engaged to be buried
"I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ." —Philippians 3:8
Have you had a good Lent so far? If your values, treasures, and life-style were changed by the Lord, then you've had a great Lent. Where your treasure is, there is your heart (Mt 6:21). If your heart is right with God, you are living for the Lord. Only God can change our values. They become quickly entrenched, and we even build a whole lifestyle around them. Only Love can change our lives. Only the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ can surpass a selfish lifestyle.
Lent can be the time when we let the true God destroy and dethrone the false gods of our modern lifestyle. Lent can be our engagement with the risen Lord so as to disengage us from our homage to the world. It can be the time of attachment to Jesus and detachment from the world. If we let the Lord have His way, our fascination with the gods of this world will be "snuffed out and quenched like a wick," "never to rise" (Is 43:17).
This Lent we can make a clean break with the world, forfeit everything, and account all else rubbish so that Christ can be our wealth (Phil 3:8). This "comes through faith in Christ" (Phil 3:9). "Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
Prayer: Lord, this Lent set me free, whatever it takes.
Promise: "Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin." —Jn 8:11
Praise: Praise Jesus, Victor over sin and death, our Rock and our Salvation. Glory to Jesus, "King of kings"! (Rv 19:16)
Reference: (Grow in your faith by helping others grow in their faith by counseling others using the Bible. For encouragement, order our series on Biblical Counseling on audio AV 13A-1, AV 13A-3, AV 13B-1 or video starting with V-13A.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 2006 & September 18, 2006
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