Lent Quotes: John Piper – My confession of having no merit

This old (2009) entry from John Piper, at the Desiring God blog, makes an excellent quote for Lenten reflection.   I long during Lent to boast more of Christ and less of me!

This is my confession:

I was born into a believing family through no merit of my own at all.

I was given a mind to think and a heart to feel through no merit of my own at all.

I was brought into the hearing of the gospel through no merit of my own at all.

My rebellion was subdued, my hardness removed, my blindness overcome, and my deadness awakened through no merit of my own at all.

Thus I became a believer in Christ through no merit of my own at all.

And so I am an heir of God with Christ through no merit of my own at all.

Now when I put forward effort to please the Lord who bought me, this is to me no merit at all, because

…it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

…God is working in me that which is pleasing in his sight. (Hebrews 13:21)

…he fulfills every resolve for good by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

And therefore there is no ground for boasting in myself, but only in God’s mighty grace.

Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)

Lent 2012 Index Updated – 80 Lent entries and counting!

Hi All,

I’ve updated the index of all our Lent entries for 2012 by category.  It’s now current through March 26.  We’re up to 80 entries and counting!!  (Not bad given that I originally thought I might manage to post maybe 2 -3 Lent entries per week this year.  I never imagined I’d manage full-throttle daily Lenten blogging, but it has been a joy and a blessing for me to do this for 2012!)

Anyway, here’s the index link.

Lent 2012 – INDEX of ALL Lent Posts by Category

Enjoy!  May the Lord use one or several of these Lenten devotionals and resources to strengthen and encourage each one who browses the index.

Exodus 5:4-9

Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.” And Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!” So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.” (Exodus 5:4-9)
      Father, hear the cries of the working poor in this land and the cries of all those that work for companies where impossible quotas of work are laid on the people.

      Jesus, it says later in your word,” I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ” (Exodus 20:2) Set your people free from every bondage and harsh taskmaster so that they make offer you sacrifices of thanksgiving and worship you.

      Holy Spirit, give your people in every work situation your freedom and guidance as they work. Thank you.

Tuesday: [120], 121, 122, 123 * 124, 125, 126, [127]; Exod. 5:1-6:1: 1 Cor. 14:20-33a,39-40: Mark 9:42-50
Wednesday: 119:145-176 * 128, 129, 130; Exod. 7:8-24: 2 Cor. 2:14-3:6: Mark 10:1-16

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for Sunday so that you can receive all that God has for you (Palm Sunday, Liturgy of      the Palms: 118:19-29; Mark 11:1-11a; Liturgy of the Word: Psalm 22:1-21 or 22:1-11; Isaiah 45:21-25 or Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark (14:32-72), 15:1-39(40-47)).

***** Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2012
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily Quote…
      In setting “healthy boundaries” you are teaching others how to set boundaries. Ergo “No” is a complement sentence!

***** Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, March 24, 2012, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Carol MacNaughton and Mark Pasko on Albany St.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

Albany street prayer table

Andre — 1.5 weeks out of prison (had been there 15 years) — needs community, a job, relationship with his family

+ Ron — asked for salvation — Mark led in accepting Jesus in his heart (Ron has been in prison 22 year — but out for 6 years now)

+ Walter — God’s protection and love through his life

Brian — safety and life (just go out of local prison where he had been 1 year)

++ Kenneth — forgiveness

Girl (did no provide name — simply requested prayer

Mark — prayer for all new Cursillistas (men completing their Cursillo weekend tomorrow)

++ David — prayer for his mom Debbie’s health

Joanna — quick prayer of blessing and a hug (knows us)

+++ Corey and Dakota (young girl about 7) — prayer for everyone

++ Nancy — prayer for Victor’s brother in Africa who is suffering from a serious disease the doctors are having problems dispelling

+ Jennifer — find a job

Albany Intercessor