“So, since we’re out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? 

        Since we’re free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know

        well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy

        freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it’s your last free act. But offer yourselves to the

        ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do. But thank

       God you’ve started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his

       freedom! I’m using this freedom language because it’s easy to picture. You can readily recall, can’t you,

       how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing—not caring about others, not caring

       about God—the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it

       now as you live in God’s freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

                                                                             Romans 6:15-19 (The Message)

 

Dear Friends of God,

 

Lenten season this year is February 18th through April 2nd.  Observing Lent through various spiritual disciplines of self-reflection; fasting; etc. is not supposed to be depressing but strengthening. When Christians intentionally and prayerfully examine ourselves our spiritual condition we are blessed overall! For how else will we grow closer and closer to the Lord and each other? We should not be fearful of drawing close to God. This is not to produce self-condemnation or self-loathing. That is not of God. But we find relief and a lighter heart is the result when we need to come to God in repentance because confession is where we find forgiveness and peace. Taking honest stock of our faith life and practice (not only at Lent) is crucial since so much can pull us away from sticking close to Jesus. You honor God when you care enough to reflect upon your commitment to and obedience to Him. During Lent people also fast in various ways to help unclutter their mind and prepare to seek God in a deeper way.  Fasting can help build spiritual strength over natural cravings/habit. It can help us to bow our self-will to God’s will in our lives. Christian fasting is not a matter of giving up something to check the box: “I fasted on this day or gave up__”. We fast to experience supernatural power of spiritual nourishment found in God’s presence and from every word that proceeds from God’s mouth. (Matthew 4:4)

 

For a prayer guide during Lent consider using a daily devotional and/or reading Jesus’ words to you in the Bible and enjoy this special season with the Lord. He will meet you there…

 

* * *

 

Let’s now focus to the ‘big picture’ Body of Christ in the world. Christ’s Kingdom on earth is represented through a vast array of organizations and industries (tiny and enormous) serving God and the world, following distinct Biblical ethics. These include households, schools, parachurch organizations, local churches and other socially-oriented groups. Also represented across a spectrum of non-profit and for-profit industries: education, healthcare, environmental, advocacy, etc. comprised of ordinary, diverse committed to their God-given mission in the world.

 

While we do this work of spreading Gospel hope and practical relief in the world, every entity must also pay careful attention the spiritual heart of the organization. This monitoring of the spiritual heart of the organization is a group task not just for a few. Everyone is tasked with helping God’s truth is being followed and flowing free to support the health and harmony of the whole.

 

No Christian group or business can do this without the Holy Spirit’s help. Believers learn unity by following the Holy Spirit. This is a gift each one has from God to help sense and ward off danger and toxicity to the Beloved community. But spiritual perception is learned from becoming familiar with God’s Spirit’s and His voice in prayer. Much is taught about the Holy Spirit in the Bible! He’s our Divine Watch Care Provider! He makes Himself know and speaks.  He lives with us in community!
 

Hear Jesus make this point to His first disciples:

                15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you

                another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world

                cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he

                lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

 

Imagine how the early Church overflowed with gratitude when the Holy Spirit was sent to them on he day of Pentecost (Acts 1) They recalled Jesus’ words above when he passed His baton to them and ascended. God never expected the Church to figure out Christian love and life in community all on our own. The Church would have failed since we are incapable of this due to our humanness! We have Divine loving, parental guidance. Just as it comes to us individually,  deep conviction helps keep organizations unified and pleasing to the Father. This is a sign of the Holy Spirit living among Christian community and lovingly counseling us. Count it a blessing those rare times of conviction of sin being felt by all in Christian fellowship. This means we hear God! Remember Jesus’ warning that those without the Holy Spirit are incapable of this godly sorrow/conviction. “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) The ability to hear and obey the Spirit’s voice and be led back to the Light is a gift of salvation!

 

I’ll share an example from the New Testament. We find a very unfavorable incident recorded about Peter who was influenced into the sin of hypocrisy, offending a community of Gentile believers. We see in this Biblical record how easy sin’s poison infiltrates through leaders. Peter then lured Barnabus into this sinful attitude and behavior. And they were blatant about it too! (But imagine if they had masked their hypocrisy? I shudder to think what a great loss to the Church if Peter had been hardened in his sin.) Thank the Lord, Peter, was convicted by the Holy Spirit through Paul’s holding him accountable. Paul wrote the Galatians that he “confronted Peter in front of them all…” Galatians 2:11-14.

 

During Lent pray for Christian entities all over the world to remain to discern the Holy Spirit in their midst so we all remain obedient and pleasing the Father. Our bases of operation are sacred gatherings for worship, serving God and the world. The Holy Spirit’s presence blesses us with true friendship and joyful unity found when we are centered in the Lord’s will. We have come into Christ’s Light. May it be plain for all to see that our works have been done in the sight of God. (See John 3:19-21)

 

Stay encouraged!

Pastor Catherine