SATURDAY, MARCH 13

Luke 19:10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

So often we are seeking for God, yet we don't realize that God first is seeking us.  Though we are His creation, Christ really has no need for us.  Yet He chose to reconcile us to Himself.  And through this reconciliation, He humbled Himself from all His glory to become a man – man who would not only die, but also bear the weight of all the sin in the world for us.  Even though we are unnecessary for His existence, He did all this because He loves us and sought a renewed relationship with us.  He seeks a relationship with us.  What an awesome God!

God knows we will seek Him and is already there when we look for Him.  He says in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  He is calling – we only need to open the door and let Him in.  He wants to share a meal with us – and not just a quick meal on the run.  This passage is referring to a time of lingering, of fellowship, a communion of spirits as time and food and conversation are shared.

Then He finishes this passage from Revelation with these words from Chapter 3:21, “To the one who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me, even on my throne."  Just recently, I learned that the original word "throne" in this passage is better translated as "bench."  This is a place where more than one person can sit, together with a friend. Essentially Jesus is saying, “Come and sit with me here in glory – for I have saved you a seat, right next to me!"

How often do we hear kids say those same words – or say them ourselves – “Save me a seat!” or “I'll save you a seat!”  It might be on the bus, in the lunch line, at Sunday School, at a potluck, at a sporting event or recital, or even at the movies.  We want to sit by someone special, so we save them a seat by saying, “Please come and sit by me.”  We, too, feel special and included when someone goes to all the trouble to save us a seat.

What a wonderful thing that the Son of God not only seeks us out, but having redeemed us, waits for us in heaven, saving us a seat right next to Him.  We still seek Him and He gently answers, “I am right here. Please come and sit by me!”
 

Deborah Blair

FRIDAY, MARCH 12

Isaiah 26:4  Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.

As a Seed
(by Donna Miesbach)

Lord, let me be as one small seed

that questions not, but

sends its roots into the dark
from whence it neither sees nor knows
the way its needs shall be fulfilled.

Lord, let me trust as this small seed,
so I, too, may reach into the dark
and find You there.

Prayer:  Lord, I do not know where my journey will take me; I pray that Your Presence will always be with me wherever I go.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Nancy Therasse

THURSDAY, MARCH 11

Psalm 92:1-2  It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High, to declare your steadfast love, and your faithfulness.

Gratitude

G    Grab hold of the many blessings that are a part of each day.
R    Recognize them as gifts freely given.
A    Allow yourself to receive and enjoy them.
T    Treasure them.
I    Inspire those around you with your new attitude and countenance.
T    Touch others with your appreciation and say "thank you" often.
U    Uncover the gratitude you've never acknowledged; express it today.
D    Decide how to make gratitude a part of your daily life.
E    Encourage others to notice and embrace their blessings.

Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, help us to develop an attitude of gratitude in all areas of our lives, thanking you for knowing our hearts. Amen.

Sheryl McCristal

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

Mark 10:21  Jesus said, “Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

I found it interesting that I received the request to submit a Lenten devotional while I was streaming a football game from San Diego on my computer.  During the broadcast there was a commercial from a San Diego mega church that was very much aimed at young adult males.  Since then, I’ve been thinking about it primarily because how at variance it seemed to be with how I understand what we do at First, and especially what we seek to do during Lent.  I asked Dr. J. about it and he told me it is the result of something the publications are calling “Guy Church.”  I want to tell you about it and ask you to reflect on it with me.

The commercial claimed that if you attended their service you would find that: the music was real loud, you would find something pertinent to your life, you wouldn’t hear anything weird, and most importantly you would be there for less than an hour and thus wouldn’t be at risk of missing any activities having to do with Charger’s games.

My marketing/advertising instincts told me that they were very clever, telling young men what they might want to hear about their Church but for me at least it didn’t square with my understanding of Lent, not to mention the story where Jesus meets a rich young man that is found in Mark 10:17-27.

If I understand the commercial correctly, they are telling these young men that there is no need for change, at least not at this Church because that would be something weird and uncomfortable for them.

Contrast this to Lent or the story of the rich young man which ask us to deliberately put ourselves in a place where we must change, trying to add or subtract something from our environment that keeps us from our focus on God.  Any marketer in their right mind would tell us that this is crazy and very poor marketing, but maybe that’s the point.

Prayer:  Gracious God: Thank you for the tradition of Lent, a time when we can focus on you and what you would have us do and be. A time when we can seek to tune out the distractions of our culture that tell us that everything is about us, as we truly seek to have everything we are be about you.  Amen.

Terry Chaney

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

Romans 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I recently rediscovered my copy of a special little book titled Lincoln's Devotional.  It has been missing for too long and I am anxious to share it with others.

In December of the year 1849, the Lincolns lost their second son, Edward – perhaps of diphtheria.  Edwards's funeral was held in the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois, and a friendship developed between the Lincoln family and the Pastor, Mr. Smith.  Mrs. Lincoln joined the church, but Lincoln himself did not, saying he “couldn't quite see it.”  However he attended meetings in the Church and served in several capacities.

In the same year in London, England. the Religious Tract Society published a daily devotional titled The Believers Daily Treasures.  It is not known how Abraham Lincoln acquired his copy of the devotional, but it is known that on the inside cover of this tiny book of scriptures, Lincoln signed his name with typical abbreviation.  From this one can surmise that the book itself or the one that presented it to him was held in deep regard.

This daily devotional, unseen for many years is a new testimony that Abraham Lincoln was a man of profound faith.  “Take all this book upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a better man.”

Prayer:  Loving and gracious God, may your word always be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as we walk humbly with you through all our days.  Amen.

Glen Tyndall

MONDAY, MARCH 8

John 11:25  “I am the resurrection and the life.”

The Living Gift

As we celebrated the coming of the Christ Child just a while ago, we rejoiced in the angel songs we heard the children sing.  We listened again to the stories of the shepherds’ watch, the wonder of the night star, the birth of the Child, and the gifts that the wise men offered.  Quietly, we lit our candles and silently paused to remember how the world and our lives were changed by that night.  Then we were sent forth with joy into the darkness to share the love we received and to be bearers of the light in our world during the days before us.

Now with the Lenten season upon us, we now find ourselves somberly thinking of the life, journey, and temptations that Christ the Man and Son of God faced, the questions and tests put to Him by the established powers of His time, and how His ministry – full of light and hope – blessed the lives of the helpless.  We will quietly ponder all that He, with such compassion and courage, accomplished, and our hearts will again ache at the foot of Good Friday’s cross.

In waiting for Easter, the anticipation and excitement we encountered at the coming of Christmas has subsided.  Instead, these are days full of thoughtful reflection.  Then on Easter Sunday, we awaken with thanksgiving, joyfully offering praise for life – for life eternal.  How amazing and wonderful that the gift and promise of Christmas Eve has been fulfilled with Easter morning and lives on – with us and for all of God’s children.

DEO GRACIAS!

Prayer:  “Christ, we do all adore Thee and we do praise Thee forever, for on the cross that hast redeemed us.  Christ, we do all adore Thee.”  Amen.   (from Theodore DuBois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ)

Swid Kirchhofer

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

Luke 10:25-28  And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  He said to him, “What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?”  So he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.”

At this time of Lent what does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?  As we recognize, ponder, and appreciate Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation, let us not forget the people of the world who are struggling in the face of devastating disaster, hunger, and political unrest.  "Loving thy neighbor" requires us to remember them in prayer and with other gifts we are able to give.  It has and continues to be spiritually restorative to see the support that has been provided to Haiti.

"Loving thy neighbor" has a reconstructive quality to the receiver as well as the giver.  Not only did Jesus die for our sins, He brought kindness, love, and a deep sense of commonality to humanity.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, may we always be appreciative of your Son's gifts and His sacrifice.  Help us to understand and emulate His life with understanding, compassion, and love for each other.  May we
always remember that we are Children of God.  Amen.

Nory Smith