For nearly two full years we’ve been living in an unpredictable, uncertain world. Many are wondering … what if 2022 is exactly the same?
Or some might think …
COULD 2022 BE A WHOLE LOT WORSE?
The past two years have brought more than physical suffering and illness. They have infected our way of life, created a state of chronic chaos, decimated livelihoods, crippled our plans, destroyed dreams, strained lifelong relationships, fractured trust, plagued our thoughts and deflated our hope that something might actually change for the better.
Scroll through your social media feeds, watch the news, or talk to your friends and you’ll soon sense the following emotions seething underneath their words …
fear, anger, weariness, grief, distrust,
uncertainty, suspicion, apathy, anxiety, depression
Plagues, wars and rumors of wars, famines, natural disasters, brother against brother, pride, posturing for power, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, calling good evil and evil good … these are the signs of the times. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Such times bring suffering. And such suffering should not surprise us. Scripture reveals that it is …
- a result of sin and death and dying are the painful payment (Genesis 2:17 and Romans 6:23)
- a mindful reset that we live in a corrupt, rebellious and fallen world (1 John 2:15-17)
- a sober reminder that devil and demons seek only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)
- the Hand of Fatherly rebuke and discipline that calls us to repentance (Romans 1 and Hebrews 12)
Martin Luther describes the endgame of the “unholy trinity” (devil, world and sinful flesh) in his Small Catechism. They deceive and seduce and lead us into “misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice”.
Like a cancer, the “unholy trinity” attacks the very core of our faith, hope and love.
The Sixth Petition: And Lead us not into Temptation.
What does this mean? — Answer.
Small Catechism, Concordia Triglotta
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory.
But … the Triune God Holds Nothing Back
When the “unholy trinity” tempts, the Triune God guards and protects. Though constantly assailed, we win.
Jesus is the “Stronger One”. He, is our Brother, Savior, the Sacrifice for Sin, the Great High Priest and King. In His death and the resurrection, the worst of the “unholy trinity” is met with the best of the Triune God and sin, death, and the power of the devil are defeated.
Jesus brings life – not just life eternal but “life to the full” for each day. And though it might not be well with our world, in Jesus, it can be well with our souls. Because, when we have the forgiveness of sins, we have … everything!
The Triune God gives and gives … and gives!
As Martin Luther writes in his Large Catechism, the Triune God holds nothing back.
Here we see that God gives Himself to us completely. He gives all that He has and is able to do in order to aid and direct us in keeping the Ten Commandments. The Father gives all creatures. The Son gives His entire work. And the Holy Spirit bestows all His gifts.
From Martin Luther’s Large Catechism, The Creed, paragraph 69, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions: Second Edition
By grace, through faith, we receive and receive … and receive!
Three Devotional Opportunities to Fix Your Eyes on Jesus (Lent 2022)
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd.
The call of the 40 day season is to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and “consider Him” so that we might repent of our sins and receive all the gifts that only the Triune God can give.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of 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 12:1-3 (NIV)
In order to help you “consider Him”, I’d like to offer three different devotional opportunities during this Lenten season. You are welcome to participate in one, two or all three.
- Forty Day Lenten Devotional Journey (daily video and written devotional)
- The Receptive Life (Part 2 – The Weekly Practice) … a video series on the six chief parts of the Christian faith as contained in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism
- A Saturday Seminar (March 12th) that will walk you through the stations of The Receptive Life
Opportunity #1: The Forty Day Lenten Journey
The 2022 Forty Day Lenten Journey will be both a video vlog and written devotional. You can view a sample of the first post here …
When you sign up for the daily email vlog, the video devotionals will be sent directly to your inbox. You can expect them to arrive around 6 am every day during Lent.
If you haven’t yet signed up for the email vlog you can do so below.
Opportunity #2: The Receptive Life (Daily and Weekly Practice)
The Receptive Life is built on the core foundations and spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith. The daily and weekly practices that I will be teaching will help you get to all of the places where the Triune God has promised to give His gifts.
In January, I started posting videos for the Six Stations of the Daily Practice.
- Station 1: The Sign of the Cross and the Trinitarian Invocation
- Station 2: The Evening and Morning Prayer
- Station 3: Examining Life Through the 10 Commandments, Confession and a Life of Repentance
- Station 4: Reading, studying and meditation on the Scriptures
- Station 5: The Commendation of This Life Into the Lord’s Hands (evening and morning)
- Station 6: Proclaiming a Doxology and Receiving the Blessing of the Triune God
Historically, in the Lutheran Church, the season of Lent was dedicated to the review and study of the six chief parts of the Christian faith: the 10 Commandments, Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Office of the Keys, and the Sacrament of the Altar. I thought a Lenten series on the six parts would be a good complement to the “Daily Practice”.
In the coming weeks (on Mondays – Saturdays), I’ll walk you through each of the seven “stations” that make up the weekly practice of The Receptive Life. We’ll slowly make our way through each station, learn the basics, practice and repeat.
Think Mr. Miyagi … “wax on, wax off”.
Here’s a sample of the content for the Weekly Practice …
- Station 7: Examining our Lives Through the Ten Commandments
- Station 8: Declaring the Truth About God in the Creed
- Station 9: Learning How to Pray Using the Lord’s Prayer
- Station 10: Remembering and Making Use of Your Baptism
- Station 11: Confession and a Life of Repentance
- Station 12: Receiving the Lord’s Supper
- Station 13: Living out a Christian Vocation
My prayer is that The Receptive Life resources will help those harassed, bullied and attacked by the “unholy trinity” learn how to …
- fight against the attacks of the “unholy trinity”
- defend themselves with the promises of the person and work of Jesus
- and receive all of the gifts that only can come from the Triune God
Opportunity #3: Saturday Seminar on The Receptive Life (Daily Practice)
In addition to the video series, I thought it might be a good to host a half-day seminar that would walk you through the stations of The Receptive Life (daily and weekly practice).
You can access all of the videos on the ekklesia website (here).
Digital content is good (and a gift) but in-person learning is the best.
Here are the details …
Saturday, March 12th from 9 am – NOON
East Bethlehem Lutheran Church
3510 Outer Dr E, Detroit, MI 48234
If you would be interested in attending this seminar, could you let me know?
Just send me an email to … paul (at) paulwarndt (dot com).
The Forty Day Devotional and The Receptive Life are video email courses, and so …
… if you want these videos sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up for The Receptive Life email vlog in the button below.
A blessed Lent to you. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.
Paul
If you want to reference all of the videos you can access them here …
- ekklesia site (video resources in a “netflix” format)
- “eXPlain it” portal (digital resources in curriculum format)