Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry - Matthew 4:1, 2.
Lent recalls the season reflecting on 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. Lent season begins with Ash Wednesday and extends for forty days before Easter. It is an opportunity for us to return to God, to renew our inner life and to refresh our spiritual life. Let us also meditate the life of Jesus, His sufferings on the cross, His great love for us and His resurrection that offers us hope and the promise of eternity with Him.
Return
As we return to God and walk in obedience, He will restore us and bring fruitfulness in our work and family.
Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So, rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness - Joel 2:12, 13.
The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul - Deuteronomy 30:9,10.
Renew
Inner renewal leads to outward blessing. It is the time to examine us and let God to search our hearts.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me - Psalm 51:10.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting - Psalm 139:23,24.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded - James 4:8.
Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law - Psalm119:18.
Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint - Isaiah 40:31.
Refresh
Worship
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth - John 4:24.
Pray
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful - Colossians 4:2.
Meditate God's Word
Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day - Psalms 119:97.
Fasting
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I - Isaiah 58:6-9.
Grow in spiritual life
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - 2 Peter 3:18.
Help poor
You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land - Deuteronomy 15:11.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord - Acts 3:19.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us return to You, renew oue repent and grow more in prayer, fasting, sharing and in the grace and knowledge of You during this season of lent. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Amen.
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