Now that you have the light of Christ in you, it would be wrong to hide it from the world. Do not be ashamed, but be ready to give the answer to others, with a clear conscience, should they ask about your joy, never fearing what others might say. In what parts of your life are you hiding your light? What talents do you have that could be used to the glory of God?

Father, because of our sinful nature, we will always remain like a helpless infant, unable to correct our condition apart from your intervention. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, who was willing to rescue us from eternal damnation and separation from you and help me to lead others to the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We are asked to act. Jesus gave his life to save us, and in thanksgiving and joy, we should be willing to do the same for the lost, to set aside our own plans and life to help those in need. Prayer is powerful and necessary, but we are also called to be Jesus’ hands and feet while on this earth. Jesus’ ministry did not end with His ascension; it was passed on to us to continue. The best way for us to show His love to those in need and hurting is “not with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Listen to God’s calling for you. What is He asking you to act on? Which part of this broken world is He asking you to help fix?

This week, Vision Maker Media takes a culinary journey with Loretta Barrett Oden, a renowned Native American chef, food historian and lecturer, and proud woman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

This week in Native American News: Alaska's "birthday", the birth of a hotline, and the rebirth of self-worth

Jesus’ death and resurrection were for all mankind. Jesus, the righteous, did what we, the unrighteous, cannot do. He left behind the flesh to be made alive in the Spirit, as we are all called to do when we follow Him. However, many people want only to be alive in the flesh, clinging to their earthly desires and never knowing peace. Pray for those in your life who are consumed by (or lost in) the world, that the Holy Spirit may guide them to the cross and the joy of the Resurrection.

Native Americans are asked what the word "Reservation" means to them.

If you could save yourself and gain righteousness by following the law of the Old Testament, Jesus’ death on the cross would have been foolish and wasteful. But God is not foolish. Jesus had to die and rise again. Now, our sinful nature must also be put to death, so Christ can live in us, bringing us to our new life in which we live by faith and not by law. Don’t let Jesus’ death and resurrection go to waste. What are you clinging to that does not reflect Christ living in you?

Daniel was a unique gift to his family, his community and to all who knew him. There will never be another Daniel, but there are still children in Native communities who are waiting for the seed of the Gospel to be planted in their lives, who will grow and bear fruit in their own communities as they share their faith with others.

The cross divides the world. There are those who see the story of Jesus and call it foolish and those who call it powerful. Whichever side of the line you are on determines whether you are perishing or saved. Nobody wants to perish, but there are those who struggle to believe the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to be the truth. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to bring us to the side of salvation, and it is in this season of Lent that we look upon the cross with awe, and thank God for his forgiveness and love. Who do you know that is perishing? How can you share God’s love with them?