Scripture for LIfe - Ash Wednesday Devotional

Today's scripture verse is:

Joel 2:12-14

"Yet even now, says the Lord,
Return to me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God?"

We are at that time of the year when we are invited to test our inner freedom and to question the notion: I can take it, or leave it. Try that with pornography, alcohol, complaining, gossiping, anger, gambling. What habits make me hard to live with?

Lent is about regaining self-control, especially in those areas that damage others. We don't admire those whose appetites or habits lead them by the nose. A pure heart create for me, O God. Put a steadfast spirit within me.

For Points; Please post a comment that you've read this devotional.  Are you considering giving something up for Lent?  You don't have to say what it is, if it's personal to you, but we would be interested to know if you're working to grow closer to God during this season so that we may support each other. 

In Christ,

-Wes