Is Your Focus for Lent
‘Give Up’ or ‘Give’
We are just about a week into the Lenten season. You will see many posts on social media detailing what people have decided to ‘give up’ for Lent. Discussions abound on the sacrifices being made. To deny oneself something that is a pleasure can surely be sacrificial. Forty days seems like such a long time to abstain. The ultimate sacrifice of course is the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for your salvation. When considered in this context there is no sacrifice greater. What we purpose to do during Lent takes on a whole different meaning in light of His sacrifice on the cross for each of us.
The Simple Art of Giving
This Lent rather than giving ‘up’ something consider simply giving. Give more time to the Lord through prayer, Scripture study, praise and thanksgiving. Give more compassion to those God has placed in your life. Give more of your time to help others. Give your all without distraction. Give more of your heart when interacting with people. Give all of your heart when deepening your relationship with the Lord.
It is always a heart issue. In this season of Lent, giving from your heart can have profound effects on all you encounter. Giving from your heart will definitely have a profound effect on you and your journey with Jesus. Just as the widow gave her all into the treasury so Lent is a season to put your all into the Kingdom treasury. The widow story involves money. Money is a thing of value. Time, attention, focus, compassion are also things of value. Consider what of value you will give into the treasury.
Let Lent Fashion a New Pattern for You
What you choose to give this season, if consistent, will become a pattern. A pattern of heartfelt benevolence and commitment will forever change your life. Pray about this and know you can surely put more than one thing on your ‘give’ list. ‘Give up’ what no longer serves your walk with Christ. ‘Give’ what will enrich and enhance your relationship with Him and with others. Ultimately, this will enrich your very heart. Give and it shall be given to you.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~Jesus, Matthew 6:21
“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Him and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” ~Jesus, Mark 12:41-44
“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”~Jesus, Luke 6:38
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. Pray for Christians who face violence and death for their faith. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. The lives lost in Benghazi, the continuing targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service, Operation Fast and Furious, the Department of Justice targeting journalists phone records, the National Security Agency overstepping its legal authority are hardly “phony scandals.” We continue to pray for truth to prevail in each of these situations. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones, for those relentlessly targeted and for all of us who are proud to call ourselves American.
May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk with the Lord, saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America. Fail not in this hour.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we thank You for Your faithfulness and Your Son, Jesus Christ. During this Lenten season draw us closer to You. Equip us to walk in Your ways. Transform our hearts to be more like You. Teach us to give out of our need rather than out of our comfort. Thank You for keeping Your hand on America. We humbly pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.