Lent will soon give way to Easter.

Lenten Greetings!

Lenten Reflections: Lent has not been the same, since the Corona Virus hit the world in Autumn 2019 making everyone sick and killing a lot of people. I used to really love Lent and it has been a lot better this year for me personally than in 2020 and 2021, but Lent is, sadly, not the same season, which it was before the Corona Virus situation. Lent was always a special time of year to focus on Jesus and His Death on the True Cross for our sins and to focus more on Christian Theology in general, but, sadly, Lent has lost its beauty and special nature thanks to the Corona Virus.

I was really hoping, that Lent was going to be beautiful and special this year, as it used to be before 2020, but, sadly, Vladimir Putin blew up Lent both literally and figuratively for the Ukrainians. Ukraine is primarily an Orthodox Christian country, but it also has a lot of Lutherans living there. My heart goes out for my fellow Lutherans living in both Ukraine and Russia. Vladimir Putin, the Russian government, and the laity in The Russian Orthodox Church have been oppressing Lutherans in Russia for years and now this oppression has been exported to Ukraine. This is sad and heartbreaking, but Jesus suffers with us, when we are dealing with bad situations.

Lent, sadly, has changed, but Jesus will never change. He is still the Jewish Messiah, the Savior of the world, God the Son, and the Son of God. Jesus along with His Father Yahweh and the Holy Spirit remain eternally good and Holy. They are constant Forces for good and They wish to save everyone, but not everyone will experience the waters of Holy Baptism, not everyone will believe, that Jesus died to save them from their sins, not everyone will confess their sins, and not everyone will confess the Holy Trinity to be the One True. Salvation remains a free Gift for every single person and a lot of people will, sadly, lose their Salvation, but some will return to their Holy Baptism and they will be reunited with Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Regardless Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will never change, even if Lent continues to change.

In these days of cancel culture, Lent is constantly under attack both inside and outside the Church. Many Protestants do not want to observe Lent, because they believe, it is "too Catholic." Even though Lent is mostly observed by Roman Catholics, Lent was still inspired by The Holy Bible. We as Christians are supposed to fast from time to time and Lent is a great time to fast. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, when He was tempted by Satan. Jesus gave us a perfect model of fasting, when He defied Satan and when He remained true to His Father Yahweh, His Mission to bring Salvation to people, and to Himself. Jesus observed the original Lent in the wilderness and He calls us to finish this Lent with Faith, love, joy, and repentance. Easter is coming with the Joy of Jesus' Resurrection, but Lent is still here to remind us to confess our sins and to always seek forgiveness from our Savior and God, Who is Jesus Christ. Never forget, that Jesus died to save you from death, Hell, Satan, Satan's demons, Original Sin from Adam and Eve, and all your own personal sins. Jesus cancels sins and not sinners. Amen! 

 Let us read Hebrews Chapter 13:8-25:

"13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. ⁹ Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing, that the heart be established with Grace; not with meats, which have not profited them, that have been occupied therein. ¹⁰ We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat, which serve the tabernacle. ¹¹ For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. ¹² Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His Own Blood, suffered without the gate. ¹³ Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His Reproach.

¹⁴ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. ¹⁵ By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name. ¹⁶ But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ¹⁷ Obey them, that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. ¹⁸ Pray for us: for we trust, we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. ¹⁹ But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

²⁰ Now the God of Peace, That brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant, ²¹ Make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His Sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be Glory forever and ever. Amen. ²² And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. ²³ Know ye, that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. ²⁴ Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. ²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen (KJV 1611).