The Town Hall Archives

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 11:52 am Post subject: Lenten Devotions

Surrounding Love

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the
man who trusts in Him. (Psalm 32:10)

Last Saturday, the Psalm verse talked about "unfailing love." This verse
also uses that phrase. Phrases repeated in Scripture tend to catch our
attention.

God's love for us is unfailing. We can always count on it. It will always be
there.

In the Peanuts( comic strip, Linus had a security blanket. The illustrator,
Charles Schulz, could likely have used this as a metaphor for God's love. We
can drag it around, hold it tight, even try to get rid of it at times, yet
it is always there for us. God's love wraps us like a warm, comfortable
blanket when we are cold and tired.

Even adults need a security blanket. When God's unfailing love is our
security blanket, we are secure indeed. No matter what happens, God's
unfailing love is there for us. Trust in Him. His love for you never fails
because Jesus did not fail in winning salvation for you on the cross.

Application: Wrap yourself in a comfortable blanket as you say your prayers
to remind you of the unfailing love of God that surrounds you.

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 11:53 am Post subject:

Rejoice and Sing

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are
upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)

Today my three sons sang "Happy Birthday" to me. And it certainly was! On
Christmas Eve, I try to sing "Silent Night" without tears clogging my throat
(and fail every year). When my favorite team won the pennant, we sang until
we thought our hearts would burst.

Singing can be an exhilarating way to express joy. Even on Good Friday, a
black day indeed when the Son of God died, the earth shuddered and the rocks
split-their own way of singing out!

Lent is a time of singing; however, it is also a time to reflect on why
Jesus died for us. Some churches emphasize this by not singing "Alleluia"
during Lent. This is not to remove the joy, but to remind us that Lent is a
time to reflect on Christ's sacrifice. On Easter, we will sing a joyful
"Alleluia" once again. Until then, may our songs help us reflect upon the
joy that awaits us through Christ.

Application: Even during the somber season of Lent, sing a song of joy to
God for His gift of salvation.

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 11:54 am Post subject:

Remember

Remember, O LORD, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
(Psalm 25:6)

Can God forget? God does indeed forget, but only our sins as He forgives
them for Jesus' sake. When we cry out "Remember, O Lord," we are really
reminding ourselves that God's great mercy and love are always ours for
Jesus' sake.

God's love and mercy have existed for us from the very beginning. The longer
we live, the more important things "from of old," or traditions become for
us. They give us comfort and provide a feeling of "connectedness." There are
many and varied traditions in God's family. And while some do indeed fade
away, the tradition of God's great love and mercy never fade. He remembers
His great love and mercy forever and we can count on them as something that
will never fade away.

No matter where you are in life-whether single or married for 50 years,
whether you have children in school or are a child yourself-there is great
comfort in knowing that God is there. God loves you and that gives your life
meaning.

Application: Think of a particular tradition you observe and thank God for
the memories it evokes.

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 11:55 am Post subject:

Discipline I

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
(Psalm 38:1)

Today is St. Patrick's Day. While some of what is observed is legend, one
thing is not-St. Patrick preached the Gospel. Though he had been made a
slave in England, God called him to preach the Gospel to the very people who
enslaved him. St. Patrick knew firsthand what the writer to the Hebrews
said, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have
been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

St. Patrick's life was not easy, but he did consider his life to be of
value. He endured much hardship, but left a legacy to future generations
that God works all things for good to make us stronger in the faith.

Our Lenten Journey to Calvary can be considered a discipline. As you spend
time with reading God's Word and in prayer, He leads you to the cross. It is
my prayer you will come away from this journey stronger in your faith.

Application: As others celebrate St. Patrick's Day, find out who St. Patrick
really was and what he accomplished.

Guest · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2003 10:55 am Post subject:

Consequences

My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds
fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. (Psalm 38:4-5)

Recently a television ad campaign showed people making excuses for using
drugs. As one said, "I'm not hurting anyone but myself," a picture of the
collapse of the World Trade Center was shown. The ad intended to make the
point that buying illegal drugs helps fund terrorism.

When we sin, we hurt ourselves. It may not be noticeable at first, but an
unconfessed sin becomes a burden. Even if we think we are not hurting anyone
but ourselves, our sin does hurt someone else-God. It hurts God so much that
He sent Jesus to pay the price.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by guilt, burdened with a festering and
loathsome wound, confess your sin to God and receive the forgiveness won by
Christ. That confession unloads the unbearable. It frees from the burden.
You will be let loose from the bondage of your sin by the forgiveness of
Jesus Christ.

Application: Burdened by a sin? Confess it to God today. If you so desire,
talk to your pastor. Your pastor can provide you with the assurance of
Jesus' forgiveness and has taken a vow not to divulge your sin to anyone
else.

Guest · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2003 10:53 am Post subject:

Longings

All my longings lie open before You, O LORD; my sighing is not hidden from
You. (Psalm 38:9)

There are times when I enjoy sitting in a dimly lit room, listening to soft
music and praying-just talking to God. But there are other times I need to
talk to someone else. My wife is a good listener and I am thankful that God
has given her to me.

But even though my wife listens, there are some things about me even she
doesn't know. It's not that way with God. Nothing is hidden from Him. He
knows everything about me and, at times, that is so comforting.

Yet there are times when I wish God didn't know everything, especially an
embarrassing sin. But I can't have it both ways, and I really don't want it
both ways. Even though it might feel uncomfortable for God to know
everything about me, I'm glad He does. He knows everything about you as
well. And when someone knows you that well, it is a wonderful relationship
to experience.

Application: Thank God today that He knows everything about you-even that
most embarrassing sin. He even forgives it!

Guest · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 11:08 am Post subject:

The Waiting

I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O LORD my God. (Psalm 38:15)

When I was little, it seemed like Christmas took forever to arrive. The
early snow in November set in motion the anticipation for Christmas. And it
took s-o-o-o-o long! Now, as an adult, it seems like Christmas arrives so
quickly! I never seem to have enough time to get everything ready and I'm so
rushed I can hardly enjoy the holiday!

When we pray, it can seem like we're kids and God takes s-o-o-o long to
answer our prayer. Today's psalm captures that anticipation. But it also
gives great comfort in stating the fact that God does answer. There's no
doubt about it. God will answer. How can we know for sure? Again the psalm
gives the answer-because God is Lord. He is master of all, in charge of
everything, and all-powerful.

Waiting on the Lord? Know this, He will answer-for Jesus' sake.

Application: As we await the coming of Easter-only one more month!--take a
moment to thank God for hearing us when we pray.