Use this devo as you are able, in whole or in part. Don’t feel compelled to read it all. Simply read and meditate upon whatever catches your attention. The goal is enjoying time with God through His Word and in prayer. Questions about the devotional elements?

Call to Prayer

Prayer of Confession

Father, I praise you for the story of salvation you reveal in the Bible. Good news spills out on every page—in the created goodness of Eden, through your promises to Abraham and the pointed proclamations of the prophets, even in the strange sacrifices and ceremonies of the law. And of course, I hear the gospel most clearly in your dear Son, Jesus. In his name I pray, amen. (Prayer based on the Heidelberg Catechism, Question 19)

*Prayer borrowed from Philip Reinders’ Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

Lent Devo: Backyard Pilgrim

Throughout Lent this year we will follow along over the next 40 days with quotes from Backyard Pilgrim by Matt Canlis which gives us a daily Bible Path (the story of God’s redemption) and Parish Path (a literal path through town where you can walk and ponder what God has shown you through his Word).

Day 14: Sewing Fig Leaves | Read: Genesis 3:7

BIBLE PATH

Eating the forbidden fruit was supposed to bring enlightenment. Instead, Adam and Eve reaped a harvest of shame. The added tragedy is that they also tried to cover themselves. 

The charming serpent was revealed as the father of lies, the parent who should never be trusted. The first fruit of this father’s lies was that instead of becoming like God, Adam and Eve became less so. They also believed the lie that what made them “like God” was having knowledge of good and evil. But we were already like God. In fact, we were made in God’s own image! And what made us like God was not having more information, but knowing God and being known. It was relational knowledge rooted in communion with God, creation, and other people. 

God’s children should have come clean and asked for forgiveness. They could have cried, “Lord, here I am . . . poisoned, confused, and filled with shame.” They could have run to the One before whom all things are already laid bare, but they were afraid of being found and instead invented camouflage. 

Here i am . . . covering myself. 

PARISH PATH 

How do you make coverings for yourself? How do you avoid being known by others and by God? Do you use sarcasm, or silence? Do you put on a church smile, or wear the cynic’s grin? Do you try to prove yourself at work, or retreat into not trying? 

Today as you walk, notice a leaf. Hold it in your hand. Repent of one of the coverings you use to protect yourself from the risk of being known. Then let the leaf fall, and keep walking. 

Sermon Devo

We are in our Winter series through the book of James. Each day we will dig into a different aspect of this New Testament wisdom book which will, by the end of the week, help to give you a fuller portrait of the kind of lives we are called to live as Christians.  

Read: James 3:13-4:12

Re-read the passage again today and answer the following questions:

1. What does this tell us about God?
2. What does this tell us about people?
3. What other truths do we discover in this passage?
4. What would change in your life if you lived like this passage was true?

Evening Prayer of Examen

• Where did you move with or feel close to Jesus today?
• Where did you resist or feel far from Jesus today?
• Where is Jesus leading you tomorrow? Ask for joy as you follow him.

Benediction