Today is Ash Wednesday, 2020 and the start of the Season of Lent for Catholics and Christians. Will you be fasting or giving something up for Lent?
Fasting on Ash Wednesday is admirable, but do you really know WHY you’re fasting? If you’re fasting just because your church tells you it’s what’s you’re supposed to do to follow the rules – that’s wrong and you might as well save yourself the misery.
Why you should fast:
- To humble yourself before the Lord
- Because Jesus did it for 40 days
- To get closer to God
“Hungry people are desperate people, and they are hungry for more of God than they have ever had. They are breaking out of religious rules, regulations and traditional thinking and breaking through to more of His presence, more of His power, and more of His miracle-working power! Only Jesus satisfies hunger!” from Fasting: Opening the door to a deeper, more intimate, more powerful relationship with God by Jentezen Franklin.
I’ve done fasts for 1, 3, 5 and even 7 days. I take in just liquids. At meal time or when the hunger pangs strike it’s important to pull out the bible and read the Word of God and ponder it’s meaning in your life.
As a former Catholic, I never really quite understood the not eating meat on Friday rule. Where’s the pain in that?
Is giving up something for Lent worth it? I saw on Twitter today that #AshWednesday was trending. I checked out some of the posts. One person asked, “What are you giving up for Lent?”
A guy replied, “Last year I gave up coffee and I was 100% NOT like Jesus!”
Right idea, wrong motive.
King David wrote Psalm 51 after he had the encounter with the prophet Nathan who admonished him for committing adultery with Bathsheba.
Psalm 51:
Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.[a]
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,[b]
teaching me wisdom even there.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
Psalm 51
You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
A Repentant Heart
Lent is a time for reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice for humankind and to show people that they only need to believe in their hearts, repent and be baptized and they will have everlasting life in heaven. It’s more than just knowing about Him, you have to Believe.
Invite Jesus into your heart right now…
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
