Today is the beginning of Lent. It is called Ash Wednesday. It marks the start of the holy season of Lent, a time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter. If you see anyone with a symbol of the cross on their forehead, it symbolizes both death and repentance. During this period, people are reminded of their mortality and show repentance and mourning for their sins. The minister will recite Genesis 3:19 while applying the ashes on their forehead. It simply says, “For dust you are and to dust you shall return.”
It is also a time of fasting and observance throughout the whole Lenten season leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Catholics, Lutherans, and Presbyterians are the ones who traditionally observe this. That is not to say that other denominations or Christians don’t observe this. I was driving to church the other day and I saw a sign that said, “Ashes to go.” This is where you can drive up and get a minister to put the ashes on your forehead and receive a blessing. Our church does not recognize or participate in the Ash Wednesday observance. We are not saying that is bad nor are the people who practice Ash Wednesday are wrong. The way I personally look at it is that we ought to always be aware and practicing those principles every day. It would be like showing and expressing love to our loved ones on Valentine’s Day only. The rest of the year they are fortunate to hear the word “love” make its way up to our lips. We are currently fasting in February for spiritual breakthrough. Those who are not currently doing that with us are not missing the mark so to speak. It is just a way we have decided to prepare and intentionally pray together for revival in our families and community. We ought to be about resting in the shadow of the cross daily. You can’t grow closer to the Almighty if you are not resting in the shadow of the cross and resurrection. Psalm 91:1-6 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. Where have you dwelt today? Your answer will tell you your potential outcome. You abide where you dwell. If you want to make God your refuge and fortress in whom you trust, dwell with Him. Blow the dust off your Bible, head back to the quiet place you once visited, and build your trust in something worth trusting – God Almighty. By taking up your cross daily and dying to everything Satan might use to distract you, will set you up to experience the power of the Holy Spirit alive in your daily life. Unfortunately, left up to our own devices and worldly resources, self has an uncanny way of crawling off the cross and asserting itself. It is a good reminder of a simple truth that may be more difficult at times. God loves you so much, the enemy of our soul knows that and will do all he can to keep you from saturating in that love. Don’t fall for that today. I am looking forward to being with you all on Sunday as we finish up Revelation 19. God is on the move and our church is right in the middle of it. Have a blessed day! Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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