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Saturday, February 24, 2024 Slowing At Lent Scripture: Mark 1:12 (NLT) – “The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals and angels took care of him.” Message: We celebrate Lent as it commemorates the time that Jesus went into the desert for forty days spending the time there fasting and enduring temptations by Satan. We certainly here in this country have enduring temptations, and many of us give one or more of these things up during Lent as a tribute to Jesus, honoring His life and our belief in Him. Some people call this giving up luxuries. This got me thinking that in so many less fortunate areas of this world the “luxuries” we are giving up for forty days – alcohol, golf, chocolate, beef, sugar – are ”luxuries” beyond comprehension in the mind of so many millions of people so less fortunate than we are. We should pray prayers of thanksgiving for being blessed to live in such a wonderful place as we do! Another action often done during Lent is fasting. “Fasting” got me thinking about “slowing,” specifying time each day to slowly and methodically reflect on the joys that being Christians allows us all to look forward to: grace, forgiveness and life everlasting! Let us all consider slowing and marveling at the gifts He has given us! Family Activity: Slow down with your family and make a modern day stained glass piece. Pick up some magazines, with good photos inside, which can be cut up. Reflect on what story your family wants to tell together. Select and cut out photos and words from the magazines to tell the story of what the past year has looked like for your family. Cut, or glue these pieces to a sheet of pasteboard or cardstock. These cut-out photos and words are representative of all the different pieces of glass that come together to make one larger story of your family, as a part of God’s family. Prayer: Lord, help us to slow down, be still and listen for Your Word. We praise You and the sacrifices You made to give us every hope for the future. Thank You Jesus. Amen. Bob Showalter There is no devotional for tomorrow, Sunday, February 25. Sundays are not included in the Lenten Devotionals as, traditionally, Sundays as Holy Days, were not considered to be part of Lent. |
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