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Greetings!
"If we learn to love as Christ loved we become truly masters of life;
if we fail nothing else really matters." Norman Vincent Peale
Today begins the Lenten Season. For the next 40 days we are invited to step into prayer, meditation and reflection. By doing so, we face our own brokenness and the power of our Savior's love for us. His countless miracles of healing, love and forgiveness is part of this season. More than this, it is about loving each other in wholeness and motivating ourselves in self-improvement, and not for aggrandizement. This is also a time of fasting. In other words, remembering what it means to 'sacrifice' and abstain from things you enjoy to purify the spirit. 
"When you go without food so you can pray better, do not be as those who pretend to be someone they are not. They make themselves look sad so people will see they are going with out food. For sure, I tell you, they have all the reward they are going to get. When you go without food so you can pray better, put oil on your head and wash your face. Then nobody knows you are going without food. Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:16-18
There are many ways we can enter into this time of Lent. What will you take up, and what will you give up? Will you take up the grace to be desired in prayer and be thankful for God's love for you just as you are? Reflect on this. Lately, I've been taking a few still quiet moments to breathe and reflect on the Lord's love for me, and never in my life have I felt more at peace and more loving toward others. There has been a shift in my soul through embracing God's love for me as I am. Jesus died for our sins and suffered for them... we are loved this much! Starting today, are you willing to give up the temptation to judge another, can you stop eating unhealthy foods, will you refrain from holding onto negative thoughts?
Giving up and taking up all comes down to one thing... sacrifice, salvation and LOVE! Love of God, oneself, and others!
"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commandments." - Nehemia 1:5
Did you know, "His love endures forever" is repeated more than 40 times in the Bible, and "Love" is what draws us closer to the Lord. When we recognize His love for us and the possibility for us to love others as He does, there really is peace, comfort and a feeling of wholeness.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. - 1 Chronicles 16:34
This Lent, each day going forward, take time to be still - just long enough to feel God's love for you. When you are filled up with His love it will transcend to others through you. Let God's love and your love through Him be felt by your family, friends, community, coworkers, classmates, and even strangers. Let this be what you 'take up' for Lent.
During this time, Dr. Peale would say, "Pray without ceasing."
Each day through Easter, you will receive a daily scripture and devotional message for the day.
"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." - John 8:12 
March 29th is OurPrayer's 43rd annual Good Friday Day of Prayer.
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