He is not here!
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
He is the Alpha and Omega.
He is my salvation.
He is the Lord of the Sabbath.
He is the Christ.
He is the Son of Man.
He is King of the Jews.
He is my redeemer!
There are so many ways to describe Jesus. How do you do it?
Of course, Easter looks a little different this year with all that is going on in the world.
Everything looks different!
It is easy to get into habits. And, maybe those habits can become trappings. When Easter doesn’t feel like Easter, maybe we should be thinking about what Easter really is about?
It isn’t about fantastic organ preludes and altars adorned with aromatic lilies and crowded pews where you have to arrive thirty minutes early just to sit with your family. It isn’t about showing off Easter clothes and new shoes at church. It isn’t about baskets and chocolate and egg hunts. It isn’t about family gatherings and amazing food.
It’s about Jesus!
Those other things are wonderful and fun and can be enjoyed, of course. There is nothing wrong with any of them, but they seem to have budged their way up to the front of the line. Many of us are in a new position to reflect with this crisis occurring in the world. Maybe Easter looks different this year.
Maybe that is a good thing.
A friend sent me this Easter greeting today.
In a world of uncertainty, you can count on these things:
Jesus loves you!
He died for your sins!
He rose again!
Alleluia! Amen!
Hello! Hello! and Welcome!
It’s time for PrayerPoints again!
One thing I have discovered about myself is that I like to employ a variety of perspectives when I am in a learning mode. It helps me round out my view and see things from different angles. I also need to focus intently if I am going to move forward. Otherwise, I get distracted.
In 2019, PrayerPoints will take a little different approach compared to other years. It might not be your thing, and that’s ok. I won’t be offended if you choose to find another way to prepare during this Lenten season.
This year, my encouragement to you will be to reflect and journal your thoughts as you contemplate the verse and writing prompt provided each day. If you don’t like to write, you can choose to video or audio record your thoughts. You can also simply pray all around the topics with no “record” of your thoughts. Feel free to adapt it to your needs. But don’t be afraid to try something new. It is important to not get so caught up in perfecting the process that you miss the chance to step away from your regular routine, create some space, and do some honest reflection during this Lenten season. Writing things down helps me gather my thoughts and it might be a useful tool for you as well.
Each day, starting today, I will provide you with a prompt that will serve as your PrayerPoint for the day. I will write my responsive prayer/thoughts and you will write (or otherwise consider) yours. On the following day, I will share what I have pondered/prayed for that prompt and I will also assign the next prompt. If you want to email me your response, I would be privileged to read it. But if you want to keep it between you and God, that is completely fine. There is no requirement to share, but the option is available. Some people, like me, benefit from outside accountability.
Where you have been in life will absolutely inform and impact how you see and hear Scripture and each experience you go through. If you have been an underdog, you will likely have a huge heart for a fellow underdog. If you have watched addictive behaviors in your home, you may (or may not) have compassion for others who struggle with addiction. Allowing God’s Word to cast light on how and what we process as we go through life is a way to grow in our understanding of our experiences, particularly in the light of God’s Word. We each come with our own prayer perspective. I encourage you to allow God to shape and mold your prayer perspective because it will help you make sense of your trials and tribulations. Remember, your words can comfort, love, and support others as they journey alongside you through this life.
So much of what we walk through in this physical life has a spiritual correlation. You might be able to make that connection with these PrayerPoint prompts. If you are in the midst of processing the physical realm of these things, the spiritual connection may not be apparent and that is okay. The connection may come later.
This time during Lent is for contemplation and reflection and might include things like:
PrayerPrompt: INHERITANCE
May God bless you as you discover more about His love and provision for you in the weeks to come.
Liz
When I struggle to accept someone’s word it is because I have been tricked before. When my trust has been violated it makes it very difficult for the next person to get a fair shake. Even though I have trust issues for good reason, I have always been able to take God at His Word. I am thankful for that faith He planted in me through baptism and nurtured through the years. I love His work in my life even if it is difficult during the process. Looking at the betrayal of Jesus and all the other painful events of Good Friday, I can see what God has done (and is doing) for me. Right now.
Today.
On the Road,
Liz
Here are a few promises to hang onto:
Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 150
He is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
Alleluia!
The work of Easter is remembered and celebrated today around the world but Easter is for every day! Jesus saving work is for each of us. Happy Easter today and every day!
“Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150
Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 130
Today we wait and pray but we know Easter is coming. I am always waiting for the good and bad of this life but may my focus be on anticipating what God is doing (and has done) for my eternity!
Here is a collection of Psalm 130:5 in several different translations. Sometimes waiting is the hardest part!
New International Version
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
New Living Translation
I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
English Standard Version
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
New American Standard Bible
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.
King James Bible
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
International Standard Version
I wait for the LORD; my soul waits, and I will hope in his word.
NET Bible
I rely on the LORD, I rely on him with my whole being; I wait for his assuring word.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I have hoped in Lord Jehovah and my soul has waited for his word.
GOD’S WORD® Translation
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and with hope I wait for his word.
Today’s PrayerPoint ~ Psalm 103
There is so much in Psalm 103 that I wanted to hang out here another day!
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12
Moving through Lent, a season of repentance, can be a little heavy. Reflecting on my need for a Savior is sobering and that is good, but when I am feeling really weighted down by confessed and forgiven sin, then I know God isn’t behind it. Will I have natural consequences from my sin that I live with? Likely yes, but the promise above reminds me He will not hold it over my head.
Now, that is a relief! Jesus went to the cross in my stead!
I do find it rather amazing that God can redeem our past.
Amazing and liberating!
I love how God transforms lives! Yes, there is a time to reflect, repent, and seek forgiveness and restoration.
Hang on….Easter joy is coming soon!
The last several days I have been honked off about any number of things. Have you had a day, week, month or year like that? What comes to my mind is something my cousin often says: “I don’t like people!” I usually do like people, so for me, this is an unfamiliar place to be.
After 72 hours of being annoyed, agitated, and frustrated by multiple things I mentioned to my husband last night that I wasn’t really fit for company. The desire to speak my mind is so strong right now that I need to be tucked away until the feeling passes. He chuckled and then probably his mind raced around trying to figure out how to keep me squelched or at least pacified enough that I didn’t blow up. Thankfully, the issues aren’t between me and him!
I sense this cloud of frustration will be settling here for a while. I know sunshine helps. I know exercise helps. And I know that burying my head in God’s Word will help the most! I am in the midst of studying the life of David in a small group Bible study. I am so thankful for the freedom and the opportunity to be in Scripture. Breathing in God’s Word and perspective makes a big impact on my words and my perspective. I plan on inhaling deeply so my every exhale is laced with His grace and mercy and love.
Breathe in. Breathe Out.
Inhale. Exhale.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.
It is time for some deep, LIFE TRANSFORMING breaths! I am counting on the Holy Spirit to nudge me when my mouth should open and when it should close. Pray for me so I respond appropriately!
Taking deep breaths,
Liz
Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and 40 daily PrayerPoints by Liz posts until Easter. As you travel through this season of Lent in preparation for God’s glorious resurrection may God’s Word sustain your feet on His path and focus your eyes on His cross.
Amen! He is risen, Indeed!
Blessings and Easter Joy!
Liz
With this being Spring Break for many schools around the country as well as Easter Weekend, it would be great for us to remember those we know and love who may be traveling. I have been taking my ability to travel for granted–between the $$ it costs as well as the risks of driving sleepy or weather concerns or vehicle concerns, well, I just think I don’t take under consideration all that typically goes well when we venture out on the road.
And if you know of people “traveling” through difficult times, be sure to pray for them. Maybe there are tangible ways you can refresh them on their journey. Some of us have more difficult journeys than others but we can all offer refreshment and God’s love.
Lord, may Your hand be on those who are traveling in the upcoming weeks. Protect, guide, and provide for them. May their journey be refreshing–wherever they are headed! In Jesus’ Name!
Blessings to you as you journey through this life!
Liz
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