“IRON SHARPENS IRON”

IRON SHARPENS IRON

Monday, February 28th, 2022

SCRIPTURE:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. – James 1:22-25

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

This week, each of us will be leading worship in some context as we begin the season of Lent this coming Ash Wednesday. During such a season, I am reminded to be intentional about personal reflection, repentance, and renewal in my own relationship with Christ and with others. As the Lord has called and set each of us apart to lead our congregations, it’s important that we too invest in such a season as this for our own spiritual transformation as well.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:

Lord knows we live in a crazy world in desperate need of a Savior. The Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Coronavirus pandemic, the denominational divisions within the United Methodist Church, and the political tensions within our own country, are more than enough to stress out any one of us, not to mention the day-in-day-out happenings within our own churches, families, and communities.

With all that is going on within our world, we too need the encouragement, accountability, support, and prayers of one another. Let us encourage one another to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. Be encouraged during this Lenten season to join a clergy small group if you haven’t already. Share your joys, concerns, and struggles with one another. Lord knows it’s not healthy to air out our dirty laundry with just anyone and everyone we meet. However, we do need one another. The enemy knows that if we keep anything in secret and hidden that he has a strong hold on our life. So again, if you haven’t already, be encouraged to find someone that can lovingly and yet firmly hold you accountable to living an upright and holy life. Share your own personal concerns and struggles with the Lord and surrender that to Him with confidence that times of healing and renewal will come. And be encouraged to invite others to be praying over you as well.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for this blessed privilege of serving You here in our community. As You have called me to do so, remind me first of Your great love for me. I pray that as I lead within my congregation this Lenten season that Your Holy Spirit would not only empower me to lead and serve You and others, but Lord Jesus, transform my own life as well. Help me not to be overwhelmed by the events going on around me, but to trust in Your abiding presence as You lead and guide me. Lord, continue to provide me with holy friendships whom I can lean into for encouragement, prayer, support, and accountability. And help me to be available to do the same for my colleagues. Strengthen the witness of Your Church, O God, by strengthening my colleagues and I to live our lives fully sold out for You. Be glorified in my life and be glorified in and through Your Church I pray. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. – Amen

RESOURCE:

Be encouraged to be praying that the Lord would provide you with holy friendships for mutual support, accountability, fellowship, and prayers. If any of you do not have someone like that in your life already, I would be honored to share in the journey with you. Please don’t hesitate to let me know how I can serve you and how I can be praying for you this Lenten season. As iron sharpens iron, let us encourage one another. Click here for more details.