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Hi Kelly—
Lenten Daily Devotional—
by Margaret Abbey
Becoming:
I attend a Sunday school class we call “The Becomers.” I like to quip that we will never be “The Became.” This isn’t bad news; this is a hopeful statement. Christianity is tough to stick with 24/7, week after week, year in year out….a lifetime. It takes constant work. Sometimes it feels like no progress at all. Each time we feel emboldened and successful by an act of kindness and love of neighbor, we feel humbled again by our return to sin. Until we remember that Christianity is not about how we feel, it is about following Jesus. And Jesus commands us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:35-39, NIV). No other commandment is more important, reliable, or trustworthy. It has stood the test of time. It is what Jesus tells us to do. Sin will have less power if we continue trying to follow. Trying to become better.
Pray, study, confess your sins to God, love one another, do good works, be in company with other Christians and support each other. These are tools that help us stay in the effort to follow His command. The irony is, trying to BECOME a Christian means you are one.
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-28
Meditation Challenge: Sit in private time with God concentrating only on the powerful emotion of love from Him and for Him. Are there any thoughts or feelings that are interrupting your full connection? What tools will you use to improve the experience of your complete heart and soul and mind involved in your relationship with God?
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