Lent 2010 #37

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

THOUGHTS:

We have entered into Holy Week, and during this week there is a lot to consider. In fact the darkness and brokenness of our world can be overwhelming.  So from where do we gain strength?  "Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith," and considering "him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners..." This week we are invited, we are called to look to Jesus....considering him who took on the darkness, took on our brokenness that we can not withstand, so that we will persevere in faith and hope.  And in this time of consideration, this week of Christ's Passion, we know we are never alone but surrounded by "so great a cloud of witnesses" and the very center himself, Jesus Christ.  As we journey further into this week of passion, may we look to the center and "consider him" and draw strength from the one who took on all of the world's death and darkness, in order that we may live fully.  Consider him, Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, resting in the strength that is found only in him.

PRAYER:

Jesus Christ, you have taken on our brokenness and darkness.  As we journey this week, remembering the gift of life you have given all on the cross, may we look to you, consider you, and know you as the source of strength in our life. Amen.

--

Thoughts by Rev. Kim Conway, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church (Dale City)

--

These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

--

Feel free to share them with your friends!

View or subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com

Also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7958874287

Lent 2009 #8

Romans 3:21-28 

21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 

     27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

THOUGHTS:

What becomes of boasting, bragging, arrogance, pride, and showing off?  It is excluded.  Why?

Well, what could we possibly have to brag about?  We aren't perfect.  We all screw up sometimes.  Yet we've been redeemed in the suffering death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  We don't get any of the credit for receiving this free gift, because we didn't have to do anything to get it!  God sees us as righteous because we have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

What do you do with this amazing gift?

PRAYER:

O Lord, thank you for clothing is with righteousness we could never earn.  Help us to live lives of thankfulness, that we might always remember that all we have is yours.  For the sake of Jesus the Christ, AMEN.

---

Last call: YOU still have the opportunity to leave the cold behind by joining our spring break mission trip to Jacksonville, Florida.  For info/application: http://gmu747.org/spbr09.php

---

These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University.  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com