Lenten Devotional for Saturday, March 30

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 30
Holy Saturday: Will you crown the King?

On this day, Jesus' body lay in its borrowed tomb, awaiting the resurrection that would prove that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). Today we know what happened on Easter Sunday. Has it happened in your heart today?

When a monarch is crowned king or queen in England, four steps take place. First, the previous monarch dies. In that moment, the next ruler becomes king or queen. Second, the new sovereign is presented to the people, who acclaim him or her their ruler. Third, the monarch swears an oath to uphold the law and the Church of England. Last, the ruler is anointed with oil, crowned, invested with regalia, and receives the homage of the realm and its subjects.

It is the same with making God our King. First, the previous king must die. We choose to die to ourselves and live for him. Second, we make Jesus our ruler each day. We begin each morning by giving it to him. We ask his Spirit to take control of our lives, to lead us and use us that day. Did you do this today?

Third, we trust his plan and purpose for us. As the English monarch promises to uphold the law and the Church of England, so our monarch has promised to lead us in his "good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). We trust him to do what is best with our lives all day long. Have you surrendered your life to his perfect plan for this day?

Fourth, we worship him as our King and ruler. Not just on Sunday, but every day. The Bible says that we "enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4). When we worship him, we connect our lives to his power and purpose. Then he guides, empowers and blesses us as his subjects.

Have you joined the Fifth Great Awakening? In other words, is Jesus your King today?

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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.