day to rejoice in the new life of the resurrection.
A link to the first meditation is in the button below.
A Few Updates About Me and the Receptive Life Website
Also, I wanted to let you know that I have just accepted a Call from East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit. Pastor Asaph James and the saints gathered at East Bethlehem have asked me to serve as a deployed “Missionary at Large to the Tri-County Metro Detroit Area”.
The primary responsibility of this Divine Call will be to share the Gospel with the un-churched/de-churched and to connect them to a Lutheran Word and Sacrament ministry that would give to them all of the gifts of the Triune God.
East Bethlehem Lutheran Church is asking me to accomplish this through …
- personal conversations
- the establishment of discipleship communities (called “ekklesias”) in homes and gathering places throughout the Tri-County Metro Detroit area
- the teaching of Bible studies, classes and seminars at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church, as well as in the Tri-County “ekklesias”
- the development of online discipleship resources (“eXPlain it“)
- the administration of a Word and Sacrament ministry in well established and pastorally instructed “ekklesias”
This is a new mission endeavor and we will need all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give.
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written:
Romans 15:20-21; 16:3-5
‘Those who were not told him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.’
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers … and the church that meets at their house.’
If you have a moment and would like some more information, check out the new “Receptive Life” website. It’s currently in skeleton form but it might just give you a glimpse of what the “saints” gathered at East Bethlehem are trying to do within the Kingdom. There are a lot of “coming soons” because, to be honest, we’re just trying to figure it out as we go.
Delivered to Your Inbox
If you have already signed up for updates you’ll receive all of these posts and devotionals directly to your inbox. They should arrive by 5 am (EST) everyday. If you haven’t signed up you can click the button below.
If there are any problems with the emails give me a shout. Thanks again for inviting me into your Lenten journey. I’ll try and make any updates or emails that come your way well worth your time to read.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:2
All of the gifts that only Jesus can give to you. Many blessings on your Lenten journey!
Paul