Lenten Reflections cont'd

In my last post, I wrote about the opportunity we have to draw nearer to God during this Lenten season. If ever we needed God it is now. I believe it is no accident that Easter comes during the season of spring, at least in the northern hemisphere. Spring is a time of new beginnings, therefore what better time to begin a new life in Christ or recommit our lives to Him than during this Easter season.

Some questions we may reflect on are:

1. What does God require of me as a Christian?

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this , Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12: 30 - 31).

 2. How can I demonstrate God's love in my dealings with others?

Many of us will readily admit that we love the Lord, but how about our neighbor? When was the last time we spoke to them, smiled or offered to help them in some way? Other scriptures you may want to reflect on: Matthew 22: 37 - 39; Luke 10: 27; John 13: 34; 1 Corinthians 13 : 3. 

But love ye your enemies, and do good , and lend , hoping for nothing again ; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: (Luke 6: 35).

 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12: 20)
 
On the cross, Jesus forgave the Roman soldiers who crucified Him. He also forgave the thief who hung next to him.  

3. How can I fulfill the great commission?

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep" (John 21: 17). 

 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24: 14).

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28: 19).

Jesus's last command to us before leaving this earth was for us to go and make disciples of all nations. Not all of us will be able to travel extensively to spread the gospel like Paul and some of the other disciples did. In fact, we don't have to leave our little neck of the woods to tell others about Jesus Christ. We can begin right where we are.

Today marks the beginning of Holy week. As we pray and reflect this week, I trust that you will keep some of these questions in mind along with those the Holy Spirit lays on your heart. To help you in your reflections this Lenten season, I have written a little book that won an honorable mention on Writer's Digest. I trust that you will be blessed by it.