First Saturday of Lent 2018

Here is the view from our room in the Hyatt Regency while at the Midwest Music Convention in Chicago in 2016 on a very cold but clear December morning.  A population of 9.5 million people live here. As I view this photo I wonder how many people there have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  As a matter of fact I wonder that quite often as I drive, shop, pump gas, etc. 

I can guess that there are a lot of people suffering from hurt, loss, financial worries, child problems, parent problems, behavior issues, mental health issues, worry, anxiety, stress from work, marriage difficulties, poor choices, circumstances, legal issues and much more.  We walk past hurting people every day. We see them at restaurants, in the store, while we drive...they are everywhere we go. 

The question is; What are we to do? How can I help? How do I share God's Love with others?

  I love the Pauline Epistles.   The book of Romans tells us how we as Christians should live in this world in Chapters 12 and 13.  Here are a few things we should ponder every day as we walk in this world.

• We are to present ourselves to God as a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to HIM, which is our service of worship.  Simply put...WE ARE HIS TOOLS IN THIS WORLD! Rom. 12:1
• We are not to be conformed in "any way" to this world...We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may be "living proof" of the good, acceptable and perfect will of God! Rom. 12:2
• We should be humble and thoughtful having sound judgment. Rom 12:3
• We are to exercise our gifts as members of the "Body of Christ", each according to those given by God. Rom. 12:4-8
• We are to LOVE without hypocrisy, abhor evil, and cling with all our strength to what is good. Rom. 12:9
• We are to be devoted to one another in Brotherly LOVE, running the race, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, "devoted to prayer"! We are to contribute to the needs of our brothers and sisters in the faith and practice hospitality to all! Rom. 12;10-13
• We are to bless those who persecute us, bless and not curse!  We are to rejoice with those rejoicing, and weep with those who are weeping. We are to be of like mind, and associate with the lowly.  Be not wise in your own eyes! Never pay back evil for evil. Respect what is right in all of humanity. As much as is humanly possible be at peace with all!  Most of all Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with GOOD!  Rom. 12:14-21

May all of you have a blessed Lenten Season as we look forward with great anticipation to the Celebration of our Savior's Resurrection on April 1st, 2018 Easter Sunday. HE LIVES!