Lent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 5:1-6:1

We see here that faith is always about something you can't see.  The people didn't see their deliverance. They only saw that they were being mistreated and they were forced to work harder.  Their eyes saw only abuse, and that made it hard for the eyes of their hearts to see deliverance. 

That is where faith steps in.  Faith allows us to believe and see the things that appear to be impossible. Their eyes didn't see how they could be free.  Their faith knew that it could be so. 

It is just hard to believe when our eyes can't see. That's why the Bible calls faith a gift. For through His grace, through our walk with Him, through knowing Him, even when we can't see, we can believe.  

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 14:20-40

We see Paul's continued concern for the body of Christ. Everything mentioned in this passage, its primary concern is for the body. There are even times, Paul says, that we must humble ourselves and not do what we feel like doing, not do what we feel maybe even led to do, if it is not for the good of the body. That is our primary concern. For if the Body of Christ is strong, the believer will be encouraged and those are not believers will be led to faith.  

Gospel Lesson

Mark 9:42-50

Let us not cause one of the little ones to fall.  Remember in this life, there are always eyes watching us. There are always folks watching how we live, how we talk, how we care, how we treat one another.  As these eyes are watching us, our faith can really shine though.  So, let us live lives of grace and mercy, and as we do that, God will be glorified.