Come, Lord

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 

It’s Lent. We’re focused on Christ’s death and resurrection.

 

 

Let’s look ahead. Take the long view.

Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
Come, Lord Jesus!

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Come, Follow

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott


“Lead, follow or get out of the way.”
I’m not sure who said it first,
but I’ve heard it often.

It’s not what Jesus said.

 

Matthew 4:19 (EXB)
Jesus said, “Come follow me.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Here, take the lead.”
He didn’t say, “Get out of my way!”

Lord God, I don’t want to drag behind You. I don’t want to rush ahead. I want to walk in perfect step with You.

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Come, Eat and Drink

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Lent isn’t just a time to fast.
It’s a time to eat and drink.

 

 

Isaiah 55:1 (ESV)
Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Fast from the table of the world. Feast at the table of the Lord.

Grab a seat at God’s table.

 

 

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Come, Rest

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 


Give thought to Christ’s words:

 

 

Matthew 11:28 (MSG)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Want a real rest? Come to Jesus.

 

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Come, Adore Him

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I fondly remember my grandmother’s pastor. He had us sing a Christmas song at Easter and an Easter song at Christmas. He said that without Easter, Christmas is just another poor baby born in a barn. Without Christmas, Easter is just another guy dying for his cause.

“O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.”
Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade (1740s)
Trans. Frederick Oakeley

Lent is the perfect time to adore Christ.

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Let’s Sacrifice

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Lent is a season of sacrifice. Our own sacrifice (often some food we give up for Lent) is a reflection of Christ’s sacrifice.

 

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God.

A sacrifice of praise? How is praise a sacrifice?

      • It takes time we could spend differently
      • More than a quick thank you, it’s continuous gratitude
      • We put aside our pride, exalting God and humbling ourselves

If it doesn’t come at some personal cost, it’s not a sacrifice.

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Let’s Help

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 

‘Tis the season to ask:

How can I help?

 

Hebrews 10:24 (EXB)
Let us think about each other and help each other
[or how to provoke/rouse/encourage each another] 
to show love and do good deeds.

Think about it. Pray about it.

Lord, show me how to be a blessing to others so they can be bigger blessings to even more people, all in Your name.

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Let’s Hope

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Lent: a time to ponder the despair of the crucifixion, followed by the hope of the resurrection.

 

 

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Trust God. Hold on to hope.

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Let’s Draw Near

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Let us draw near to God.

“Draw near.” Other translations say approach, come near, continue to come, go right in, come to Him.


What does this mean for us during Lent, this season of spiritual reflection?

It means God is ready and waiting. He’s not far away. It’s up to us to move towards Him.

 

Take the first step. Draw near to God.

 

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Let’s Be Confident

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

 

It’s Lent — not a time to be hesitant, reluctant or resistant.

 

 

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God is waiting — not to yell at us, not to put us in timeout, not to ignore us.  He offers grace and mercy. Grace grants us blessings we don’t deserve. Mercy opts not to give us punishment we do deserve. It’s all brought to us through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Step into God’s presence with confidence. It’s all good.

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