Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of 40 days of ‘ LENT ‘ season in the body of Christ. Lent is observed by millions of Christians across the world as a way of honoring the sacrifice Jesus made for us. It’s a time of reflection of our hearts condition, repentance and reunion in fellowship with God. It’s that time of the year where we set apart time for Jesus and contemplate what Jesus REALLY did for us. Lent starts today 14th Feb 2018 and ends Saturday 31st Mar 2018
The 40 days of lent takes us back to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. Matthew 4:1-2
Personally I have not observed Lent for 40 days in my Christian life. But this year I have resolved to ‘intentionally’ spend time with God and want to take this opportunity to reflect on my heart’s condition in my walk with God. I will share my devotions for Lent for the next 40 days and we can do this journey together.
Deciding on what to fast from during this period is up to the discretion of the individual. I believe what is more important that the fasting be accompanied by prayer and fellowship / quiet time with God . Also its worth noting that physical fasting should never harm your body as your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18, ESV)
WHERE IS YOUR STETHOSCOPE
Few months back I was preparing for a giving message for 2 services at my church. I was inquiring the Lord on the message. I was asking God ‘ I want to hear your heartbeat ‘
When I prayed , I saw this picture of me with a stethoscope. I was praying the same prayer ‘ Lord, let me hear your heartbeat ‘ But the steth was on my shoulders rather than my ears . I felt the Lord take the steth from my shoulders onto my ears so I can ACTUALLY hear the heartbeat. That moment I realised that though we all have the same passion and yearning to hear from God, we miss the heartbeat because so often our steth is not positioned well to hear JUST His heatbeat. So many distractions that screams for our attention most of the time disrupting and often stealing our time with God.
As we observe Day 1 of lent, I would like you to take some time alone with God and reflect on the THINGS that steal your time with God. Once you list them, choose one from that list to fast from and invest that time spent in quality time with God.
Set apart time for Him. If we yearn to listen to the heart beat of God and want to know what this Jesus is all about and how it makes sense in this practical life, we need to get our steth right to our ears so we can hear the heart beat of God. And that’s where all our BIGGER problems begin to decrease at the sight of the BIGGEST God we ever have
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Open our hears and minds this Lent season as we seek Your face and choose to know Your ways. Let us hear and grasp Your heartbeat to reflect Your love and life on this earth
In Jesus Name
Amen
Feel free to share your journey of lent with me on the comments below
Stay Blessed in Him
fromHisHearttoyours 