Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to a desert. There he was tempted by the devil. Jesus went without food for forty days and forty nights. ~Matthew 4:12
Tomorrow, we begin the holy journey of Lent as we travel the road to Easter. This church season is known as a time of penitence and prayer. A time to take honest stock of where we are on our spiritual walk with the Lord.
Many Christians choose to give up a special food or pastime during Lent. Others choose to adopt a new discipline or practice. But whatever route you decide to take, it should bring you alongside Jesus in a more meaningful and intimate way.
For this Lenten season, I am once again employing a marvelous book by friend and fellow blogger, Jean Wise entitled 40 Voices - A Lenten Devotional. Here is a perfect description of this book as found at Amazon:
If you knew you were dying soon, would you see the people around you differently? Jesus knew in his last week before the resurrection that the end of his human life neared. He knew exactly how events would unfold. He knew what the voices of the people and places around him would say. 40 Voices - A Lenten Devotional captures the words and settings surrounding Jesus that final week, so we hear them with new insights. Their stories and experiences hold wisdom for us today, and show us the transformational power of the cross. Jesus' presence in their story predicts his proximity within our story. Lent offers us a time to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to hear God in new ways . . . Listen to the voices on the way to Calvary and draw closer to Christ.
If you have yet to select a discipline for this Lent, I highly recommend Jean's book as an illuminating guide. I guarantee her thoughts and prayers will enhance and enrich your spiritual journey.
About the Author -
Thanks for the helpful suggestion Martha. I will be using Paul David Tripp's "Journey to the Cross" during my devotional time. It is 40 days of devotions for this period. I hope it is a wonderful tool for you to use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what devotional you will be using during Lent, Bill. Yes, Jean's book is a wonderful guide that I'm looking forward to using beginning tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Sounds like a good book. Thanx Martha.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
It's a great devotional for Lent, Victor.
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This Lenten season, with all that's going on, should be bringing us to our knees in prayer daily. As it should, even in more normal times.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Glynn, so it should, and I'm sure it will for most of us. The world is in a mess that I believe only God can fix.
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Jean's writing has enriched my spiritual life and enlarged my borders. Thanks for sharing her work here today, friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know that Jean's writings have influenced your spiritual growth for the better, Linda. She's done the same for me! We are both richer for knowing her.
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Thank you for this timely recommendation, Martha. I'm sharing this with my Bible study friends now!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's perfect, Myra! The more, the merrier is what I say. I know Jean would so appreciate this.
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I purchased this book several years ago and have brought it off the shelf each Lenten season ever since. It's resting on my desk as I type, ready for the first day of Lent tomorrow. Leafing through I see a number of underlined portions, giving indication of the worthy insights Jean shares!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is to know that you are a fan of Jean, too, Nancy! I did look for my copy, but to no avail, so had to order a brand new one. I was so happy to do so, and am looking forward to my upcoming Lenten journey.
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Martha, thanks for sharing Jean and her book with us. This is a time to consider something for Lent as we travel the road to Easter. God bless!
ReplyDeleteJean's book is such a great Lenten companion, Karen; I hope you'll consider using it.
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Thank you, Martha. It is a solemn time for Christians leading up to Easter and our salvation. xo
ReplyDeleteA solemn time, indeed, Terri, and a season where much spiritual growth can take place when we let it.
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ooo thank you so much for sharing this Martha! I am humbled and feeling blessed!
ReplyDeleteIt was my honor to share your book with my readers, Jean. I know they will be enriched by your words and insights.
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Prayers along your journey sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, J. D.!
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We make a BIG DEAL here in LA over Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras. I am wondering how many of us make such a big deal of the journey to the cross?
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
What a great point you've made here, Lulu - are we celebrating that long and arduous journey to the cross that saved us all, or just whooping it up in the moment? I think taking Lent seriously is certainly a way to help us all grow closer to the Lord and appreciate all He has done for us.
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Thanks for the timely reminder, Martha, and at a time when every news broadcast shows us the ugly and painful pictures of what human depravity really looks like, your encouragement to make this Lenten season a serious time of spiritual investment. The warfare being waged in Ukraine isn't the only war going on, as you know, and we are the ones Jesus sent to counteract evil. The enemy we all must confront can't be stopped with bombs and bullets. God bless you for encouraging us to review our spiritual arsenal and to get involved in those battles that have eternal consequences.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Ron - thank you for reminding us here that our enemy cannot be defeated with bombs and bullets, but only by a spiritual arsenal that can only be filled by spending meaningful and heartfelt time with God. He already has the victory, of that we can be assured. As we look into the horrific images of evil unleashed upon innocent victims, let us continue to pray for their safety and for God's intervention.
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Thank you for the reminder. Everything happening in our world today is right in the pages of the bible. I spend many hours in prayer and reading my bible daily. Today I read the story of a gentleman who become saved simply because he read the Book of Romans in a hotel. God sends those little messages to us always and some take it to heart. I am grateful for my relationship with Jesus. Thanks and I hope you have a beautiful blessed day.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so grateful for my relationship with Jesus, too, Anne! The Bible is absolutely chock full of truths about the depravity of human nature and why we all, each and every one of us, need a Savior to forgive us of our sins. Praying for the people of Ukraine, as I know you are, too.
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Thank you for sharing this timely book, Martha!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Beckie! I think you would find this book to be a terrific resource.
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Looks like a wonderful study for Lent. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am very thankful for this Lenten season. It gives us a chance to slow down and draw closer to the Lord as we prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for our sins and what that really means to us. And during this current time of turmoil in our world, we need that introspection even more. Thank you, and God bless you my friend.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Pamela, that we need this time of introspection now more than ever. I am so grateful that we were able to bring another table from Mom's home back to ours, and we've set it up in what was my son's former room as a special, quiet retreat for me to do Bible study and prayer without distractions. Oh, I've needed this for a long time, and once again, God's timing is perfect. I will probably elaborate on this in an upcoming blog.
DeleteLet us prepare our hearts for Jesus' saving sacrifice!
Love and blessings!
This does sound like a wonderful devotional Martha, thank you for sharing! It is a wonderful season to spend time reflecting on the season of the resurrection, and to draw ever nearer to the Lord. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteYes, Marilyn, over the years, the season of Lent has become more and more precious and meaningful to me. We so need to slow down, reflect, and take stock of who we are and where we are in the Lord. Jean's book does that for me!
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How delightful that you get to walk with Jesus and Jean during Lent! Jean's writings and insights are amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are, Lisa! I'm so blessed to have Jean as a blogging friend, and I'm sure you feel the same way.
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I absolutely love the way this season draws all of our hearts toward Jesus. Being closer to Him is my constant pursuit. Thank you for sharing about this book - it sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt is a marvelous book, Cheryl. I'm reading an offering a day and journaling my thoughts. Truly, it is ushering me fully into the Lenten season.
DeleteLove and blessings!