1 Peter 2:20 - "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”
Today we count down only 14 more days until Resurrection Sunday. Many of us have been diligent as we have progressed through the weeks of Lent since its beginning on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally during the Lenten season believers abstain from various indulgences, habits or desires in order to subdue and chasten the physical body as it conforms to the rigors of submission. Usually fasting, prayer and sacrificial giving highlight the 40 days of consecration. As with most projects, we all start off strong with great intentions for our heroic and uncompromised completion of our scripted sacrifices... But also, as with many great intentions, we need booster shots of encouragement to stay the course.
Some churches and religious organizations foster outreach programs during Lent for their members to participate in reaching out and ministering to the masses. During these activities it is easy to get sideswiped by ungrateful attitudes, hurriedly organized or executed plans; changing agendas; or just plain old fatigue from operating on a restricted fasting diet. Regardless of the outer influences let me encourage you to stay the course; endure to the end.
Keep the promises and covenants that you have ushered before the Lord. Pray for strength to complete your fast; your Bible reading; and physical challenges. The devil wishes for us to grow weary and abandon our causes; but we will not be dismayed by his prodding nor shall we give into the temptation to postpone or delay activities that God wants us to complete during this Lent preparation time. You have what it takes to make it all the way. Pull upon the grace and mercy of the Holy Spirit to empower you to stay on course. I believe in you and more important to your success is the fact that God believes in and loves you and he has your back.
If you have had some struggles and may have fallen off of the wagon don’t let that discourage you. Maybe you gave up your favorite indulgence - chocolate and just the other day you slipped and had that crafty Snickers candy bar that kept calling your name. Don’t worry; all is not lost. You are not a failure. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on track. Failure only occurs when you give up – not when you fall. You are a winner and this week will be the best week ever!
Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Be blessed Rev.Dr. JoAnn
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