Saved only by the grace of God - status changed

Ash Wednesday and Lent.

"Jesus won’t look glorious as he’s suffering and dying for our sins and the sins of the whole world, but the glory is there. It is found in his perfect life. It is found in his innocent death so that we don’t have to die eternally. The glory is found in a changed status before God. Because of Jesus’ glory, we are perfect in God’s sight.


We can stand before God’s full glory. God’s glory is something that no longer makes us apprehensive, but something we are eager to enjoy. "

WELS Devotion March 5, 2014 (Read/Listen):
http://www.wels.net/spiritual-help/daily-devotion/2014-03/devotion-march-5-2014



"May the Lord bless you in this period of repentance with joy, knowing that Jesus loves sinners," says the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in his Lenten message to the church. Watch the video and hear more from President Harrison, who details the last days of the beloved reformer Martin Luther and reminds us that Luther's final written words -- "We are beggars, this is true." -- serve as a timeless reminder that it is only by God's grace and mercy we are saved." (March 6, 2014)

LCMS President Matt Harrison's message for Lent (watch/listen) video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-vC-UdOPr0





LCMS - "Extremely Lent":
http://blogs.lcms.org/2009/extremely-lent-2-2009
"Lent is extreme. God gives up His Son, Jesus, who then gives up His life, for the sake of those He has come to seek and save. This is extreme. In return, those whom Jesus came to seek and save give up, too. They give up everything that stands between them and the faith that receives God’s gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and life. This is extreme. This is Lent—in a sense, one could say, a kind of springtime and rebirth after the deadness of winter."

Photos: Kerstin Lindén (Forsythia from our garden)
Cross: Internet