When You Really Need To Feast For the Next Forty Days {Words of Life Wednesdays~A Link-up}

{Join us below for Words of Life Wednesdays with a link-up of your post.

We'd love to hear how God's Word has been nourishing you.}

"Now I would remind you, brothers [and sisters], of the gospel I preached to you, 

which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, 

if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain."

What if it's not fasting we need?

What if it really is feasting?

It's a minor thing, at first glance it is merely a vowel, but it could make all the difference.

Many are giving up something starting today. This day is recognized as the first day of Lent, which literally means 'forty'. So for the next forty days people will deny themselves of something. Things like chocolate, coffee, bread, meat. Some will get really creative and give up things other than food. My daughter thought it would be a good idea to give up snow this year. I told her she wouldn't be able to go skiing and she re-considered.

Honestly, I have to tell you, I've never practiced Lent. I've never been involved in a liturgical church and it was not part of my upbringing. I'm not here to tell you to participate in the observance or not. I don't know your heart in the matter.

I do know that I need to feast. Maybe, you do too?

What if for the next forty days instead of fasting from luxuries, we feasted on the grace of the life-giving Gospel?

It's not just stuff we need to give up for forty days, but our selves we need to give away everyday.

We are a people that crave acceptance, affirmation and purpose. We want to feel like we are doing something to improve ourselves. We think knowledge will fix all the problems. We desire to end poverty and at the same time live in absolute luxury. We work hard to pay for stuff forgetting it's the poor in spirit who is truly blessed and will receive the kingdom of heaven. Those who feast on the Gospel receive eternal glory.

But, we've made our own rules. We've made ourselves gods. With no need for God.

To admit that we cannot fix ourselves in completely humbling. And that's the tipping point.

The call on the Christian is complete surrender. Not just giving up parts of your life. But, your whole life. To see that you are a sinner and there is nothing you can do to overcome that sin on your own, in your own power or by your own will.

Nothing.  Not today, not for the next forty days, not ever.

It's all grace. We're talking about the Good News. It is truly amazing.

"Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures . . . he was buried . . . 

he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures"

Christ already paid the penalty for sin. By faith, and faith alone, we receive new life.

So for the next forty days, why don't we gather around and feast of the glorious grace of the Gospel?

Get down on our knees, dig deeper into His Word, and grow in His love.

We will sit at His feet, abide in Him, and rest in His embrace.

We don't just have to give up something, but we give Him everything.

Let's feast on His grace, hold fast to the Gospel, turn from our own ways and give of our selves.

At the Last Supper, Jesus took the break, gave thanks, and gave it away. His body was given for us. His blood was poured out for us. When we've feasted, we are filled to pour forth and share the glorious Good News of the body broken and the blood spilt and we spend our lives giving away our selves. All to the praise of His glory.

Let's see how that prepares us for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday and every day of our lives for all of eternity.

"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

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Would you join us in the comments if your heart's desire is to feast on the Gospel for the next forty days. Let's hold fast to and remind ourselves of the Gospel that we have heard and believed.

also linking with (Coffee For Your Heart)