Lent Devotion Guide #11 – Overcoming The Lies: Worth Is Determined By Work?

MONDAY MARCH 8, 2021

An Introduction
Hello Connect Church Family! As we prepare for the coming of Easter I will be sharing a sermon series titled, “Overcoming the Lies.” To accompany the sermon series and help us grow as individual Christians, we have also put together this devotional guide. I hope this will be a blessing to you! Every weekday, for the next several weeks, you are invited to join your church family and spend a few moments in this book. A number of people from our church community have contributed to make this booklet possible. On other days I have shared short thoughts on scriptures and left space for you to pray through what the scripture means for you. I hope you will join me and many others in your church family as we prepare for the coming of Easter!
-Pastor Adam Ricks

Read: Psalm 139:13-15

I grew up in a family where we all knew that the only way ahead was to get busy and work. ‘No work, no eat’ was a terse, but loving, explanation my father offered when someone’s job was interfering with whatever plan I had. Everyone has to work and a good job helps you feel worthwhile. As a child and as an adult, my family discovered that losing a job, or having problems at work (no matter who was at fault) can be devastating. You think, “I’m a good person, I work hard, I’m providing for my family, how can this happen to me? I am worthless.”
We are not worthless. I think the passage above says that God loved all of us before we were born, we can’t hide from Him and that He knows our hearts. Jobs and careers come and go, but God stays with you, and loves you, and has confidence in you. Embrace Him and find peace.
-Dean Cook (ConnectUMC Member)