DEVOTION: Psalm 32:1-7English Standard Version (ESV)
Blessed Are the Forgiven
A Maskil[a] of David.
32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up[b] as by the heat of summer.Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
Are you harboring guilt in your heart? Are your bones, like David's, wasting away because of it? Are you putting a good face on the outside, but is it tearing you up inside? Are your relationships becoming strained, because you can't bring yourself to confess and ask for forgiveness?
Have I got a deal for you? It's called LENT. The word lent actually is a word for springtime, a time of new beginnings. That's what the season of Lent does for us. It gives us a chance to get all the old sin that's weighing us down and causing us heartburn off of our chest so that we can start anew. It gives us opportunity to "confess our transgressions to the Lord" knowing that "He forgave the iniquity of my sin" on the cross 2,000 years ago.
Satan doesn't want you to participate in Lent. He wants you to think that it is too somber, too old fashioned, and too boring. He doesn't want you to have those ashes put on your forehead. He doesn't want you to confess your sins or turn from them, because he knows that if you do, you'll be freed from them. That's the last thing he wants.
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. Come to supper and have a great time of fellowship with all your fellow Christians! Then stay for worship where you can confess your sin and receive forgiveness, where you can hear God's Word, eat His body, and drink his blood. Spend this season of Lent throwing off all that extra baggage that's weighing you down, and receive the refreshment and rest from the Lord that you so desperately need.
Prayer: Lord, make this season of Lent a time of rest and refreshment from you for me. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2
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