Lent with Lozza — Day Forty-Six

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

-Romans 6:8-11

Lent with Lozza — Day Forty-Four and Day Forty-Five

Yesterday was Good Friday and a very good Friday it was. I did crafts in the morning with young kids, read the story of Christ's death with my older kids in the afternoon, followed by communion and a dinner of fish and chips.

My housemate said something yesterday that struck me. He said that during holy week we seem to mourn Christ's death for a whole week, but only celebrate his resurrection for one day. I'd never thought of that before, but he kind of had a point. Made me realize that we should be celebrating our savior all year long. How do we do this? We spread his love. 

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

-Mark 15:3-39

I can't imagine how mortified the people felt at this point. They had just killed the Messiah. Christ knew his calling though and he answered it. And He has placed a call on our lives. Will you answer it?

Lent with Lozza — Day Forty-Three

Hypocrite. If you're a Christian you most likely have heard that word before. People may accuse you of being one or maybe you've accused someone of being one. Either way, it's not a nice thing.

In the Bible, we see the pharisees as a prime example of this. They appear religious and devoted to God, but they are obsessed with appearing. When Jesus came it was no wonder they were confused. His message didn't fit their views and naturally they felt threatened. If we are focused on appearances and what other people think then we have missed the point. We have missed the relationship with Jesus.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

-Galatians 1:10

The only person we answer to is Christ. He is all that matters. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Forty, Day Forty-One & Day Forty-Two

I did it again. I slacked off. No excuses, just laziness.

So I just read Chapter 7 in Crazy Love. It's about faith and giving. Chan talks about how believers aren't perfect and have to have faith in God (think Moses, David, Noah, etc.). I really like this line:

Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. 

Something is wrong when our lives make sense to believers. 

As Christians we can't play it safe. We should be sacrificing everything. Didn't Jesus do it for us?

Who, being in very nature God, 

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 

rather, he made himself nothing 

by taking the very nature of a servant, 

being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, 

he humbled himself 

 by becoming obedient to death— 

even death on a cross! 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place 

and gave him the name that is above every name, 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 

in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father.

-Philippians 2:6-11

Christ calls us to love on people. When we love on others, we are loving on Christ too. Giving is also another form of showing our faith through action. When we give, it shows our trust in Him. That He will provide for us. 

God wants us to trust him with abandon. 

He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Nine

Only one more week until Easter! Had a great time at church this morning celebrating Palm Sunday. We even had a visitor...

Meet my new friend Humphrey. Isn't he adorable?!

Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!" “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

-Mark 11: 8-10

In Stuart's sermon this morning he debated what the reaction of the people in Nunthorpe would be if Jesus   were here riding a donkey down the street. Would people stop? Would people praise him? Or would people look and then keep on going about their day? I love how enthusiastic and happy the crowd sounds in this passage. And they have every right to be, they are in the presence of the Lord! I would like to think we would react the same way, but I'm not so sure we would. But if we are true children of Christ we should be doing this on a daily basis. Worshipping and praising His mighty name. How could we not? 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Eight

Had a busy day of shopping and planning to get ready for my girls weekend coming up. Really looking forward to it! I was hoping I would at least have 8 girls and turns out I'll have about 16! Way more than I planned for, but isn't that how God works? If you could be praying for the weekend, leaders and the girls who will be coming that would be great. Really just want them to walk away and know how much God loves them.

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. 

-Song of Solomon 6:3

Love this verse. How awesome is it that God calls us His beloved? 

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirty-Seven

Me and my girls are still looking at the story of Job. It's a long book so we are only about a third of the way through, but I love the story and especially some of the points Job's friends make.

Job has become a defeated man. He lost his family, his property and is somewhat on the verge of losing his sanity I think at times. Basically, he wants God to kill him and get it over with. He becomes really proud asking why would God do this to him? He says he beliefs are solid, but he starts to challenge God almost. One of his friends Zophar calls him out on this.

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.

-Job 11:13-15

I love this. Zophar is really getting down to the nitty gritty. If Job has such faith in God then why isn't he using it? Sound cliche but if you're going to talk the talk you gotta walk the walk. God knows where our hearts are. We can't fool Him.