Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion. Isaiah 58:1
 
Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matthew 4:17
 
What a gift we have in that the Holy Spirit calls us back to our Lord's loving arms when we fall into leaving God's plan and turning to our own devices.
 
Throughout the Old Testament there are accounts of God's chosen people, the Israelites, and their unwillingness to follow God's plan for them. Their stubbornness never served them well, but they persisted in "learning the hard way." However, no matter what their opposition wrought them, God accepted their willingness to ask for forgiveness and continued to lead the Israelites in the way they should go. God never gave up on his chosen people.
 
Because of the Triune God, we too are God's chosen people and are being led by his presence in our lives. There are times when difficulties, pride, and stubbornness turn our thoughts. We sometimes use our sinful natures to get stuck in ourselves and what we think we can accomplish on our own. But, just like the Israelites, we find that God's grace and love for each one of us is the greatest source of comfort and hope we can find. "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." This is our greatest gift; we need nothing more.
 
Dear Lord and savior, Jesus Christ,
Thank you for always being there for us. Your arms are open wide to embrace us no matter what. Help us when we become mired in ourselves and and give in to our aberrant minds and hearts. Change our hearts and minds for our good and your glory. Amen.
 
Florence Smallfield    
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