Third Sunday of Lent 2023
“Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty,
not because God is mean or fault-finding or finger-pointing
but because He wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out,
ready for all the good things He now has in store.”
– N. T. Wright
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Asking for forgiveness and help.
Last week may have been tough for some and
this week may be tough for others. But hang in there on this journey!
This week takes what you discovered last week and gives you an opportunity to confess and ask for help. Last week we reflected on who we are and where we need to improve. More than likely this brought to mind bad habits or areas where you need to confess. If you missed last week’s questions, you can find them HERE.
Once again find a quiet space and recall these areas from last week
and spend some time in prayer confessing.
Reflecting on last week, what bad habits do you need to break?
In what ways do you need to improve?
Where have you sinned?
Consider the consequences of your actions.
Be specific.
Be honest.
Stop hiding it. God knows it already.
Confess.
Fully confess.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:9
Now pray for strength to break the habit and to change your ways.
Take a moment to make a plan for the week when you are confronted and tempted again.
What will you do?
How will you react?
What barriers can you put in place now to help you?
Lastly, consider if you need to involve a close friend or significant other.
Do you need to apologize to anyone?
Do you need to ask someone to help you break the cycle?
Do you need someone to pray for you in a specific way?
Reach out.
Be bold.
We all need each other.
And if you don’t have someone, feel free to message me.
I’ll happily pray for you!
This practice can be difficult, but a significant part of the joy and relief that comes as part of this Lenten season. Don’t skip this step. It will make Holy Week so much more meaningful.
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If we’re going to do the hard work of owning our failures, we also need to be sure and rest in His forgiveness and His love. “It’s time to own our belovedness.”
“Belovedness” by Sarah Kroger will help you do that.
Click HERE to listen. Words below:
You’ve owned your fear and all your self-loathing.
You’ve owned the voices inside of your head.
You’ve owned the shame and reproach of your failure.
It’s time to own your belovedness.
You’ve owned your past and how it’s defined you.
You’ve owned everything everybody else says.
It’s time to hear what your Father has spoken.
It’s time to own your belovedness.
He says, “You’re mine, I smiled when I made you.
I find you beautiful in every way.
My love for you is fierce and unending.
I’ll come to find you, whatever it takes,
My beloved.”
You’ve owned the mess you see in the mirror.
You’ve owned the lies that you’re just not enough.
You’ve been so blinded by all you’re comparing.
It’s time to own your belovedness.
He says, “You’re mine, I smiled when I made you.
I find you beautiful in every way.
My love for you is fierce and unending.
I’ll come to find you, whatever it takes,
My beloved.”
You are completely loved and fully known.
Beloved, believe He died to make your heart His home.
And He says, “You’re mine, I smiled when I made you.
I find you beautiful in every way.
My love for you is fierce and unending.
I’ll come to find you, whatever it takes.”
He says, “You’re mine, I smiled when I made you.
I find you beautiful in every way.
My love for you is fierce and unending.
I’ll come to find you, whatever it takes,
My beloved.”
It’s time to own your belovedness.
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The photo above is a spot in the Arizona desert where beauty finds its way through all the rocks.