A Lenten Faith Journey

By Timothy Ayers

Rev. Timothy Ayers has authored two dozen books in a variety of genres. This collection of Lenten Devotionals is designed to help you move a few more steps down the road of your journey. They helped me as a writer, a pastor and a Christian. Freely pass them on to others. The plan is to update the devotionals each year. I appreciate any feedback and I pray they can be a blessing to your spiritual journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy Ayers
• Release date: Feb 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465941121

Book preview

A LENTEN FAITH JOURNEY (A Forty Day Devotional)  Timothy W. Ayers  Published by Timothy W. Ayers at Smashwords  Smashwords Edition Copyright 2012 Timothy W. Ayers    Discover other titles by Timothy W. Ayers at Smashwords.com The Messiah Clone https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/108924 A Christmas Eve Miracle https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/113920 It Can Be a Funny Faith  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/131991    Lenten Devotionals Devotional 1: Ash Wednesday "Repent and Be Saved"  How often have we heard that word repent? Most of us tie it to some television evangelist that we accidentally passed while remote surfing. Some of us understand in more of the biblical aspect of repenting from sin. Honestly, what does the word mean? In its purest sense it means to change your mind. That is, to turn 180 degrees from the things that keep you from being a fully devoted follower of Christ. That’s radical but then again Jesus was radical and the things he preached were radical. If we hear His words and believe them then we begin to live out a new paradigm. We turn from what we used to do and we turn towards what God is calling us to do. As an artist and a teacher I’ve learned that symbols allow students and me to put a visible hook in the air that gives us a memorable start date. When lent comes we desire so deeply to start on that journey of change but like every journey it needs a first step. Traditional churches through the ages have used ashes placed on a person’s head or forehead as a symbol to the start of Lent. It means more than just the start of Lent. Ashes are a sign that a person has internally and externally chosen to follow Christ and turned from their former life. For example, Tamar, who put ashes on her head, and rent the long robe which she wore; and she laid her hand on her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went (2 Samuel 13:19) demonstrated a visible sign of repentance. We no longer rent our clothing, that is tear them, but ashes placed on the head is still common amongst Christians. In the book of Nehemiah it says that the Jews assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with ashes upon their heads before the prophet Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:1). When Jonah preached in Nineveh the pagans repented then put on rough sackcloth and ashes on their heads (Jonah 3:6–10). In the New Testament Jesus says that if all the sinful cities of the past had seen the miracles that he performed they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. You may not attend a church regularly or your church may not hold an Ash Wednesday service. You may not have an opportunity to join in a corporate expression of repentance and symbolic ashes but the purpose of this devotional is help you find a way to express it no matter what your situation. In our village of East Aurora, NY, most of the local churches have an Ash Wednesday service but you may be unable to join a corporate setting. If that is your situation then gather large fireproof bowl, a piece of paper, pen and matches. Write on the paper the wrongs you have done before God that you are committed to change. Place the paper in the bowl. Set it on fire (do this safely please). Once the ashes have cooled dip a finger in them and make a sign of the cross on your forehead. In doing that you have fulfilled the intent of ashes and repentance. After anointing yourself with the ashes read the following passage out loud.  Psalm 51:1-4, 10-15 KJV Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou might be justified when thou speak, and be clear when thou judge.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.   If you would like help with a prayer use the one following or simply talk to God. You’ll find He loves your words and responds to them every bit as much as a pastor or priest’s.  Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins and turn my life over to you. My act of outward repentance is the symbol of the ashes. Remind daily of my commitment to become a full devoted follower of You. I ask today that you create within me a new heart and renew the joy of my salvation. In Christ’s name, Amen.   Lenten Devotionals Devotional 2 "One Foot After the Other"  It was a long, uncomfortable walk through the halls of NeCaHi as our high school was affectionately known. My feet seemed to fall into puddles of mud that held them as I attempted to raise my shoe for the next step. Each footprint I left on the highly waxed floor with my boots covered in dried potter’s clay dust showed both my progression towards doom and vast distance ahead. I desired to walk out the front door but inside me I knew that wasn’t what I had to do. I had to face the principal. My cold, sweaty hand turned the knob of the office door. Hi, this is Tim Ayers, the school’s 3D art teacher here to see Mr. McClure. The feelings of foreboding may have been a residual sprinkling in my mind from when I attended the same high school and upon rare occasion had to visit the Principal, the same principal. Although I was now a fully paid