The Lord Is Our Strength And Our Life

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

March 17, 2025

in Spritual Growth

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March 16, 2025:
Readings: Genesis 15: 1-12, 17, 18
Philippians 3: 17-4:1
2nd Sunday of Lent 2025

Christ gives us guidance and understanding so that we would know how to live the kind of life He wants us to live. During the past weeks, we learned of His identity to be one amongst us and how He has empowered us to be the sons of God. And how God has bestowed upon Jesus the name that is above every name.

Today, He shares and gives us guidance again. During the time of Herod Antipas, who had taken his brother’s wife as his own, who obviously did not like John the Baptist for reproving him in public. Because of this, he had John imprisoned. This was a time of Jubilee and therefore there was feasting, and a big party was being held. Salome, the daughter of Herodias and stepdaughter of Herod was one of the performers. Herod was so impressed with her dancing and asked her whatever she wished for it would be granted. The daughter then sought the advice of her mother, and the mother did not hesitate to answer; “bring me the head of John the Baptist in a platter.”

The Gospel tells us that at this time, some Pharisees came to Jesus to warn Him to leave Galilee because Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus responded, “go tell that fox I am busy casting out demons and healing the sick. I have a task to do for God and therefore no one can touch me.” Jesus knew His calling. He knew He was not going to die in Galilee but in Jerusalem. Many times, we find ourselves wondering what’s going to happen to us. Not having the confidence that God is with us. He is speaking to us today. He tells us that what He has given to us should be lived out. In Deuteronomy, families were instructed to regularly teach their children about God’s commands and stories, integrating these teachings into daily life, from sitting at home to walking on the road, and from lying down to rising up. There was no bible in those days, but people just had to meditate on the things of God. Are we too busy focusing on other things in the world rather than focusing on God? We should stand firm with what God has given us, but we allow ourselves to choose how we want our lives to be lived.

Jesus’ ministry was not inside the temple. It was out in the wilderness, by the seaside, near the mountains.

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” If Jesus has a name that is above everything else, why should we be in fear? Our faith should be in Him.

Genesis 15:1 God reassures Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward,” promising protection and a future of great blessings.

Philippians 3:20, the apostle Paul states, “But our citizenship is in heaven.” This verse emphasizes that as believers, our true allegiance and ultimate destiny lie in the heavenly realm, not in earthly nations or cultures.”

Romans 8:29 “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” There is no need for fear and anxiety if we knew who we are in Christ.

Isaiah 35:4 Be strong do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you,” promising hope and restoration. Each one of us has received a gift. Christ is the power of God.

Romans 11: 29 “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”

Proverbs 3:26 “For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.”
Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Isaiah 41: 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

If we say we are weak, then we are denying God’s power. We have been challenged to prove what God has done for us. When we stumble, God’s hand is there to pick us up. We are to be like Him. Lent is supposed to help us understand who we are in Christ.