Easter is just a month away. That means we are in the season of preparation for Easter called Lent. Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with your dailyeword. I love celebrations of all kinds, and Jesus’ resurrection is the best reason of all to celebrate, because His life changed history forever. We can live in the victory of the cross, today and everyday. My theme for this season of Lent is No More Excuses, Just Say YES! Let’s say yes to God’s best life for us. One important way to do that is by looking inside of our heart and motives, and becoming more self aware. We will discuss that this week. Here is today’s dailyeword.
The season of Lent (40 days before Easter) is a great time to look at our lives and see if we need to adjust in any area. For some, there may be out and out sin that needs to be forgiven. That is when we must make a choice to repent. For others it can be a time of adjusting attitudes, adjusting life choices, or adjusting focus. During Lent is a time to be remorseful for the things we have done wrong. If we haven’t asked God to forgive us, that is the first step. Then we must be truly sorry, not just for being caught, but for hurting the heart of God by our actions. Then we decide to turn from what we have done, and go the opposite direction. When we say I’m sorry, it should be with the attitude that I will never walk down that same path again. It is saying, “I have chosen to live on a higher plane, and I will ask for God’s help to make the right choices in the future”. If you do commit that sin again, make a miss step, or goof up…..repent. Do it quickly, immediately if possible. Be quick to ask for forgiveness. We know God is more than willing to forgive! I John 1:9 is the place to start. We confess, God forgives and cleanses us. Once we have experienced God’s forgiveness, we can begin to walk in His righteousness. Making right decisions, right choices, and right actions are really a result of staying in our position of right standing with God. Aware of who we are in Christ is the best kind of self awareness. We put thought to what we do, how we respond, what we say….really everything, because we belong to Christ. When we walk in that awareness, we don’t easily fall into self deception. Self deception happens when we think we are ok, when really we are holding onto unforgiveness, or not living in truth. Just say yes to forgiveness. Just say yes to the truth. Just say yes to being aware of our true self positioned in who we are in Christ. And remember, the best apology is changed behavior!