Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 100

Lent Day 34: Saturday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

He is just and endowed with salvation,

Humble, and mounted on a donkey,

Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ~ Zechariah 9:9 (NASB)

Lord God, in spite of Old Testament prophecies, many of Jesus’ followers expected Him to come in power to destroy the enemies of Israel and to build a kingdom on earth. People were calling Jesus King and honoring Him as He entered Jerusalem humbly, riding on the colt of a donkey. Help me to recognize that the most important things in life are loving God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving my neighbor as myself. Keep me humble like Jesus. In His name. Amen.

Lent Day 33: Friday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, *said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. ~ John 12:1-7 (NASB)

Lord, it’s hard to believe that one of Jesus’ own disciples, Judas Iscariot, would steal from Jesus and the other disciples and even harder to believe that someone so close to Jesus could betray Him. Yet I have never lavished an expensive gift on You just because I love You. I have chosen my own selfish desires rather than serving You or Your people. I have betrayed You when I sin. Help me to focus on my own weaknesses, shortcomings, and sins and not those of anyone else. Strengthen me in my faith and let me love You more and more each day. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

photo by:


tamburix

Lent Day 32: Thursday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. ~ Romans 8:18-25 (NASB)

Heavenly Father, Paul suffered unimaginable persecution for Your sake, yet he said the sufferings were nothing compared to the glory that is coming. Any suffering I have experienced in life have been minor and nothing compared to what Paul endured. Yet, like Paul, I persevere in hope and eager anticipation for the day in which Jesus will return, and we will see Your glory. Help me to believe and to endure until that glorious day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

photo by:


jezobeljones

National Book Blogging Month

Did you know April was National Book Blogging Month? Neither did I, until I read Jennifer Mattern’s link post on turning your blog into a book. That post included a link to Nina Amir’s post about writing a short book on your blog this month.

These posts (and the others in Jennifer’s post) caught my attention because I have been planning to compile some of my posts into a book. Back in 2011, I even contacted Robert Hruzek, who hosted a monthly group writing project on his blog, for permission to use the title What I Learned From …, which was the master theme of the writing projects.

Shortly after I initiated the book project, my husband, who had dementia, started needing more care, and I put everything on hold to care for him. The only writing project I could focus on after his death was a book about Jack—Jack Stories: Favorite Memories of Jack Jordan Ammann Jr.

Now, I’m ready to return to What I Learned from Life. I will include posts that I wrote for the group project as well as other posts that can be adapted to that theme. I’ll also write some new material, so if you have a suggestion for a topic, please let me know.

What do you think about books created from blogs? Would you read such a book?

Image: © Depositphotos.com/mediterrean

Lent Day 31: Wednesday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; 10 and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; 11 for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. 14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. ~ Romans 7:7-14 (NASB)

Holy God, Your law is holy, right, and good, but because of my fallen and sinful nature, I cannot obey Your law. I sin and do not follow Your commandment, and that sin leads to death. But in Your mercy and grace, You give me eternal life. You cleanse me with the Blood of Jesus and wash away my sins as if they never happened. Such great love is difficult for me to understand. I don’t know if my sinful body could give up my own life for the salvation of others. Help me to live my life to Your glory and to share Your Gospel with everyone I can. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

photo by:


tamburix

Lent Day 30: Tuesday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ~ Romans 6:12-18 (NASB)

Merciful and Just God, Your grace has freed me from sin to serve You. I am no longer under the law, but I am a new creation eager to give my heartfelt obedience to Your will. Though I am no longer under the law, I aim to obey Your law because I love You and want to serve You and follow Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, now and forever, world without end. Amen.

photo by:


jezobeljones

Lent Day 29: Monday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. ~ Romans 5:1-11 (NASB)

Lord God, I am a sinner who on my own would be separated from You forever as the just punishment for my sins. However, Your grace and mercy have brought me peace and reconciliation with You. By the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, my sins are atoned for, I am forgiven and justified as if I were righteous and holy. What I could never do for myself, Jesus did for me. I can’t imagine giving up my life for someone else, yet Jesus did not hesitate but agreed that Your will should be done. He suffered and was crucified so I would be white as snow, my sins forgiven and forgotten. There is no way I can express my gratitude for such an awesome gift, but I dedicate my life to Your service. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

photo by:


jezobeljones

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. ~ James 5:13-18 (NASB)

Lord God, You call us to prayer, to conversations of faith with You, and You call us to confess our sins to each other and to pray for one another. It’s so easy to get caught up in praying for my own needs and desires, but You want me to pray for my brothers and sisters. Open my eyes to the needs of those around me, and fill me with love and concern for all of Your children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lent Day 28: Saturday after the Fourh Sunday in Lent

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.  ~ Romans 3:21-28 (NASB)

Holy, Righteous Lord, You are a just and righteous God who cannot abide sin. Yet, You show love and mercy to Your children. You do not want anyone to die; instead You want everyone to accept Jesus and Lord and follow in His ways. Your righteousness will not allow sin to go unpunished, but You love us so much You do not want to punish us. So You sent Your Beloved Son, of the same substance as You, the Second Person of the Trinity, to take on the punishment for my sins and the sins of the whole world. All the pain and death that should be mine were taken on by Jesus. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen

photo by:


jezobeljones

Lent Day 27: Friday after the Fourth Sunday in Lent

11 For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. ~ Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NASB)

Almighty God, I am one of the sheep of which Jesus is the Shepherd. Thank You that if I go astray, He will come searching for me and find me wherever I am. I cannot be lost when my Shepherd always finds me and bring me back to Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.