What's next for Lent?

Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, marked the beginning of the period of Lent. As you can see, I like to read inspirational books. Throughout this period of Lent, I will now be reading The Purpose Driven Life by Warren Zondervan. This book, will last  the duration a 40 day period, which is typically associated with Lent.

For the next 40 days I will be reading through the book and selecting quotes that I feel are relevant to the world, and myself.

As you may have noticed, I have not yet finished Stephen Arterburn's - 100 days Of Serenity.  As I still have only 3 days remaining with this book, I will place my main focusing upon it, continuing to display quotes from that book onto my blog. 

As for the new book, I am now on Day 2, and for the next 4 days I will simply put the key points from each day, not direct quotes.

I'm sure I will enjoy the next 40 days of reading The Purpose Driven Life, as much as I have enjoyed the past 96 days of reading 100 Days Of Serenity. And I hope you will too =)

Day 96 - This Is His Day

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad today!

PSALM 118:24 NCV

"God gives us this day; He fills it to the brim with possibilities, and He challenges us to use it for His purposes.  The 118th Psalm reminds us that today, like every other  day, is a cause for celebration.  The day is presented to us fresh and clean at midnight, free of charge, but we must beware: Today is a non-renewable resource - once it's gone, it's gone forever.  Our responsibility, of course, is to use this day in the service of God's will and according to His commandments.

Today, treasure the time that God has given you.  Give Him the glory and the praise and the thanksgiving He deserves.  And search for the hidden possibilities that God has placed along your path.  This day is a priceless gift from God, use it joyfully and encourage others to do likewise.  After all, this is the day the Lord has made." p194

"Some of us seem so anxious about avoiding hell that we forget to celebrate our journey toward Heaven." - PHILP YANCEY p194

"All our life is a celebration for us; we are convinced, in fact, that God is always everywhere.  We sing while we work ...we pray while we carry out all lives occupations." - ST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA p195

"The Church is the last place on earth to be solemn ...provided you have lived right." - SAM JONES p195

"Celebration is possible only through the deep realisation that life and death are never found completely separately.  Celebration can really come about only where fear and love, joy and sorrow, tear and smiles can exist together." - HENRI NOUWEN p195

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, You have given me so many blessings, and as a way of saying "Thank You," I will celebrate.  I will be a joyful Christian, Lord, quick to smile and slow to frown.  And, I will share my joy with my family, with my friends, and with my neighbours, this day and everyday.  Amen 

Day 95 - Your Real Riches

Don't collect for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in steal.  But collect for yourselves treasures in haven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

MATTHEW 6:19-21 HCSB

"All too often we focus our thoughts and energies on the accumulation of earthly treasures, creating untold stress in our lives and leaving precious little time to accumulate the only treasures that really matter: the spiritual kind.  Our material possessions have the potential to do great good - depending upon how we use them.  If we allow the things we own to own us, we may pay dearly for our misplaced priorities.

Society focuses intently on material possessions, but God's Word teaches us time and again that money matters little when compared to the spiritual gifts that the Creator offers to those who put Him first in their lives.  So today, keep your possessions in perspective.  Remember that God should come  first, and everything else next.  When you give God His rightful place in your heart, you'll have a clearer vision of the things that really matter.  Then, you can joyfully thank your heavenly Father for spiritual blessing that are, in truth, too numerous to count." p192

"Wealth is something entrusted to us by God, something God doesn't want us to trust.  He wants us to trust Him" - WARREN WIERSBE p193

"When possessions become our god, we become materialistic and greedy ...and we forfeit our contentment and our joy." - CHARLES SWINDOLL p193

"What we posses often posses us - we are possessed by possessions." - OSWALD CHAMBERS p193

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, all I have belongs to You.  When I leave this world I take nothing with me.  Help me to value my relationship with You - and my relationships with others - more than I value my material possessions.  Amen

Day 94 - Let Jesus Guide The Way

I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.

JOHN 12:46 HCSB

"Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life ...or have you relegated Him to a far corner of your life?  The answer to this question will determine the quality, the direction, the tone, and the ultimate destination of your life here on earth and your life throughout eternity.

Thomas Brooks spoke for believers of every generation when he observed, "Christ is the Sun, and all the watches of our lives should be set by the dial of His motion."  Christ indeed, is the ultimate Saviour of mankind and the personal Saviour of those who believe in Him.  As His servants, we should place Him at the very centre of our lives.  And every day that God gives us breath, we should share Christ's love and His message with a world that needs both." p190

"The dearest friend on earth is but a mere shadow compared with Jesus Christ." - OSWALD CHAMBERS p190

"When we are in a situation where Jesus is all we have, we soon discover He is all we really need." - GIGI GRAHAM TCHIVIDJIAN p191

"In your greatest weakness, turn to your greatest strength, Jesus, and hear Him say, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (CORINTHIANS 12:99, NKJV). 

"Tell me the story of Jesus.  Write on my heart every word.  Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard." - FANNY CROSBY p191

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Jesus, You are my Saviour and my protector.  Give me the courage to trust You completely.  Today, I will praise You, I will honour You, and I will live according to Your commandments.  Amen

Day 93 - Sharing Your Burdens With God

If God is for us, who can be against us?

ROMANS 8:31 NKJV

"...tough times are temporary but God's love is not - God's love endures forever." p188

"...you must share your burdens with Him." p188

"Whatever the size of your challenges, God is big enough to handle them.  Ask for His help today, with faith and with fervour.  Instead of turning things over in your mind, turn them over to God in prayer.  Instead of worrying about your next decision, ask God to lead the way.  Cast your burdens upon the One who cannot be shaken, and rest assured that He hears your prayers." p188

"We are not called to be burden-bearers, but cross bearers and light bearers.  We must cast our burdens on the Lord." - CORRIE TEN BOOM p188

"No matter what we are going through, no matter how long the waiting for answers, of one thing we may be sure.  God is faithful.  He keeps His promises.  What He starts, He finishes ...including His perfect work in us." - GLORIA GAITHER p189

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, whatever "it" is, You can handle it!  Let me turn to You when I am burdened and when I am worried.  You are my loving Father, and I will always trust You.  Amen

Day 92 - Overcommited?

 

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fuelled and aflame.  Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant.  Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder.

 

ROMANS 12:11-12 MSG

 

 

"...it's time to take a long, hard look at the way you're prioritising your days and your life." p186

 

"The world encourages you to rush full-speed ahead, taking on lots of new commitments, doing many things, but doing few things well.  God, on the other hand, encourages you to slow down, to quiet yourself, and to spend time with Him.  And you can be sure that God's way is best." p186

 

"Today, slow yourself down and commit more time to God.  When you do, you'll be amazed at how the Father can revolutionise your life when you start spending more time with Him." p186

 

"Life is strenuous.  See that your clock does not run down. - MRS. CHARLES E. COWMAN p187

 

"Taking care of yourself physically really helps you emotionally.  People who get a lot of sleep, who do the things that relieve stress, can withstand a lot of stress." - LAURA BUSH p187

 

 

TODAY'S PRAYER

 

Dear Lord, when I'm tired, give me the wisdom to do the smart thing: give me the wisdom to put my head on my pillow and rest!  Amen

Day 91 - Temptations Everywhere

No temptations has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 NIV

"If you stop to think about it, the cold, hard evidence is right in front of your eyes:" you live in a temptation-filled world.  The devil is out on the street, hard at work, causing pain, stress, and heartache in more ways than ever before.  Here in the 21st century, the bad guys are working around the clock to lead you astray.  That's why you must remain vigilant.

In a letter to believers, Peter offered a stern warning: "Your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (Peter 5:8 NASB).  What was true in New Testament times is equally true in our own.  Satan tempts his prey and then devours them.  As believing Christians, we must beware.  And, if we seek righteousness in our own lives, we must earnestly wrap ourselves in the protection of God's Holy Word.  When we do, we are secure.

"The devil's most devilish when respectable." - ELIZABETH BROWNING p184

"Do not fight the temptation in detail.  Turn from it.  Look ONLY at your Lord.  Sing.  Read.  Work." - AMY CARMICHAEL p185

"In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went through agony of soul in His efforts to resist the temptation to do what He felt like doing rather than what He knew was God's will for Him." - JOYCE MEYER p185

"Temptations is not a sin.  Even Jesus was tempted.  The Lord Jesus gives you the strength needed to resist temptation. - CORRIE TEN BOOM p185

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, life is filled with temptations to stray from Your chosen path.  But, I face no temptation that You have not already met and conquered through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the One who empowers me with His strength and His love.  Amen