Leave - Lent Photo Challenge

Leave…

The act of leaving usually involves some sort of goodbye and goodbye’s can have a sad sentiment.  There will be some sort of time that will pass before the people see each other again.  Imagine the disciples who had become rather close to Jesus having to say goodbye because he was going to leave them.  Not only was He going to leave them but He was also going to die.  Saying goodbye to someone that is going to die is a conversation that cuts to the core of a human; it is a raw pain that exists within. 

Yet, Jesus had to leave and we too have to leave; however, for different reasons.  Jesus had to leave because as is noted in Hebrews 9:22 – “And without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”  If Jesus had not left; if He had not died we would have no hope.  We would all perish forever.  We have to leave this earth because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  We all sin and we all face death but it is not forever as the end of the verse says “But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

The disciples had to say goodbye to Jesus but three days later He rose.  It is through that action that we do not have to say final goodbye to those who are brothers and sisters in Christ.  We will see them one day again.  We will live eternally with Christ forever.

Cheryl 

Faithful - Lent Photo Challenge

Faithful…

When I hear this word the first thing that comes to mind is marriage.  On the wedding day vows are said that each person will love and cherish through better or worse until death do us part.  I know I have not been very faithful in my vows.  There are times I have neglected to show my husband love or let him know that I cherish him.  I have not always honored him in the way I said I would in my vows.  Needless to say, I have room for improvement as a wife.  Thankfully, we say for better or worse standing before each other.  I know I can go and ask my husband for forgiveness when I get it wrong.  I know we can work through things and survive the good times and the not so good times. 

When we consider the word faithful we have nothing here on earth to really uphold the word.  We all make mistakes and no one is truly faithful.  The only one who demonstrates the essence of faithfulness is Christ.  He has upheld and continues to uphold all of the promises that He has given.  He went to the cross for us even though it was beyond painful and He would die.  He didn’t back out and say we could bear the consequences of our own sin.  He was faithful and will always be faithful.   “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.  The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.” Psalm 145:13.

Cheryl   

Find - Lent Photo Challenge

Find…

An action and typically a deliberate action.  You are spending time searching to find whatever it is you are looking for.  Sometimes we don’t have to look very hard and we find that “thing”; yet, other times we need to search harder.  Quite often when our daughter goes outside to play she will be running around and I keep on eye on her as she bypasses the window.  It typically isn’t very long and she no longer is bypassing the window so I need to go look for her.   I usually don’t have to look very hard to find her as she goes to her favorite place to play; the sandbox.  It’s kind of nice knowing where I need to look. 

It is much the same when searching for God.  We know where to look to find Him because He has never left us.  We know all we need to do is open up His word and He reveals so much to us.  Yet, so often we don’t take time to search.  Sadly, we leave His word on the shelf.  However, by opening His word we find so many things.  We find the promises that have been given us.  We find the wisdom we need.  “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)  We find life.  “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:35)  Open up His word because the one who seeks finds. (Matthew 7:8)

Cheryl

Thirst - Lent Photo Challenge

Thirst…

Usually when someone is thirsty they take the measures to quench that thirst.  If there is no water or other liquid substance it’s almost as if there is a constant nag to remind us that we are thirsty.  Not only is our mind occupied with the need for water, but our throats become dry as well.  This adds to the consuming thoughts of being thirsty.  The feeling of thirst is a way to tell our body we are in need of rehydrating.  However, sometimes we choose to rehydrate with liquids that really do not hydrate our body but continue to dehydrate our body and we continue to thirst.

We also thirst for other things.  In fact, scripture talks about a thirst we have for God.  “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…” Psalm 42:2 and we are invited to quench our thirst.  “Come, everyone who thirsts; come to the waters…” Isaiah 55:1.  Jesus will fulfill the thirst within us; yet, if we fill our lives with other things the thirst will not be quenched.  We will continue to “dehydrate”.  If you recall a couple of days ago I spoke about the craving I had when I stepped away from my daily time with my Savior.  It is a thirst that needs to be fulfilled and the only way quench it is spending time in scripture and in prayer.  To be rehydrated brings about the peace that surpasses no understanding in which scripture talks about.

Are you rehydrating or dehydrating?

Cheryl 

No - Lent Photo Challenge

 No…

A word that most of us do not like to hear.  Many times it is the first word that little children pick up because they are told no all the time.  Despite the fact that it is a word that we do not like to hear, much of the time it is for our benefit.  Have you taken moments to reflect upon why you were given the answer no?  As you reflect back, are you grateful you were given the answer no?

I have offered up many prayers and many times the answer has been no.  When the answer is given there are times I find it hard not to be frustrated; yet, when I reflect upon the no’s given I am grateful God knew the bigger picture and didn’t give me what I asked for.  September 11, 2001 was a day that changed lives forever.  The sense of security that I felt living in America was gone.  There was a real sense of fear in me.  I remember sitting on the edge of my bed praying that I wasn’t pregnant because there was a possibility and I wanted nothing to do with bringing a child into this world.  Well, it wasn’t long after that day that I found out I was pregnant.  If God had granted me what I had asked for I would not have a son.  I would have missed out on all of these years of watching my little guy grow up into a young man as well as all the years to come. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 

Know that God’s plans for us are to prosper and the way that will happen is in His way, which means we will hear the word NO.  Trust in His plan.

Cheryl

Cover - Lent Photo Challenge

Cover…

This winter has been one of those winters.  We have had more snow than typical and unusually cold temps.  In fact, some areas of the country have had those bone chilling cold temps, the temps that cause the freeze to go deep into the ground.  When that happens, there are typically a number of concerns to be aware of.  For instance, the underground water pipes have a possibility of freezing as well as bursting.  Not a problem one wants to deal with in the bone chilling temps.  There is also the possibility crops will be lost as the plants cannot withstand the extreme temperatures.  Yet, if the ground has a solid cover of snow the bone chilling temps do not cause the freeze to go as deep into the ground.  The snow cover protects the ground from the elements.

We too will die without a protective cover.  Without the forgiveness and love covering us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will die.  It is through Him and only Him that we have the ability to live eternally.  “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” Psalm 32:1.  It is humbling to know that we are covered; covered with a protection from the grips of evil.  Jesus won the victory over evil through His death and resurrection.  Jesus paid the price for our sins through His death and resurrection.  We are covered!

Cheryl