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Saturday, February 28, 2009

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Isaiah 58:9-14
Psalm 86
Luke 5:27-32

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believing is seeing

"Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday." —Isaiah 58:10

Do you believe that during this day and this Lent, many people — even those living very sinful lives — will give their lives to the Lord? (see Lk 5:27-28) Do you believe that Sauls are turning into Pauls even as you read this sentence? (see Acts 9) Do you believe that this Lent will be the time when many abortionists, atheists, drug dealers, murderers, and rapists will repent and turn to Jesus? Some people respond to the above questions by saying they'll believe it when they see it.

Actually, it's the other way around. They'll see it when they believe it. The Lord in His infinite love is drawing all people to Him. Even our most extreme Lenten expectations are much less than He wants (see Eph 3:20). If we would only pray, fast, and witness by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), we would be part of the greatest Lent of our lives, and would impact the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Believe the Lord is living and loving. Believe His love will not fail (1 Cor 13:8). Believe for the Lent of a lifetime. Believe He will change your heart.

Prayer:  Father, by faith help me do greater by far than Jesus did (Jn 14:12).

Promise:  "The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; 'Repairer of the breach,' they shall call you, 'Restorer of ruined homesteads.' " —Is 58:12

Praise:  Rick publicly shares his story of how God transformed him from an atheist to a minister.

Reference:  (For the Lent of a lifetime, order our leaflet, Lent and the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises, or our tape series Baptismal Promises on audio AV 83-1, AV 83-3, AV 84-1, AV 84-3 or our video series starting with V-83.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 11, 2008

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