Sundays during Lent are never fast days because they represent the resurrection and therefore a day of feasting. Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross - A great collection of devotional readings by various theologians and Bible teachers (like Tim Keller & John Piper) intended to. In the wilderness, when Jesus was fasting, Satan came to tempt him saying, “command these stones to become loaves of bread” but Jesus responded quoting Deuteronomy 8, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 3:3-4) Jesus gave up temporary provision to show where true provision is found. Fasting has two interlocking components–the giving up of something lesser and the taking on of something greater. What’s up with fasting or “giving up” something for Lent?Ī key component of the preparation of Lent is fasting. This short piece contains a thought and Scripture for each day of Lent and is simple enough to walk through with young kids (with some adult help of course). We would recommend (for individuals and families) to acquire the 40-day devotional by Tim Keller (available at the Bookshelf). How can I lead myself (and my family) during Lent? We’ve chosen to observe this unique season because in correspondence to the many reasons listed above, we are always looking for ways to remind ourselves of the good news of Jesus and Lent is a journey that calls our heart to do just that. This practice was seen as a helpful expression of repentance to prepare a congregation for Easter Sunday and also a season of preparation for individuals for baptism. This was far before Roman Catholicism existed in the form we know it today. The early church practiced Lent from the third and fourth centuries. During this period the church community would join them. We see the beginnings of this practice formed in the later part of the first century as those who were to be baptized would enter a short season of instruction and fasting prior to baptism. ![]() Lent is first of all a uniquely Christian thing. The time of year when the days lengthen and new life ‘springs’ forth. If you would like to support the work of Gospel in Life, please consider making a gift.The word “Lent” is related to the word “lengthen”, which means “spring”. But I thank you for your wisdom and mercy in devising a plan that would allow the curse that was rightfully mine to fall upon your Son. But the worst of the curse would fall upon a different man many millennia later as Paul said in Galatians 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” Jesus would take upon himself a curse in order to redeem humanity’s status.ĭear Father, I know you cannot take lightly the sins that I commit because you are a God of holiness who loves justice and does not allow evil to go unpunished. Death entered the world with sin, and all manner of sorrow, suffering and despair. This text speaks to our desire to overlook our sins. In this chapter we see that sin has affected all of creation. The serpent, who was more crafty than any of the wild animals, is now humiliated, groveling on its belly, eating dust. Eve, who was created out of Adam, has now become dominated by him. Adam, who was created from the dust, is now destined to return back to it. It’s important to set aside regular times to pray. We suggest you start by carving out 15 minutes each morning and evening and consider increasing the time as you go. With the pronouncement of each curse and judgment, there is an undoing or reversal of God’s gracious creative works. Our habits shape us over time a daily habit of prayer and scripture can help us become more attentive to God and allow the truths of the gospel to more deeply change our lives. When we come to Genesis 3, we encounter a God who curses! He responds to Adam and Eve’s disobedience and the serpent’s treachery decisively. Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you Īnd you shall eat the plants of the field. In pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife ![]() I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing ![]() I will put enmity between you and the woman,Īnd between your offspring and her offspring
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