This Wednesday, February 18th is Ash Wednesday on the liturgical calendars of many different churches, including the Lutheran, Methodist ,Anglican and Orthodox Christian churches.
As a one-time Catholic turned Messianic Christian, I once went to church on Ash Wednesday to have ashes rubbed on my forehead as the priest uttered the words, "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return".
This is a sobering thought for anyone, for we all have to face death unless we are one of the fortunate few who will be taken up in the Rapture. Of course, a true Christian has already died to the world to live for Christ by turning away from sin and living in obedience to Him. So we can view the season of Lent as an opportunity to grow closer to God and pray that we will become more a reflection of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Fasting, prayer, and Bible study are ways that Christians can utilize to draw closer to God, and Lent is a perfect time to put all of these practices into motion. It is especially powerful when we gather together to do these things, but it can also be quite powerful to do these things on one's own as well.
One thing that needs to be emphasized at this time is the fact that Christians need to be obedient to Christ's wishes and mandates, which are encapsulated in his two great commandments, which are: "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." We can't expect to be blessed with God's presence if we are being disobedient to him in any way. God does not reward those who sin or rebel, but who flee from sin and ruin towards God.
Today, on this Ash Wednesday and every day for the next 40 days leading up to Resurrection Sunday, which is also known as Easter or Paschal, let's focus on prayer and fasting and bible study, and also times of meditation where we focus on all of God's wonderful attributes that were showing to us through his son Yeshua the Messiah, or Jesus the Christ.
Let's make this 40-day period a special time for seeking to draw close to God and just dwelling in his wonderful presence by recalling all of his promises and gifts. Let's also utilize these next 40 days to think our Messiah and the Holy Spirit for all of the wonderful fruits of the spirit that we enjoy as believers in the one and only son of God. We must remember that our Messiah is not only fully God and fully Man, died for all our sins, and was resurrected into everlasting life, but also the eternal Creator God who spoke to Moses out of a burning bush, who carried the Israelites out of Egypt by a miraculous hand,, parted the Waters of the Red Sea, and created everything seen and unseen.
Remember this same God who sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of the apostles and disciples of Christ on the Pentecost after He ascended into Heaven. Believing in and following our Messiah Yeshua is the only Way to Heaven, and loving Him is the only sure way to find happiness, comfort, joy and peace.
Spend as much time as you can and the presents of God via the Holy Spirit in you, and never stop recalling all of his wonderful promises to us, to heal us, to deliver Us from demons, to feed and clothe us and protect us as we await his coming in the rapture, and in his second coming, when he will cleanse the world of wickedness in preparation for his millennial Kingdom.
I'm looking forward to that day, and for the next 40 days I'm going to praise my Messiah Yeshua for saving me from the pit of hell, and promising me everlasting life and his coming Kingdom.. Yes, Amen, and HalleluYah!
With Loving Blessings to You AllFrom Helena Lehman of the
Pilar of Enoch Ministry --
Web Site: https:noch//pillar-of-enoch.com
Maranatha Yahshua!
Come for us, Lord Yahshua!
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