Grace and Peace to you from the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit In our prayer for the day we ask for Jesus to be the means of life. By what means we choose to live guides us on a journey of faith.

Not only does Jesus take up the cross for us, we trust in his death and resurrection and boldly take up our own cross.

No longer is it us against the world, but us for the world with Jesus. I take comfort in the fact that God loves me just the way I am. Knowing God is there for me brings me joy.

Lent is a beautiful time to explore your faith.

Giving praise and sharing joy is what we are doing here.

Together we can confidently proclaim our trust in the risen Lord. Living out the kingdom of heaven that sets our sights far beyond this world. Have you ever felt tired chasing after the expectations of the world? Thinking that you’ve made it, only to be pulled back to get the next new thing? Abram was 99 and God invited him and Sarai to become the parents of us all. Making a covenant and renaming them Abraham and Sarah, what a blessing. Praise to God who counts us as righteous through our faith. Faith that is felt in the heart, an intangible, priceless gift.

With faith, Paul writes in Romans, our promise from God rests on grace. Grace that guides us to live with joy, instead of guilt and shame.

Some days I have to pray that I make room for grace when my faith feels tested. On other days the joy of grace is overwhelming.

God wants us to be together enjoying and sharing our gifts.

Jesus asks, 'For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?’

That question cuts right to the heart of faith.

Faith in Jesus’ teaching that continues to be spoken and heard, against a world that appears to have alternatives that betray our heart of goodness.

Peter’s rebuke of Jesus puts me on my heels only to see Jesus turn this into a teachable moment for everyone there, not just the disciples.

Jesus asks us to turn inwards and embrace the gift of the cross, a love for us that goes beyond comprehension.

That’s what we have love for, especially the loving kindness of our neighbor. The profit or gain from this world alone, isn’t enough.

I like you need Jesus, the good news of death into eternal life.

Like Abraham and Sarah who were counted worthy after years of being childless, it was their trust in God that made them righteous before God.

God has a plan for us to follow, but that plan doesn’t mean there won’t be struggles and pain.

If you have ever had someone give a helping hand without asking that is how it happens, as a result we can feel joy.

Feeling joy doesn’t have a plan or road map.

Joy and praise are music that comforts our soul.

We are part of that awesome orchestra that is life together, sharing and caring. Psalm 22 invites us to give praise and glory, to stand in awe of the Lord. God has given us the ability to choose.

Choose to turn toward God with thanksgiving.

Thankful for a life we receive as a gift, a gift of joy.

I wonder how many of you have thought about what your life means to you. Ask yourself, “What brings me joy?”

I know for me that joy comes from my relationship with God and with other people.

Sometimes I have to be intentional about looking on the bright side.

I was once cynical about how others lived, especially how they appeared to live, with fancy cars, houses, and high paying jobs.

In our society and culture chasing after the carrot on the stick is very hard to avoid.

I don’t know about you but for me, those aren’t usually joyful thoughts. Mark writes, “Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?” Nothing except, giving yourself to God with steadfast love for others. We are enough, what we do is enough, and there is plenty of love to go around. Yes, faith in the trust that God will provide and does.

God is listening and active in the world through the Holy Spirit. With Jesus we receive life.

You may be doing this already or asking, “How can I become more involved in the world that is a gift from God?”

Begin with where your heart is, look at your priorities and count yourself righteous.

Believe that when you truly love your neighbor they in turn love you. I have learned that listening to others is a priceless gift.

Abraham and Sarah listened to God.

The Psalmist encourages us to praise God in song.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that faith is the trust in the promise of God. A promise for life given by his only son Jesus Christ our Lord. For this we can say, “Thanks Be to God.” Amen