Lent is Upon Us Before Easter

Lent has begun - this is a time to focus on Jesus. What will you give up? Make it something that seems to be a hardship - not just chocolate or soda - even though it may seem rough for you, you aren't suffering or doing anything that is really a sacrifice.

Make it sting - and think about this - perhaps you can make a difference in your life - you might get rid of a bad habit. Give up smoking - that is difficult for a smoker. Give up all sweets - not just sodas and chocolates. Quit teasing your sister. Quit moaning and complaining.

If you can't think of something to give up, start to add something - smile at strangers, read the Bible daily, do something good and nice to someone every day. Somehow make some other people's lives better by something you do for others.

Through any and all of this - think of Jesus and what He taught, what He sacrificed, what He went through for us. Lent is a time to think of all Jesus did for us, and what He was all about. He fasted, He was tortured, He was ridiculed. He didn't deserve any of it, and he did it for our sakes - so what would be a big deal about giving something up to show our empathy and respect for Jesus? He made the ultimate sacrifice!

The Word for the Season of Lent (Matthew 25:31-46):

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom, prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

How can you help others in this season of Lent? Take on some mission work to serve, as above.

P.R.