We are in the Lenten season, the forty days prior to celebrating our Risen Savior.
This is a time of great reflection for me, spending time in prayer and the Word as I normally do.
However, the focus is very intentionally on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins and what
that means for us; how we should live our lives in response to that sacrifice.
How are we glorifying Him in our everyday lives?
Are we just paying lip service or are we taking up our cross daily and following Him no matter
the cost?
Are we proclaiming to be Christian without truly walking it out?
Before I was saved, I called myself a Christian. When my Facebook memories come up from
many years ago, I was even posting scripture. Yet, I was steeped in sin. Sure, I prayed. I prayed
as if God were a Genie who could grant me three wishes. Sometimes, I negotiated with Him. I
did not see Him for Who He truly was. I couldn’t. I was enslaved by sin. Yet, He still loved me
and He was still pursuing me. He did not leave me in that slimy pit, in the mud and mire. He
lifted me out and set my feet on a rock. He gave me a firm place to stand. He is God and there is
no one like Him! When we finally cry out to Him to save us, He does! He does it in such a way
that you cannot stop praising Him and telling of His wondrous deeds! You cannot stop telling
others what He did for you! You cannot stop testifying so that others will know the God who
saves, redeems, restores, protects, provides, and loves beyond measure!
God is Great and Mighty to save!
He is worthy of all our adoration!
The Lord loves us and wants us to live an abundant life, a life free from the bondage of sin.
We cannot say we love the Lord and live continually sinning.
When we are saved, we now have the Holy Spirit living within us. He helps us to live a Godly
life. He convicts us of our sin so that we walk according to His Spirit and NOT our flesh.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires
what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict
with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17
And 1 John 1:5-7 says: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is
light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in
the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
And 1 John 2:15-17 says: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father [a] is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world
and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Lastly, 1 John 3:4-6 says: Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you
know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who
lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
We must live according to the Spirit and not our flesh.
We will all be tempted to sin throughout our lives. The enemy knows our vulnerabilities and will
do his very best to cause us to stumble. Therefore, we must always be on guard.
We must read God’s word, study it, meditate on it and get it deeply embedded within our
hearts and minds. Keep your focus always on the Lord. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and
Perfecter of our faith. We have an unshakable Rock on which to stand.
Stand firm. Let nothing move you! Honor the Lord in all you do. Live a life that glorifies Him
daily! Glorify the Risen King! He is worthy of it all!
Fear the Lord! That means to revere Him deeply, to be in awe of Him. Honor Him and walk in
His ways. Trust Him and live in obedience to His Word. Living in the wisdom of God and obeying
His commands brings blessings upon us. Choosing a life of full surrender and obedience to the
Lord is not always easy but it is SOOOOO worth it!
Psalm 128:1 & 2 says:
Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Heavenly Father, we exalt Your Holy Name!!! You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You
are so worthy of all adoration! Thank you for Your kindness, goodness, and faithfulness! Thank
You for saving us and lavishing Your love on us. Thank You for being our unshakeable Rock and
giving us a firm place to stand! Thank You that Your promises are true, Your Word never fails,
and we can trust You with every aspect of our lives. We are in awe of You! May all Your children
walk in full surrender and faithful obedience to you. May we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to You! We give You all the Glory, in Jesus’ Mighty Matchless Name, Amen
and Amen!
By Lanette Black, Board of Directors
