What to give up for the Lent Season

burabud's picture
Submitted by burabud on Wed, 03/24/2010 - 9:24pm

WHAT TO GIVE UP FOR THE LENT

GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, “In everything give thanks.” Constructive criticism is OK, but “moaning, groaning, and complaining” are not Christian disciplines.

GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion.

GIVE UP looking at other people’s worst points. Instead concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It is a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first.

GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting. Why not check that sharp tongue at the door?

GIVE UP your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. “Love covers a multitude of sins.”

GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about: like tomorrow! Live today and let God’s grace be sufficient.

GIVE UP TV one evening a week! Instead, visit some lonely or sick person. There are those who are isolated by illness or age. Why isolate yourself in front of the “tube?” Give someone a precious gift: your time!

GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We are called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers.

GIVE UP judging by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give up yourself to God. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.

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By Rev. Craig Gates, Jackson, MS,
“WHAT TO GIVE UP FOR THE LENT”

thinking about lent...

Submitted by angelsgod on Sun, 03/28/2010 - 6:44pm.

This is the time to think solely of yourself as a sinner. We all are...As the Bible says, Everyone has sinned and fall short in God's glory. We all have weaknesses, faults, imperfections and that we all are but human. There is no one who can claim that he is clean, and never sinned at all. Only Jesus can.
This lent, the best and the greatest we can give to other people is FORGIVENESS. Forgive yourself of everything that you have done and erase the guilt in your heart. Confess it to God, and when you do, then be at peace with yourself. There is no greater joy than having to sleep with peace in your mind and heart.
Forgive others; those who have wronged you, with words, with actions, with malice, be it may be consciously or not. Forgive those who have hurt you, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Think of God who has forgiven your sins from the start when you know sin, until today. He has forgotten it, into the depths of His love, and nailed it to the cross and paid for it by Jesus blood. You have not even shed a single drop of blood to forgive that person.
When you forgive someone truthfully, you remove a burden in your heart. It becomes lighter and makes you feel happy not depressed. You can smile at that person without a pang of anger and regret, because when you give your hurt to God, it is not in your hands anymore.
So, why make your life so sad and angry, depressed and worried, most of all, start to simmer a hatred? Why not FORGIVE and enjoy God's grace? For as in the Lord's prayer, if you will not forgive, how will God forgive you too?
Lent is the time to reflect that we all have a debt to God. A debt we cannot repay even death cannot pay it all. Only by His grace, and to forgive each other, is a part of paying that debt.