Lent 2014: Ash Wednesday

It's that time again...today is Wednesday, March 5th:  Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday kicks off our 40-day Lenten observance.  This year we are revisiting the importance of having a contemplative prayer life and putting that prayer life into action.  During these 40 days, join with us as we strive to become more faithful in what we do for God instead of what say about 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...

Week One: Where is MY flavor?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 5:13

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I salty enough?

In today's society, "salty" has so many meanings.  When dining, we don't want our food to be "too salty"...OR when dealing with disappointing friends, we may call them "salty".  BUT I believe Christ gives us a new revelation on the term "salty" that we should all strive to attain.

Jesus explains to us His understanding of "saltiness":

You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.    

-Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

This first week of Lent, we must understand the importance of our flavor.  If we are not willing to be "salty" for Christ, then it is impossible for us to shift our walks from "saying" to "doing".  There are enough Christians "talking the talk," and I believe God is looking for more of us to "walk the walk".  This is how we make sure that our "flavor" is present in this world.  Jesus explains that we are the "salt of the earth" and we are not good for anything "except to be thrown out and trampled" on when we lose our "saltiness".  Remember, salt was used as a preserving agent well before the time of refrigeration.  As long as the meat had enough salt, it would remain good for digestion.  It is our time to sprinkle our walks in our homes, neighborhoods, city, and state to ensure that the generations behind us have something to digest.  If not, we will continue to be "trampled".  If you are looking for your victory over personal and corporate circumstances, check your flavor.

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 "salty"!  When we decide that we will be more "salty," our relationship will move beyond simple "lip service" to ACTION!  It's time for us to put some work with our faith.  So, join with us this week as we ask for a clean heart to get Jesus' blood pumping through our veins and take on our responsibility to give this world some flavor.

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 move from saying to doing.  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.