It's that time again...today is Wednesday, February 13th--Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday kicks off our 40-day Lenten observance. This year we are revisiting the importance of discerning the will of God through a contemplative prayer life. During these 40 days, join with us as we strive to become more faithful to the will of God instead of our wants of God. Remember that today, we stand together as a body of believers and abstain from meat. We also continue this practice every Friday throughout the Lenten season as a means of solidarity during this season. Now, for this week's devotion...
Scripture Focus: Matthew 12:46-50
Objective: To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I really in His family?
In today's society, we refer to a number of individuals as "sister" and "brother," and I do not mean in the church. Think about it...each of us can think of a minimum of 3 people who we refer to as our "sister" or our "brother," but they do not share our parents or even biological siblings for that matter. Why do we do this? I believe we begin to move past just being "friends" when our behaviors, character, and spiritual desires become truly in-sync. We still have our own lives and hold great value to our biological family members; however, we are acknowledging the blessing of God-born family (those individuals whom God sends our way for our lifetime).
In this same way, Jesus explains to us His understanding of family:
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
-Matthew 12:46-50
This first week of Lent, we must understand the importance of the will of God in our lives. If we do not believe that the will of God is more important than our wants of God then Jesus does not see us as a part of His family. Remember, Jesus says "...whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother". Our participation in the Lenten observance reminds us that we stand with Christ as His sister or His brother. In doing so, Christ urges us then to seek and to do the will of His Father.
THIS WEEK'S LENTEN CHALLENGE:
Start this Lenten Season off right! Remember, this is an opportunity to press reset within our spiritual lives and more importantly within our hearts. The Bible testifies that our mouth only speaks what is overflowing out of our heart. Therefore, when I pray/speak to God I am revealing my heart to Him. I challenge us to cleanse our heart this week. Start each day of this first week out asking God to "create in me a clean heart". The more we say it...the more we will actually desire it! As God gives us a clean heart, we will be more inclined to DO the will of God! It would be all in vain to pray for the will of God instead of our wants of God if we are not actually ready to DO THE WILL OF GOD! So, join with us this week as we ask for a clean heart to get Jesus' blood pumping through our veins and take our rightful place in the family.
PRAYER:
God as we start off this Lenten season together, we ask that You strengthen us for the journey. Please give us a mind to stay focused and faithful to our individual fasts while holding each other up corporately in our aspiration to desire the will of God instead of our wants of God. We believe that You will see us through this 40-day journey and allow us to be better prepared for what lies ahead. As we do so, please give us clean hearts that we may be worthy examples of your children. We thank You for the victory that is already ours and Your will which is truly the best for us! In Jesus' name we pray together, AMEN.
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