Lenten Devotional for Saturday, March 2

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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Saturday, March 2
Will you choose to join the awakening?

What was your favorite Christmas gift as a child? Mine was a chrome-plated, black-leather-seated Mattel Stallion bicycle built to imitate a motorcycle. I rode it until the tires went bald and the springs broke.

One fact all Christmas gifts have in common is that they must be opened. My bike wasn't much good under wrapping paper. 2 Chronicles 7:14 begins: "If my people, who are called by my name . . ." Note its first word: "if."

The Lord of the universe chooses to honor the freedom he has given us. He will not make us love him, or obey his word, or join the awakening his Spirit is bringing to the world. Jesus tells us that "whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16)—but we must believe in him. He invites us: "Come, to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) - but we must come to him.

Would you decide today to join the Fifth Great 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.