Lent: Thursday, April 5, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 7:25-8:19

In the plague of frogs, Pharaoh's magicians were able to replicate what God did through Moses. And, once again, Pharaoh didn't act. But, this time he told Moses that if he would get rid of the frogs, then he would let the people God. So, Moses prayed, and the frogs left. And then Pharaoh changed his mind. Once he got the relief that he wanted, he went back on his word.

How many of us have promised to God, oh, if you just get me out of the situation, then I'll. . . . How many of us have kept our word to God? How many of us have went back on what we promised to do. There are many, many dangers in this, but the primary one my be what happened during the plague of gnats.

In this plague, even Pharaoh's magicians said this was the work of God. But, he didn't believe because his heart was hard. If we go back on what we promised, if we don't believe and follow, if we take God for granted, we run the risk of hardening our heart to the point that it will be terribly difficult to soften. Now God's grace can soften even the hardest heart, but we must want it to be softened. Going back on our promise to God so many times places us in a place were we might be so scared with sin we might not even recognize that our heart is hard. Today, what have you promises.

Today, why are you doing, or not doing what you promised when you were in a tight spot?

New Testament Lesson

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

For those of us that believe, the veil of separation has been removed and we can come to God. We each have access to God; we don't have to go through anyone to receive that access. For all the believe have the freedom to go before God. Today, are you taking advantage of that freedom? Today, are you going before God, seeking His face? Today, are you boldly approaching the throne of grace? Because, you can. Today, take advantage of the freedom and grace God has given you. Today, go to Him.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 10:17-31

I just noticed something in this passage today that I never noticed. In verse 21 it says that Jesus looked at the rich young man and loved him. Jesus' action today in telling him to sell all that he had and give to the poor was based out of love. He knew that this young man needed to be freed from all that he had. Most of the time, the more stuff we have, the more in chains we are. That is why He said it is harder for camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven, for the rich may be more bound to their stuff (money, possessions, whatever) more than they are bound to Jesus.

And we think, yeah, those rich get what they deserve because we don't see ourselves as rich. Compared to the rest of the world, you and I are very, very rich. The question then becomes, not do the rich love the stuff more than they love God, but do you and I love our stuff more than we love God. Today, if our Lord told you to sale all you had and give to the poor, what would response be? Today, is our love for worldly possessions greater than our love for our Lord?