Ash Wednesday starts the forty-day preparation period for Easter Sunday. Count back forty days from Easter (excluding Sundays) and you will arrive at this Wednesday… exactly seven weeks before Easter. This forty-day period corresponds to Jesus’ forty-day fast in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2). The aim of an Ash Wednesday worship service is threefold: to meditate … Continue reading The Importance of Ashes on Ash Wednesday
Devotional Thoughts
O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink Tho’ Pressed by Every Foe
A wonderful hymn with rich words and simple melody O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink - Bathurst/Glaser/Mike Murphy of First Presbyterian Church, Augusta, GA Click Here to Listen to MP3 O for a faith that will not shrink, Tho' pressed by ev'ry foe That will not tremble on the brink, Of any earthly … Continue reading O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink Tho’ Pressed by Every Foe
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. - Acts 14:22 No other faith of mankind, religious or political, has quite so extensive a record of violent bitter opposition to its growth than the Christian church. - Kenneth Scott Latourette It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from … Continue reading Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
Prayer of Confession based upon Proverbs 6:16-19
Proverbs 22:8 – He who sows iniquity will reap calamity. “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:” Haughty eyes (Where and when have I looked down upon others—pride of race, face, place, and grace? Where and when have I possessed an exaggerated sense of my own opinions and … Continue reading Prayer of Confession based upon Proverbs 6:16-19
Using the Beatitudes to Confess Your Sins
Blessed Jesus, you offered us all your blessings when you announced... “Blessed are the poor in spirit” — but we have been rich in pride. “Blessed are those who mourn” — but we have not known much sorrow for our sin. Blessed are the meek” — but we are a stiff-necked people. “Blessed are those … Continue reading Using the Beatitudes to Confess Your Sins
Reflections on Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). To behold God’s face and to be changed by that vision into his image, so as to partake in his … Continue reading Reflections on Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Reflections on “Blessed are the Merciful”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7) “Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see, That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.” - Alexander Pope English poet (1688-1744) O Christian, know your condition - the misery and the mercy. And let the horror … Continue reading Reflections on “Blessed are the Merciful”
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. This beatitude prompts a look at our heart’s desire. What hungers and desires operate within us? Which of them commands our utmost loyalty? - John W. Miller … Continue reading Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Reflections on “Blessed are the meek!”
Christ was master of the paradox. His teaching is salted with shining contrasts like: Last is first, giving is receiving, dying is living, losing is finding, least is greatest, poor is rich, weakness is strength, serving is ruling. For Christ, paradoxes were an especially effective way of getting people to see essential spiritual truth – … Continue reading Reflections on “Blessed are the meek!”
Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”
“Blessed are those who mourn” is, paradoxically, a more necessary message than “Rejoice in the Lord always,” because there can be no true rejoicing until we have stopped running away from mourning. - Simon Tugwell, The Beatitudes The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of Him who bears all suffering … Continue reading Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”
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