Morning Prayer
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Inspiration
Paul gives thanks to God the Father (verse 12) for delivering us from the power of darkness and moving us into the realm of light, which is the Kingdom of Christ and of God. The kingdom will come to the earth in an outward form in the thousand-year reign of Christ and then in his everlasting reign in the New Heaven and New Earth. But even now it is here in a "hidden" sense in the form of the subjects of King Jesus (his Church) being present. Satan's kingdom also is here in this world, and it is a kingdom of darkness and sin. Only God's power could overcome the "power of darkness" and make us children of light.
Prayer
We give thanks to you, O Father, along with Paul for transferring us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. You have made us to be a light to the world, insofar as your light is in us and shines out from us. Help us to walk as children of light and to overcome the surrounding darkness of this present age. Amen.
Devotion
Repent and Believe the Good News
Frances Taylor
We have heard these words many times as they were said to us while ashes were placed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesdays over the years as a sign of repentance. What is the "Good News?"
For Noah, it meant that God had made a promise to never allow floods to destroy the earth. For Abraham, it was a promise that he would become the father of a great nation and that he would be a blessing for his people. For Moses, the Ten Commandments were the sign of a new covenant with the people as they formed a nation. Throughout the Old Testament, God made covenants with the people and with Jesus, those covenants came to fulfillment.
For us, the Good News is that Jesus has come to save us through his life, death and resurrection. When we come to a true, conscious belief in this truth, our lives must change. We see the need to repent, to examine our lives, take stock and see what we can do to be better witnesses of Christ. Lent is the time the church...
Morning Prayer
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.
Inspiration
It is not enough to simply tear one's garments or perform some other outward act meant to indicate repentance. Repentance must be from the heart. God is merciful and will turn from the judgment he would have sent if a people truly turn from their iniquities. Whether that people be in Israel, Nineveh, or your own home country, the same principle applies.
Prayer
O God, you are the seer of hearts and the weigher of motives. You do not overlook anyone who turns from their old ways in true contrition; nor are you ever fooled by even the most elaborate outward show. We come to you in holy fear and in loving trust of your goodness. Amen.
