Among the many activities of Lent, repentance must always remain in the foreground. Jesus, John the Baptist and the Apostles all began their preaching with a call to repentance.
When the kingdom of God seems distant, we may tend to believe that we live in kingdoms created by our own desires and decisions. Living in these self-made kingdoms can soon become tiresome and dangerous.
Earthly pleasures soon give way to cries of “I’m bored.” Taking hold of life and claiming the responsibility of becoming a self-made and self-important man or woman can lead to self-destructive behaviors for those who are totally self-absorbed. We all must deal with the consequences of people who only look out for number one and care little for the lives and feelings of others.
Wars and rumors of wars abound throughout history. Thefts, carjackings, and muggings fill the news. The world is a dangerous place because of self-made kingdoms of selfishness and power.
When God’s kingdom breaks into this world wonderful things happen: “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them” (Matthew 11:5).
Those who wish to enter this wonderful world of Christ’s kingdom are called to repent and believe the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit work repentance in our hearts so that we may always believe in our Savior and receive the blessings that He won for us on the cross.
Prayer: O Father in heaven, thank you for calling us out of the world of sin and darkness into your wonderful kingdom. Keep us safe and secure in the faith until we join you in eternity with all the saints in your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.
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