Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this terrific Tuesday. Today is also known as Fat Tuesday, which falls the day before the beginning of the Lenten season, and Ash Wednesday. It’s said that today we're permitted to overindulge in the things we're committing to give up through our fasting period. My friend sent this to me earlier today, and I wanted to share it with you: Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. Are you ready to start your fasting process tomorrow? Fasting doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up food, but something that's near and dear to you, that will require sacrifice on your part. Last year I did pretty well with my menial sacrifice, but it kept me in constant contact with Jesus. This year I pledge to do something more meaningful, and put more time into my bible studies. I urge you to pray on this tonight, do your "soul searching", and remember that this is a serious vow you're making for Christ. Today's Black History month quote is: "God gives nothing to those who keep their arms crossed." (-African Proverb) Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about the precious Jesus Christ. Jesus is often referred to as sweet smelling ointment. The word ointment is mentioned in at least twenty-nine different verses in the King James version of the bible, and in majority of those verses it was used to anoint someone special, or given as a special gift. In modern times we use ointments to help heal deep wounds, as well us help us look and feel better. Would you use those definitions to describe Jesus? Jesus is in fact precious in all senses of the word, and the gift of His presence in our life enhances the way that we're perceived to the world. Through the Lenten Season, during your times of prayer and meditation, you should read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and as a friend put it earlier, "See yourself walking with Jesus through these books". They will help you get to know Him on a personal level, and allow you to see how wonderful and precious He really is. I've read the book of Matthew twice, and the rest of the books once. The knowledge I gained from them allowed me to not only learn the character of Jesus Christ, but the ways of Gods, through parables, Jesus’ own life experiences, and through the life of those around Him. As we read, we’ll virtually experience His hardships, joys, pains, and most importantly we get to know both His human and Spiritual sides. Jesus is indeed meek in Spirit, loving, forgiving, caring, but straight to the point, and passionate about the Word of our Father in Heaven. He was always slow to anger and quick to forgive, and He kept God first in everything He did. We're to use His life as a blueprint of how to live pleasing to God, because that's the only thing that matters. As Christians, it's constantly drilled in our heads that we should strive to be like Christ, but I don't think most of us get it. All we have to do is look around, and we'll see a big difference in our way of life. The only reason this world is the way it is today is because we have lost sight of what's most important. Most Nations were built on Christian beliefs, and the law of God was included in every decision our ancestors made. In the United States, “In God we trust” is printed on the currency, and our Pledge of Allegiance says, "One Nation, under God", so our foundation was built on the blood of Jesus. When we lose sight of Him, we lose our way, and we can see that all around us. Things must change for the better, or times will get worst. We must first change within ourselves before we could change anyone else. Jesus said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30) These verses remind us of how sweet Jesus really is, and He's open to anyone who comes to Him. He's the sweet smelling ointment designed to heal our deep wounds, give us beauty for ashes, cleanse us from the inside out, and renew our souls. When we're anointed with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and we take His yoke upon us everyday, there will be no mistake as to whom we are, because we'll shine brighter than everyone around us. Remember the old saying, "it's not what you do, but how you do it"? Make a commitment to live life for God, watch Him work in your life, and then touch the lives of the people around you. The key to real success is to revolve your life around Him. Only then will you be showered with peace, joy, happiness, continent, and everything you touch will be multiplied, revived, and renewed, by the Spirit that lives inside of you, for all eternity. I can only tell you about the life of Jesus Christ from my personal experiences, so it’s up to you to seek Him for yourself. When you do that, your Spirit will reveal exactly what you need to know, at this time in your life. I am here only to point you in the right direction. The precious Lamb of God loves you, and is waiting on you to answer His call. The first step is to invite Him as your Lord and Savior, and then you must initiate and maintain a relationship with Him. Believe me, He's seen and heard it all before, and yes He can and will heal you too. My favorite verse today is: Christ ... hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455244&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!