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Friday, March 3, 2017

Preparing Our Hearts for Easter



Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 
(Psalm 51:10-12 KJV)

On March 1, 2017, Lent started with the observance of Ash Wednesday.  This is a period of time observed by some Protestant denominations, as well as the Catholic Church.  Lent is simply a time of preparation for Easter.  “Traditionally, it is a time when Christians re-examine their spiritual life and try to discern the quality of their relationship with God.  It is a time of deeper dedication to God and seeking ways in which we can help to further God’s kingdom on earth.”[1] For more on Ash Wednesday, please click here:  What is Ash Wednesday?



Personal Photo

During this time, some Christians choose to fast for a particular time or deny themselves a particular food or activity.  For example, some choose to fast from sweets, while others choose to fast from social media.  For some ideas on how to journey through this time, please see:  Ideas for journeying through Lent.  

For a short video describing Lent and Ash Wednesday please click here:  




Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 
(Joel 2:12-13 KJV)

It takes humility to acknowledge this.  Just as Jesus was a humble servant; it takes humility on our part to acknowledge our need for a Savior and to confess and accept forgiveness for our sins.  “Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter:  we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within the community of faith.”[2]

Lent is a time of preparation to journey to Jerusalem with Jesus and His appointment at the cross.  It is a time for us to consider our own life and death, acknowledging that we are mortal beings and will one day return to the dust from which we were created.  Acknowledging this should be a humbling experience—we are finite beings, created for relationship with our Creator through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Our souls are restless until we are united with our Savior, Jesus.


Personal Photo


Trusting God for forgiveness—repenting of your sins and be completely cleansed from the inside out “declutters” our heart, our inmost being.  Allowing the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sins is part of the process for preparing for Easter.

Taking stock of our life and confessing our sins to God is something that needs to be done at times other than Easter; something that should occur daily.  The process, while important, can also be “messy” and a bit painful.  However, God is thorough and gentle in the process. 

Rend your heart; let God examine it.  Confess your sins before God and accept His wonderful forgiveness and mercy.  Remember that sin weighs us down; confession of sin frees us and lightens the weight that bogs us down.  There is no need to be depressed about what we have messed up or what we have done; it is a time to experience the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus’ forgiveness.

What sins do you need to confess?

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 
(Psalm 51:10-12 KJV)

As a part of your preparation process I encourage you to deeply listen to this worship song by Keith Green.  Let the words penetrate deeply into your heart and spirit.  Sing them from your heart and not your mind to the Lord.  Meditate upon the words. Create in Me a Clean Heart.  




How are you journeying through Lent?

Please join with me in prayer:

Forgiving and Loving God, in humility we recognize that from dust we came and to dust we will return.  We return to You, turning from our wicked ways—confessing our sins—seeking Your forgiveness.  Thank you for forgiving our sins, for healing us, and for setting us free.  Assist us to accept Your forgiveness and live as people set free.  Create in us a clean heart—a heart fully and totally devoted to You.  Fill us with a desire for a clean heart.  Thank you for the renewing and refreshing presence of Your Holy Spirit within us.  Prepare us to deeply ponder all that Jesus did for us on His journey to the cross.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim



[1] From Trinity United Methodist Church Newsletter, February 2016 (slightly edited)
[2] From The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992) pg. 321

4 comments:

  1. Oh, yes! Dear Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. That is exactly what Lent is all about, Kim.
    Sorry I can't share to Facebook, my friend, but I know you know why.
    Love and blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Martha, your cry is mine--oh for a clean heart and a right spirit...and for revival! Yes, I know why you can't share to Facebook and I understand. May this season be a time of cleansing and renewal for us all.

      Love and blessings!

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  2. Hi Kim! I do indeed follow Lent, and it's such a rich time of repentance and reflection. I hope that God will listen to my cry for a new heart, as he listened to King David.
    As each year passes, I find that I understand more and more my lack of worthiness, and I think that is a gift. It helps me truly appreciate the fact that I am made whole in Christ. May my Lenten observances lead me to a new appreciation of my status as a child of God.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ceil! Thank you for sharing more about your faith journey through Lent. Being able to see our lack of worthiness is a gift, just like salvation. The wholeness we receive in and through Christ is huge--a true blessing!

      Blessings!

      Kim

      Delete

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