ASH WEDNESDAY 05 March 5, 2014

Ash in Christian philosophy is a signed of repentance;

In Scripture do you remember Job, after having endured his trials and tribulations, repents before God with dust and ashes?  While Jeremiah, rolled in ashes as sign of repenting to God.

Ashes remind us that all things are temporary in our world, and we will all, one day, become ashes and dust. In the book of Genesis, God tells Adam, “Dust you are, and to dust you will return.” 

As we start this first day of Lent we need to remember that our days are numbered. Therefore Ash Wednesday reminds us that:

• First t we are dust, and to dust we will return.  
• Life is temporary  and short.

• Second we are fallen, and we can’t get up on our own.  We need God’s help ash create a bridge of forgiveness to receive God’s grace and love.

• Third this is a period of prayer, fasting and self-denial. From  now until we celebrate Easter we are required to  spend more  time alone with  God.

• Fourth it is a time of fasting and crying for salvation  to eternal life.

 

Jesus caution that: “...when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

What is special with Ash Wednesday:

• Lent It’s not an easy journey. 

• It’s a scary journey because it means we are giving up control to God. 

• if we can give God our life the reward is greater than anything we can buy.

• Lent is  repentance which leads us to question our own motives and actions.

As we are ready to start this salvation journey let us join millions who prayed this prayer:

“Lent is about remembering who we are and who God is and what is really important in this life that is – in the face of all eternity – so short and precious.

 Father, tonight we are starting our journey. Our journey to further deepen our relationship with you. Tonight we acknowledge the deep yearning within our souls to be reunited with you. Tonight, O God, as we offer our confessions to you, as we take the mark of the cross on our bodies, may you place your mark in our lives. 

Bring us ever closer to you, Lord. Help us to see the love you have for us and for your creation, allowing us to share this love with those we meet on our journey. Help us to be pure in heart so when people look at us, they do not see our own desires, but may they see Jesus Christ and the love you have for all your children.

 Help us to see, O God, that we are doing here tonight is worthy of your blessing as we so deeply want to know you more and more. Tonight, O God, may we start this journey, a journey that will continue our whole life long, until we enter the glory of your presence. Father, for all these things we give you glory, praise and thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Amen”

HOW TO RECOGNIZE GOD'S BEST BLESSINGS;

I AGREE  with most of believers who believe that indeed God has provided us with blessings that are beyond description and beyond measure. Therefore we need to praise the Lord for His blessings to all of us.  We are blessed! No matter what else is happening. 

We always forget that what God gives us like money, good health etc are  blessings but we need to recognize those are temporary.  

The Question which we need to ask our-self why these blessings are temporary simple answer is that like a car will die one day. That money will find a place to be spent.  Your health will eventually decline. What we need to know is that the real blessings of the Lord are not material or physical. 

The real blessings of God are spiritual in nature, and these spiritual blessings will never be taken away from us but will open the gate of heaven.

we need to look our blessings in a different way not in regard to how they benefit us materially, but it should be spiritually. 

TOUGH TIMES

TB JOSHUA 2014 PRAYER

Is it easy to accept failure?

Jeremiah 8:4-5 - "The LORD said: People of Jerusalem, when you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back. So why do you refuse to come back to me? Why do you hold so tightly to your false gods?"

We as human no one is perfect, and almost everyone can outline at least a few failures. Proverbs 24:16. We are not perfect, even in our faith, and God wants us to understand and accept that. Proverbs 24:16 - "Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that's the end of them."

God knows helps us get back on our feet. Psalm 40:2-3 - "and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire.  You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the LORD God."

  

God knows we are creatures of habit. We tend to continue acting as we have acted in the past. 

Ephesians 4:22-24 shows that major changes must occur when we are converted to serve God. Changing our conduct becomes much easier when we are totally dedicated to God's service.

Philippians 4:13 - We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. This includes changing to please Him. If we trust our own strength, we will fail.

Psalm 37:5 - If you commit yourself to the Lord and trust Him, He will accomplish His will for you.

Acts 17:30; 11:23 Before one can change his conduct, he must change his mind. Proverbs 28:13 - Do not cover up your sin, deny it, excuse it, or blame someone else. Admit the error and be truly sorry.

we know that change is not easy but we can do it  "One step at a time." through God who is a source of all the changes; God provides tools of change to us but we are the one who should decide to use it or not. 

Therefore what choice will you make?

when I am unloved and unlovable?

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1). 

The Bible tells us that God knows our troubles and our happiness. He made each one of us special, and he wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. 

it is true that God's love is not based on performance. Christ loves you so much that while you were yet a sinner, He died for you and me. therefore God's love for you is unconditional and undeserved. He loves you in spite of your disobedience, your weakness, your sin and your selfishness. 

When we feel unacceptable:

• GOD will provide a way to abundant,and  eternal life.  

• GOD always loves those who are sinners. if the sinners are ready to repent their sins.

GOD IS LOVE