A WORD ON LENT 2025
As much of the church around the world leans into the season of Lent,
The gospel community here in Richfield at Calvary Chapel Sevier Valley will be turning our focus to the moments that are at the heart of the ancient Christian season of fasting and prayer..
According to 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13, and Mark 1:12-13, immediately following His baptism by John, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the adversarial forces of darkness.
What we see and learn from this event is that Jesus, our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13-14), our perfect High Priest (Heb. 4:14), and the Son of Man (Matt. 12:32),
went into the territory of the dark powers (Lev. 16:10) to face off against the Enemy of Life, the Thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), the Liar who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden by questioning God’s Word (Genesis 3:13).
One of the great purposes for this epic battle was to establish that the Kingdom of God is here and now,
so close we can touch it (Matt. 4, Luke 17), and to demonstrate that Jesus was ready to begin His mission of redemption (Eph. 1:7).
He overcame the Adversary, his temptations, and his deceptions through the POWER OF GOD’s WORD.
Jesus is the Logos of God, and by donning humanity in the flesh, the darkness could not overcome HIM (John 1:1-18). This was the Mission of Our Savior. The Son of God came to redeem all through His life, death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor 15, Romans 8).
This is the why behind the what of Lent.
So, here at Calvary Chapel Sevier Valley, we won’t merely be cutting out temporal items in an attempt to honor Jesus’ faithfulness, obedience, and reliance on the Word of God in the wilderness.
Instead,
We are leaning into Lent through targeted fasts, focused prayer, and a desire to see the Lord move in us as a gospel community to refresh, refocus, and renew our mission as an Acts 1:8 church. To seek God for a fresh outpouring of His Holy Spirit on our lives to stoke the fires of revival in us with a heart to see a new Great Awakening in the world from our Jerusalem (Richfield) to the Ends of the Earth.
We encourage those who call Calvary Chapel Sevier Valley their home church to stay connected with us over the next 40 days leading into the celebration of the Cross and the Resurrection. We will be sharing opportunities to pray, to fast, and words of devotion and encouragement From God’s holy, true, and faith-building scripture.
Thank you for walking into this journey with us and Jesus!
“Church Is Hard” by The Praying Mama
“CHURCH IS HARD.
Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.
Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.
Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.
Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.
Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.
Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.
Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.
Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.
Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.
Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.
Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.
Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.
Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.
Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.
Church is hard for the sinners.
Church is hard for me.
It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.
However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.
But, here is the beauty of church—
Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.
Church is a body.
Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.
Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.
Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.
Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.
Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.
Church is a lesson in faith and trust.
Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.
Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.
Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.
So even on the hard days at church—
The days when I am at odds with a friend, when I’ve fought with my kids because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a partner to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away.”
I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.
- “The Praying Mama”