"The pain passes, but the beauty remains.

Lenten Devotional- Day 30

God’s Word: "Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest." - Job 30:17

Inspiration: Pierre Auguste Renoir was born in 1841 in Limoges, France. In 1854 he began work as a painter in a porcelain factory in Paris, gaining experience with the light, fresh colors that were to distinguish his Impressionist work. In 1862 he entered the studio of Gleyre and there formed a lasting friendship with other budding artists including Monet. Renoir is perhaps the best loved of all the Impressionists, for his subjects---pretty children, flowers, beautiful scenes, above all lovely women---have instant appeal, and he communicated the joy he took in them. "Why shouldn't art be pretty?" he said, "There are enough unpleasant things in the world." In the 1890s Renoir began to suffer from rheumatism. In 1903, he moved to the warmth of the south of France to comfort his rheumatism.

By 1912, the rheumatism eventually crippled him and he was confined to a wheelchair. But despite the stabbing pain, he continued to paint until the rest of his life. One day his old artist friend Henri Matise sadly watched while Renoir, grasping a brush with only his fingertips, continued to paint in great pain. Matise asked Renoir why he persisted in painting at the expense of such torture. Renoir replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."

Meditation: Pain is neither good nor permanent. One day all of our pain will pass and we will stand in the beauty of the Lord, a beauty that will remain forever. Are you suffering in pain? Today in prayer, draw near to the Lord and draw comfort from Him.

Quote: "Pain is not good in itself. What is good in any painful experience is, for the sufferer, his submission to the will of God, and, for the spectators, the compassion aroused and the acts of mercy to which it leads." - C.S. Lewis

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:3-4

Come and see the place where He lay

Lenten Devotional- Day 29

God’s Word: "'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Mark 16:6-7

Story: Former White House counsel Charles Colson, convicted for his involvement in the Watergate scandal as an assistant to President Nixon, is often asked about the resurrection and if it could be a hoax with a cover-up to make it look like Christ rose from the dead. He answers: "The Watergate cover-up reveals the true nature of humanity. Even political zealots at the pinnacle of power will, in the crunch, save their own necks, even at the expense of the ones they profess to serve so loyally. But the apostles could not deny Jesus, because they had seen him face to face, and they knew he had risen from the dead. No, you can take it from an expert in cover-ups-I've lived through Watergate-that nothing less than a resurrected Christ could have caused those men to maintain to their dying whispers that Jesus is alive and is Lord. Two thousand years later, nothing less than the power of the risen Christ could inspire Christians around the world to remain faithful-despite prison, torture, and death. Jesus is Lord: That's the thrilling message of Easter. It's a historic fact, one convincingly established by the evidence-and one you can bet your life upon."

Meditation: Christ's resurrection is a historical fact. It happened on the first day of the week following Passover in the city of Jerusalem. Our faith is grounded in history, not a philosophy. Today in prayer, thank Christ that He not only predicted His resurrection, but also fulfilled it so we may have hope in Him.

Quote: "Christ himself deliberately staked his who claim to the credit of men upon his resurrection. When asked for a sign he pointed to this sign as his single and sufficient credential." - B.B. Warfield

"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." - Matthew 28:5-6

Not Ashamed for Christ

Lenten Devotional- Day 28

God’s Word: “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” – 2 Timothy 1:8

Story: Chi Faling was born in a small village in the mountains of Tongbai, Henan Province in eastern central China. She was the youngest of nine girls in her family. She became a Christian while in grammar school and by the time she was in her early twenties she went to study theology.

About 10 p.m. on August 13th, 2001, she was with some other Christians in a guest house when the police stormed their residence. They took Chi and two other Christians to the Zhongxiang Police Station where they were questioned.

“A slim man in yellow police uniform came and interrogated me” said Chi. “He asked my home address, name, and why I believed in Jesus. So I told him. However, he still flew in a rage.”

Chi and her friends were transferred to a prison. When they arrived, they saw that five other women from the school had also been arrested and tortured. For the next six weeks, the women were systematically tortured.

On September 30, 2001, Chi and her friend Li Xiong were sentenced to three years in a reeducation labor camp. Living with the drug-addicts and criminals, Chi felt compassion for them.

“The more time I spent with them, the more I felt that I should preach the Good News to them. It was especially so with the drug-addicts” said Chi.

Chi was released from prison on December 25, 2003. Just prior to her release, other inmates asked her what she was going to do once she was freed.

She replied: “Get to work! Get to work for the Lord!”

Just as Paul said, “If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting. Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.”

Meditation: Never be ashamed to give your testimony on how Jesus has given you new life in Him. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He is your Savior and seek to share His good news with others.

Quote: "You cannot hide a city set on a hill, nor can you hide a noble, worthy, steadfast Christian life." - W. A. Criswell

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” – Revelation 12:11

The power of the risen Lord

Lenten Devotional – Day 27

God’s Word: "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'" - Matthew 28:5-6

Story: It was Easter Day, 1973. Pastor Kefa Sempangi bravely and openly preached on the risen Lord in his Ugandan town's football stadium to over 7,000 people. After the service, five of Idi Amin's Secret Police followed Sempangi back to his little church and closed the door behind them. Five rifles pointed at Sempangi's face. "We are going to kill you for disobeying Amin's orders" said the captain. "If you have something to say, say it before you die."

Sempangi, thinking of his beautiful wife and lovely little girl, began to shake. But the risen Lord living in his heart gave him the courage to speak. "Do what you must," he said. "The Word of God says that in Christ I am already dead, and that my real life is hidden with Him in God. It is not my life that is in danger, but yours. I am alive in the risen Lord but you are still dead in your sins. May He spare you from eternal destruction." The leader looked at Sempangi for a long time. Then he lowered his gun and said, "Will you pray for us?" Sempangi did, and from that day those five officers, now converted through the witness of Sempangi's bravery, protected the pastor with their very lives.

Meditation: Jesus Christ has risen from the grave and because He lives, we have eternal life. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He conquered death to give you life.

Quote: "Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith and Hope triumphant say, Christ will rise on Easter Day." - Phillips Brooks

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." - Mark 16:15-16

Our motto must continue to be perseverance

Lenten Devotional – Day 26

God’s Word: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:23-24

Story: Helen Roseveare was born in 1925 in Hertfordshire, England. She entered Cambridge University and there she came to Christ. She became a medical doctor and in 1953 she left for the Belgian Congo as a missionary. "I wanted people to be passionately in love with Jesus, so that nothing else counts," she said. She met a sixteen year-old boy soon after she first arrived, John Mangadima. He wanted her to teach him how to be a doctor. Helen agreed and in exchange he taught her Swahili. In 1960, the Congo declared its independence and faced a bitter civil war. In the midst of riots and lawlessness, Helen continued to work. In the following years she was beaten, raped, and arrested in held captive by the rebel Simba soldiers. She was freed some five months later and returned to England. Fearful and horrified, she vowed never to return to the Congo. But after two months at home, she received a letter from John Mangadima. He told her that her work was not finished. By faith, Helen returned and in her last years on the mission field, she established the Evangelical Medical Center, which consisted of a hospital, a training college, and four bush clinics.

Quote: "Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success." - William Wilberforce

To Pray: Our Christian walk will not be easy. But if we hold unswervingly to our hope in Jesus Christ, He will reward us for our faithfulness. Are you experiencing rough times? Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He will strengthen you, as you remain steadfast in Him.

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." - James 5:11

She decided to praise God through the struggle

Lenten Devotional – Day 25

God’s Word: "Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." - Psalm 117:1-2

Story: Australian singer and songwriter Darlene Zschech gained international recognition in 1998 for her song "Shout to the Lord," which was nominated for the Dove Award for Song of the Year. In 1999, Darlene received the International Impact of the Year Award from the American Gospel Music Association in Nashville. But Darlene's life wasn't always as together as we see it now.

As newlyweds, Mark and Darlene struggled financially. Darlene earned small change singing commercial jingles for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Diet Coke and McDonald's. Mark struggled to keep their motorcycle parts business afloat to support Darlene and their two young children. It was then that Darlene decided to praise God through the struggle.

"I learned we'll never find hope looking at our circumstances," she says. "It's only found by fixing our eyes on Jesus who doesn't change and who's always faithful." In 1990, the Zschechs left their home and church in Queensland, and moved to Sydney in New South Wales, where they became a part of the music team at Hills Christian Life Center. From there, the Lord started using Darlene to bring glory to Him.

Darlene Zschech commented that praise is "Thanking God for things even though they're not there yet," Darlene says. "It's appreciating Jesus not [just] for what He can do, but for being your Savior. And there's power in that."

Quote: "I, then, have reason to praise Him; for His mercy endures forever." - Robert McCheyne

Prey for: The Lord isn't just faithful some of the time; He is faithful in the past, present and the future. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that his faithfulness endures forever.

"The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones." - Psalm 89:5

“Wally refused to renounce his faith in Jesus…”

Lenten Devotional – Day 24

God’s Word: "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Revelation 2:10

Story: In 1988, Wally Magdangal was pastoring an underground church in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was a Filipino lay pastor of Christian foreign workers wishing to gather for worship. In 1992, soon after the conclusion of the Gulf War, the house church had grown to over three hundred worshipers, the largest church in the country. The Saudi government became alarmed at the positive impact the church was having and Wally was arrested. While he was in prison, Wally was tortured, abused, and eventually falsely charged with blaspheming Muhammad and Islam. He was tried before the Saudi Arabian High Court and was sentenced to death by public hanging scheduled to take place on Christmas Day 1992. Throughout his terrible ordeal, Wally refused to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ. Outcries from several foreign governments and agencies, including President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines, Amnesty International, and members of the U.S. Congress were made on behalf of Wally to the Saudi Government. And then just a few hours before his scheduled execution, Wally Magdangal miraculously was granted a reprieve. The Saudi Government decided to deport him to the Philippines instead. Today, Wally is itinerant preacher, sharing how the Lord delivered him from persecution.

To Pray for: Being a Christian has never been easy. There are many Christians today who are being persecuted for their faith. Are you regularly praying for those who are persecuted? Today in prayer, remember the Christians in many part of the world who are being persecuted and pray that they may be faithful to Christ.

Quote: "The servant of Christ must never be surprised if he has to drink of the same cup with his Lord." - J.C. Ryle

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." - 1 Peter 4:19

"Lord, let me at least have someone know I'm alive and maybe come rescue me."

Lenten Devotional – Day 23

God’s Word: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Story: On June 2, 1995, Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady was flying an F-16 fighter over NATO's "no-fly zone" over western Bosnia. Suddenly a Serb surface-to-air missile ripped through his aircraft. Reaching for the eject handle he remembers praying: "Dear God, let it work," and it worked.

Floating down some 26,000 feet, the Serbian soldiers were quickly moving to where he was going to land. Scott prayed again: "Lord, let me at least have someone know I'm alive and maybe come rescue me."

Landing on a hill, Scott began his evasion. Bosnian Serb search parties tried to flush him out by firing rifles into the bushes where he was hiding. For the next five days Scott was constantly praying. He moved from place-to-place at night, sending out short messages letting others know he was alive. He subsisted on leaves, grass, and ants, and catching rainwater in Ziploc plastic bags. Though he was hungry and cold, he knew that a superpower would be working to save him.

Then early on June 8, O'Grady's prayers were answered. He reached a safe place and radioed for help. Headquarters immediately dispatched about forty planes for his rescue. When the helicopter landed in the clearing near where O'Grady was hiding, he didn't relax in the brush. He shook off fatigue, fought through bushes and with every ounce of energy he had, ran to the escape that had been provided for him.

Quote: "We have an enemy inside of us who tries to convince us that there is something out there that is better than what God wants for us, but that's not true. Every day I remind myself that what God is providing is always the best thing for me." - Lauryn Hill

We are often thrust into hostile situations in our own lives. But in each instance, the Lord is faithful to provide a way of escape, if we only look to Him and we take it.

Pray: Today in prayer, thank Christ for His faithfulness that in every temptation, He has provided a way out for us.

"If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment." - 2 Peter 2:9

“If I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love."

Lenten Devotional – Day 22

God’s Word: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) "After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself." – (1 Samuel 18:1-3)

Beautiful story: In September 1992, Jack Kelley, foreign affairs editor for USA Today, witnessed firsthand the famine in Somalia. One particular starving boy touched Kelley: "Our photographer had a grapefruit, which he gave to the boy. The boy was so weak he didn't have the strength to hold the grapefruit, so we cut it in half and gave it to him. He picked it up, looked at us as if to say thanks, and began to walk back towards his village.

We walked behind him in a way that he couldn't see us. When he entered the village, there on the ground was a little boy who I thought was dead. His eyes were completely glazed over. It turned out that this was his younger brother. The older brother kneeled down next to his younger brother, bit off a piece of the grapefruit, and chewed it. Then he opened up his younger brother's mouth, put the grapefruit in, and worked his brother's jaw up and down. We learned that the older brother had been doing that for the younger brother for two weeks.

A couple days later the older brother died of malnutrition, and the younger brother lived. I remember driving home that night thinking, I wonder if this is what Jesus meant when he said, 'There is no greater love than to lay down our life for somebody else.'"

Quote: "I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love." - Mother Teresa

Pray: Today in prayer, thank Christ for the love that He has for you and seek to love others as yourself.

"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:39

"That boy told me the birds were not songsters, but ……”

Lenten Devotional – Day 21

God’s Word: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” (Ephesians 1:7-9)

A Beautiful Story: A story told by Paul Lee Tan illustrates the meaning of redemption. He said that when A.J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered nervously. Gordon inquired, "Son, where did you get those birds?" The boy replied, "I trapped them out in the field." "What are you going to do with them?" "I'm going to play with them, and then I guess I'll just feed them to an old cat we have at home." When Gordon offered to buy them, the lad exclaimed, "Mister, you don't want them, they're just little old wild birds and can't sing very well." Gordon replied, "I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds." "Okay, it's a deal, but you're making a bad bargain." The exchange was made and the boy went away whistling, happy with his shiny coins. Gordon walked around to the back of the church property, opened the door of the small wire coop, and let the struggling creatures soar into the blue. The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ's coming to seek and to save the lost -- paying for them with His own precious blood. "That boy told me the birds were not songsters," said Gordon, "but when I released them and they winged their way heavenward, it seemed to me they were singing, 'Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!"

Meditation: You and I have been held captive to sin, but Christ has purchased our pardon and set us at liberty. When a person has this life-changing experience, he will want to sing, "Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!"

Quote: “God ... does not lavish his children with a jolly discipleship so that they may swim in spiritual ecstasy between conversion and death. God is a giver, but he does not give happiness. He gives redemption, meaning, security, love, victory, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And happiness is our response to his gifts.” - Calvin Miller

Prayer: Today in your prayer, give heart-felt thanks to God for His redeeming grace and commit to follow footsteps of Jesus.

"Why God have to come down as a man, and then die, just to make things right?”

Lenten Devotional – Day 20

God’s Word: “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)

Inspiration: There was a pastor from a small rural congregation who visited an old farmer from time to time in an attempt to share the gospel with him. Each time the farmer would tell the pastor, "I believe in God. It is impossible not to when you look around at the beauty of this earth and the way in which life is created. It’s just Jesus I don’t understand. Why would a perfect and all powerful God have to come down as a man, and then die, just to make things right.” The pastor was never able to come up with an answer that the pastor found satisfactory. Then one night, as the farmer was sitting in his living room, he heard a thump on his window. He went to see what it was and outside he saw a group of birds floundering in the snow. They were trying to get into the warmth but they couldn’t figure out how, and so they were dying in the snow. So the farmer went outside and opened his barn doors, and turned on the lights, and tried to herd the birds into the warmth of the barn, because he realized it was their only hope for salvation. But the more he tried to direct them the more they scattered. At that point the farmer thought, if only I could become one of them then I could lead them into the warmth. At that moment, he had an epiphany, and he fell to his knees and accepted Christ as his savior.

Quote: “There is something wrong with our Christianity when we have to beg most of our crowd to come to church to hear about it.” Have you forgotten the joy of your salvation? - Vance Havener

Prayer: If you have heard the gospel and God is speaking to your heart today, then please do not delay. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).

"Groceries or NO groceries – PRAISE THE LORD!”

Lenten Devotional – Day 19

God’s Word: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)

Inspiration: An old woman dearly loved her Lord. Often her cup of joy overflowed. A favorite expression of hers was, "Praise the Lord!" Often, in God’s house, when the minister preached, she would say, "Praise the Lord!" Sometimes, however, the minister was disturbed by this, and he would lose his line of thought - and so he considered how he might kindly discourage the old woman’s outbursts. The woman was very poor, and therefore the minister had an idea. He offered her a parcel of groceries every month on behalf of the Benevolent Fund if she would only refrain from saying, "Praise the Lord!" during his sermons. She greatly needed the groceries, so she did her best to earn them on the minister’s terms. For many Sundays, she kept perfectly quiet during the sermon. One day, however, the minister preached on forgiveness of sin, with its attendant blessings and joys. And as he preached, the old woman thought less and less of the groceries, and more and more of the joys of salvation. Finally, she could stand it no longer. To everyone’s surprise, she cried out: "Groceries or NO groceries - PRAISE THE LORD!"

Quote: "Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favours. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the Most High God."

Praise: Today in your prayer, pray with full of PRAISE amidst crises and storms of lives.

"The only reason I am here today is because these two guys saved my life."

Lenten Devotional – Day 18

God’s Word: "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go." - John 11:43-44

Story: Roy Larson thought the most difficult part of his day would be maneuvering the unfamiliar stick shift on a "loaner" electric wheelchair as he ventured into downtown Glen Ellyn, Illinois, for a haircut. But his day was about to become much more trying.

As he was crossing the railroad tracks on Main Street, one of the chair's wheels became lodged in the track. As Larson struggled to free the wheel, something went wrong with the chair's electrical system, and the chair refused to move. Suddenly the lights began to flash, and the signal bells started to ring. The gates in front of Larson and behind him began to lower.

The first person Larson saw as he frantically looked for help was Mark Bade. Bade had been running an errand when he saw that Larson was in trouble. He sprinted to Larson's side and began to struggle with the chair.

At almost the same moment, Don Burgeson had stopped his car at the gates and saw what was happening. He leaped out of the car and helped Bade wrench the chair free from the track and drag it out of harm's way. The three men looked up, just in time to see the train was less than 20 yards away.

"After the train went by, I just said thanks," Larson said. "The only reason I am here today is because these two guys saved my life."

Jesus Christ came to save our lives. We too need to say thanks because without Him we are dead in our tracks. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for through His power we are raised from the dead.

Quote: "He is the firstfruits. The harvest is yet to come. All who put their trust in Him will be a part of that great harvest of souls that will rise from the dead." - George Sweeting

Pray: Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for salvation and commit to have attitude of gratitude.

I can no longer do the evil deeds I did before

Lenten Devotional – Day 17

God’s Word: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Inspiration: In the olden days there were two brothers, the elder good and devout, the younger a libertine who reveled with unsavory companions. The elder brother prayed for the younger and often begged him to change his life, but all seemed in vain.

One night as the elder brother sat in his study reading, the younger brother rushed into his room, begging, "Save me! The police are after me! I have killed a man." There were bloodstains on his clothes.

The older brother grasped the situation immediately and said, "I will save you. Let us change clothes." He took the bloodstained suit of the criminal and gave him his white robe. The two had barely dressed when the police arrived. They had pursued the criminal from the place where the deed had been committed and seized the brother in the bloodstained garment.

Brought before the judge, he pleaded guilty, saying, "I bear the whole responsibility for the crime." Faced with the evidence before him-the pursuit, the blood, the confession-the judge had no doubt. He sentenced the man to death, then asked him his final wish. "Only one," said the supposed criminal. "I want my brother to receive this letter, which I have prepared for him, at the very moment I am hanged." The wish was granted.

The next day, his brother received the letter. Opening it, he read: "My beloved, at this very moment, I die in your place, in your bloodstained clothes, for your crime-and I am happy to offer this sacrifice on your behalf.

"But I would like you, in the white clothes I gave you, to lead a life of righteousness and purity. I have no other desire!"

The younger brother, on reading these words, was taken by remorse. He ran to stop the execution-but it was too late. Then he ran to the judge to confess his crime, but the judge would not listen to him. "A murder was committed; it has been expiated. What was between you two brothers is of no interest to us."

After that, as often as his former comrades in revelry called the young lad to drinking parties and loose living, he would say, "In the white clothes left to me by the brother who gave his life for me, I can no longer do the evil deeds I did before." - Richard Wurmbrand.

Pray: Pray today to give thank for His saving grace and commit to live according to His will.

Each time I took a break, I sharpened my axe

Lenten Devotional – Day 16

God’s Word: “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

Story: There's an old story told about two woodcutters who were in a forest. They were being paid commission for every log that they chopped. Both of them were ambitious and wanted to out do the other. One of the woodcutters spent all day chopping logs, without taking a break. He supposed that if he continued working, he would be able get more logs done than his rival.

The second woodcutter took a break every hour for five minutes. At the end of the day, he had taken ten breaks. The first woodcutter believed that he had outpaced his rival, but when it came to tallying the amount of logs that were actually chopped, the second woodcutter had the largest pile and earned more commission.

"How did you do that?" asked the first woodcutter. "How did you manage to chop more logs than me, with all those breaks?"

"Each time, I took a break, "answered the second woodcutter, " I sharpened my axe. It meant I could chop more logs than you in the latter part of the day."

Meditation: The same applies to what we do with our spirituality. If we're not taking time to sharpen our souls with prayer, Bible reading, and worship, then our connection to God becomes blunt, and our faith is almost useless in times of trial. In midst of all our busy-ness, we need to take time out to be with God, to focus on Christ, and to be re-sharpened by the Holy Spirit.

Quote: “The purpose of worship is to come before the Lord in obedience to praise Him, to hear from Him, to confess to Him, and to commit our lives to Him. Every worship service is to be an encounter with the Lord, transcending our feelings, desires, and even our abilities to perform.” – Gene Mims

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are precious to us and we know that we need to strengthen our relationship with You. Help us today to make the right moves and take the right steps, which will enhance our faith and sharpen our souls, so that we may better serve You, and attract others to Your Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray.

Amen.

Have a blessed weekend,

This week at San Francisco

Pain never disappears, you just learn how to deal with it

Lenten Devotional – Day 15

God’s Word: Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9) Put on

then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and

patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as

the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)

Story: Photographer Nick Ut received a Pulitzer Prize for a dramatic war-time picture taken in Viet Nam. You may remember seeing it. The picture shows a little girl in agony walking naked down a country road amongst other weeping children. Dark smoke hangs heavily in the sky behind the fleeing group. The child's arms are painfully outstretched and her face is contorted in an expression of terror and misery. A Napalm bomb, dropped on her village, seared off the little girl's clothing and severely burned her skin.

The date is June 8, 1972. The child, Kim Phuc, was carried by Nick to a truck and transported to an area hospital. She cried over and over, "Non'g Qu'a. Non'g Qu'a," which means "Too hot! Too hot!"

Kim hovered between life and death. She required 17 different surgical operations and months of rehabilitation. Today, she lives in Canada and has become an important spokesperson on issues of peace. "Pain never disappears," Kim says. "You just learn how to deal with it."

In 1996 she was asked to say a few words at the Viet Nam War Memorial in Washington D.C. Kim talked about forgiving those people who were responsible for all the misery and suffering inflicted that tragic day. She said, "Even if I could talk face to face with the pilot who dropped the bombs, I would tell him we cannot change history but we should try to do good things for the present and for the future to promote peace." It was a message of forgiveness. She knew that her acts of reconciliation were the bricks that could pave the only true road to peace.

Kim could easily spend the rest of her life blaming others for her suffering. She could have grown up a bitter and resentful woman. Instead, she made a courageous choice - a choice for peace. - Steve Goodier

Quote: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior. -- Max Lucado

Pray: Pray today to have compassion and forgiveness to others as Jesus forgive you.