Enjoy this devotional.
Texts: Ezek.37:1-14, Psalm 130, John 11:1-45, Rom. 8:6-11
CENTERING YOURSELF
Gracious and loving God,
I come before you with an open heart and mind.
As I continue my journey through Lent towards the cross,
help me always to be mindful of your presence with me.
Calm my Spirit, still my heart,
and fill me with your Holy Spirit.
May I receive all that you have for me today?
SACRED READING
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley full of bones. He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know. (Ezekiel 37:1-3)
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130: 5-6)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11: 25-26 NIV)
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8: 6-9 NIV)
READING FROM SOME FAMILIAR TEACHERS
The Resurrection was the greatest ‘eucatastrophe’ possible in the greatest Fairy Story — and produces that essential emotion: Christian joy, which produces tears because it is qualitatively so like sorrow because it comes from those places where Joy and Sorrow are at one, reconciled, as selfishness and altruism are lost in love. – J.R.R. Tolkien
The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it. – Henri Nouwen
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all. – Emily Dickinson.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- In Ezekiel 37, what does the vision of the dry bones symbolize for you? How might this passage provide hope and encouragement in difficult situations?
- Psalm 130 is a prayer for forgiveness and redemption. What aspects of this psalm resonate with you? How might this psalm help you in your spiritual journey?
- John 11:1-45 tells the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. How does this passage demonstrate Jesus’ power over death? What implications does this have for our faith and hope in Christ?
- In Romans 8:6-11, what are some examples of the desires of the flesh that can lead to death and hostility towards God? How might we live following the Spirit of God and experience life and peace?
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, I come before you today as someone who has fallen short of your glory. I confess I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. I have not loved you with my whole heart, and I have not loved my neighbors as myself. Forgive me, Holy One, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
The Word of God says if we confess our sins, he is faithful, forgiving us, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, I rest assured in these words of assurance from Romans 8:1-2: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Therefore, it is affirmed I am forgiven and set free by the power of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS
Loving God, I come before you today with hearts full of faith and hope.
I know that you are the God of resurrection power
and that nothing is impossible for you.
I pray that you would pour out your Spirit upon me afresh,
that you would breathe new life into me
and fill me with your hope and peace.
I lift up to you all those who are struggling today.
I pray for those who are sick
that you will bring them healing and wholeness.
I pray that you will comfort
and bring peace to those who are grieving.
I pray for those struggling with doubts and fears
that you will give them faith and courage to trust in you.
I also lift up to you our world,
which is so often broken and hurting.
I pray to end violence and hatred
and for a spirit of reconciliation and love to prevail.
I pray for those suffering from poverty, injustice,
and oppression that you will bring them relief and hope.
I know you are the God of all creation
and hold all things in your loving hands.
I pray that you will be with me today and always.
May your Spirit guide and lead me,
and I will always walk in the power of your resurrection.
BLESSING
As I rise from this place of worship in action,
I go as someone who has been touched
by the resurrection power of Christ.
I go as someone called to be an agent
of your love and grace in the world.
I go as a person filled with God’s Spirit
and empowered to do your work.
I ask that you would guide me and lead me
as I go out into the world.
Give me the courage to speak your truth,
the compassion to love others as you love us,
and the wisdom to discern your will.
May I be your hands and feet in the world,
bringing hope and healing to all those whom I encounter.