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Restoration
Read: Isaiah 61:1-4
Albert Schweitzer said, "The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man
while he lives." Anyone who has lived on this earth long enough
understands what he was talking about. Hopes and dreams are often
abandoned in place of just surviving. Hearts are often broken when
friends or even family members betray one another. Life can be very
difficult, and people can be terribly cruel to one another. Sometimes it
is just easier to become numb to the world. Yet those who died while yet
alive were the very first people that Jesus called to in his ministry.
In the fourth chapter of Luke, Jesus read the words of Isaiah 61,
announcing himself as the messiah: “The Lord has anointed me…to bring
good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives and to release the prisoners.” The passage in
Isaiah goes on to say, “they shall build up the former devastations,
(and) they shall repair the ruined cities.” There is hope! The miracle
of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was not just in some lonely tomb in
Jerusalem. Jesus continues to resurrect here and now by bringing those
who have died to hope, back to life. Through the power of God’s
forgiveness and unrelenting love, hearts can be healed, dreams reclaimed
and lives mended. Through Jesus, the dead are raised every day!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, restore me to a life of hope and power through your love.
May I truly live a life of joy, confident in your resurrection and the
every-day resurrections of all who truly follow you. Amen
~
Sue Mink
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During this Holy season of Lent, we
pray that these devotions have been an instrument to guide you in your
spiritual journey. As Easter people, we have the joy of knowing Christ
as our resurrected Savior. Please prayerfully consider joining with us
in fasting for one meal during these last few days of Lent. This
spiritual discipline of fasting is an opportunity to be one with God in
reflection and prayer. We invite you to use the money you would have
spent on lunch and join with the Society of St. Andrew in feeding our
hungry brothers and sisters. We have provided a link below so that you
can easily and securely make your donation. At 2˘ a serving, with the
Society of St. Andrew, a $5 donation will provide 2,500 servings of
food. We wish for you a joyous and blessed Resurrection Day. |