
Food
For Thought
By:
Rev. Shirley D. Heermance
LENTEN SEASON 2023
#2- The Psalms are perhaps some of the most inspiring words of the Holy Bible. During the season of Lent, reading from the Book of Psalms can also be empowering in ways that can shape how we find ourselves in relationships with God. As the season of Lent is designed for us to grow our relationship with the Lord, it reminds us that reflecting on our personal lives can help us to achieve the kind of closeness with God that we cannot have unless we come before Him exposed. This past Sunday I used the 51st Psalms as my focus scripture to preach from. It is an amazing prayer of King David's, who after anguishing over sins he had egregiously committed, went before God in sincere repentance seeking for God's tender mercies to be given to him.
In essence, King David wanted to be forgiven by God for what he described as unforgiveable transgressions. King David admitted that he was guilty of his sins and seriously burdened by what he had done. In the text it reveals that every day the sins he had committed were staring him in the face, he could not hide from what he had done, and he knew that his sins were not hidden from the Lord. He wanted to be forgiven and converted! King David was depressed, at the time of Psalms 51 and wanted the joy of salvation to be restored unto him, through God's tender mercies and loving kindness. Ultimately King David came to be known as "a man after God's own heart."
As you travel through this year's Lenten Season, feast upon the words of the 51st Psalms, especially if you are in need of mercy and forgiveness for something you have done, that you know God considers as sin. Remember that God will hear you as you pray. Never forget that God loves you, and His greatest desire for you is to be in close relationship with Him. Just know, if like King David, you sincerely go to God seeking mercy and forgiveness, you will find the tender mercies of God and the fulness of His loving kindness. Don't be afraid to expose yourself to God. He already knows all things about you, He's just waiting on you to ask.
Journey Well!
#1 - Welcome to the season of Lent! During this season, we will invest in the opportunities that God will afford, to reflect, to fast, and to pray. Thank you for celebrating, during the Epiphany Season, Christ Jesus as the Light of hope and joy for the World! As we move down the path toward Easter, I would like to use this space to share with you some prayers, reflections, and other items that will prayerfully inspire you throughout this season. For today, I want to ask you to join me in this word of prayer:
Dear Christ Jesus,
As we embark on this journey toward Easter, help this to be a time of personal reflection and preparation. As we pray, fast, and give of our time, talent, and treasure, throughout this season, make manifest our personal and collective need to daily spend time with you. Help us to imitate sacrifice and endurance, even as you sacrificed while fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, and while being subjected to the temptations of Satan as you prepared for your ministry to save us. Bless this day, and empower us with your Holy Spirit. Forgive us for the sins that we have committed through words, thoughts, or deeds. Help us to be fully aware, today, that you are our Lord and Redeeming Savior. Cause us to think about you, to strive to be like you, and to yearn for that day when we will at last see you face-to-face. Help us to live life that we might hear you say at the end of this day ... "Well done ..."
In your precious name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
THE EPIPHANY SEASON
I'm offering this space to those who may not know about the Epiphany Season, which begins on the Sunday between January 2 and 6 and runs until the first Sunday of Lent, which begins seven weeks before Easter. The season commemorates the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. A season to remember Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. Yes! Epiphany celebrates Jesus being revealed to the world! The message of Epiphany is hope and joy, the light of hope, that God gave to humanity.
During this season I pray that the Lord will bless you, your family, and your home. I pray that He will grant to each of you good health and strength. I pray that our God will show you his goodness and mercy in ways that you have not yet experienced. I pray that you will meet each day with thanksgiving and the love of God filling every moment to give you, His victory. And I pray it all in the matchless name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
MAY GOD'S UNTOLD BLESSINGS
BE YOURS
FOR THE NEW YEAR!
WELCOME TO
2023!
DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
Isaiah 54:1-10 MSG
St. Luke 12:29-32
