We have come upon one of the great seasons of the Christian faith. The Lenten season is one that is celebrated by Christians around the world. It is a time where Christians choose to fast from certain things in order to focus their attention more on Christ and what He has done for us through the cross and the empty grave.
Different people choose different things from which to fast (give up or not partake in for a time). Some people choose certain types of food or drink… others may choose to lay down social media or TV…
Our family has chosen to partake in a “Daniel Fast” for the Lenten season. We are doing this to help our family not only grow closer to the Lord, but also to help clean up some of our eating habits.
Whatever one chooses to “give up” during Lent, I have learned from times before that just giving something up for a while doesn’t do what this season is intended to do. Lent is for us to purposefully draw closer to the Lord and refocus on what He has done and is doing in our lives. This is not done by just giving up something. We have to purposefully redirect that attention towards Christ.
While it is not necessary that a Christian partake in Lent, I would encourage any follower of Jesus to take part in this wonderful season.
He Reads Truth / She Reads Truth
These are some really good websites that come with Bible studies and devotionals to help followers of Jesus spend time in God’s Word. They have apps for your smartphones or tablets also. Some of the plans do cost (the Lent devotionals are $2.99 and well worth it), but they also have free studies.
YouVersion is an app for smartphones, tablets, and computers that allows you to access the Bible in just about any translation you could imagine. It also has many devotional plans (FREE) that help followers of Jesus in their time in the Word. They have a multitude of devotional studies for the Lenten season.
Whatever you do, my prayer for each of you is that you draw closer to Jesus and what He is wanting to do in your life this Lenten season.
Christy
March 1, 2017 1:10 pmObserving the Father’s appointed times (Leviticus 23 – Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, etc) has definitely been an eye opener for me! Preparing for the week of Unleavened Bread by cleaning the house and searching high and low for any trace of leaven is a humbling experience as I pray and ask the Father to reveal any overlooked sin in my heart. Great peace comes from keeping His appointed times, because I know that it pleases Him when we are obedient to His commandments.
Leviticus 23:1-4 (ISR)
And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these: ‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to יהוה in all your dwellings. These are the appointed times of יהוה, set-apart gatherings which you are to proclaim at their appointed times.”
While many Christians traditionally observe this time called Lent leading into Easter, is it really what we should be doing? Did Yeshua commend or condemn those who esteemed the “traditions of men” over the Word of the Father? (Mark 7) I had to ask myself that question when the Holy Spirit confronted me with some of things I used to participate in. It was very difficult and painful to think that some things I had once held so dear (Christmas, Easter, Sunday church) did not line up with Scripture! However, with His help I was finally able to die to self in those matters and begin a new journey of faith in searching His Word more diligently and walking out what He revealed.
I am in no way doing it perfectly, but I am striving for perfection as Paul exhorted: “Not that I have already received, or already been perfected, but I press on, to lay hold of that for which Messiah יהושע has also laid hold of me. Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this: forgetting what is behind and reaching out for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Elohim in Messiah יהושע.” (Philippians 3:12-13)
Blessings to you and your family!