Greetings to you…beloved…in the powerful, beautiful, and healing name of Jesus – THE Risen Savior! What a beautiful early Spring morning in the Kingdom – this is the day that the Lord has made for us, so let us will rejoice and be glad in it! I trust that you had a good weekend and Monday with blessings to ponder and tell others about! I believe that this is going to be a week of God’s “suddenly-moments”…and they are going to be very interesting. This morning I will be praying for you, asking Father to bring healing to you…physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally – may He guide your steps and lead you along the Lenten journey…may you find strength in His joy…may you feel His closeness at just the right time.
This past Sunday was the Fifth Sunday of Lent and I sense the shadow of the cross becoming more defined, as we move closer.. This past Sunday we focused on 2 Chronicles 7:14 – God’s altar call to His people…perhaps you need to look it up and spend some time with it. Then yesterday was our prayer gathering and the atmosphere of Sunday was still hovering in the sanctuary. Once again I believe God was shining a light on the phrase “seek my face” …get your attention off the distractions!
I was drawn to a sentence that I had read earlier…You can’t repent of what you haven’t confessed, you can’t confess what you haven’t grieved, and you can’t grieve what you haven’t seen. In the context of Sunday’s verse we were challenged to face our “wicked ways” and we had some examples from a portion of Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:2-5 to ponder…you might want to read that portion as well.
Now here are a few lines from my Lenten devotion…I must admit, – I dislike the hardship of confession. – I avoid grief. – I don’t like painful moments of regret, – I don’t like thinking about my sin. – I want to follow you, – but free from the need to admit failure….Sin forgiven – is better than sin ignored. – Grace given – is better. – Paul David Tripp
So, the Lenten journey continues…I see where I have failed and I grieve–as I grieve I make my confession—and as I confess I repent and turn from my wicked ways…and I encounter God’s face. What joy, what delight!
Have a blessed day!