Lent 2019

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday.

During this time Christians often sacrifice something in our lives and replace it with extra time in fellowship with God preparing ourselves to celebrate Easter.

Your fellow church members have written some devotionals for each day to help get your extra time with God started. The focus of this year’s Lent readings are the spiritual disciplines of giving, praying and fasting. Matthew 6:1-19 says when you give…..when you pray….when you fast……. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says; A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Giving, Praying and Fasting used together in the life of a Christian makes a strong powerful connection to God. Enjoy your extra time with God!

March 9th, 2019

Posted on Mar 9, 2019 in Lent 2019 |

FASTING

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1

There is more than one reason God called Jesus and his people to fast. An aspect that wasn’t known to the people of Jesus’ time was the effect it had on the brain. We are an incarnation people, meaning we know the state of our bodies can affect our spiritual state. Here are some of the ways fasting affects us in a positive way as we seek God’s will and favor:

It can reduce depression.

It can grow and repair brain cells.

It reduces the likelihood of stroke.

It reduces the stressors that are believed to bring about cognitive decline.

It reduces the risk of cancer.

Maybe most importantly, it can increase our clarity to understand more of what God is calling us to do and receive.

It may be the most underused and underrated discipline for experiencing more of God’s Grace.

Pastor Ian Butler