Saturday of Lent 3, March 18


Things haven’t been going my way. Is God punishing me?


NO! Your sin was paid for by Jesus on the cross. But God disciplines those He loves, not in anger or wrath, but in love. When things aren't going your way, look to Jesus, who is always on your side - the cross proves that!


“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”  ~ Hebrews 12:5b-6

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . . . God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  ~ Romans 5:3b-6, 8-9


Dear Jesus, thank You for taking my sins to the cross, and for Your discipline when I need it. Work in me all that is pleasing to You. Amen.


Listen to the hymn Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me and take comfort in the words and promises of God. Life is tough! You need Jesus. And He is here for you.


If your heart is so moved by the Scriptures, hymns, and prayers of this week, consider making a donation (your Lenten almsgiving) to Lutherans for Life, to help educate and encourage people to speak in support of the value of all life. You can do so either with a direct donation on the Lutherans for Life website, or donating to our church and indicating that your donation is for Lutherans for Life.


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