Today is the 30th day of Lent.
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the Book of Ephesians chapter 2.
   

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
 

Lent is a season of reflection where we consider things in our lives that pull us away from the love of God. The Apostle Paul specifically mentions our tendency to gratify the cravings of our flesh and follow its desires and thoughts. He says that even though we try to gratify ourselves, we can’t, and they make us spiritually dead. Think for a moment about the cravings that you have in your life. How are you trying to fill those cravings with worldly things?  
 
You have been raised to life with Christ. Christ is now your means of fulfilling your cravings. As you hear the passage again, imagine God filling every desire with his love. Imagine him being the fulfillment of every craving that you have. Imagine yourself coming back to life as he fills you.  
   
As you continue through your day, remind yourself that this is a work of grace from beginning to end. You didn’t start it, and you can’t complete it. God rescued you when you were dead, God is bringing you to life, and God will raise you up on the last day. Thank God for his incredible grace in your life.  
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.   
 
Music: Adore Him - Vineyard Worship/Samuel Lane - (YouTube)