Prayers and Thoughts

for Reflection

Lenton Devotional

2007

March 29

God will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.
Isaiah 2:3

This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it - the LORD is his name: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:2-3

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you, says the Lord.
Psalm 32:8

If you don’t know what’s meant by God, watch a forsythia branch or a lettuce leaf sprout.

Martin H. Fischer

God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.

Martin Luther

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.  I will proclaim the name of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:2 - 3

For the garden of your daily living,

Plant three rows of peas:

Peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of soul.

Plant four rows of squash:

Squash gossip, squash indifference, squash grumbling, squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce:

Lettuce be faithful, lettuce be kind, lettuce be patient, lettuce love one another.

No garden is without turnips:

Turnip for meetings, turnip for service, turnip to help one another.

And every garden demands time:

Thyme for each other, thyme for family, thyme for friends.

Water with patience and cultivate with love.

Because you reap what you sow, you can expect much fruit!

Author Unknown

And that about wraps it up.  God is strong, and he wants you strong.  So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials.  And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.  This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours.  This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.  Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words.  Learn how to apply them.  You’ll need them throughout your life.  God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.  In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.  Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters.  Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Ephesians 6: 10 – 18, The Message

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11

Oh God, as your love is unconditional, thank you for life’s daily challenges to teach me to give unconditional love in return. Help me to understand that it is only by serving others in Your name that I will find, love, peace, and joy.  Let me make a better place for at least one person today.  Help me plant a living garden this year and to tend it daily.  Amen.