Drop Your Baggage At The Cross
Daily Scripture Readings
Monday Psalm 51:1-7
Tuesday Isaiah 43:8-9
Wednesday Philippians 3:13-14
Thursday Hebrews 3:13
Friday Hebrews 10:24
Saturday I Thessalonians 5:7-11
Opening Prayer
My gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for surrounding me with those who see you clearly and encourage me when I struggle along the way. Those who remind me there is nothing you can't handle that I'm carrying. It is in Jesus, Holy name I pray. Amen.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
We began the season of Lent on February 18 with our Ash Wednesday service. Lent is a season of repentance and preparation as we anticipate the celebration of Christ's Resurrection and the joys of Easter. Inspired by Jesus’ 40-days in the wilderness, Lent is also a time for self-discipline, marked by fasting, moderation and prayerful reflection with the goal of deepening our relationship with God.
In today’s world, life has a way of speeding by us in the busyness of our day-to-day living. The pace of life can make it difficult to slow down enough to reflect meaningfully on who we are (God's children), what God is calling us to, and how we should be using our time for the Kingdom.
Lent offers us time for dedicated reflection on what is really important. Often, there may have been things we harbored from the past that hindered growing our relationship with our Lord, things that can stand in the way of our becoming who the Lord is calling us to be.
Memories of past hurts, trials and relationships that didn't turn out as hoped can prevent us from moving forward in the way our Lord is calling us to. Oftentimes, the added encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ is just what we need to help us release the baggage that’s keeping us from being the version of ourselves God wants us to be, so we are better prepared to invite others into real relationship with the Lord and Savior who gave His life for us.
I pray this may be the year we let the baggage go and look with hope towards the future our Lord has prepared for.