Spiritual Sundays---Redeemed

Sabbath Scripture
O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58

Sabbath Prayer
O Lord thy God, the time draws close where I move to remember all You have done for my soul, You O lord have redeemed me. Prepare me O Father by speaking to my heart and to my soul those things You would have me to do to reflect my gratefulness for Your Passion. You willingly suffered and endured for my salvation, may I freely give back to You by living holy and righteously that Your Name be glorified, Father God help me make this my passion. Jesus in Your Name I pray.

Sabbath Learning
The soul is rebellious, full of pride and seeks to have it own way. It cries for peace, joy, love, comfort, relationship and yet it often turns from the very One who can answer the cry. This is just what the nation of Israel did, they rebelled against God, forgot His commandments and He judge them. Even earlier there were two who had fellowship with God, who experienced His peace, joy and love up close in a way that few have been given the opportunity to know. Adam Eve and the Israelites gave away control of their souls and walked in disobedience. The result God judged them and their souls couldn’t handle it. Adam and Eve blamed the crafty serpent and the Israelites blamed Moses, at the time of Lamentations they blamed their forefathers and said they were suffering for their sins. Whom do we blame when we are walking in disobedience, when we forget those commands God has given us to protect and guide us. The easiest and most acceptable answer is that crafty serpent; the devil. We give him too much credit; truly it is our own rebellious soul we should look. Lord I don’t want to admit or accept I still walk in rebellion in spite of all I know of You and in spite of all You have done for me. Lord I don’t want to accept my soul still wants to have it own way. The truth is the soul will always want to have it own way. A greater truth, God will always look upon our sin and judge us guilty; He has no choice for He is holy. Therefore God had to give us a way to stay in fellowship with Him. He had to develop a plan which would answer our souls’ cry. He searched and in His great wisdom knew He was the only answer and He prepared the way; Jesus. Jesus made us the center of His life. He followed every command from the Father and made us free. We became His passion and He didn’t waver, all the way to Calvary He walked to redemption.

Sabbath Reflection
“Only a nail-scarred hand could pay the debt that sets us free. We are redeemed.”

What does Jesus nail scarred hands mean to you?
What does living redeemed mean to you.
What changes do you need to make to begin living as passionately for Christ as He lived and died for you?

Application
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Many will put ashes on their foreheads to show they belong to Christ. Many will move into a period of fasting. Consider what your ashes will be, move your ashes from your forehead and bring them to life. What will your ashes look like on you? If you are moving into a period of fasting determine where you want to be at the end of your fast. Identify the steps you need to take to get you there. Daily implement the steps.

Prayer of Change
Father God I no longer want to walk in ritualistic ways, engaging in activities because it sounds Christian. Lord I want to reflect Your holiness in my life please lead me to the place where I become real rather than ritualistic and my actions will reflect true change. Father let me see those places in my life which need Your touch. Father You are my Helper, help me to fast from those things which do not bring You glory. Help me to move the ashes from my forehead and put them in my heart where You will be reflected in all my ways, lead me to holiness. Father as I take this journey to see Calvary, Your passion for me and the world draw me closer, and bring me to Your Holy Temple renewed, refreshed, restored and resurrected with a passion to walk redeemed that You will be glorified. Jesus in Your Name I pray. Amen


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