Ash Wednesday - A Gift for Me?

Beginning of Lent
[A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.] Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me--now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:1-17

Lent is a time of reflection--a time to recall what Jesus has done or each of us. We are sinful people...since the time of Adam and Eve. The sacrifice of blood is the only way to find forgiveness...and justification from our sins. Jesus was that ultimate sacrifice--a sinless man--the Son of God--who died on a cross that we might be forgiven and ultimately have eternal life. Sounds simple. It is. Simple, yet complicated. This sacrifice of Jesus life for our sins is a gift. We must admit our sins and confess them to God to receive that "gift" of eternal life. It is a humbling action on our part--but so much easier than what Jesus went through hanging on a cross for us. We don't deserve His mercy--but He freely gives it to us. We can not perform any task...or do anything to earn eternal life. Just acknowledge and receive The Gift. Do you accept it? Can you acknowledge Him as your Savior?

Jesus on the Cross at the Holy Family Shrine - near Gretna, Nebraska

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day that typically marking the beginning of Lent for forty days before Ressurection Sunday--Easter. Some churches solemnly have a service in which ashes are placed on people's foreheads to remind us...By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return. Genesis 3:19
God desires a humble and broken spirit from us. Are you willing to put God first in your life? I am.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus...Have mercy on me, Lord, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion--it is sometimes overwhelming. (Psalm 51). I humbly come before You--confessing that I am a sinner--You are my Lord and Savior. Thank You for sacrificing Your life for mine. 

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 5-7
Begin Lent - Reflect on what Jesus has done for you. Prepare your hearts for His return.

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© 2018 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

GqqqAll scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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