Forgiven, Part 3: Repentance

He (John) came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' But go and learn what this means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. And hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' 'I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.'

Luke 3:3, Acts 20:21, Luke 18:13, Matthew 9:13, Mark 2:17, Luke 15:7
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When we come out of our darkness into the light of Jesus Christ, we become broken by our sins. The light shows us that we are not whole but shattered...not worthy but guilty...not rich but bankrupt...not confident but desperate...not mighty but lowly...not holy but unclean. The light leaves us totally exposed—we see ourselves as God sees us, and the revelation breaks our hearts and shatters our pride. We don't seek to be patched or fixed up but to be made new. We realize we have no covering to hide in...no offering to hope in...no works to glory in. We are undone. We are sinners.

Our sorrow for our sins may bring remorse, but our repentance is more than remorse; our sorrow for our sins may lead us to restitution, but our repentance is more than restitution, our sorrow for our sins may create a desire to make resolutions, but repentance is more than resolutions.

Repentance means being sorry enough for our sin to stop, convicted enough by our sin to turn from it, broken enough from our sin to be willing to change. It is our repentance that turns us toward the Light. It is our need of Him that draws us to the light. It is our faith in Him that clothes us in the light. Our only covering is His righteousness...our only hope is His mercy...our only glory is the light of His holy love.
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Lord,
At the heart of my sin is the desire to have my own way. I choose to turn from my way to Your way...from my plans to Your purposes...from my independence to Your Lordship. I am sorry for the ways I have hurt You. As I turn to You, I hope in Your mercy, Your truth, and Your love. I place my life in Your hands for You to make me into the person You have created me to be.
Amen
Written by Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. ©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 2: Guilt

As it is written, 'THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE.' But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 3:10, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:21

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It was the darkness and rebellion of our sin that sent Jesus Christ from heaven to earth on a mission of redemption. He came as light into the darkness, but those in the darkness were not able to understand it. He came even though we didn't know how desperately we needed Him. He came as a physician who didn't wait for office calls, but lived among us to seek and save those who were being destroyed by the plague of sin. He didn't die as a martyr or a reformer; He died as the spotless, sacrificial lamb, willing to make atonement for our sin. The mallet and the spikes were in our hands while goodness and mercy were in His...rebellion and deceit were in our character, grace and truth were in His...hardness and coldness were in our hearts, tenderness and compassion were in His. Jesus was the perfect offering for our imperfections—taking our judgement, bearing our sorrow, tasting our death, triumphing over our hell, and seeking to take us captive with the awesome power of resurrection life. ... Lord, I know my sin sent You to the cross. I thank You that You didn't just die for the world; You died for me. I know I am the guilty one. Everything I deserve was placed on You. I come to You without excuse, knowing I am fully responsible for my own sin. Thank You that through Your wounds I have found mercy and by them I can be healed. Amen

©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Forgiven: Darkness

The next several posts, in preparing our hearts for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, we will feature a favorite DaySpring publication entitled "Forgiven, Heart Reflections by Roy Lessin." This book was originally created to be used as a "book-style tract," offering the Gospel in a way that an unbeliever would come to understand what we, as Christians, believe. 

Each post will include several scriptures, written in a paragraph style with their references below, a reflection, and a prayer. Please feel free to share this content with your friends who may not fully understand the meaning of Easter, or why we celebrate. 

We pray that as you read, reflect and pray through the writings presented, your hearts will be turned towards Jesus, and your faith renewed. 

Grace and Peace,
Marina
For Roy Lessin, and Meeting in the Meadow

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'This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.' 'To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' 'Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace.' 

1 John 1:5, II Corinthians 4:6, Acts 26:18, Luke 1:78-79 (Emphasis added)

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Spiritual darkness is the absence of God's truth in our hearts and lives. We can have an education and still be in darkness. We can study philosophy and religion and still be in darkness. We can go to church or do social work in our community and still live in darkness. We can be sincere or be tolerant of others and what they believe and still be in darkness.

Darkness is unbelief. Darkness is deception, keeping us from the knowledge of God. Darkness is separation, keeping us from the fellowship of God. Darkness is isolation, keeping us from the presence of God. Darkness is something we should treat as an enemy yet when we are in sin, we treat it as a friend. We like darkness—it hides us from being exposed for who we really are. The sin in us runs deep, and the darkness is our cloak. 

Although we may be hiding from Him, He is not hiding from us. Jesus seeks us out in our darkness. He is standing near us, clothed with white garments...covered with glory...reaching out with arms of mercy...inviting us into the marvelous light of His forgiveness and love. 

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Lord, 

Deliver me from the darkness of my own way. Place Your truth within me so I may know You and Your ways. I want to come out of my hiding and walk with You in Your light. I know that nothing is hidden from You; You know me inside and out. I release every lie and deception that has kept me from You. Thank You that You can take me from the kingdom of darkness and place me into the kingdom of light. I welcome Your light and love into my life. 

Amen

©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Prayers of Promise: The Benefits of Growth: Spiritual Blessings

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Ephesians 1:2–4 NKJV

Reflect on this statement, inspired by today’s Scripture, and let it guide you into prayer:

I pray that my children will be blessed with every spiritual blessing that You have made available to them through their relationships with Your Son. May Your life be in them, Your hand be on them, and Your favor be over them. Work in them and through them.

Prayer

Father, how gracious You are, how blessed I am, how rich is my portion, and how full is my cup! You are the perfect Father—loving, caring, providing, giving, sheltering, making a safe place, a restful place, a thriving place for me and my children to come to and abide in.

Thank You that the best place, the highest place, and the most secure place for us to be is in Jesus Christ. I pray that my children will be blessed with every spiritual blessing You have made available to them through their relationships with Your Son. May Your life be in them, Your hand be on them, and Your favor be over them. Work in them and through them.

Give all of us quiet hearts that trust in You, humble hearts that depend upon You, grateful hearts that receive from You, joyful hearts that worship You, true hearts that honor You, giving hearts that express You, pure hearts that glorify You, and faithful hearts that please You.

Give all of us quiet hearts that trust in You.

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.

Today...

God greets you with new mercies…begin there;

He welcomes you to the throne of grace…pray there;

He guides you in the paths of peace…walk there;

He will be your strength…live there;

He will care for you…rest there.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given, you children of His servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones.

Psalm 105:1-6 NLT

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.