Wig’s Word of God Today 3-9-2011 Ash Wednesday
Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1
But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Matthew 6:3-4
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. Matthew 6: 17-18
Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 & Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Today, millions if not billions of people worldwide begin a 40 day period of fasting that represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert prior to His public ministry here on earth. The 40 days leads up to the Holy Week of Easter and the Passion, Crucifixion/Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time for reflection for all Christians worldwide to sacrifice a small yet important parts of our Christian life for the One and Only True Savior of all. As kids, many of us were taught to give up something for our love of Christ these next forty days, i.e. chocolate, meat on Fridays (a norm) and other things that as a kid we’d miss. But what are you sacrificing as an adult to give up for His Salvation these next 40 days or your life?
As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 6, do not “receive the Grace of God in vain,” rather gather your thoughts daily in a complete surrender to Christ Jesus and renew your faith constantly through prayer and fasting. Seek to share some of your blessings from God with those less fortunate than you and do this in secret for “Father who sees in secret will repay you” in secret. Join me every day as we seek to share His love with complete strangers guiding the Gospel to change lives and mend fences. Take time to sit with your family often these next forty days and pray with them by reading your Bible aloud gathering your family together to discuss what you can do as a family to provide for the poor or the homeless.
Stop just going to church on Sundays and visit the Altar often offering prayers of sacrifice and praise to accomplish His Will in your life. Give more and take less when offering Tithes. Remember, Tithes for our LORD are more than just giving money to your church on Sundays. It’s giving your time to children who need love and attention. It’s giving time to the elderly in a nursing home to console their lonely feelings. It’s seeking the poor, the hungry and the homeless to give more than just a few dollars. Find someone to bless in secret and offer them a chance to experience a grace of God by your love of loving Christ Jesus. Seek to give and expect nothing in return and your heart will glow with the pleasures of God’s love. Amen.
So we ask in prayer: My LORD and My God, we pray today for my friend’s daughter Jessica. We pray to have enough strength to give more to Your Son’s Gospel and less to our selfish needs. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.
God Bless,
Thomas Joe Cruz-Wiggins
Romans 8:28
“Spirit led God inspired Christ fed”
His Grace Given for Nothing is Hidden
Come back to His Love
Offer a fast for His proof
Seek not your own grace
Live the joy of Christ’s Truth
How merciful is He
Sharing Redemption eternally
His Son won so graciously
His death cured sin of humanity
Gather one and all to celebrate
Our God has need for our thanksgiving
Rising up above all forgiving
Sins of lust and selfish living
Jesus warned to give in secret
Prayer and fasting to seek completion
A surrender of the left for the right diversion
His grace given for nothing is hidden
© Thomas Joe Cruz-Wiggins March 8, 2011 @ 5:13 AM EST