by Eron Henry | Mar 9, 2025 | Lent 2025
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Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can, and hate cannot drive out hate, only love can. Darkness and hate, being inherently destructive forces, cannot overcome similar forces. The futility of using darkness to fight darkness is clear, as it only results in more darkness, and similarly hate only begets more hate, creating a cycle of negativity and destruction.
The concept of light, in contrast to darkness, is associated with truth, understanding, and goodness. Light is a powerful symbol of hope and guidance, and it is only through the light that darkness is dispelled. The “true light” is already shining, and it illuminates the way for us to see and understand, showing us the path we should follow. We are called to live in this light and to reject the darkness. We are also called to be the “light of the world” to others.
Love is the only force capable of overcoming hate, as love is patient and forgiving towards the offenses of others. Love is a powerful force for good and is not merely a feeling but a commitment to act, expressed in deed and truth, not just with words or with the tongue. This love is not limited to those who are easy to love, but it extends to all people.
Jesus commands us to love, a fervent love that cover a multitude of sins. The love we are called to embody reflects Christ’s own love, which was demonstrated through His sacrificial death on the cross. We are called to follow His example by loving one another in the same way that He loved us, including being willing to lay down our lives for our friends.
This is a time to recognize the darkness in the world and in ourselves, and to seek the light that comes from Christ. It is a time to confront the hate in the world and in our hearts, and to choose love instead. It is a call to actively participate in the work of love and light, by being compassionate, forgiving, and generous, just as Christ was. We are also called to examine our own lives to make sure that we are not contributing to the darkness or the hatred.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You, acknowledging the darkness and hate that exist in the world and within our own hearts. We recognize that darkness cannot drive out darkness, and hate cannot drive out hate. Only Your light and love can overcome these destructive forces.
Lord, we thank You for the true light that is already shining, illuminating our path and guiding us towards truth, understanding, and goodness. Help us to live in this light, rejecting the darkness and embracing the hope and guidance that come from You. May we be the light of the world, reflecting Your love and truth to others.
Teach us to love as Christ loved us, with a love that is patient, forgiving, and self-sacrificial. Let our love be expressed in deeds and truth, not just in words. Empower us to actively care for others, meeting their needs and pursuing their well-being. Help us to extend this love to all people, even those who are difficult to love.
As we confront the hate in the world and in our hearts, give us the strength to choose love instead. May we be compassionate, forgiving, and generous, just as Christ was. Help us to examine our own lives and ensure that we are not contributing to the darkness or hatred.
We seek Your light to dispel the darkness within us and around us. Transform us through Your love, so that we may grow in our faith and become more like Christ. Let our lives reflect Your love and grace, and may we bring glory to Your name in all that we do.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
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by Eron Henry | Mar 8, 2025 | Lent 2025
The distinction between salvation and vocation is critical for understanding the Christian life, and how we respond to the call to love is a key aspect of this. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not as a result of works. It is not something that we earn, but something we receive freely. Vocation, however, is our calling to live out the implications of that salvation. This call includes obedience to God’s commandments, and particularly the commandment to love one another.
The commandment to love is not a new requirement for salvation but the defining characteristic of those who have already received salvation. The love commandment is to love others as Christ loved us. This love is not merely a feeling, but a concrete action. It involves actively caring for others, meeting their needs, and pursuing their well-being. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters show that they do not have the love of God in them. Love is expressed in deed and truth, not just with words or with the tongue. It is a matter of practical action and self-sacrificial service.
When we understand obedience to the love commandment as our vocation, we see that it is not a burden but a privilege. It is not about trying to earn God’s favor, but about participating in God’s work of transforming the world through love. The love that we are called to embody is a reflection of Christ’s own love, which was demonstrated through his sacrificial death on the cross. We are called to follow his example by loving one another in the same way that he loved us, including being willing to lay down our lives for our friends.
The call to love is not limited to those who are easy to love, but extends to all people. It requires that we confront injustice, and show compassion and mercy, while rejecting hatred, envy, and strife. This is a challenging and transforming vocation. By embracing our vocation to love, we grow in our faith and become more like Christ, and participate in the work of God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Prayer
Gracious God,
We thank You for the precious gift of salvation, freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. We acknowledge that it is not by our works, but by Your grace that we are saved. Help us to fully embrace this gift and to live out its implications in our daily lives.
Lord, we recognize our vocation to love one another as Christ loved us. This commandment is not a burden, but a privilege and a calling to participate in Your work of transforming the world through love. Teach us to actively care for others, to meet their needs, and to pursue their well-being with genuine compassion.
May our love be expressed in deed and truth, not just with words. Empower us to serve selflessly, following the example of Christ who laid down His life for us. Let our actions reflect Your love, and may we be willing to lay down our lives for our friends.
Help us to extend this love to all people, even those who are difficult to love. Give us the courage to confront injustice, to show compassion and mercy, and to reject hatred, envy, and strife. Transform us through this challenging vocation, so that we may grow in our faith and become more like Christ.
As we embrace our calling to love, may we participate in the work of Your Kingdom here on earth. Let our lives be a testament to Your love and grace, and may we bring glory to Your name in all that we do.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 7, 2025 | Lent 2025
Someone once said that by faith we live in the past, by hope we live in the future, but by love we live in the present.
Faith connects us to the past, reminding us of God’s faithfulness throughout history, particularly in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust in God’s promises and actions in the past, giving us a foundation for the present. Faith allows us to learn from those who came before us and to imitate their perseverance. Remembering that we have been ransomed from a meaningless existence by Christ’s blood should inspire us to live in reverence. We have a “great cloud of witnesses” and can see how those who have gone before us have demonstrated their love for God.
Hope directs us toward the future, motivating us to persevere amidst present challenges. The hope of the Christian is centered on the return of Christ and the promise of eternal life, which purifies and transforms our current lives. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God’s faithfulness, and it compels us to live righteously, in anticipation of the grace that will be brought to us when Jesus Christ is revealed. Hope also inspires us to seek the things above, to set our minds on heavenly matters, and to put to death the earthly desires within us.
Love, however, is the virtue that grounds us in the present moment, as love is the fulfillment of the law. It calls us to engage with the world and with others, reflecting God’s love in our actions. Love is not simply a feeling but a commitment to serve others and to meet their needs. Loving others as Christ loves us is a new commandment and a mark of being a disciple of Jesus. This love requires us to be compassionate, forgiving, and generous. This love should be without complaining, fervent, and covering a multitude of sins. Love is the driving motivation behind all actions, and it is the most important virtue.
This Lenten season is a time to examine the balance of faith, hope, and love in our lives.
- Are we rooted in the faith that recognizes God’s faithfulness in the past, and are we learning from the examples of those who have gone before us?
- Do we have a genuine hope that motivates us toward the future and informs our present choices?
- Are we actively showing love to those around us, reflecting God’s character and demonstrating our faith?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your faithfulness throughout history. By faith, we remember Your mighty works, especially the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Help us to trust deeply in Your promises and to draw strength from the examples of those who have gone before us. May our faith be a firm foundation, guiding us to live reverently and purposefully.
Lord, we look to the future with hope, confident in the return of Christ and the promise of eternal life. Let this hope purify and transform our lives, motivating us to persevere through present challenges. Teach us to set our minds on heavenly matters and to live righteously, anticipating the grace that will be revealed when Jesus comes again.
In the present moment, we seek to embody Your love. Fill our hearts with compassion, forgiveness, and generosity. Help us to serve others selflessly, reflecting Your love in all our actions. May our love be fervent and without complaint, covering a multitude of sins. Let it be the driving force behind everything we do, marking us as true disciples of Jesus.
During this Lenten season, we ask for Your guidance as we examine the balance of faith, hope, and love in our lives. Root us in faith, inspire us with hope, and ground us in love. May we always recognize Your faithfulness, be motivated by the hope of eternal life, and actively show love to those around us.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 6, 2025 | Lent 2025
True life is found in serving God and caring for others. A life devoted to God is expressed through love, service, and a commitment to living righteously, not just through adherence to religious practices. This authentic life stands in stark contrast to a life focused on self-interest and worldly desires.
Serving God involves living in accordance with God’s will and striving for holiness in all aspects of life. This includes resisting temptation and the desires of the flesh, instead choosing a path of righteousness. It also means setting our minds on things above, seeking to live in a way that honors God, and recognizing that we are called to a higher purpose than the pursuit of worldly gain or pleasure. The call to holiness is not a call to legalism but rather to a life of love and service that is pleasing to God.
Caring for others is also an essential aspect of an authentic life. It is clear that love for God is intertwined with love for our neighbor, demonstrating that true faith is expressed through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity. This care extends to those in need, including the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Serving others also includes acts of forgiveness, forbearance, and encouragement. A life lived authentically is a life that puts the needs of others before one’s own and seeks to build up the community of believers.
True joy and fulfillment are found not in self-seeking but in the act of giving and serving. A life dedicated to serving God and caring for others is a life of purpose and meaning. In contrast, a life focused on self is empty and ultimately unsatisfying. Authentic living requires a transformation of the heart and mind, a shift away from self-centeredness towards a focus on God and others.
Are we truly serving God with our whole hearts, or are we simply going through the motions? Are we actively seeking to love and serve others, or are we more concerned with our own comfort and convenience? Are we striving for holiness in all that we do, or are we allowing the desires of the flesh to control us? This is a time to repent of our self-centeredness, to recommit ourselves to serving God, and to embrace a life of love and service toward others. As we move through Lent and look towards Easter, we should seek to live more authentically, reflecting the very nature of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. By doing so, we will discover the abundant life that God has promised.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts open to Your will, seeking to live lives that are truly devoted to You. Help us to understand that true life is found in serving You and caring for others. May our devotion be expressed through love, service, and a commitment to living righteously, rather than merely adhering to religious practices.
Lord, guide us to live in accordance with Your will, striving for holiness in all aspects of our lives. Give us the strength to resist temptation and the desires of the flesh, choosing instead the path of righteousness. Help us to set our minds on things above, seeking to honor You in all that we do, and recognizing that we are called to a higher purpose than the pursuit of worldly gain or pleasure.
Holy Spirit, inspire us to care for others as an essential aspect of our authentic lives. Let our love for You be intertwined with love for our neighbors, demonstrated through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity. May we extend our care to those in need, including the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Teach us to serve others with acts of forgiveness, forbearance, and encouragement, putting their needs before our own and building up the community of believers.
Lord, we know that true joy and fulfillment are found not in self-seeking but in the act of giving and serving. Help us to embrace a life dedicated to serving You and caring for others, finding purpose and meaning in this calling. Transform our hearts and minds, shifting our focus away from self-centeredness towards a focus on You and others.
As we move through this season of Lent and look towards Easter, may we seek to live more authentically, reflecting the very nature of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. By doing so, may we discover the abundant life that You have promised.
In Your holy name, we pray.
Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 5, 2025 | Lent 2025
Lent is a significant period in the Christian liturgical calendar, observed by many Christian traditions, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Baptists. It spans 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week, which leads up to Easter Sunday/Resurrection Sunday. This period is marked by reflection, repentance, and preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful. These ashes, typically made from the burnt palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolize mortality and repentance. The ritual phrase “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) underscores the transient nature of human life and the need for spiritual renewal.
Lent is rooted in the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. During this time, Jesus faced temptation by Satan but emerged spiritually strengthened. Similarly, Christians are called to engage in practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving during Lent to deepen their faith and resist spiritual temptations.
Fasting during Lent traditionally involves abstaining from certain foods or meals, reflecting Jesus’ sacrifice and fostering self-discipline. Some persons fast from other practices or habits, such as purchases, entertainment, and in more modern times, social media and other forms of online engagement. Prayer is intensified, with many Christians participating in additional services or devotions. Almsgiving, or acts of charity, is also emphasized, encouraging believers to extend compassion and support to those in need.
Lent serves as a time of spiritual renewal and growth, inviting Christians to examine their lives, seek forgiveness, and commit to living more faithfully. It is a journey of transformation, leading to the joyous celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
This holy season calls for introspection and devotion, drawing believers closer to God and preparing them to celebrate the central mystery of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
As we embark on this Lenten journey, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your grace and guidance. On this Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of our mortality and our need for repentance. Help us to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return.
Lord Jesus, just as You spent 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and resisting temptation, grant us the strength to follow Your example. May our fasting be a true sacrifice, drawing us closer to You and fostering self-discipline. Let our prayers be fervent and sincere, deepening our relationship with You and opening our hearts to Your will.
Holy Spirit, inspire us to acts of charity and compassion during this season. May we extend our hands to those in need, reflecting Your love and mercy in our actions. Transform our hearts, O Lord, and renew our spirits, that we may emerge from this Lenten season spiritually strengthened and ready to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.
We ask for Your forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings. Cleanse us, renew us, and guide us on the path of righteousness. As we journey through Lent, help us to grow in faith, hope, and love, preparing us for the joyous celebration of Easter and the promise of eternal life.
In Your holy name, we pray.
Amen.
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