Lent: In The Desert

March 15, 2023

The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years.

In their wandering, they became so focused on themselves and their circumstances,

they forgot that God was with them.

God’s chosen people forgot who they were and they forgot who God was.

Though the Israelites wandering would eventually lead them to their freedom,

there was purpose in the desert that went beyond their destination.

Our deserts have purpose too. Our wilderness wandering isn’t wasted.

We don’t have to know where it will lead to know that God is working.

He is for us. He is faithful. We can trust in his goodness and his plan.

Sometimes in our hurry to get to the relief of the rescue,

we miss the sweetness of his whispers while we wait.

When we lift our hands and our eyes in worship,

we are reminded of who he is and who we are in him.

As we worship, our focus is shifted from self to the One who satisfies.

He is our all sufficient sustainer.

He remains our Savior regardless of the climate or season we find ourselves in.

When you've been in the desert, you feel it.

Dry, thirsty, and dusty from the lack of water

there is no mistaking your location.

Here in the desert, patience is difficult and the enemy is real.

Whispered lies of defeat are amplified because what you hear around you is empty.

Nothing.

Hope is swiftly hollowed out by the weight that brought you to this wasteland.

How did you get here? What are you doing here?

Did you take a wrong turn?

Does it matter?

You're here.

You can choose to close your eyes when the wind picks up

and the grains of sand are beating against your fragile skin.

You can choose to lay down in defeat and despair

when the thirst is killing you and the heat is too much,

but pretending you are somewhere else

doesn't ever make it so.

The only way out of this desert is through it,

and you're not getting out of here alone.

Lift up your eyes. Lift up your hands.

The rain is coming.

You have already been rescued.

Let Him pull you out.

He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth. Hosea 6:3

find our favorite quote on how to find Strength In The Suffering

Words from Aimee Thornton - a dear friend of Six Notes whose words always inspire us.

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For More Lent Readings:

Lent: Reflect and Remember

March 8, 2023

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we see God calling his people to remember. Feasts and festivals were held. Altars and monuments were built.

Signs, symbols, and traditions and practices were put into place as remembrances.

Remembering wasn’t a casual suggestion that God threw out. It was a command.

God knew how easy it would be for his people to forget.

He knew how important it would be for them to remember who he was,

and who they were as his people.

The season of Lent is traditionally a time of reflecting and remembering.

The 40 days of Lent point us to the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, as well as the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the desert before he began his earthly ministry.

We are his people.

As we make space to reflect and remember,

we can examine our own wilderness wanderings.

We can look back on the ways that God has been faithful

through even our driest deserts.

In our own wilderness wanderings,

in the times when we are disobedient or disbelieving,

when we feel dry and deserted in our own deserts,

we can remember who he is, and who we are in him.

We are a forgetful people, but he is a faithful God.

He has always been faithful, and he will always be faithful.

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for your perfect provision.

We thank you for your tireless mercy and your constant faithfulness.

In this sacred season of Lent,

we want to set aside time and space for you to speak.

Lead us by your Spirit.

What do we need to remember?

What do we need to reflect on?

Where are the places we aren’t seeing you?

Remind us of who you are.

Remind us of who we are as your people.

Amen

Open up your bible and dive deeper into these verses:

The Israelites long journey to the promised land Exodus-Joshua
The temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4,
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Lamentations 3:22-23
Exodus 34:6-7
1 John 1:9
Hebrews 13:8
2 Timothy 2:11-13

Words from Aimee Thornton - a dear friend of Six Notes whose words always inspire us.

Who is the I Am

February 25, 2023

I sat one morning just thinking about who God really is. And how completely complexed He truly is. There is a reason that I AM is used to describe Him because nothing on earth can truly grasp His greatness and wonder.

I sit and wonder,
I ponder.
My heart yearns to know,
so I ask Him
“who is the I am?”

“My ways are easy
yet I am perplexed to understand.

I am both perfect peace
and the thunder in the storm.
A father to the poor and hurting
a ruler over the mighty nations.
I am both now and then
the present and future

I am the blacksmith that refines,
the potter who shapes and forms,
the gardener who prunes,
the shepherd who leads,
and the king that rules.

My ways are simple
yet they are not easy.
I am the I am
and there is not one like me.

Take comfort in the unknowns.
Be soothed by my power.
Be stirred by my peace.

For I am
and will always be.”

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Prayer to begin Lent and Ash Wednesday

February 23, 2023

Ash Wednesday ushers in the season of Lent. Lent is a 40 day period that leads up to Easter. It comes from the Old English word - lencten meaning “spring” This liturgical season coincides with springtime, calling to mind new life and growth.

Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. That’s not a feeling of shame but an awareness that sin separates us from God and of what it cost Him to be reunited with us. To start this season we give you these words to reflect and prayer to remember.

Remembering leads us to repentance

Repentance leads us to revival

There is a turning in repentance

an acknowledgment that obedience requires

A reversing from our own ways

A releasing of our own desires

We must be willing to reorient ourselves

We must be willing to reorder our lives

Repentance means returning

to the ways of the upside down Kingdom

to the only One who can reverse and revive what sin has broken and stolen

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust

show us what is true of us

May our yearning lead to our turning

Remind us and revive us, Oh Lord

Gracious Father,

Help us to remember that you alone are life and light.

Remind us that the reversal of the darkness and brokenness in this world

is only possible through the saving work of Christ.

By your Holy Spirit,

give us eyes to see the places in our lives where we are going our own way.

Lead us to return to you. Guide us as we follow you.

Renew us and revive our hearts, we pray.

Amen.

Open up your bible and dive deeper into these verses:

Hosea 12:6
Hosea 14:1
Joel 2:13
Nehemiah 1:9
Jeremiah 24:7
2 Chronicles 15:4
Isaiah 55:7
Isaiah 44:22
James 4:8
1 Peter 2:25
Luke 15:20

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Lent Prayer and Reflection: Lent bible verses

Words from Aimee Thornton - a dear friend of Six Notes whose words always inspire us.

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Be Loved & Be Love

February 9, 2023

As we draw upon Valentine’s Day, let us remember how precious and perfect the love of our Savior is. And while our earthly relationships may fall short, He never will. And may we love others more and more like He loves us.

Verses:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” - John 15:9

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” - John 15:12

Pray and meditate on this:

His love- lavished on us.

Unconditional and unlimited.

Never weighted by worth.

Remain in his love that remains.

And love because he loved you first.

His love cannot be earned.

There is nothing expected or required in return.

He makes no demands. There’s no reason to strive.