April 2 Lenten Devotional "Spiritually Dead"

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN. . ."For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.  Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:21,24)

CONSIDER. . .In the Old Testament, giving life is presented as a prerogative of God.  In today's scripture, Jesus claims the same authority as God the Father--the power over life and death.  Sometimes we find ourselves spiritually dead. We feel unloved and our spirit is flat.  However, Jesus came to bring us life.

SO WHAT. . .If you are dissatisfied with your spiritual vitality and life, maybe it's time for a fresh encounter with the God who really is, not the God society has made.

When we're feeling this way we need to turn to the God who loves us unconditionally and has the power to give us new life. We need to spend time with the God who lit a burning bush and formed a pillar of fire in the desert; the one who came to the Disciples as flaming tongues of fire. We need to open ourselves up to this God who can re-ignite that fire in our souls that the world has put out.

If God can ignite a bush and form a pillar of fire out of nothing, think how much more able God is able to ignite the spark in you into a raging flame. And once that spark is a flame, how might you share that flame in this dark, lonely and broken world.

• Where is God fanning a flame in your life?
• How can you spend more time with this God who has given you life?
• Are you willing to allow God to re-ignite your flame today?

"For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it."

PRAYER. . . Loving God, you are the author of life.  Thank you for your unconditional love revealed in Jesus and for never forgetting me, even when I feel all alone. Lord, may your pour your mercy and compassion upon me and fan the spark in my heart into a flame of love for you that I may share that love in this world. Amen.