Forty days until Resurrection Day. The time between 21Feb and 06Apr is Lent. The first day of lent, 21Feb, is Ash Wednesday. On this day, many Christ-followers will put a dab of ash upon their forehead to remind them of the death of Christ upon the cross. It also gives opportunity to mourn (under grace) the depravity of their own sinfulness.

So, forty days from now is a huge day for Sojourn Church. First we celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This action confirmed Jesus’s deity as the true Messiah/savior. See Bob’s blog at sojournhuntsville.org/blogs/bob_pratico/2007/02/19/maybe_we_need_the_early_church_message for more information.

Also forty days from now, we officially launch Sojourn Church. Here is a challenge. Let us all put our own ashes upon our heads during this time. As fully forgiven, grace drenched children of God, let us look within our hearts and confess our sinfulness. Let our hearts be turned to God and away from ourselves. Let us cry out to hate sin as much as the Godhead does. Let us devote ourselves to prayer and prayer walks for Sojourn Church and the city God loves.

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ” -Ephesians 6

I do not mean to sound super-spiritual, but there is a real enemy that will launch attacks at you and me. If we stand in our own strength we WILL fall. If we remain in our own strength we will be hit while we are down. If we confess our false humility (pride) and turn from our agendas, God will lift us up.

Confess your sins before God. Not because He holds them against you (if you are born again). Confess because you are shackled to your sins and should be free. Then repent (turn away/go the other direction) and walk in freedom. It is only through grace that you have the freedom to deal with your sin. You will only BE free when you realize that you ARE free.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1

“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” - Hebrews 10:22

Pray a lot during this season of lent. Let us not launch this church in our own strength.

Christ alone,

–
David Thew
Sojourn Founding Pastor
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David Thew
Sojourn Pastor
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