Pastor Chuck’s Corner: March 2026

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove

from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26 NRSV

With Easter being early this year (is it ever on time?), as you read this we are well into

the season of Lent. Traditionally, Christians are encouraged during this time to reflect

on our spiritual condition, paying particular attention to how we are living with regard

to God’s grace having been given to us.

Now, the point is not to bury ourselves in guilt or shame, but rather to honestly

evaluate what our heart condition is. If we uncover some shortcomings or failures, we

are to honestly repent of them and seek God’s forgiveness.

Of the countless blessings God makes available to us, the Lord’s willingness to always

forgive is near the top. There is and always will be abundant grace available to those

who earnestly seek after God’s own heart.

The human condition, however, will undoubtedly lead us into ideas or actions that will

again cause us to be in need of forgiveness. The truth is we will never be sinless, but

with God’s help, we can all

endeavor to sin less.

That is the message from the verse I’ve included from the Prophet Ezekiel.

He spoke those words to God’s people who were enduring a long period of captivity. It was their

hardened hearts that had brought about that national calamity. God, ever ready to

extend grace, gave them these words of encouragement to help them hold on.

Those same words are meant for our uplifting as well. Though we are not as a people

being held captive, we are, individually, held in restraint in varying degrees by our own

sinfulness.

The new heart and spirit promised are available to us all because of what Jesus has

accomplished by his death, resurrection and ascension.

May we all use this season of Lent as a time to take a spiritual inventory. When we

uncover areas of our life that need a newness of spirit or heart, humbly ask God to do

this for you. With our hearts and minds aware that Easter will be here again, let us live

with the newness God can provide.

As we await the celebration of the Resurrection, may we use this new spirit and heart

to live lives that bring honor to our God.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Pastor Chuck