Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 86

Friday after Lent 2

15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. ~ Mark 11:15-18 (NASB)

We hear so often about Jesus’ love and peace and mercy that we sometimes forget that He wasn’t a weak man who never raised his voice. When he found the temple being treated like a marketplace, he demonstrated holy anger in the face of evil. He loved sinners, but He stood up against sin.

Heavenly Father, give me the ability to recognize and fight against evil while loving those who are doing the evil. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/mgs999

Thursday after Lent 2

1 As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He *sent two of His disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” 4 They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. 5 Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. 9 Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting:

“Hosanna!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;

10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;

Hosanna in the highest!”

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. ~ Mark 11:1-11 (NASB)

God’s plan is so amazing, detailed down to having the colt tied up and ready for Jesus’ disciples to find and bring to Him. Sometimes when we read the Bible, we fail to see the fine details—God overlooked nothing. In the same way, He overlooks nothing in meeting our needs. He doesn’t always give us what we want or even what we think we need, but He gives us what He knows in His infinite wisdom that we need.

Heavenly Father, take away my worry over what I think are needs and problems in my life—You have the solution ready in Your perfect timing. Though I tend to want solutions on my own timetable, if I have faith, You will answer on Your timetable. Give me the faith to trust You in the details. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/Jordache

Words Matter Week

March 1-7 is Words Matter Week.

As a writer and editor, of course, I know words matter. They are the way we communicate ideas and feelings. We can build up or tear down by the words we choose.

But one Word matters most of all.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. ~ John 1:1-4

Wednesday after Lent 2

46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. ~ Mark 10:46-52 (NASB)

Bartimaeus didn’t hesitate to call for Jesus even though the crowd shushed him. He asked Jesus to have mercy on him. He knew Jesus could heal him, but he didn’t take for granted that He would. He begged for mercy, and when he received it, he immediately began following Jesus.



Lord, give me a deep appreciation of the mercy I have received from You and Jesus, and let my grateful love lead me to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In His name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/lisafx

Tuesday after Lent 2

35 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” ~ Mark 10:35-45 (NASB)

Two thousand years after Jesus taught His disciples that anyone who wishes to be great in God’s Kingdom must serve others, the world still puts people with money or power first. We should give honor and respect to the people who volunteer in homeless shelters, mow the grass for a single mother, call the homebound and sick, teach Sunday School, or serve in countless other ways. And we should strive to be more like them.

Lord, empower me by the Holy Spirit to judge others by their actions, not their positions. Lead me to give more attention to serving others than to acquiring recognition for myself. Open my eyes to the needs around me and show me what I can do to serve Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/Alexan66

Read an Ebook Week

Read an Ebook Week is designed to encourage readers to explore the world of ebooks. Today, most readers are familiar with ebooks, but not everyone has tried ebooks for themselves. Whether you have yet to experience ebooks, are ambivalent about them, or–like me–are an aficionado, you can find some great books and some great bargains this week at Smashwords.

Two of my books, Fern’s Fancies (a humorous contemporary romance) and The Secrets of Fantastic Houseplants (a guide to indoor plant care) are available for free this week. You’ll find hundreds of other free and discounted books, also. Hope you enjoy the books and the bargains!

Monday after Lent 2

32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, 33 saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.” ~ Mark 10:32-34 (NASB)

Jesus knew what was coming. He described it to His disciples, and His human nature must have dreaded it. He knew what He would suffer, the pain of the torture, the drawn-out agony of death on the cross. Even more, He knew that for the time on the cross when He took our sin upon Himself, He would be separated from God the Father—the only time throughout eternity that He was apart from the Father and His love. That must have been infinitely worse than the physical wounds He suffered, and He knew ahead of time what would time. Yet He followed through. He willingly accepted everything that God had planned because He loved us so much that He gladly took upon Himself everything that should have fallen on us.



Lord, how can I appreciate that sacrifice as much as it deserves? How can I express my gratitude for that much love? Only by loving You, Lord—in all Your persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Only by making You first in my life. Only by serving You and telling others about You and Your great love. And I can do those things by the power of the Holy Spirit. I can do nothing on my own, Lord. I give my life to You. Do with me as You 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.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/robeo123

The Second Sunday in Lent

6 Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:6-12

Jesus humbled Himself to leave His glory in Heaven and come to earth for our sake. It’s impossible for us to realize the magnitude of His actions because we cannot imagine the magnitude of His glory as Lord in Heaven. Fully God and fully man, in His humanity He suffered death on the cross, carrying out the Father’s will in spite of the cost to Him. The day will come, though, when every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess that He is Lord, to the glory of His Father.

Thank You, Lord, that I do not have to wait until Jesus’ return to know that He is Lord. I bow to Him and confess His Lordship. Help me to live my life to His and Your glory. In His name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/wlad74

Saturday after Lent 1

1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;

According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

And my sin is ever before me.

4 Against You, You only, I have sinned

And done what is evil in Your sight,

So that You are justified when You speak

And blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,

And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,

Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

9 Hide Your face from my sins

And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners will be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;

Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,

That my mouth may declare Your praise.

16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;

You are not pleased with burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. ~ Psalm 51:1-17 (NASB)

We each stand before God as a sinful person. Although we may not have committed murder and adultery as David did, in God’s holy eyes, there are no degrees of sin. Any time we violate His holy laws, we sin. And whenever we become angry at a loved one or hurt the feelings of a friend, we sin against God. Any time we put something else—even something good—ahead of Him in our lives, we sin.

Lord, I repent of my sin, and like David in the Psalm, ask You to cleanse me and blot out my iniquities. Create a clean heart within me, Holy God, from my sacrifice of this broken and contrite heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/foottoo

Friday after Lent 1

13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. ~ Mark 10:13-16 (NASB)

In our sophisticated society, being as a child is considered a bad thing. We want to be mature and responsible. Even children often try to look and act older than they are. They want to grow up right away, and often, parents allow them to dress beyond their age and participate in activities that aren’t childlike. Yet, God’s Word tells us that all of us must be as children to enter Your Kingdom.

Lord, make me child-like in my faith—completely in awe of Your power, glory, mercy, and love; filled with love for You; and totally accepting and believing Your Word and doing 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. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/mgs999