Following Jesus 40 Sacred Days
A spiritual Guide Through
The Season of Lent
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny
themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
~ Matthew 16:24 NIV~
SHAKE IT UP: A CHANGE WILL DO YOU GOOD
A Spiritual Guide through the Season of Lent
HarborPointe would like to invite you to enter into an adventure of spiritual growth and understanding by setting apart forty days leading up to Resurrection Sunday. This period of time has been called the Lenten season from the Anglo-Saxon word that means “spring”. And we hope that this will indeed be a time of renewal, excitement, and hope for each of you, as you enter into the ancient Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor.
Ash Wednesday begins Lent with a public service of reflection. Traditionally ashes are placed on the forehead of the worshiping community to signify how important and temporary is the life we have been given. The scriptural undergirding for the Ash Wednesday service is taken from Genesis 3:19.
“ Remember, O man, that you are ashes, and to ashes you
shall return.”
Repentance, a change of direction or a change of mind, is another hallmark of Ash Wednesday. The words of Jesus in Mark 1:15 are commonly cited:
“ The time has come… the kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news.”
At our Ash Wednesday service, we have a time of singing, an opportunity to write down the sins that have plagued our lives, and then we may place those “sin papers” on the cross at the front of our sanctuary.
During the service, we are also invited to begin the process of some form of fasting over the next forty day period. This fasting may take a variety of forms… for some it is chocolate or sweets… for others it is meat… for some it is taking a day/week to fast from all foods. Some people choose to fast from such things as TV, sports, games, or movies, or anything that may serve as a reminder that this is a special period of time devoted to God.
1 John 5:21 reminds us:
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place
in your hearts.”
Some people take a different direction and add something special to their life during this period such as beginning a Bible memorization program, a new prayer regimen or a daily devotional time. Actually, that is one of the reasons for this little booklet. What we would like you to do is keep it in your Bible until Resurrection Sunday and use this as sort of a prayer journal. Our theme for each Sunday is going to be Shake Up Your Destiny. Each week will focus on Jesus’destiny and the unique way he wants to interfere with ours. Monday through Saturday you’ll be given some scripture passages to read, that will help you reflect on the importance of your forty day commitment.
One thing you may have realized, the forty days from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday does not count the six Sundays in between. Sundays are to be reserved as special days of celebration, so your Lenten commitment doesn’t need to be observed during those Sundays. Or you may choose to celebrate in some other way of your own choosing on those days. But be sure to allow yourself the privilege of being disciplined during the other forty days. Something seems to happen in the souls of those who make this kind of commitment.
I should also add that HarborPointe makes a pretty big deal of the last week in Lent… often called Holy Week. One of our special events that week is a self guided devotional experience called The Stations of the Cross. Posted around the sanctuary are works of art depicting Jesus’ final hours with corresponding scripture passages to read. This time of solitude and reflection is a truly special opportunity for preparing your soul to appreciate what Jesus has done on our behalf.
On Good Friday we hold a candlelight Tenebrae(Shadows) service. Worship begins with meditative songs, and Communion. At the end of the service, all the lights are dimmed. Scriptures reflecting the suffering of our Lord are read by candlelight. One by one, the candles are extinguished until the final candle goes out… and everyone departs in silence until they have left the parking lot… a sobering experience indeed.
But then comes Resurrection Sunday. A day we celebrate with a hearty breakfast and joyful worship. The contrast between Lent and Resurrection Sunday cannot be overstated.
So, here goes the adventure… it’s time to furrow your spiritual soil and get ready for deepened growth! Read the scripture passages designated for each day. Jot down your thoughts to each question. Are you ready for some dangerous things to take place in your soul during these forty sacred days?
One last reminder… Don’t worship Lent, worship the Lord! Certainly don’t worship the commitment that you have made. You may stumble a bit. Join the rest of us humans and remember if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful, and will forgive us on the spot (1 John 1:8-10). Maybe whenever you find yourself faltering, what you might do is purchase an extra can of soup for every failure and donate it to those in need. This might be a fun way to bless the poor (part of Lent) and remind you to stay on course.
Preparation, questions:
What would you like to do this Lenten Season that you pray will help you prepare your soul to meet with God?
Are there any idols (or potential idols) in your life that are diverting your attention from God?
What do you believe you should give up or add to your normal spiritual regimen?
God’s call to Change Our Destiny
God is in the business of shaking us up… moving us out of our comfort zone… to change our destiny… to let go of our own business to take up God’s challenges, and to identify with him. His business… challenging us to become all that we can be….
Day 1 Wednesday, February 18 Matthew 13:55-58
What is the difference between a job and a vocation(calling)?
What jobs are you doing and what callings do you have?
Day 2 Thursday, February 19 Mark 3:20-21
What do those closest to you think about your faith in Christ? How has your faith in Christ made you a” crazy”?
Day 3 Friday, February 20 Matthew 21:12
What can turn the house of God into a den of robbers? What can turn a den of robbers into a house of God?
Day 4 Saturday, February 21 Matthew 3:17
Why is this one of the most important verses in the Bible? How does this message impact your destiny?
We Change Our Destiny When We Give God Our All
Jesus came to herald good news: the kingdom of God was at hand! It’s time to make a change! The message and the messenger… both wonderful and freeing, yet frightening and meddlesome. Jesus beckons us to give him everything. Meanwhile, Satan offered us the wide, easy path… comfortable, but in the end, unfulfilling.
Day 5 Monday, February 23 Genesis 3:1-9
What are you ashamed of about yourself? What have you tried to hide from God?
Day 6 Tuesday, February 24 Matthew 4:1-4
How has Satan interfered with your desire to connect with God? Why are we so absorbed in what we do? Becoming a success?
Day 7 Wednesday, February 25 Matthew 4:5–7
Why are we so concerned about what others think about us? How important is this to you?
Day 8 Thursday, February 26 Matthew 4:8 – 11
Why are money and power such powerful temptations? How do these factor into your life?
Day 9 Friday, February 27 Matthew 11:28– 30
How has Jesus tried to pursue you? Are you experiencing his rest right now?
Day 10 Saturday, February 28 Revelations 22:1–5
What kind of ultimate destiny are you seeking? Expecting? How does heaven impact our lives on earth?
We Change Our Destiny When We Invest Our Life
Mostly, time is more precious than money… but the truth is that our life is more precious than our time. And there is a huge difference between spending time and investing life… which is our call… our destiny.
Day 11 Monday, March 2 Genesis 1:1;
2 Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:4
How does God see time? How do you see God?
Day 12 Tuesday, March 3 Ephesians 5:16–18
What does it mean to redeem time? How do you make the most of the time you are given? In what way do you waste time?
Day 13 Wednesday, March 4 John 7:6
What is the difference between time and timing? Why is it important to do the right thing at the right time?
Day 14 Thursday, March 5 John 2:4; 13:1
What was the right time and timing for Jesus? How does death interface with time?
Day 15 Friday, March 6 Ecclesiastes 3:1–8
What time is it for you?
Day 16 Saturday, March 7 2 Corinthians 6:2
Why is today always the day of salvation?
We Change Our Destiny When Talk Turns Into Action
Jesus invites each of us to become his faithful and fully-devoted follower… a
life-long challenge… the most fulfilling of callings… our destiny…
Day 17 Monday, March 9 Romans 10:13;
Matthew 7:21:23
What is the difference between profession of faith and following Christ?
Day 18 Tuesday, March 10 Luke 18:18–23
Why is interest in the after-life insufficient for discovering the reality of eternal life?
Day 19 Wednesday, March 11 Luke 9:57–62
What is the difference between disciple-talk, and a discipled-life?
What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
Day 20 Thursday, March 12 Matthew 21:28–32
Why are our actions always more important than our words? In what area of your life does talk replace action?
Day 21 Friday, March 13 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5
How can we back up our words with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction?
Day 22 Saturday, March 14 John 13:13–14
If you call Jesus “Teacher“ and “Lord“ in what ways are you following his example?
We Change Our Destiny When Our Wounds Heal Others
Most of us are so busy at life that we fail to engage our calling… we are destined for something greater than our job or family… we are called to rise above our own circumstances and help create a community wounded healers.
Day 23 Monday, March 16 Isaiah 53:4–5;
1Peter 2:24
How do Jesus‘s wounds heal us? How do our wounds heal others?
Day 24 Tuesday, March 17 Luke 5:1–11
How do our failures help us understand and attain our destiny?
Day 25 Wednesday, March 18 Matthew 9:9–12
How can our sins help us enter into a healing community with other sinners?
Day 26 Thursday, March 19 Luke 7:36-50
How easily do you recognize your own depravity and couple it with the greatness of your salvation?
Day 27 Friday, March 20 Luke 15:11–32
Why is it important to hit bottom in order to appreciate the ordinary gifts of life?
Day 28 Saturday, March 21 John 4:1–33
How can you use your faults and failures as a means for helping others?
We Change Our Destiny When We Move From Consumption To Production
Most people want life on their own terms; 3hey want people catering to their needs; they want to be “pampered“. They want to consume everything (and everyone) in their path. Meanwhile, our destiny is to become a care – giver and forgiver, a producer rather than a consumer.
Day 29 Monday, March 23 Matthew 13:1–3
What is God doing in order to help you grow and become productive?
Day 30 Tuesday March 24 Matthew 13:4, 19
What keeps your heart cold and hard toward God and others?
Day 31 Wednesday, March 25 Matthew 13:5–6, 20
What keeps you from following through on your commitments and responsibilities?
Day 32 Thursday, March 26 Matthew 13:7, 21
What distract you from God‘s peace and presence?
Day 33 Friday, March 27 Matthew 13:8–9
What enables you to become a producer, a giver, a lover, a forgiver?
Day 34 Saturday, March 28 John 15:1–17
What is the interrelationship between love and God and loving the people around you?
We Change Our Destiny When We See A Bigger Picture
Day 35 Monday, March 30 John 1:43–46
Why did Nathaniel disparage Nazareth? What is limiting about small towns?
Day 36 Tuesday, March 31 John 7:3–5
Why did Jesus‘s brothers believe he should have a bigger stage if he really wanted to fulfill his ministry?
Day 37 Wednesday, April 1 Psalm 122:6;
48:1–2; 132:14
What is the big deal about Jerusalem anyway?
Day 38 Thursday, April 2 Luke 19:28–40
What kind of king did Jesus become on Palm Sunday?
Day 39 Friday, April 3 Luke 19:41–44
What did Jesus see/feel as he entered Jerusalem?
Day 40 Saturday, April 4 Luke 19:45–48
Why did Jesus cause such a scene on his biggest stage?