Sunday, August 7, 2011

Matthew 3

Today is Communion Sunday. We will share a congregational prayer of confession. There will also a time for personal prayers of confession. How deep is your confession? Is it a shallow confession, maybe just listing sins for which you are asking forgiveness? John the Baptist in our reading today reminds us that God calls us to repentance, not just confession.

Repentance does not mean feeling guilt for sin. Repentance is a basic reorientation of your life. You turn from one way of thinking about yourself, others, life and God to another vision. Repentance is admitting that what you have been basing your life on is a lie, on a flawed view of what is true and of lasting value. Repentance is coming to the place where you believe God in Christ Jesus is telling you the truth about yourself, others and what has lasting value in life.

Today, I invite you to join me in asking the Holy Spirit to reveal where in our life we need to repent. Where do I need to reorient my way of thinking about myself, others, life and the Kingdom of God?

What does today’s reading reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change anything in your life?

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