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Multimedia Lent Devotional – Monday of the Second Week of Lent

March 16, 2025

2025:

Monday of the Second Week of Lent:

  • Scripture (Karen Sculley) – Daniel 9:4b-10
  • Reflection (Jim Roberson)
  • Prayer (Karis Sculley)
  • Videos: Luke 6:36-38
  • Music: “Daniel 9” (Vineyard Worship) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWZU9uhiXYg

2024:

Monday of the Second Week of Lent:

Luke 6:36-38 – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Jesus’ words come to us as he describes what love looks like. A short time later he showed us what love looks like when he laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16). Jesus is calling us to not only be willing to sacrifice our lives ultimately but to make a very practical commitment to love others in the present moment.

We are to be merciful. Our mercy is to reflect God’s mercy. It is only the infinite mercy and love of God, Thomas Merton wrote, that has prevented us from tearing ourselves to pieces and destroying His entire creation long ago.

We are not to judge or condemn. The problem is that, as N. T. Wright says, “The line between good and evil runs, not between ‘us’ and ‘them’, but down the middle of each of us.” God is the only one who can and will render perfect judgment precisely because God is the only one who has complete knowledge, wisdom, mercy, and love. Jesus is telling us to, “let it go” when it comes to judging or condemning others, and instead pay attention to learning the way of love ourselves.

We are to forgive. We all know that sometimes forgiveness is about forgiving one another for wrongs done. But much more frequently forgiveness is about the need for me to release someone else from the expectation that they will be something for me or do something for me. And because our thoughts and attitudes taint and affect us and all those around us, it’s up to us to do internal forgiveness work. As we practice forgiveness, our families, our churches, and our communities become healthier. Brennan Manning said that “Love proves its authenticity in fidelity, but reaches its completion in forgiveness.”

When we choose to live this kind of life, in which we reflect God’s mercy, stop judging and condemning others, and practice forgiveness every day, our lives will overflow with wholeness, flourishing, and delight in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Lord Jesus, help us to love as you love!

2023:

Monday of the Second Week of Lent:

  • Scripture (Jim Roberson) – Luke 6:36-38
  • Reflection (Judi Campbell)
  • Prayer (Michael Sculley)
  • Video: Luke
  • Music: Lamb of God (Salt of the Sound)

Each short Multimedia Lent Devotional is an invitation to set aside time each day during the season preceding Easter. Lent is a solemn 40-day period we observe as we seek to draw near to God prior to the great celebration of Easter. During Lent,

  • we intentionally practice sober reflection, serious repentance, and sincere restitution, in which we more fully recognize our brokenness as humans, looking always to Jesus Christ as our Savior and sanctifier;
  • we seek to live lives marked by simplicity, self-denial, and surrender, in imitation of Christ Jesus, who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before He began His public ministry;
  • we look for ways in which we express love for neighbors and nations in need in practical ways through generously giving of our time, talents, and treasures.

This collaboration is brought to you by Liberty Vineyard Church

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