Drawing Closer Through A Lenten Reflection on God’s Love and Limits

Have You Heard These?

“Stay away from this! It is locked for a reason!“ “Don’t touch that!“ “Slow down!”

Have you heard or said any of these? What is the first thought? Reaction? Question?

Did you hear yourself or someone else ask WHY? Why can’t I? Was your response anything like that of Eve — told to enjoy an entire perfect paradise, but just not this tree?

We humans are quick to see, focus on, and become consumed with one tiny thing we can’t do, in the midst of so many pleasures we can! We hear limits, “can’t,” and “NO” — and yet often don’t hear the reasons why.

GOD gives us so many opportunities to grow, enjoy, and be blessed! He knows well that some things are off limits. The way to keep us safe, healthy, and growing closer to HIM is to hear and follow His voice on these don’ts.

The Garden

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’“ — Genesis 2:15–17

Because God is holy, righteous, and pure, He must deal with sin. When Adam and Eve were influenced by evil and decided to do what GOD said not to do, God had a perfect plan to bring them — and us — back into right relationship with Him. He would have His holy and only Son take our punishment.

If we believe that Jesus did this for us, confess that we were the guilty ones, and ask Jesus to take over our lives, we will be in right relationship with GOD. This is what the cross of Jesus and His suffering is all about.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,‘ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.“ — Romans 10:9

The Heart of the Matter

A list of Do’s and Don’ts is not the real issue — it’s our hearts.

GOD loves us when we do and when we don’t, but our friendship with Him suffers when we do the don’t. Our desire this holy season of Lent is to continue moving closer to Jesus. We have His help!

A Reflection for Lent

As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, consider this:

• GOD — faithful, true, trustworthy
• JESUS — holiness, purity, royalty, innocence
• The Cross — willing sacrifice; agony, torture, suffering, and death
• The Resurrection — Jesus rose from the grave! He defeated death, hell, and the grave. He is ALIVE!
• The Victory — What a GOD ALMIGHTY! Jesus won the victory for us.
• Our Hope — Redeemer, ruling and reigning King forever and ever. We are saved, safe, and will live with HIM in HEAVEN.

A Prayer

Dear God, our Father, thank You for loving, leading, and protecting us. Forgive me for the times I do what You tell me not to do. Thank You for Your perfect plan to make it possible for me to grow and stay closer to You.

Jesus, Your love is amazing! You suffered so much for us. I am sorry for my sins. I admit that I need Your help. I believe You, and I ask You to take charge in all I think, say, and do.

Thank You! So, so happy You are real, alive, my Savior and LORD!

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