New Hope Church

Day 2 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 2 – THURSDAY, March 7, 2019

There is NO Christianity without Christ.
Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship! The Bible is the all about the plan of God Almighty to bring people like you and me back into a relationship with Him.
God’s plan involves His “Christ.” “Christ” is the Greek word for the Hebrew word “Messiah” which means “the anointed one.” The Messiah is the “One” the Old Testament of the Bible says would come to deliver, save, redeem God’s people.
The Old Testament tells of the Christ to come:
He is the “seed of the woman” that will crush Satan’s head in Genesis 3:15
He is the “Prophet to be raised up” like Moses proclaiming God’s word in Deut 18:15
He is the perpetual “High Priest” who would come to intercede for His people in Psalm 110:4
He is the “King” who would rule God’s eternal kingdom in Daniel 2:44, Psalm 24:7-10.
There are hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah to come.  Jesus was and is the fulfillment of all of the ancient prophecies.  Jesus is the Christ who came to deliver, save, redeem God’s people so that those who believe would once again be reconciled back into holy relationship with God Almighty; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Yes, Jesus IS real and He can change your life!

Reflect: Who is Jesus to me? Do I really understand who the “Christ” really is? Have I ever truly investigated who Jesus was and what His mission meant?  Is it possible to have a “relationship” with God?
Repent: (change your ways): Confess your lethargy in learning about Christ. Pray, Lord please help me to seek you with all of my heart.
Restore: Growing in your faith requires the heart of a willing disciple, one willing to learn. Be a learner for the next several weeks as we look at the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of the Christ of God!

Consider the following:
1. Study the ministry of Jesus (2 Pet 3:18)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2. Understand His sacrifice for you (Eph 5:1-2)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3. Strengthen your Gospel faith (John 3:16)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
4. Know who you are in Christ (Gal 2:20)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
5. Receive God-given power! (2 Tim 1:7)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
6. Share the good news (Rom 1:16)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
7. 40 days to 365 (Phil 3:14)
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Allow the Lenten devotions on Jesus the Christ to be a springboard for devotion to the Lord 365!

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy