For those Wishing to Participate in the Lent Season Lent in 2014 will start on Wednesday, the 5th of March and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 19th of April. In Western Christianity Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days of lent because each Sunday represents a mini-Easter, a celebration of Jesus victory over sin and death. While our church observes the Lent Season it is important to understand why we seek God’s answers to our questions concerning the following: Healing The second part of the verse of Isaiah 53:5 reads, “But He was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions (Breaking the law), he was bruised (crushed, punished) for our iniquities (sins); the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” This is in reference to our transgressions and sins being removed at the cross. The Bible states that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin, not healing for sickness. Forgiveness Matthew 6:14 – 15 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Jesus compares our sins to debts. We have violated our obligation of being obedient to God, and this exposes us to the penalty that results from that violation. To teach us the lesson of forgiveness, God bases how He forgives us by the forgiveness we extend to others! Those who come before Him unwilling to forgive others cannot expect God to show them the love and mercy they desire. God will not show them the mercy and love they will not extend to others! If we forgive others when they injure us, our Father will forgive us. Personal Finances Proverbs 22:7 simply states, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Those that have little will (poor) are in subjection (underneath) those that have much (rich), because they have dependence upon them. This does not mean that the poor are any less than the rich, but it does mean that the poor have to wait to receive their needs from the rich. The lesson to be learned from this scripture is to get out of debt – plain and simple. We can not be what God wants us to be when we are consumed with worrying about what man wants from us. Grief Proverbs 15:13 says, “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.” How can we get past heart break over the loss of someone or something? We must give the person or situation to the Lord and ask Him to remove the sorrow and grief from our hearts. We can keep the good memories of a lost loved one, but we must not allow the enemy to torment us with the grief of our loss. God will replace the emptiness we feel from the loss of a mate, a child, a friend, or a home, if we ask Him to do this. Jesus died on the cross, not only to give us eternal life, but He also died to take our grief and sorrows. Jesus Christ, on the cross bore all of our iniquities, pain, sickness and sorrow. Since He took them, we do not have to take these things, but rather receive our salvation, healing, deliverance and peace by faith. *If you are on medication or have chronic health problems; please consult your physician before beginning the fast. Remember, you do not have to fast on Sundays. Week One: March 5 – March 8 Abstain from Sweets (no candy, cookies, cakes, or anything with refined sugar) Spiritual Meditations: (Good Steward) Personal Finances Enlarge my territory Activities: Pray daily. Ask the Lord to lead you in your finances and allow yourself to become debt-free and teach me to be a consistent Tither. Week Two: March 10 – March 15 Abstain from Sweets and Fried Foods Spiritual Meditations: Being Active in a ministry Activities: Make a list of your talents and utilize them in the church. Week Three: March 17 – March 22 Abstain from Sweets, Fried Food, Pork Spiritual Meditations: Healing Power of the Lord Activities: Ask the Lord to put his loving hands all around you and heal your body. Week Four: March 24 – March 29 Fast from Sweets, Fried Foods, Pork, Beef Spiritual Meditations: Grief Activities: Pray and help someone who is going through bereavement. Let them know that you have been there and willing to be a shoulder to cry on. Week Five: March 31 – April 5 Fast from Sweets, Fried Foods, Pork, Beef, Bread Spiritual Meditations: Forgiveness Activities: Discover how you need to forgive and notify those you need to forgive. Most importantly Forgive yourself. Week Six: April 7 – April 12 Fast from Sweets, Fried Foods, Pork, Beef, Bread, and Drink Water As Your Only Beverage Spiritual Meditations: Focus on your call from God. Be active in ministries. Activities: Pray, Pray, Pray Week Seven: April 14 – April 19 Spiritual Meditations: Concentrate on being Righteous Activities: Pray/Wait on God Fast from Sweets, Fried Foods, Pork, Beef, Chicken, (Fish is o.k.), Bread, and Drink Water As Your Only Beverage Resurrection Sunday is April 20th – To HIM be the Glory!
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 11:25:16 +0000
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