Monday, February 22nd

40 day Focus, Mark 1:12-13 -Written by Dawn Jeffers

 

At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.  Mark 1:12-13

The forty days of Lent is based upon the  forty days that Jesus was in the desert being tempted by Satan.  The Son of God endured and ultimately overcame these temptations by fasting and praying. We have the privilege to do the same.  Lent becomes a time for us to step aside from our regular routine and prepare our hearts and minds for Easter. This can be done in many different ways - fasting from food or technology,   adding in additional devotion time, or serving in other capacities.  The point is to repent, refocus and restore our relationship with our gracious and merciful God.

Will Satan tempt you during those forty days?  Most definitely.  Anytime we give ourselves to the Lord, Satan becomes jealous and seeks revenge. He will tempt you to sleep in instead of doing your         devotions, turn that TV on instead of taking the time to pray, and keep driving when you see someone in need. Dennis Kinlaw says “Before every step of obedience, we will find resistance that must be overcome, temptation that must be fought.”  Fight it off my friends, and enjoy these days of     reflection and renewal.

 

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