Day 30 of Lent 2020

Joel 2:12

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Today is day 30 of the 40 Days of Lent reading plan (Sundays are not counted in the 40 days). We’re coming to the end of the reading plan as we head toward the cross. My prayer is that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus during this Lenten season. This Lent – more than any other – will mark us. We will remember our spiritual and physical journey during this Lent. We will look back at this time of pandemic – of isolation – and we pray we will remember that it was God that carried us through.

I found this passage recently – and it was in line with today’s passage. Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Today’s passage is along the same line – as I wrote. We are called to return to God with all our heart.

Where is our heart today? Is our heart centered on God? Is it becoming more and more focused – during this isolation.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We all need to return – in some fashion or measure to God. Joel 2:12–14 – ¹² “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” ¹³ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. ¹⁴ Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.

During this Lenten season – make it a point to seek after Jesus more and more. Let us strive to remove bad habits and sins from our lives each day. God bless you as you walk with Jesus to the Cross of Calvary!

Walk with me toward the cross. Deny yourself as I deny myself and let us draw near to Christ.

Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.

P.S. – Keep praying for our denomination. The General Conference of the United Methodist Church’s meeting in May has been postponed. No date for the conference has been set yet, but they are looking into 2021. The church is in need of our prayers.

P.S.S. – We are currently closed at First Church. We will do a broadcast at 10 am on Sundays while we are closed (on Facebook Live). You do not need to have a Facebook account to join us on Facebook Live. Here Is the link for the service on Sundays – https://www.facebook.com/RevRayPage/. We will also post our service on YouTube.