Lent is a season of opposites.
We weep so we may rejoice. We sacrifice so we may receive. We empty so we can be filled. In Hebrew the word for empty transliterates as reyqam, which means in vain, empty, idle, without affect. I must admit I have been reyqam — vainly focused on myself, idly wasting my time and talents so my life was without affect. Empty. Longing to be full.
Reyqam also means to be poured out or hungry. Does this season find you hungry for something different? Have you poured yourself out for that which does not satisfy, chasing the wind? Are you ready to be full?
Come to the cross. Give Jesus your empty heart; taste and see that the Lord is good and be full.
From empty to full.
Please scroll through the Sway below to access our Bible study content for this week.
Please comment on what you have learned in the comment section below or on our empty to full Facebook page.
Be full.
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God wants me to deal with my impatience and lack of grace for others. I think the lack of grace and impatience arises from the fact that I do not love others as Jesus does. Help me Lord to love like you do. Forgive my pride and help me to repent. In Jesus Holy Name. Amen.
Mary, you do have a loving heart. I think that often it’s because we have so much going on, being stretched and in a time crunch that we act out of frustration and impatience.
Wow! Awesome message today! What to empty- where do I begin! There are many things I could remove. I feel God is asking me lighten up, stop being so intense about everything. I really need to trust Him more in every area of my life. I can add more of his Word into my day to give me assurance of His love and mercy!
Thank you for posting, Susan! We always need more of God’s word! More of Him, and less of me!
I love your thoughts, Susan! Thanks for sharing the ways you are going to apply the message. I love the “lighten up” phrase. I know I often take myself too seriously!
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.” Most of Jesus’ words are the opposite of what we think in the flesh. May the Spirit help me to discern his will!
I am so glad for this promise! I am praying for God’s discernment for you, Tammy!
Mary K. Your comment could be my very own. Seeking to be emptied self.
More of Him and less of me! Let’s pray for each other Andrea! Lord help Andrea today to see others as you see them. Help her to make one choice today to love! Amen!
I have prayed about this a lot: I think one of my biggest sins is my inability to totally forgive when someone hurts me. I’ve been working on it, but it’s so hard! Hard to love those who hurt your heart!
Pat, I made a little head way on the same problem today, God helped me see that is how I He treats me sometimes. He loves me when I have sinned against Him. Praying for you today!
I am re-learning how to pray,study, and learn The Word. When life goes well, I tend to put God and His word/teachings away. Only to finally realize, the sins I was committing, I needed : Obedience and Patience/ Understanding and Practice. Since November I have now committed an hour a day, for reading the bible and faith-based books. What a transformation 🙂
Paul, I am so happy to hear you have rededicated your life to Jesus. I am sure you are being blessed in many ways for your dedication. I am very glad you are a part of our study!
I loved your video! and i am so excited to hear you speak about simplicity as that is something i have been trying to incorporate into my life.
I have never focused much on Lent before, and i love the idea that we give up something in order to fill ourselves with the Lord. Last week I decided i need to start spending time in prayer each morning & have been really blessed by doing this! Already i feel like God has encouraged me in areas I am struggling with. I appreciate your call to look at ourselves openly and ask God to cleanse us of any sin we are holding on to so we can move forward and grow deeper in our relationship with Christ. I think that is a great idea and something i can add to my prayer time.
Elaina, I am also very intrigued by the idea of simplicity. Simple faith, simple life, simple calling. I am looking forward to next week also! God has been teaching me to persevere in prayer as I have seen some long awaited prayer requests come to fruition! I am so glad you have joined us for this study!
Dear Mary and Jane,
May God bless you both for helping us all become closer to Him. My husband, David, and I will be studying and discussing together.
Mary, I understand the frustration with people. While I usually enjoy my job, it is sometimes quite aggravating dealing with clients who feel “entitled” to better pricing, who feel that I must drop what I am doing whether or not they have made an appointment. On the other side, I feel blessed with the many, many friends I have made over the years.
May I ask for prayers this Lenton season for my daughter Kelsey Critzer, and her husband, Matthew Critzer to strengthen their relationship, and to bring them closer to God. To also raise my Grandson, Joseph Oliver Critzer to be raised to know and love our Lord. I also need prayers for my daughter Kaitlyn Prentkowski to be cliser to God. Also my youngest daughter, Emily seems to be losing interest. Please pray for all of my daughters and my Mother to want to know God, live in His Word and be happy, faithful Christians.