Lenten Devotional for Friday, February 15

Dr. Jim Denison's 2013 collection of Lenten devotionals is entitled, "If My People..." and comes at a time that he believes "a Fifth Great Awakening is sweeping the nations, as more people are coming to Christ than ever before in Christian history. How can you join this great movement of God's Spirit?" He goes on to write, "in this year's Lenten devotional guide, we will walk each day with King Solomon as he leads his nation into God's presence and glory. We will commit ourselves to our Father's purpose and experience his transforming power. And we will claim his promise: 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land' (2 Chronicles 7:14). 'If My People ...' is more than a Lenten guide - it is God's invitation to intimacy with him. Please join us on this joyous journey."

CLICK HERE for a free copy of Dr. Denison's 2013 Lenten Devotional (in a downloadable/printable Adobe .pdf file)

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Friday, February 15Would you submit to the Spirit of God?
The Shwedagon Paya is a Buddhist temple constructed of gold and covered with more than 5,000 diamonds and 2,000 rubies. The Golden Temple in Punjab, India is covered with gold and precious stones. However, neither is the most glorious temple ever built. Nor was the Parthenon in Athens, the Taj Mahal in India, or the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Not even the temple constructed by Solomon: when the wise king finished his magnificent structure, he asked: "Will God really dwell on earth with men?" (2 Chronicles 6:18).

His word says that he will. In fact, "God's Spirit lives in you" (1 Corinthians 3:15). You are God's most significant temple. Now he wants to use you as a catalyst for a great spiritual movement in your city and our nation. However, we must be submitted to the Spirit before we can be used by him. Scripture calls us to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) — to "be filled" means to be controlled or surrendered.

On this third day of Lent, take a moment for submission. Would you yield your mind and body to the Spirit of God right now? Would you ask him to take control of your life this day and to use you as his catalyst for awakening?

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Prior to founding the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, James C. Denison, Ph.D., was pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church, a 10,000-member congregation in Dallas, Texas. He also pastored churches in Midland and Mansfield, Texas, and in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. He is also the the author of seven books.