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Dear
Saints:
We
are now in the season of Lent, an important time for us in the
liturgical tradition. It’s the primary time of the year in which
we acknowledge our need for God’s forgiveness in Jesus as we
reflect upon our many shortcomings and wrongdoings. It’s a time
for confessing and repenting of our sins (turning away from sin and
turning toward God). It’s a time for being reminded of
what’s ultimately important in life and resetting our priorities
accordingly. It’s a time for healing and reconciliation.
In
the online Daily Discipleship Bible Study found at the ELCA website,
John and Robin McCullough-Bade take a look at the wilderness
temptations of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13. They observe that the three
temptations he faced are no different from the ones we are regularly
faced with in our own lives—the temptations of power, priorities
and prestige.
Before
Jesus could claim and begin to implement his mission he first had to
deal with the devil. God gives us a mission to carry out as well; yet
if we are to be effective we, too, must deal with our own temptations
to turn away from God to serve ourselves. Jesus set aside time for
prayer, for dealing with the devil, and discernment. During the
season of Lent we are also challenged to do the same thing.
To
help with this, John and Robin McCullough-Bade have suggested that
we write out a covenant with God for the Lenten season (which ends on
April 8, 2007). In this covenant we are to prayerfully consider how
God is calling us to follow Jesus as his disciple, and how that
journey may take shape. Write it on a wallet-sized card and carry it
with you throughout Lent, referring to it often. Pray daily. And in
your prayers confess your sins, ask for God’s forgiveness, and
seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you try to discern what’s
ultimately important your life and reset your priorities
accordingly. God is faithful. He will not only show you what you need
to know, but also give you the strength to accomplish it.
God's
blessings,
Pastor
Larry |
