Free & Fit - Ash Wednesday Reflection by Tim Cheux

Ash Wednesday

Today is Shrove Tuesday and traditionally when we would pour away all our fat and have pancakes! Also, more famously known as Fat Tuesdays!

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and I wanted to share a short reflection with you.

Opening Sentence

Examine me O God and know my heart, test me and discover my thoughts, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23,24

Collects

Jesus, holy and strong,

by your fasting and temptation teach us self-denial;

control and discipline us,

that we may learn to obey.

Almighty and merciful God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;

create in us new and contrite hearts,

so that when we turn to you and confess our sins

we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

God of the desert, as we follow Jesus into the unknown,

may we recognise the tempter when he comes;

let it be your bread we eat,

your world we serve and you alone we worship.

Scripture Psalm 27

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:1-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.27.1-14.NIV

Reflection

From whom shall I fear? From whom shall I be afraid? The depths of our longing for Peace can often deter us from responding to the immediacy of a circumstance right now. We live in an age of instant communication and technology so the energy of fear and being afraid can soon escalate.

Everything through Prayer and Petition reminds us to also rejoice always, even in famine and war, and to seek to be with the Lord in all we do. Yet, the need for our humanity, our role or our responsibility in responding to any obstable or challenge is reliant upon our own ability to turn back to God.

This is only possible through a deep relationship with prayer, deeper Bible reading daily and creating space for worshipping the Lord. These spiritual practices lead to a fruitful relationship with God, a convicted believer and an even more challenging Christian morale boosting Christian ethos.

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Through deeper development of Bible study, Prayer and Worship I can see fullness of health and specifically spiritual health improving when we focus on these three greater areas of our Spiritual Inventory.

Let us Pray…

Lord and Heavenly Father be with us throughout the upcoming forty days. Help us to be your eyes and ears where we are and to accept, welcome and help others join into our community in Jesus name. Amen

Prayers & Blessings as we pursue Jesus this Lent as one!

“So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

#psalms #planks #prayers

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