Ash Wednesday/Lent................

As today marks Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, I thought I would share some thoughts….

I am sure that most of you are familiar with Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, so I will not go into all the details and practices. This blog is more about the intention behind doing those things.

First I want to state the obvious…. Putting ashes on your forehead, abstaining from something or fasting CAN NOT save you… Only 1 thing can do that:

Romans 10:9

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

So then why do people all over the world, not just in the Roman Church, but many Protestant Denominations observe this day? Because although it can not save you, it can (an if done in the right frame of mind) bring you closer to God…..

The key to this day is to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He is laying on your heart. There are things that we do in our everyday life that The Lord wants us to give up, and Ash Wednesday/Lent is a perfect time to do this.

Some of the things that many people struggle with and should (for their own health) give up are smoking and drinking.  Christians who are struggling with these things,  but know that the Lord has laid on their  hearts to give them up should take this opportunity to do so. There is also overeating which can be a big problem for a lot of people can do the same. Basically it can be anything that the Lord has laid on your heart to lay aside because it hinders your walk with Him.

So why Lent if you are not a member of a denomination that celebrates it?

1)      Its as good a time as any, and

2)      This is a time of reflection and prayer leading up to Easter, and many people fell that they are being drawn closer to God during this time. If you are feeling that way that obey that voice (the Holy Spirit). It will work much better than a New Years resolution (which for most people has already been forgotten)

This is where you get into the intent behind your actions.

If you are laying aside something that the Lord has been telling you to lay aside and have been finding excuses not to do so, then God will honor your sacrifice and will help you through it, because giving God a sacrifice in the right frame of mind is pleasing to Him:

Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 It does not mean that you will not be tempted, Jesus himself was tempted (Luke 4)  during his 40 day fast in the wilderness (the event in His life that Lent commemorates).

And just as Jesus upon returning from His 40 days was even MORE powerful than He was before, so can you be.

Luke 4:14
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

On the other hand if you are doing it because of tradition or because it has always been done that way, your ancestors did it that way Etc., then it will have no effect. We are in fact warned by Jesus NOT to do things this way:

Mark 7:7-8

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do

He also says (and these are some pretty strong words here):

Mark 7:13

13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

So if you want to observe the Lenten Season, then I ask you to please search your heart and spend time in prayer. Ask the Lord to tell you what it is in your life that needs to be laid aside so that you can draw closer to Him.  If you choose to fast for part of this season then do so in the attitude of prayer and humility, not to be seen by other people………….