We are a new creation, the old things have passed away and we have been born again. Therefore, we testify in the Lord, that we should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in  the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart, who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, and all works of uncleanness, but we have not so been taught of Christ, we have been taught truth by Him, so that we are able to put off concerning our former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Praise the Lord!

How many of us are modern day Israelites? No matter how much God does for us, it is never enough; we test him at every turn, we rebel when he does not answer our prayers the way we expect him too, we trust in man, rather than trust in him, we continue to sin against him. My brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s spirit will not always strive with us. God has been sustaining us, he has satisfied our needs in parched places, he has delivered us from those who were too strong for us, he has healed us of our infirmities, he has fed us with spiritual food, he has provided food for our bodies, clothes on our backs, and roofs over our heads, but, just like the children of Israel, we cannot stop our cravings, we never seem to have enough, we continue to sin and rebel against God despite all that he has done, we have no faith in his wonderful works. Many of us are going to be like Moses, so close to the promised land and yet so far. Will you allow disobedience to God to cause you to lose out on his promised blessings?

There are many this morning who have heard the Gospel of Christ, but are yet to receive Him as Lord and Master of their lives, many who are struggling to let go and let God take control. Dear Lord, have compassion on all those who do not know you, bring them to remembrance of all that you have done and continue to do for them, make them long for your justice and your truth, and open their hearts to it, so that they may come to know you and accept you. Lord, turn the hearts of those who resist you, and bring home to your fold, all those who have gone astray, and make them one flock under one shepherd, in your holy name we pray, amen!

Heavenly Father, we are your children and you desire nothing but good for us, we are tested, we are tried, we are tempted, but we are confident that you will hold us up lest we fall, we may falter and we may stumble, but your right hand will hold us up. Thank you Lord, for this season of repentance, this season of fasting, this season of reflection, where we are so mindful of the sacrifice you made for us, the cross you bore so that we might be free, therefore, we will hope in your strength to see us through whatever we may face, and be assured, that you will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we could bear, but understand, that with every temptation, you will make a way for us to escape.  Thank you, Lord!

Dear God, we come before your throne of grace each day asking for forgiveness for our presumptuous sins which we commit from time to time. We justify the reasons for walking out of your will, we blame the temptations that we face, instead of admitting our weakness of heart, a heart which is deceptive, and ask you for strength in the face of all temptations. Help us to remember O Lord, that you were tempted, yet, you did not sin, your heart was clean and your spirit was right, bring us to that understanding Lord, create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us, so that we may be tempted, yet, not sin. Let us therefore commit to use this period of Lent as a time of new beginnings, to wipe the slate clean and begin afresh, for though our sins be scarlet, you O lord, can make them white as snow. Praise the Lord!

“There is a voice of rebellion deep in the heart of the wicked, there is no fear of God before his eyes, he flatters himself in his own eyes, so that his hateful sins will not be found out; but the Lord watches over all, there is nothing hidden from his eyes.” Lord, continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, and fear you, and keep your covenants, those who accept your discipline, and your favor to those who are true at heart. Let not those who look to you be put to shame, and do not totally cast out those rebel against you because of their many transgressions, but be merciful.  Thank you Lord!

During my outreach yesterday, I was speaking with a group of young ladies, and we were talking about the troubles of today and I said, “Come, Lord Jesus” and one young lady said, “Please don’t say that, because I am not ready”. I then asked her why she was not ready, and she said, “The mind is willing but the flesh is weak”. I then said to her, “I will help you”. My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we labor and pray in the strength of the Lord, watching as winner of souls, these are the opportunities that we should be looking for, to use God’s words to strengthen feeble knees and help them to stand, to encourage others in any way that we can,  say to those who are anxious, “Take courage, fear not”; for many are willing, but need help to find their way back to God; and as ambassadors for Christ, we have a responsibility to win souls for Christ, to bring more laborers into God’s bountiful harvest, and by so doing we will gain a star in our crown, when through wonderful grace by our Savior we stand, there will be at least one star in our crown. Praise the Lord!

Do no sinful action, speak no angry word

Ye belong to Jesus, children of the Lord.

Christ is kind and gentle, Christ is pure and true
And His little children, must be holy, too.

There’s a wicked spirit, watching round you still
And he tries to tempt you, to all harm and ill.

But ye must not hear him, though ’tis hard for you
To resist the evil, and the good to do.

For ye promised truly, in your infant days
To renounce him wholly, and forsake his ways.

Ye are newborn Christians, ye must learn to fight
With the bad within you, and to do the right.

Christ is your own Master, he is good and true
And His little children, must be holy, too.

The Lord’s name is to be praised. Who is like our God? He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap that he may seat him with princes, he lifts the fallen out of the miry clay and set his feet upon the rock to stay, He delivers the weak from those who are too strong for them and make their enemies sit at their feet; from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same; the Lord’s name is to be praised. If we fully trust in the Lord we will be victorious. Praise the Lord!

“Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn aside from their wickedness and live accept our repentance Lord, for many wrongs that we have done; Lord, we are penitent, and we ask for the absolution and forgiveness of sins that only you could give;  Lord, we truly believe, that, you will pardon and absolves all those who truly repent, and with sincere hearts believe his holy Gospel, therefore, we plead with you to grant us true repentance and your Holy Spirit, that those things which we do may please you on this day, and that the rest of our lives hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at last we may come into your eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Amen!