Jesus Is Greater Than the Ashes - Crosswalk the Devotional - March 2

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Why Jesus Came: He Is Greater Than the Ashes By Debbie McDaniel “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” [Isaiah 61:1-3]( Throughout the [Bible]( and ancient practices, ashes have often been the symbol of deep repentance and grief. As the days of Lent are acknowledged each year, we see all around us the visual reminders of ashes on foreheads, and are reminded of this one Truth, “…for dust you are and to dust you will return." [Genesis 3:19]( Not exactly a nice thought to get your day going. But the reality of it all sinks in deep. Because, as many of us know, life is not always “happy.” Sometimes, it’s difficult. We feel pain, loneliness, even deep grief and despair. You may understand if… - You’ve ever lost a loved one or had to say good-bye too soon, left to journey through dark days of grief, wondering if you’d ever be able to carry on without them at your side… - You’ve ever received a hard diagnosis, faced the fear of the unknown, and felt the effects of disease and pain… - You’ve ever set at the bedside of a dying friend, and held a hand that once was strong, whose life had been cut short from the ravages of cancer… - You’ve ever been to a funeral for a sweet baby, or a precious child, and watched endless tears flow from hurting souls of a Mama and Daddy…. - You’ve ever been deeply wounded, betrayed, abused, or mistreated… It’s true, life is not always easy. It deals harshly sometimes, it seems unfair, and we may wonder where God is, or why He didn’t stop that difficult event or illness from happening. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [10 Times Christians Actually Should Judge Others]( DiAne Gates Every believer is to judge him or herself according to the Word of God. But many of us don’t know enough of the Word to correctly judge ourselves much less anyone else. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [How to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham (7 Powerful Habits to Cultivate)]( iBelieve Contributors In [his recent tribute]( to the late Reverend Billy Graham, pastor and [Desiring God]( founder John Piper notes Graham’s incredible habit of Bible study (taken from John Pollock’s biography, Billy Graham): [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2020 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](