Journey to the Cross
Journey to the Cross & the Season of Lent
Web address where you can download or open file. www.v-life-center.com/Spirit.html
20 Booklets
8 CDs
The Season of Lent is traditionally a period of meditation, prayer and spiritual renewal among Christians. It begins on Ash Wednesday (March 1st this year), and is generally observed Monday through Saturday each week until sunset on the Saturday evening before Easter. This makes a period of 40 days.
Ashes
The ashes of Ash Wednesday are closely associated with repentance. After offering a sacrifice, God’s people would smear on their foreheads and arms ashes from the burning embers of the fire to demonstrate their brokenness over sin and separation from God. Thus, Ash Wednesday marks a turning toward God.
40 Days
Lent lasts 40 days (skipping Sundays), as 40 is often the number in the Bible that signifies initiation, preparation, and purification. Check out the following examples: Noah in Genesis 7.4-17; Israelites in Exodus 16, Moses in Exodus 24.15-18, Deut. 2.7; the spies in Numbers 13.21-25; the induction of the Kingdom, 1 Sam 2.11; the preparation of Nineveh, Jonah 3.4-5; Jesus in Mark 1.9-13.
Lent
“Lent” comes from a Latin word which means “springtime.” It also contains the idea of the lengthening of our days. Lent is a season of preparation, a time of strengthening, a period of awakening. During this time, we are invited to remember at length our need for God. And during this time, we are invited to draw closer to God as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. For as great as our need is for a Savior, even greater is God’s love for us in Jesus.
Your Guide to Devotion
Journey to the Cross is a daily devotional to help us draw closer to God. Whether you’ve never met Jesus before, or have been walking with Him for many years, you are invited on this journey.
Each week centers on a particular theme of the Christian life.
Days 1-4 The Journey
Days 5-10 Jesus: The Way of Life
Days 11-16 Community: Don’t Walk Alone
Days 17-22 God’s Word: Walk in the Light
Days 23-28 Discipline: Keep Walking
Days 29-34 Witness: We are God’s Light in a Dark World
Days 35-40 The God Who Loves
Each day contains a reading, thoughts and questions for reflection, and a prayer of response. This guide can be used individually, with friends, or during times of family devotion.
DON’T RUSH THROUGH THIS!
The goal is not to check this off your spiritual duty list, but to learn and grow closer to God. This kind of thing takes time.
Carve out some quiet space, grab your Bible, and anticipate connecting with God. You may want some extra paper or a journal to write down your thoughts as you go.
O Lord, fill up the moments of our lives with your presence. Expand the fullness of each day that we would experience. Springtime again. Awaken us to see You more clearly and give us hearts that are alive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.