Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
Today marks the first day of one of the most significant periods of the Christian calendar…the season of Lent. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lent is a 40 day period of prayer, fasting, reflection and repentance lasting until Easter with the 40 days symbolizing the time Jesus spent in the wilderness after His baptism by John…a period which culminated in Satan attempting to tempt Him.
So as we prepare for the death and resurrection of our Savior, I wanted to offer the following exposition of the word Lent…turning it into a holy acronym. Enjoy.
1. L = Look inside.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…" Isaiah 30:15
Lent is a time of special self reflection…a time to take account of anything inside of you that would draw you away from God’s will and way for your life. We all have room to improve because we’re all sinners and imperfect. We all fall short of God’s grace and favor…but the good news is that we can grow ever closer to Him and the person He wants us to be if we just commit to model ourselves after the One He sent to walk among us in perfect righteousness…His only Son Jesus. And this leads me to "E".
2. E = Examine Jesus.
For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:4-5
Lent is a great time of year to focus in on the life and ministry of Jesus for if we are truly going to be His disciples and carry out His Great Commission (and in doing so His work) then we had better examine Him and seek to be just like Him. After all the very root of the word Christian is Christ. Jesus is supposed to be at the heart of every person who professes to be of Him. And yet, we too often proclaim Him and yet not represent Him properly. This Lenten season, make it a priority to read the New Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The key to knowing Jesus is contained within them and we can’t possibly be like Him if we don’t know Him. Hopefully, our prayerful study will take us to the "N" in my Lent acronym.
3. N = New focus.
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:11
As we study Jesus, we see our flaws exposed and are able to renew our efforts to correct our shortcomings to be more like Jesus in every way. In other words, we gain a new focus on areas of our lives that need correction. Whether that focus is on our sinfulness…our hopelessness without Jesus…His teachings, mannerisms, and power…His sacrifice for us…His victory over death…or hopefully all of the above and more, we come to a place of greater appreciation for what He has done for us and a clear set of initiatives to become more like Him. And this will take us to the final letter "T".
4. T = Turn toward righteousness.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
As we see our weaknesses exposed and the places in our lives that need corrected, we see our dire need to repent and give thanks for God’s grace, mercy and salvation…all possible because of His only Son Jesus. And as we repent, we see the need to turn from the way we were into a new way of righteousness…all through living our lives as Jesus lived His. This commitment toward holiness will not only lead us to the proper appreciation for all that Jesus did for us but also lead us to a life that emulates and honors Him.
Question: What are your plans for this Lenten season? Will it be just 40 days of business as usual? Or will you see your obligation to give Jesus your full and undivided attention…your very life? For that is just what He gave us.
Have a blessed Lenten observance everyone and thank you Jesus for all You have done, all You are doing and all You have yet to do to save us.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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