Meditations

Fasting Day 9 of 40 | Second Friday of Lent

“So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had peace forty years. Judges 5:31

Many Scriptures report peace for forty years like this one proclaimed by Deborah. The timeframe points to a season of calm and blessing from God for His people. Want this in your life this Lent?

In Practical Mysticism, Evelyn Underhill points the way. “Eternity is with us, inviting our contemplation perpetually, but we are too frightened, lazy, and suspicious to respond: too arrogant to still our thought, and let divine sensation have its way. It needs industry and goodwill if we would make that transition: for the process involves a veritable spring cleaning of the soul, a turning-out and rearrangement of our mental furniture, a wide opening of closed windows, that the notes of the wild birds beyond our garden may come to us fully charged with wonder and freshness, and drown with their music the noise of the gramophone within. Those who do this, discover that they have lived in a stuffy world, whilst their inheritance was a world of morning-glory; where every titmouse is a celestial messenger, and every thrusting bud is charged with the full significance of life.”

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) in Practical Mysticism (Minneapolis: Global Grey, 2025), p. 8.

Do you live in a stuffy world? Is it time for spring cleaning in your soul. Want more for your life? The path to peace starts with prayer.

Christ, show me what to sweep out of my soul this Lent. Amen.

Contemplate all Christ has done for you for seven minutes then journal.

Ane thanks for your prayers for me yesterday. The Paster’s conference went great. What a joy to speak on “Generosity in the Economy of God in 1 Timothy, Ephesians, and Your Church or Ministry.”

I’d describe them as responsive to take the biblical and practicl remarks to spread it to others.

So much of my teaching and training is worldwide. What a blessing to be treated as a prophet with honor in my own country, my own city.

Fasting Day 8 of 40 | Second Thursday of Lent

He then made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across, one basin to go on each of the ten stands. 1 Kings 7:38

Did you know 1 Kings 7:1 says it took 13 years for Solomon to build his palace? In Scripture, 13 implies drifting from God. And 40 appears with the number of baths he had. If we look at Solomon’s story, while God gave him wisdom and riches, the vanity led to a divided heart.

In The Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis writes. “This is the greatest wisdom—to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) in The Imitation of Christ) excerpt from Chapter 1, “Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth (Grand Rapids, CCEL), p. 5.

To grow in giving this Lent, commune with God in prayer to ask what areas you might wrongly pursue vanity in your heart. Why do we drift toward vanity? It happens when we cherish the gifts of God over God.

God, save me from cherishing Your gifts over You. Amen.

Fasting, prayer, and giving are linked in Lent and in life. To seek God’s kingdom, how might God want you to have contempt of the world.

I am speaking at a pastor’s conference in Denver today on “Generosity in the Economy of God in 1 Timothy, Ephesians, and Your Church or Ministry.” I aim to equip them to abandon the economy of this world thinking which leads to a scarcity mindset, and instead to adopt economy of God thinking which gives us a sufficiency mindset.

I appreciate your prayers. Thanks.

Fasting Day 7 of 40 | Second Wednesday of Lent

At the end of the forty days and forty nights, the Lord gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. Deuteronomy 9:11

God produces good things in us through fasting. Moses got the stone tablets after 40 days. Notice the blessings others have received.

In his First Homily on Fasting, Basil of Caesarea writes, “It was fasting and prayer which gave Samuel to Hannah. Fasting brought forth Samson. Fasting begets prophets, strengthens strong men. Fasting makes lawgivers wise, is the soul’s safeguard, the body’s trusty comrade, the armor of the champion, the training of the athlete.”

Basil of Caesarea (330-379) in his “First Homily on Fasting” (Grand Rapids: CCEL), p. 107.

Notice two things about fasting. First, it’s for everyone. Basil mentions a range of people to remind us that it’s for both women and men, for prophets, lawgivers, athletes, and everyone else. Second, it requires surrender. Each person goes without something good and trusts God for something better by surrendering everything to God.

So, what are you hoping for this Lent? Maybe you want a baby? Peace in a time of war? Wisdom in a season of transition? Discernment for the future? Or something else? What might God have in store for you? There’s only one way to find out. Persevere in fasting. And as we enter week two of Lent, strengthen your prayer life. Start by adding this prayer to your fasting: the Surrender Novena. Pray it 10 times a day.

Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Amen.

Journal about any thoughts or feelings you have when pray this prayer.

The door to a generous life in the kingdom is opened with fasting (setting aside our desires) and prayer (attuning to God and what He desires).

If you have adopted the practice of fasting and surrender in prayer, pause to pray for others just engaging these disciplines for the first time this Lent.

Pray with me that God shows up in power and works in their lives. Before they can grow in generosity, God must transform them into surrendered conduits.

Fasting Day 6 of 40 | First Tuesday of Lent

And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. Genesis 7:12

Imagine it pouring for forty days and nights. Noah and his family must have wrestled with fear. As the saying goes, “When it rains it pours!” When difficulties mount, we can feel fearful. It’s common to feel this way during Lent. The evil one throws things at us. He wants us to fear.

In Dialogue, Catherine teaches us how conquer fear. “They remained barred in from fear, because the soul always fears until she arrives at true love. But when they had persevered in fasting and in humble and continual prayer, until they had received the abundance of the Holy Spirit, they lost their fear and followed and preached Christ crucified. So also, the soul, who wishes to arrive at this perfection, after she has risen from the guilt of mortal sin, recognizing it for what it is, begins to weep from fear of the penalty, whence she rises to the consideration of My mercy, in which contemplation, she finds her own pleasure and profit. This is an imperfect state, and I, in order to develop perfection in the soul, after the forty days, withdraw Myself from time to time.”

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) in Dialogue (Grand Rapids: CCEL), p. 93.

Growing in our walk with God links to arriving at true love. Though you face many difficulties, persevere in fasting and prayer. These disciplines will transform you as you do them. And you find true love.

God, deliver me from both difficulties and fear. I will persevere in fasting and prayer to experience your peace and true love. Amen.

Sit with God. Think of your heart as a home with rooms. Fast to empty the rooms. Pray for Spirit to fill each one. Fear goes. True love grows.

Fasting Day 5 of 40 | First Monday of Lent

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Matthew 4:2

What do you observe so far in Lent? The question relates to inclinations you may notice that you may need to renounce as Meister Eckhart notes.

“Christ fasted for forty days. Follow him this way, by observing whatever you are most inclined to or ready for: concentrate on that and observe yourself closely. Often it is more necessary for you freely to renounce that, than if you were to give up all food.”

Meister Eckhart (c. 1260–1328) in “How a Man Should Rest in Peace When Not Oppressed by Outward Distress Such as Christ and the Saints Often Endured; and How He Should Follow God” in The Complete Works of Meister Eckhart translated and edited by Maurice O’C Walshe (New York: Crossroad, 2009) 506.

Is there an inclination or sin that easily besets you that God wants to bring to your attention? If so, He wants you to surrender it to Him. Lent is about removing the things that clutter your connection to God.

Lean into your inclinations. These appear as your default settings. Perhaps you have a proclivity to reacting instead of responding? Maybe you feel a need to please those around you, rather than living only to please God? Or maybe you complain when you should be content?

Herein lies the task of Lent for us. Through fasting, prayer, and giving, we relearn how to live. We do this by renouncing deep-seated patterns.

Holy Spirit, help me see what I need to renounce this Lent. Amen.

By observing, we see how these habits control and define us. Renounce whatever the Spirit brings to your mind for your good and His glory

I also observe that today is my father’s birthday.

He’s 87. I thank God for how I have seen him walk humbly with an openness to relearn how to live from Jesus. Happy Birthday Dad. I love you. If the Lord wills, I will see you in May.

Feast Day 1 of 7 | First Sunday of Lent

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done. Genesis 2:3

On this first feast day, we reflect on all God has done for us. Jan Van Ruysbroec guides us from The Spiritual Espousals. “When man with compassion and in pity for his own being looks upon himself, and on the good that God has done to him, and on his defects, then man’s heart must flow out to the mildness of God…This mild man also observes with compassion the bodily needs of all men: he serves them, he gives to them, he lends, he comforts each man according to his needs, according to his own ability and to discretion. By this mildness men are used to practice the seven works of mercy, the rich by their service and their possessions, the poor by good will and by just affection.”

Jan Van Ruysbroec (1293–1381) in The Spiritual Espousals (London: Faber and Faber, 1952) pp. 69-70.

God has been so mild and gentle toward us. This propels us during Lent to practice the seven works of mercy, a tradition through church history.

1. Feed the hungry: Providing food to those without.
2. Give drink to the thirsty: Offering water or drink.
3. Clothe the naked: Providing clothing to those in need.
4. Shelter the homeless: Welcoming strangers or travelers.
5. Visit the sick: Caring for those with illnesses.
6. Visit the imprisoned: Offering comfort to those in prison.
7. Bury the dead: Ensuring proper burial rites.

God, make me a mild person who practices all seven works. Amen.

Today is special. Break your fast to celebrate all God has done for you. Look at the seven. Identify areas to grow giving and service this Lent.

Fasting Day 4 of 40 | First Saturday of Lent

“Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god—which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is God Almighty. Amos 5:25-27

“Imagine God’s people bringing sacrifices and offerings to God for forty years. Forty years! But God was not satisfied. He did not want anything from them. He wanted them. Good news! He wants us too.

Jeanne Guyon teaches us how to give ourselves to God in Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ. “The only way to be perfect is to walk in the presence of God. The only way you can live in His presence in uninterrupted fellowship is by means of prayer… By withdrawing from outward objects, you will constantly draw nearer to God. The closer you are to God, the more you receive His nature. The more you receive His nature, the more you will draw upon His sustaining power.”

Whatever we think we need, we do well to let go of it in Lent. For many, the desire for control, money, security, and comfort are idols that God wants us to let go of. Why? When we hold on to them, we place our trust in them. He wants us to trust in Him instead and find life in His presence.

Jesus, I want to walk with You and live in Your presence. Amen.

Take a walk. Invite Jesus to join you in prayer. Be silent. Listen to what He has to say. Do this for forty minutes day during Lent. See what happens.

Fasting Day 3 of 40 | First Friday of Lent

At once the Spirit sent [Jesus] out into the wilderness, and He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. Mark 1:12-13a

Why did Jesus fast forty days. In The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, Richard Baxter teaches us say that Jesus did it because He was serious.

“God is in earnest with you; and why should you not be so with Him? In His commands, His threatenings, His promises, He means as He speaks. In His judgments He is serious. Was He not so when He drowned the world, when He consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, and when He scattered the Jews? Is it time, then, to trifle with God? Jesus Christ was serious in purchasing our redemption. In teaching, He neglected His meat and drink: in prayer, He continued all night: in doing good, His friends thought Him beside Himself: in suffering, He fasted forty days, was tempted, betrayed, spit upon, buffeted, crowned with thorns, sweat drops of blood, was crucified, pierced, died. There was no jesting in all this. And should we not be serious in seeking our own salvation?”

Baxter sketches the aim of Lent. We unlearn self-centered ways to become serious, surrendered people, willing to do whatever God asks of us. Notice that the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness. That means it was God’s idea and Jesus did it to model the way for us.

Holy Spirit, teach me to get serious in the forty days of fasting. Amen.

Satan does not want you to get serious. How does he tempt you? Name the ways. Now follow the example of Jesus, resist temptation with the sword of the Spirit: Scripture. Ask the Father to deliver you.

Fasting Day 2 of 40 | First Thursday of Lent

Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:28

Medical blokes tell us fasting offers real health benefits. For example, it flips a metabolic switch that tells the body to burn fat instead of glucose. This results in improved health indicators. That’s great. But what if you fast this Lent for an even greater benefit – to make progress.

In the Way of Perfection, Teresa of Ávila offers this keen insight. “For this body of ours has one fault: the more you indulge it, the more things it discovers to be essential to it. It is extraordinary how it likes being indulged; and, if there is any reasonable pretext for indulgence, however little necessity for it there may be, the poor soul is taken in and prevented from making progress.” Think about it. Moses fasted for forty days and wrote the words of the covenant. Jesus fasted for forty days before His world-changing ministry started. Notice the progress!

Teresa tells us why to fast. The more we indulge, the more we become dependent on things that do not help us make progress. When we fast, we disconnect from these things and from the world. This positions us to connect to God who helps us make progress.

Jesus, us my fasting to help me disconnect from things that are not essential so I can connect with You. I want to make progress. Amen.

Get a journal for Lent. Today, make a list of things that do not help you make progress. Ask Jesus to help you learn to live without them.

Welcome to Lent.

You are reading a devotional I am writing this year and releasing next year in book form, if the Lord wills. Yes, the header photo is part of a Van Gogh painting which may appear on the cover. You will have to wait to see it. This book will be called “Forty and Seven: A Lenten Guidebook for God’s Church.”

I chose this title as most people do not even know that Lent has forty fasting days and seven feast days. The seventh seven or seventh feast day is Easter. That makes Easter Monday the day of Jubilee when we celebrate life after Lent as the resurrection changes everything. Enjoy!

Fasting Day 1 of 40 | Ash Wednesday

I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. Joshua 14:7-8

C.S. Lewis writes, “All my seven Narnian books, and my three science-fiction books, began with seeing pictures in my head. At first they were not a story, just pictures. They all began with a picture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself, “Let’s try to make a story about it.” At first, I had very little idea how the story would go. But then suddenly Aslan came bounding into it. I think I had been having a good many dreams of lions about that time. Apart from that, I don’t know where the Lion came from or why He came. But once He was there, He pulled the whole story together and soon He pulled the other six Narnian stories in after Him.”

Bruce L. Edwards in “Patches of Godlight”: C.S. Lewis as Imaginative Writer in C. S. Lewis: Life, Works, and Legacy in 4 volumes (London: Bloomsbury, 2007).

I start this devotional with two sets pictures in my head: the scenes that forty or seven appear in Scriptures and in the lives of saints. Joshua was forty when he gave his report from the Promised Land. C.S. Lewis was forty when he penned the Chronicles of Narnia. Both helped people see what others could not see. Only as they reported and wrote, did God (or Aslan) show up and shape their future as wholehearted followers.

God, please show up for me and shape my future as I follow You.

Invite someone to journey through Lent with you. Be shaped together.