Lenten Devotional for Wednesday, February 13

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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Ash Wednesday, February 13
Would you come to God in worship and confession?

It was the most magnificent worship structure the nation had ever seen. Its interior was covered with pure gold (2 Chronicles 3:4). Even its nails were made of gold (v. 9). As the ark of the covenant was put in its place, 120 priests sounded trumpets while others sang praises to God. In that moment, "the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud," and "the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God" (2 Chronicles 5:13, 14). Can you imagine a more glorious sight?

By contrast, today is Ash Wednesday. This day marks the formal beginning of Lent, observed each year on the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday. Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on worshippers' foreheads as a sign of humility. They are made from palm branches used in the previous year's Palm Sunday and call us to mourn for our sins, remembering that our transgressions caused the death of Jesus. As we begin preparations for spiritual awakening, we should combine both the worship of ancient Israel and the repentance of Lenten observers today. To approach the King of Kings, we "enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4). As we do, we recognize our sin and need for mercy and forgiveness.

Our culture considers us "spiritual" if we are religious. The truth is, the closer we draw to God, the further away we realize we are. Would you take a moment now to praise your glorious King and then to ask his forgiveness for your sins? Would you pray for a spiritual awakening that would empower his people for worship and confession?

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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.