What Is Your Hope Built On?
On what's a solid foundation and mourning the martyrs | Lenten Journey 2025 | Jesus Christ | Christianity
If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.
And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.
Lent 2025: Week 1 | Lent 2025: Week 2 | Lent 2025: Week 3 | Lent 2025: Week 4 | Lent 2025: Week 5
Our Faith Is on a Sure Foundation
It’s funny how words affect people. On “Christian Twitter” (X/Twitter), a pastor posted that he didn’t like the phrase “Lenten Journey”. Lots of Jesus followers chimed in with why they had no issues with that phrase, that Jesus journeyed to the cross, and we commemorate that journey with our own during the 40 days of Lent. As you know, dear readers, I use that phrase for it’s meaningful to me. Words affect people in many ways, and this past week the apostle Peter’s words grabbed me as I read them while writing last week’s post.
In last week’s post [ Read it here ], I talked about the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mt. Hermon. Years after HIs transfiguration and resurrection, the apostle Peter wrote words that gave me a thrilling chill up my spine when I read them last week:
2 Peter 1:16-18 (BSB)
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
“...we did not follow cleverly devised fables…”
“…but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty…”
“…And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven [from God the Father] when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”
They saw.
They heard.
They weren’t making up “cleverly devised fables”.
Sometimes, a passage in God’s word that I’ve read many times over the years, can one day feel like cold water splashed in my face to wake me up to see the passage in a new way, or as if it’s for the first time. I love it when the Holy Spirit does that. Peter was an eyewitness to Jesus’ Transfiguration and His resurrection. Peter assured the believers in the early church that Jesus’ life and His good news is the one and only foundation they could rest their lives on, no matter what others (unbelievers) said, because he (and other apostles) were with Jesus.
This Lenten season, please don’t take this for granted, dear readers. Make time in your day, in this week to truly ponder what Peter said.
Why?
Our Identity in Christ Is Our Spiritual Armor
Because God’s truth has power to transform your life and mine in a radical way.
Because we tell others that we are Christians, we are Jesus followers, which gives us a unique identity. This unique identity ties in with the theme of our Lenten journey here on Night Owl Christian as well as the theme the pastor of our church chose for Lent:
Who you are
Whose you are
We are cherished, beloved children of the holy, almighty creator of the universe, who loves us more than we can ever imagine. As a part of this theme for Lent, our pastor encouraged us to memorize this verse:
1 John 3:1 (BSB)
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
How are you doing with memorizing it?
I confess I haven’t done so well, but I’m going to change that this week. No more excuses, like “Life’s been very busy”, or “My brain is full and I can’t add one more thing to it.” The spiritual warfare against God’s children continues to grow in intensity. So many of our fellow Jesus followers were martyred this past week around the world. Memorizing this verse enables us to armor up with the full armor of God you and I are to put on daily. It strengthens the power of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, when we can call up God’s truth in our minds whenever our enemy tries to deceive us.
Remember the serpent’s words in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say?????” [Genesis 3:1 - extra question marks are mine, for emphasis]
Yes, God did say that He loves you.
So, blast back the enemy’s lies, slice them into pieces, with 1 John 3:1, which confirms who you are and Whose you are.
If you don’t live this verse, feel this verse, to the core of your being, ask God to help you make this a key step on your Lenten journey between now and Resurrection Sunday.
Our Identity Is in His Power
However you may feel about yourself right now doesn’t change God’s love for you. It’s all about God and His power working in you. He chooses the weak to show His strength, His power, and He can do that in your life. Even the cross of Christ looks like foolishness and weakness to the world. But to those being saved it’s the power of God to salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (BSB)
26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast in His presence.30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Boast in the truth that He loves you and calls you His own.
I can only guess, but I’m believing that this is the truth that our sisters and brothers in Christ who were martyred this past week worldwide had in their hearts: The truth of 1 John 3:1.
Especially the martyred believers in the Middle East, many who descended from the first converts to Jesus’ gospel 2,000 years ago. Their ancestors heard God’s good news directly from those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ majesty and His resurrection. We mourn their loss.
And yet…
This week, let’s all boast in the Lord, the One who passionately loves us with His “sticky love” [ read here ], and who uses us when we are weak to shame those in the world who think they are wise and strong.
Remember, our faith is on a sure foundation that eyewitnesses proclaimed: Jesus Christ, the living and victorious Son of God.
Maranatha, come (again) Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Conversation & Community
Your Turn
Have you ever thought about being martyred one day for your faith in Jesus?
Maybe in your country, that is a very real threat. If it is, please share in the Comments how you walk with Jesus, daily, to encourage us with your testimony.
Maybe you live, like me, in a country still somewhat tolerant of Jesus followers. Please share in the Comments your thoughts about this week’s post.
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If you need help remembering that verse 1 John 3:1, it is mostly recited in this song at 2:30 by Matthew West, then you only have to remember the last two lines. Music really helps me to remember verses, lol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJWQzjfU3o
Remember, be reminded that our Father GOD Loves us. We are His children. He is with us now and will always be.
"Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him." 1 John 3:1 BSB
Blessings be upon you both, Mark and Jenise. May the LORD's face shine on us all.
"Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence." 89:15 BSB
"Walking in the light of His presence."
We are called His children, and we walk in the light as the darkness of this world surrounds us, but we see His path below our feet and hear His voice saying this is the way, walk in it. We stay the course and continue to persevere even in adversity, in trial and tribulation. We keep walking because we are not alone. Yes, the LORD is with us on this journey. He is with us every step of the way. Even when we forget or don't notice, He is still by our sides as we hear His voice say, over and over again "Keep walking, stay the course. I'm still with you."
"And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 BSB
And so, we pray.
Thank You, LORD, for keeping us on a sure foundation, for giving Your Spirit to lead us, filling us with wisdom, directing our steps, and ensuring that we will arrive. Yes, we are in Your care, even in dark times. Now, for many around the world, extreme persecution is taking place. Thousands of Christians are suffering, being harmed and killed for their testimonies, for their faith in You, LORD. Help us continue praying for them, help them to remain steadfast in their faith, and remember You are with them still, even to the end. In Jesus' mighty Name, we pray, Amen.
"By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit." 1 John 4:13 BSB.
GOD bless you all!
This is our testimony.
This I Believe (The Creed | Maranatha! Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdU4Kbn3B3M