Good Morning,

As we journey in this world, our human nature may at times lead us to move away from Jesus and disobey His commands. We fall and choose to embrace the teachings of this world, creating distance between us and Jesus.  But all is not lost, no matter how despicable the sins that we have committed - Jesus is always there for us. Repentance is like opening the windows of a dusty room so the soul can get ready for Easter - because no one can walk toward Calvary with pride and strife still alive. Repentance clears away the sin that fogs the heart and keeps us from Jesus - repentance makes seeing Jesus clear again.

Lent has a way of slowing the soul down as we move closer to the cross. Faith in God can draw those whose lives have been wounded and emptied by unjust treatment. This is where pride loses its strength, and where self-will loosens its grip, and from a spiritual perspective one comes face-to-face with our Savior. The anonymous writer of Psalm 129:2 said, “Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me”.

Lent is the time to bow in repentance, gratitude, and surrender - saying, “Lord, not my will, but Your Will be done.” We lay our burdens down, and release our old wounds, because Jesus’s suffering love makes forgiveness possible allowing healing to take a quiet fresh breath of freedom. This is the season where we lay down our grudges, our egos, our self‑made plans, and we say, “Jesus, lead me.”

Lent brings us to a holy place where we surrender our will and unclench the fists of our hearts so we can rise differently. We stop being about what we want and become committed to what God is doing in us. This is the season for every born-again believer to pray for peace in the world, and for a end to all persecution, violence and aggression.

We greatly appreciate your continued financial contributions to support the church as we adopt this new worship style. Please continue mailing your checks to Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2701 Lee St, Houston, Texas 77026, or use Givelify.com on the church website.

Your meditation for thought is: “Because Nature, and especially human nature, is fallen it must be corrected and the evil within it must be mortified.” - C.S. Lewis

Pray,

Pastor Kevin L. Bullock, Sr.