SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus is touching on a very delicate subject... influencing others. Social convention has us treat church-going as a private affair. This is far from what Jesus taught. For many, the topic of evangelism makes us cringe.

We associate evangelism with the "shouters" and the "debaters." The shouters want us to hear the good news and like a frustrated tourist they keep saying it louder and louder until we learn their language. The debaters tell us that they are interested in a discussion about faith, but really they just want to tell us what to do. Neither of these methods is very effective.

Instead, try a simple invitation. Jesus would say to his followers, “Come and See.” This might be as simple as inviting an out-of-town guest to come to church with you or offering another family to join your family for Easter or Palm Sunday. Even if they decline, you have honored them by asking and have shown your love toward them.

Dear Lord, give me the confidence and courage to display my faith in public. Help me to remember to invite others to your house now and then. Amen.

Dan Reeves

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Mark 1:10 And just as He was coming out of the water, He saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on Him.

Mark 15:37-38 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

TORN SEPARATION

Mark starts and ends his version of the Gospel with essentially the same symbol – tearing apart the heavens (to allow the Spirit to descend to the Son of God on earth) and tearing in two the curtain in the temple (that separated the Holy of Holies directly from worshipers). While both of these events relate directly to Jesus, they are very important in knowing our relationship to the Lord. They symbolize to me the elimination of the separation between God and man. There is no longer a need to maintain separation or go through an intermediary. We are free to choose to enter into a personal relationship directly with our Lord.

This is very important to me in my faith journey. Too often we try to separate ourselves from God and create walls (curtains) of separation. This can be seen when we say that the Spirit doesn't care about a lot that we do, or say that Jesus won't accept us because we have sinned, or turning from God because we feel inferior. How often do you feel alone or that no one cares and you have nowhere to turn to for help?

This feeling of separation is not what God wants for us. He wants to be intimately involved with us constantly, but we need to invite Him in. I like to express this by asking Lord Jesus to "let me walk with you" and knowing that His hand is out stretched.

Dear Lord, Hear my prayer. Let me walk with Jesus. Let me help another. Let me glorify You. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

David Zimmer

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.

This is a favorite passage which I remember by heart. My elementary school teachers often assigned memorization: Of poetry, e.g., Paul Revere's Ride and The Village Blacksmith, speeches such as Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and The Second Inaugural, and an occasional essay.

In Sunday School, we memorized a Bible verse every week, and the minister who taught the confirmation class required each confirmand to choose and memorize scripture (more than two verses) which would be recited at the time of confirmation (trembling voice notwithstanding).

Though I don't remember every word of these passages, I remember enough to draw upon the wisdom and inspiration contained therein.

Many Psalms are lamentations and/or prayers which are often appropriate. The Psalmist may begin by complaining to God about real or perceived grievances, but go on to give praise and thanks for answered prayers and God's gracious blessings.

I find comfort and consolation in scripture, and when no Bible is handy, memorized verses supplant. Thanks be to God.

Loving God, thank you for your Holy Word, which sustains me daily. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ginnie Spurr

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Luke 22:40 “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”

Theologian Karl Barth asserted that “To be a Christian and to pray are one and the same thing. It is a need, a kind of breathing necessary to life.” We may acknowledge that prayer is an important part of the Christian life, but few of us treat it as if it were as essential and as basic as breathing.

As Jesus approached the final hours of his earthly life, confronting the pain and rejection that lay ahead, he prayed – not a prayer of serenity, not a prayer of peaceful encounter with God. He prayed in a way that depleted him. He prayed in anguish and struggle. He prayed so that he could be strengthened and revived. He prayed so that he could complete the race set before him.

A runner learns to control his or her breathing to be able to go the distance. Deep, cleansing breaths help us release anxiety or control our anger. Sobbing is actually a way of breathing that allows us to let go of deep pain we carry within us.

What if we understood our every breath as prayer? What if we recognized that God’s presence is as close to us as our very breath? Barth also said that “If we do not pray, we fail to realize we are in the presence of God.”

Jesus encouraged his disciples to pray. He wanted them to realize that they were in the presence of God. Specifically, he told them (twice) to pray that they may not come into the time of trial. He said this, likely, knowing that they would indeed experience great trials – danger, grief, fear – regardless of what or how they prayed. But Jesus also knew that praying – before, during and after our times of trial – connects us to the presence of God that strengthens, revives and encourages us through each day of our lives.

As you pray today, try to still your heart, mind, and body. Focus on your breath. Imagine that you are breathing in God’s loving, comforting presence that surrounds us and is within us. Let your breathing be your prayer.

Amy Morgan