Worship Sundays at 9 am
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As we enter the season of Lent, I begin to contemplate. I think about ways in which I can be present with others. I think about things that I [perhaps] need to release from my own life. As I ponder, I realize what I need most is to meditate on God’s Word and just listen.
During Lent, people often make some sort of change—whether it be giving something up or engaging in a new discipline. Whatever it may be, that change can be challenging. But, if we look in our scriptural “toolbox,” God gives us encouragement through His Word all along the way. If we ponder on it, it becomes more engrained within us—easier, something we can readily access.
So this year, during the Lenten season, I’m taking one scripture each week to allow me time to really internalize and digest the message God wants to reveal. I use God’s Word to settle my mind and create space to allow the Holy Spirit to speak. When I fill my mind with the Word of God, there’s no room for all the chatter. For me, this is basically putting God at the helm. By beginning each day meditating on His Word, I’m allowing Him to be my guide. It may be that’s all He wants from me–giving my time to Him first. It may be that He is leading me to grow in an area of my life. This, I don’t know. What I do know, is that spending time really meditating—or pondering—on His word helps me to grow as a Christian and in the body of Christ.
I invite you to join me in this journey of meditating, or pondering, on a scripture each week beginning on Ash Wednesday. I’m calling this journey “40 Days to Ponder.” My hope is that others might find scriptural meditation to be a useful discipline. If you’d like to take this journey, I’ve included the Bible verses I’ll be using. Feel free to use them or find ones that speak to you. If you’d like to journey together or talk about it, please contact me.
Enjoy the journey!
God Bless, Gail Wathen
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Week 1: Philippians 4:13
Week 2: Isaiah 41:10
Week 3: 2 Corinthians 12:9
Week 4: John 14:27
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“ If you notice in my suggestions, the first three weeks focus on strength. This was intentional. I for one find myself drawing on God’s strength daily. As I embark on a journey through lent, and discern how God is working in my life and perhaps leading me to make some changes, I will need His strength more than ever. My thoughts are that perhaps others may experience similar feelings. The last week/scripture focuses on God’s peace. John reminds us in this passage that Jesus left us with a gift when he ascended back into heaven—a gift that the world can’t give. He left us His peace. We can tap into Him at any time and He will show us how to get back to Him and how to feel the depth of spirit that brings us peace again. He alone can provide that peace that stills the mind, renews our strength and restores our soul.” –Gail