Home....................Devotions.................About Me................Salvation...............Contact Us ...........Sign Up for Alerts & Updates

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death;”
Philippians 3:10

I once heard this story. A daughter watched her mother bake a ham on special occasions for years as she grew up. In preparation her mother would cut off both ends of the ham and place it in the pan. So, quite naturally, when she became an adult she did the same thing. As she prepared to bake her ham her daughter asked, “Why do you cut off both ends of the ham? She said, “I don't know but this is what I've learned from my mother.” So she called her mother on the phone and asked, “Why do we cut both ends off the ham? Her mother said, “I don't know but let me call mom.” She called her mother and asked, “Mom, why do you cut both ends off the ham? “Her mother said, “I've always cut both ends off because the pan I used to bake hams was too small.” Wow! This was passed down to three generations and no one knew why and the reason had nothing to do with the recipe. Hmmm...

So then what is Lent?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In “The Christian Season of Lent” Mary Fairchild says, “Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday (called Clean Monday) and Ash Wednesday is not observed. The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So that is how Mary Fairchild explains the Lenten Season. But what is your explanation? 1 Peter 3:15 Most all Christians can answer the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” Some say, "Well we don't eat meat on Fridays during this season." Some say, "I'm going to give up sweets, bread, etc…" But when you ask the question why, many really don't know. I've heard, “Well, that's what we practice in our church. But why? “Well my mama has always done it. But why? Someone actually became angry with me and said, “There you go again always trying to make things so religious? Of course that was not true. I simply wanted him to know the Person and the reason for his personal time of sacrifice.

Lent to some is something passed down from generation to generation but some do not know why and their reasons have nothing to do with the purpose nor the Person.

So what is the purpose of Lent?

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of [Fasting], [Repentance], moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Given that definition, does it matter what religion you are if you believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? It's truly not about a religion; it is about a Person, our Lord and dear Savior, Jesus Christ and a relationship. Paul gave up all, Philippians 3:7-9. Why? “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10

What about you today? Is the Lenten Season simply a religious practice that you are obligated to do or is it observed out of a relationship with Him who suffered, bled and died for you! It does not matter what religion you are, it's simply setting some time to grow closer to our Lord and Savior and get to know Him better. John 15:15, Mark 8:34

God says, “____________, (insert your name) what will you give up these 40 days to draw nigh unto me that I may draw nigh unto you? There are many challenges you must face this year and the answers will be found always in My Son. So come; not out of a sense of obligation but out of a sincere love and desire to know My Son, for when you come to know Him you come to know Me. John 14:9

I know what! How about giving up some of those television shows that are feeding your flesh and silencing your spirit? Hmmm… Opps! There I go again, always trying to make things so religious. (Smile)

Today's Prayer

Share your thoughts

email: gardendevotion@gmail.com