It’s that time of year again! Lent is upon us, and that means a whole lot of scrambling to figure out what each of us is going to “give up”, or what we’re going to tack on as an added challenge. And all of that is in service to focusing our attention on Christ. In Lent, we imitate the 40 days Christ spent in the wilderness, rejecting temptation in order to do His Father’s will. Like Jesus did, we fast and pray, so that we might grow closer to Him.
So in the spirit of the season, this page will be updated every day of Lent with new reflections on the daily Scripture readings. What better way to grow closer to God than by reading and reflecting on His Word?
So in the spirit of the season, this page will be updated every day of Lent with new reflections on the daily Scripture readings. What better way to grow closer to God than by reading and reflecting on His Word?
-Brett Anderson
Reflections
Trampling the Sabbath
In Isaiah, we learn that by ignoring issues of social justice, we break the commandment to keep the Sabbath.
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The Temptation of Christ
Christ is tempted by the devil, and in this he shows the fullness of his humanity.
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Laws and Signposts
Leviticus is often called the "Holiness Code", and for good reason.
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The Life-Giving Word
Isaiah tells us God's word is like the rain, in that it brings life.
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The First Ninevite
Jonah preached to the Ninevites. But who was the first to listen to what he had to say?
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Three Keys to Prayer
Jesus lays down three things which are essential to our prayers, and gives us hope for God's response.
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It's Not Fair!
The Christian life seems impossible. How can God ask this of us?
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Today is the Day
God promised to make man holy. That promise is not in the past. He promises it this very day.
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Imitation & Humiliation
Paul warns us of those who live without shame or humility, and asks us instead to imitate him who lost everything.
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Daniel's Prayer
Daniel recognized his shame, as we must.
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Faith of Abraham
God's promises are not grounded in adherence to the law, but in faith.
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Enemy of the People
Jeremiah called on the people to be better, and they hated him for it.
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Faith in Action
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, and that trust means doing what is good.
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Son of His Old Age
Genesis calls Joseph the "son of his old age." What does that mean?
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A Routine Faith
A spiritual routine can be a powerful thing in our lives, but it can also result in spiritual apathy.
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The Barren Fig Tree
In the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus promises to be our advocate and nurturer.
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The Annunciation
Mary's response to the angel Gabriel acts as a model for what our own response should be.
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Prayer of Azariah
Azariah makes one final prayer to God for deliverance, when he is thrown into the fiery furnace.
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The Law
Jesus says of the Law, "I have not come to abolish but to fulfill."
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Stubborn Wanderers
Time and again, we fail to walk the path of righteousness. And it gets worse...
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The Greatest Commandment
The scribe lays a trap for Jesus. But Jesus' response convicts him.
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Line in the Sand
We are to be like the tax collector, not the Pharisee. Or are we?
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Ambassadors for Christ
We are called to spread the message of reconciliation to the world.
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Signs & Wonders
Jesus wants us to believe without signs. But that doesn't mean he won't provide them.
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A Helping Hand
Jesus heals a sick man, but this time the man does not believe.
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In God's Memory
A mother may forget her child, but God will never forget us.
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God Changed His Mind
Moses makes a prayer, and then God changes His mind. Or does He?
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Would I Recognize Jesus?
The people of Jerusalem didn't believe who Jesus was. Would I?
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Vengeance
Jeremiah prays that God judges those who seek to kill him. But whose vengeance is this?
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Go and Sin No More
Christ writes in the sand, and the Pharisees flee. What did he write?
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Susanna
Susanna's accusers have her trapped. But God heard her cries, and sends Daniel.
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Christ the SErpent
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
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Out of Order
The Lenten season is important to help us make room in our lives for Christ.
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What's in a Name?
God gives Abram a new name. But does it really matter what this man is called?
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Lament of Jeremiah
Sometimes we don't want to ask, we just want to bare our hearts to God.
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Imitation
We are called to imitate Christ, who was willing to lay down his life for us.
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Kenosis
The Son emptied himself, and took the form of man. That is the clearest example of God's love for us.
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Isaiah's Cave
Isaiah's analogy sounds suspiciously like Plato, but several hundred years too early.
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Light to the Nations
Isaiah gives hope to a people in exile, and issues a call to evangelism
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In Times of Trouble
Isaiah finds in God the strength to endure constant persecution.
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Handed Over
"On the night he was handed over..." By Judas? Or by the Father?
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The Humanity of Christ
Jesus is the High Priest, but one who can sympathize with our weakness.
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