Daily Devotions

Worship Theme for March 17th

Some things we want people to remember; others we wish they would forget. The same is true in our relationship with our God. The psalmist prayed (Psalm 25), “Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love. . . Remember not the sins of my youth. . . According to your love remember me, for you are good.” Reminiscere (ray-mi-ni-sir-ay, “remember”), the Second Sunday in Lent, focuses on the truth that the Lord, in Jesus, has promised to do just that. His love will sustain us; his love will forgive us when we fall.


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What is Lent/Ash Wednesday

This is part of a painting from the late 17th century that was dedicated for the season of Lent/Ash Wednesday. The inscription reads: “All skulls are signed but one; write your name on it, it is yours.” We don’t like to think about death and dying. Though the world around us and our own sinful nature only downplay sin and its effects, Lent shows us the grim reality of our sin, its damaging and damning consequences, and its deserved wages not only in this life but also in the life to come. 

But Lent is also Jesus (look at the cross in bottom-middle of the painting). Lent shows God’s grace and mercy in action as he sent his only-begotten Son for us. On Calvary we see Jesus pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our guilt. There he shed his innocent blood to give us peace. He suffered what we deserved so we have eternal life—the gift of God’s grace. There he was wounded so we’d be healed. There Christ paid for the sins of the whole world. There Christ paid for your sins!

During the worship service tonight (the start of Lent) we will also observe the imposition of ashes. This, too, is a centuries-old custom (we know it’s at least 1,000 years old). The purpose is to have a visual reminder that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and death means our bodies return to the dust from which Adam was made (Genesis 3:19).  As ashes are biblical pictures of repentance (Job 42:6; Matthew 11:21), the use of ashes eventually became associated with Lent, a penitential season of the church year. But the ashes are formed in the shape of a cross, to remind us that though we will all die, we are also redeemed through the sacrifice of the one who died for us (I Corinthians 15:22). 

See you tonight at 7pm.


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March 2019: I Need More…GOOD NEWS

Indeed, we live in frazzled and frustrated times. Just turn on the nightly news. So frequently we are given reports of events that have devastated property and lives; are told about individuals that have deviated from law and order; and hear of other stories that dampen our spirits. On a regular basis, most of the news is not good news, and a depressed sigh first finds solace in the silence of a turned-off television.

Turns out, though, that we don’t have to turn on a TV to know that. We don’t even need to be near it. As our consciences rerun the past, we see where our own deviations have had a devastating impact. As a direct result, our spirits are dampened and depressed. Even life-long Christians feel the sting of past sins as their consciences cry a guilty testimony. That’s the “news” we know by nature. That’s God’s Law on sinful hearts, and that’s why stricken hearts crave more good news.

The calm to the craving is not attained by turning off; we get it by tuning in. The answer is not in blocking out God’s Word or dulling our consciences by making poor excuses. The solution is still found in what God’s good news says to every individual—even to you. The calm, promise, and solution remain the message of the gospel! Hearts are calmed at the message of Christ for us! And it’s in that message the apostle Paul, a very real sinner, would have sinners still take comfort and confidence. As he lifted Timothy’s eyes and heart to the grace of the cross, so he lifts ours: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Craving more good news? Forgiven sinner, tune in to the Savior who carried your every sin! See him in his Word! Redeemed believer, tune in to the gospel—God’s good news that quiets sin’s accusations! Hear that saving message! Beloved child of God, tune in to the trustworthy message of the Bible and let your heart sigh with thanksgiving. Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus came to save you! That’s the good news! Crave it. Enjoy it. And stay tuned in!


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