Get the app2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” David strikes a chord in Psalm 63 which resonates to the very roots of Christianity, and that is the truth that our sovereign Lord’s love is so incredibly abounding and everlasting that it is undeniably worth giving up our lives for. Yet despite knowing this truth, upholding it proves to be far more difficult than simply understanding it.
I often find myself asking, “Would I really give up my life in pursuit of Jesus Christ my savior?” While our natural behavior is to question, there is only so much that can be done, other than being put to the test. Daniel 3 is a fantastic chapter of the Bible because it gives a concrete example of humans trusting in God to the point that they are willing to leave the Earth in pursuit of Him. The key difference between my questioning and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s faithfulness is that I am relying in my own strength and willpower, while Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego rely on God to carry them through their trial.
What is really being put to the test when Christians are suffering for their faith is not a matter of individual strength, for when one fully trusts in the Lord, by all earthly measures he is weak. True strength comes in offering up all of yourself to the almighty Father whose strength is unmeasurable. So take heart. Use this Lenten period to reflect and meditate on what it means to fully rely in the Lord.
For when times of trial do come, your faith will make you strong. There is no amount of earthly questioning or preparing which will ever ready you for the tribulations of life, and that is completely fine. Relying on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the only way to truly overcome fears, trials and challenges.
BENNETT HEIDELBERGER
Sophomore
Marketing and Music Business
I often find myself asking, “Would I really give up my life in pursuit of Jesus Christ my savior?” While our natural behavior is to question, there is only so much that can be done, other than being put to the test. Daniel 3 is a fantastic chapter of the Bible because it gives a concrete example of humans trusting in God to the point that they are willing to leave the Earth in pursuit of Him. The key difference between my questioning and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s faithfulness is that I am relying in my own strength and willpower, while Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego rely on God to carry them through their trial.
What is really being put to the test when Christians are suffering for their faith is not a matter of individual strength, for when one fully trusts in the Lord, by all earthly measures he is weak. True strength comes in offering up all of yourself to the almighty Father whose strength is unmeasurable. So take heart. Use this Lenten period to reflect and meditate on what it means to fully rely in the Lord.
For when times of trial do come, your faith will make you strong. There is no amount of earthly questioning or preparing which will ever ready you for the tribulations of life, and that is completely fine. Relying on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the only way to truly overcome fears, trials and challenges.
BENNETT HEIDELBERGER
Sophomore
Marketing and Music Business
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help our campus community prepare for Easter.
More
We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
