ACKNOWLEDGE, TURN, LIVE

The Third Sunday in Lent

PROVERBS 28:13 (CEB)

Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,

but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.

LUKE 19:8-9 (CEV)
   Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much[a] to everyone I have ever cheated.”
   Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
The only way to experience salvation is to acknowledge our sins, turn from them, and turn to Christ.

DAILY FODDER
What hidden sins are preventing you from living a forever full life?

PRAYER
Merciful Savior, thank you that your salvation comes this day to me and my house in Jesus Christ. I often prefer to conceal instead of confess my shortcomings. Set me free from fraud. By the light of your mercy, open my heart, so that my emptiness may be filled by you. Let me proclaim your salvation to all. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

FORGOTTEN?

PSALM 13:1 (CEB)

How long will you forget me, LORD? Forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

MATTHEW 27:46 (CEB)

At about three Jesus cried out with a loud shout, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,” which means, “My God, my God, why have you left me?”

SUMMARY 
If we feel that God has abandoned us we're in good company. But the same company will testify that God always works things out.

DAILY FODDER
Have you ever felt that God forgot you? How did things work out?

PRAYER
Lord of the universe, you and your timing are mysteries to me. Sometimes I get annoyed or even despair because I feel forgotten by you. During such times open my eyes to your presence. Show me again that you still care—with the same passion Jesus showed on the cross. Because of him I know that I'm not abandoned. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

WORRY FREE

PSALM 63:7 (MSG)
Because you’ve always stood up for me,
I’m free to run and play.

ROMANS 8:31 (CEV)
If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?

SUMMARY SENTENCE
With God on our side we don't need to worry over the future.

DAILY FODDER
What about the future worries you? Box up the worry and put it on the shelf. Pull the box off periodically to ask God if there is something new he wants you to do about the conern. But then reshelf it, assuming that he's going to work out the future.

PRAYER
Faithful and trustworthy God, I celebrate your unrelenting attention. Forgive me for occasionally losing sight of your protection and for worrying over what's to come. Save me from this worry and the recklessness that surfaces when I try to handle things myself. I know that my enemies, real and imagined, are powerless when you're on our side. So I want to be on your side.  Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

STAY

PSALM 11:1 (CEB)
I have taken refuge in the LORD.
   So how can you say to me,
   "Flee to the hills like a bird..."

HEBREWS 10:35 (NLT)
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Stay the course with Christ and reap the rewards.

DAILY FODDER
What could potentially derail your trust in Christ? What can you do to avoid that?

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for being a refuge more firm than my confidence. Forgive me for my anxiety, which prompts my worry. Help me to cast these fears into your hands of peace. Help me simplify so I simply fly. In your name I pray, looking to the reward of your strength. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.