Separation

What is sin? 100 years ago, a woman was not permitted to show her ankles. Now we walk around in sports bras and short shorts. What has changed for this century? Sin is separation from God. Building a close relationship with our Maker will open your eyes and hearts to what and who God wants you to be. Love your neighbor, do not judge; and love yourself. God loves us in spite of weaknesses and, through His Holy Spirit draws us close to Him, and will show us the way of discernment and grace in every walk of life.

I, the Lord, explore the mind and test the heart, giving to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds. -Jeremiah 17:10

How do I show God love?

How do I show God I love Him? Be thankful, open my heart in service to His people and all creation, seek to see my day through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. 

Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

—Matthew 20:26-28

Today's devotion is inspired by LoyolaPress.com 
https://www2.loyolapress.com/e/39532/tent-lld-utm-campaign-lent2018/85zrl9/654649224

Transform

You hear it mentioned often: the glow of an expectant mother, the dazzle of new love, the “lightbulb” that kicks in when you finally get it. . . and Our Lord, Transfigured in the Full Glory of God. The realization of Love is an amazing gift. When we understand what it is to “know”, and hold that knowledge for ourselves, when we open our hearts in love and trust as God intends us to, all things become possible for us. Jesus revealed the true influence of trust and love to us as He stood in the full presence of God. Let Him touch your life today and you, too, can feel this wonderful glow of transforming Love.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Interpret

We are taught that our God is a God of Power and Might. He is Goodness and Light, separated from all evil. Yet in scripture today, I read of Jonah in Nineveh, “…He (God) repented of the evil He had threatened to do…” How, can we say God does not do evil when He had to repent of it? We find questions again in “temptation” verses: James says God tempts no one. He allowed Job to be tempted. In 1 Peter we pray to not be put to the test. Our Lord’s Prayer asks to “lead us not into temptation…”. Why do we ask this of God if He will never do it? The Word of God is meant to be interpreted by the mind and spirit. When we relegate it to earthly intellect rather than divine, we confine the description of God to our own minds rather than His. The scriptures are a gift to mankind to draw us into the essence of God. When we seek Him in spirit instead of the physical limitations of our minds, we find purpose, acceptance and peace in His unconditional Love.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

Lost

I’m normally an organized person, but when my routine gets a kink in it, something often goes awry. My major repeat is that I lose something, faced with hours and even days recounting my steps. I miss so much: looking down rather than up; checking and rechecking drawers, pockets, etc., wasting valuable time that could be spent elsewhere. Then there are those moments, that even when life seems to be running smoothly, I still feel that sense of loss; something is missing. This is when truly when I need to stop and see where God is leading. When your life feels awry, stop and rest at God’s feet. Feel His peace as He shows you where you need to be. It is never until I sit and ponder my moment, and search ‘why’ I’ve lost an item that I can remember where it is - or at least understand what I did to lose it -- spiritually or otherwise.

Human pride will be humbled, human arrogance brought low, and Yahweh alone will exalted, on that day. – Isaiah 3:17

Fear

Lately, I have been praying that God will place someone in my life each day that I can reach out and help. This comes easy to me when I see someone in a wheelchair struggling to get into their car, or an obviously homeless person that is in need of a jacket; but, when a stranger approaches me dressed as I am, looking “normal”, I find myself doubtful, questioning, and even fearful. What do they truly want from me? Are there good intentions or bad? And as the fear kicks in, I run. But, what if I, rather than ran, prayed? What if I stood my ground and listened for God’s voice? Yes, we must be watchful of the unknown, but without confidence and faith in God, we can never learn the truth. In striving to seek the truth, let us pray for the safety and protection of our Lord, and, in the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we can choose the proper response.

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' - Matthew 25:40

Fasting

Bring back memories? Sometimes we would also get pork and beans!

If we are unable to gain control of our physical desires, how much harder will it be to command our Spiritual ones? During Lent, we are asked to stay strong and persevere. Doing this together,  starting small with no meat on Fridays, and surrounded with people of faith to remind us 'why', helps us all stay focused on our purpose: To love God, to serve Him and be happy with Him in heaven.

"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; - Joel 2:17