Digging Deeper~ Ash Wedmesday

Joel 2:1-2,12-17: a call to God's people to blow a trumpet and call for a fast upon the land as they come to God to confess their sins. 

Is. 58:1-12: God calls a fast to free the sins of man from him and to feed, clothe & help the poor.

Ps. 51:1-17: A prayer for forgiveness for sins.

2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10:Paul instructs the Christians of Corinth how to act. We need to live such a godly life that no one can use us as an excuse to not follow Jesus. No matter what happens to us. 

Mat. 6:1-6, 16-21: Jesus instructs his followers on how to act when they give to the poor, pray, and fast.

Ash Wednesday is the day we stop and look at how sinful we are. Then go to God asking Him to forgive us of all our sins. It is the day that many go on some type of fast until Easter Sunday. Some people fast a type of food like sweet foods, or unhealthy foods. Some ever will do a total fast. Other people will fast from things that bring them pleasure like TV, Internet, games, books...

The main idea is to take ourselves away from our normal life for 40 days and sit down with God and get our minds,hearts & souls right with God again. We

do this so that we will be able to live a more godly life. And in doing so, we  cleanse ourselves & make God proud of us.It is believed that you should pray during what would have been your meal time. 

The 2ed thing that we are to do during this time with God is to give to the poor. In this way, we free ourselves from our greediness & help lift them out of their need during this holy time. The people of old gave the food that they would have eaten if they had not been fasting. I believe that we can also give other things that we see that the poor needs like clothes and the likes. Doing this can help us let go of material things that can bind us to the love of things. 

Challenge of the day & lent season:

Sit down with God and ask him what you need to give up for the next 40 days, so that you can spend time more time with God. Ask God to forgive you for your love of whatever has come between you and HIM.Give away whatever God tells you to give & spend more time with God in prayer. 

Accomplishment of the day:

What have you and God decided that you should give up or do during this lent season? When the season is over come back and write what doing so accomplished in you spiritually.