DEVOTIONS: Joel 2:12-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
Return to the Lord
12 "Yet even now," declares the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, "Spare your people, O Lord,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.[a]
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"
The Lord Had Pity
18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land
and had pity on his people.
19 The Lord answered and said to his people,
"Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
a reproach among the nations.
Do you ever feel yourself slipping away from God? Maybe you just don't feel the faith like you used to? Maybe you're as far from excited about church worship and fellowship as one can be. Maybe you're guilt is beginning to overwhelm you and you are finding yourself sinking deeper and deeper into sin and depressions, guilt and shame.
The prophet Joel has a message for you today. Here it is in one word "REPENT'! There is no better way to say it. Repentance is simply turning back to God. It is turning back to Him in confession, in a change of heart, and in a change of mind. It is a willingness, direct from the Holy Spirit, to surrender to God and let Him take you over.
This is exactly what Ash Wednesday is for. It is to get rid of the old habits, the stuff that is harming you, the bad attitudes toward others, the bad attitudes toward God, the bad attitudes toward yourself, and face them head on, putting them at the feet of Jesus!
When we do this, Jesus has promised that he will forgive us, create a new heart in us, and give us rest. He will not treat us as our sins deserve, but He will give us more grace!
This too is what Ash Wednesday and Lent is all about. It is a time of somber mourning over sin, turning back to God, and then resting in His grace.
Here's my message to you. REPENT! If you have been skipping church for who knows how long, turn to God, come to worship, and be refreshed. If you are holding bitterness and anger against someone turn from it, turn to them and be reconciled. If you are in a really bad habit, whether it be eating too much, not exercising enough, or simply wasting your time flipping through channel every night, turn from it, resolve, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to do better, and get to it! PRAY without ceasing! Above all, TURN TO JESUS AND REST!
Prayer: during this season of Lent, which begins today, help me to return to You and rest in Your arms. Amen.
CALENDAR
Wed- Supper 5:30; Ash Wednesday worship 6:30; Choir 7:30
Thurs- Alzheimers Support group 1pm, Lutheranism 101 6:30p,
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Basement reserved 1pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- Wed- Luke Rausch; 8:30- Abby Vossen 11- Sarah Cluver
Ushers- Wed- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte; Sun- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder
Altar- Wednesday Set up- Ruth Walters Clean up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer; Sun set up and clean up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Wed- Jason Cluver; Sat- Randy Sweet, 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay Readers- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Sandy Robine
Piano- Barb Dreyer