Joel 2:12-13
Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Lent is about a rendering of the heart. It isn’t about giving things up just to give them up. It’s about ridding yourself of that which keeps you from God’s abundance.

What part of your heart needs to return to God this Lent?

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

We need God’s help to become who we are called to be. The work of transformation is not one we do alone. We call on God to help put within us a new and right spirit.

What kind of spirit exists within you now? Is it one of discouragement or peace?

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love.

Love possesses more transformational power than anything else. It is God’s love for us that renews us, making us into a new creation.

As you begin your Lenten journey, how do you sense God’s love for you?

Joshua 1:9
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

We are commanded to be strong and courageous, but sometimes that feels impossible. The first step to letting go of your fear is to acknowledge that God is with you wherever you go.

When in your life have you felt like you were left alone to face your fear? What can you do to actively seek God’s presence?

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

Fear can cast an ominous shadow over our daily life if we let it consume our thoughts. Only God can navigate the unknown and steer us through the darkness into the light.

What makes the experience of facing trials and tribulations different knowing that God is guiding you?

Isaiah 43:1
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

God knows you and has called you. You belong to God, and you always will.

How does it make you feel knowing that God wants to have an authentic and dynamic relationship with you?

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power.

Fear is not of God. When we are afraid, we must remember that our fears are not from God. God, instead, gave us a spirit of power.

What fears can you transform into power?

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Peace is God’s gift to us. It’s the opposite of fear. The peace God gives far exceeds any temporary peace that the world offers. It’s a lasting peace; one that erases our fears and stills our troubled hearts.

In what area of your life can you ask for God’s peace?

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What shall we fear if there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God? This is life’s greatest assurance: that we are held always by God’s love in Jesus Christ.

How can you cast aside your fear knowing that there is nothing you can do or say that will cause God to desert you?

Deuteronomy 15:11
Therefore I command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.”

Throughout our scriptures God is persistent in commanding us to care for the poor and the needy. Too often we keep our hands closed, grasping tightly to what we claim is “ours.” Release your grip, and open your hands to share with someone in need.

What would it look like, practically, for you to reach out to those who are struggling today in our city?

Matthew 25:40
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

According to Jesus, every time we care for those on the margins, those who are often neglected, we are caring for Christ himself. Who we consider to be “the least,” Christ considers his family.

How can you cultivate a mindset which helps you see everyone you meet as part of God’s family?

Genesis 2:15
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

While we consider fasting from neglect, it’s important for us to remember that we can neglect more than people. Genesis tells us God put humans in Eden to care for the garden.

How can you care for creation today?

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

It’s been said that in love we double each other’s joys and halve each other’s sorrows. To show love is to multiply the joys of one another and to bear a portion of each other’s burdens.

How can you help shoulder someone else’s burden today?

Proverbs 22:9
Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.

Being generous towards others brings blessing to us. As the saying goes: it is better to give than it is to receive.

How has being generous helped to grow your faith or brought you closer to Christ?

Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Consider where your treasure is today. To fast from neglect means to put your heart towards people outside of yourself.

How can you set your heart in heaven?

James 3:16
For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.

Comparison begets all kinds of disorder. We begin to lose sight of our own gifts and talents, and eventually forget who we are.

Who are you comparing yourself to today? How can you abandon that comparison?

Luke 18:10-11
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”

“Or even like this _____.” You can fill in that blank. Our religious piety can lead to unhealthy comparisons and a “holier than thou” mentality.

Are you guilty of assuming you are better than other people?

Galatians 6:4-5
All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Determine what is yours to do, and then stop comparing it to your neighbor’s work.

What is specifically your work to do?

Genesis 4:3-5
In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Cain was a farmer, while Abel was a herder. When Cain compared his gift to that of his brother’s, he became angry and killed his brother.

How does comparison lead to violence or other vices in your life?

Isaiah 45:9
Woe to you who strive with your Maker, earthen vessels with the potter! Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, “What are you making?” or “Your work has no handles?”

When it comes to comparison there is more than just me and you, or us vs. them, there is also criticism and critique of that which God has created and called good. God is the potter, and everyone else is the clay.

How can seeing everybody as God’s creation combat comparison in your daily life?

Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” When you compare, you seek to gain approval, value, and joy from other sheep, rather than God, the Divine Shepherd.

How will you make fasting from comparison a regular practice so you can live a life of joy, a life where you shall not want?

1 Timothy 6:7
For we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it.

We often think of our possessions and our money as belonging to us. In reality, nothing belongs to us. We brought nothing into the world, and when we leave this world nothing we acquired will come with us.

How can you loosen your grip on your own possessions?

Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

The more we have the more we realize our own dissatisfaction. Money and wealth never satisfy.

What is your relationship to money? Do you ever feel you have enough?

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Wisdom and understanding are more valuable than material possessions. They should be sought after with more energy than wealth.

How are you seeking wisdom and understanding?

2 Corinthians 4:18
Because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

As Christians, we are to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal things which we cannot see. We can’t see love, hope, and kindness the way we can see material things, but we believe in them more than anything else.

What are the eternal things you need to fix your eyes upon?

Luke 12:15
And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Materialism is like quicksand. Once we have some, we always want more. Greed is a vice that we must protect ourselves from.

How are you guarding your heart against greed?

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Our desire for more material and wealth is rooted in insecurity. But we need not be insecure or afraid. The antidote to materialism is the realization that Christ is always with us.

Where do you sense Christ in your life right now?

Philippians 4:6
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Talking aloud about what troubles you can help release the power it has over you. Prayer is a form of release from worry.

What troubles are you willing to share with God?

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

God doesn’t promise that we’ll have a life free of fear and trouble, but God does promise that God will be with us to help carry the load.

Has anxiety distracted you from living a joyful life? How can you use your anxiety to draw closer to God?

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

God cares deeply about your pain. God wants always to lighten your load and give you rest.

How have you experienced God as a friend?

Psalm 94:19
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Leave your worries, burdens and doubts at the feet of Jesus, so you can be free to live a full and meaningful life in Christ.

What does a full and meaningful life in Christ look like for you?

Matthew 6:34
Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When we are constantly worried about tomorrow, we are unable to see the gifts of today. Being present in the moment is one of life’s most difficult tasks.

When did you waste time worrying about something that never materialized?

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

To live in a state of worry is to reject Christ’s promise of acceptance, security, and love.

How can you replace anxiety with trust?

Psalm 96:2-3
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

The Psalms are full of calls to be vocal about who God is and to share the glory of God around the world.

When did you last share the glory of the Lord?

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The Holy Spirit has charged us to be witnesses throughout the world, testifying to God’s love in Christ Jesus.

How can you participate in this witness to the world?

2 Timothy 1:7-8
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord.

The Spirit God gives us is meant to push us forward, out of our comfort zones.

How can you step out of your comfort zone today, leaning on the Holy Spirit to help you share the message of Christ?

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

As Christians we are not to be ashamed of the Gospel. We should be proud of our faith in Jesus Christ and eager to share.

How can you become more unashamed about your faith?

John 20:21
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

The Gospel tells many stories about how God empowers Jesus to do the work he was sent to do. Here, Jesus empowers us in the same way.

How can you lean into that empowerment and be sent by Christ?

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’”

Today, on this final day of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Christ. We remember that Christ inaugurated a new kind of kingdom in this world, and it is up to us to continue the work of establishing it here as it is in heaven.

How can you continue the work of Christ?