Today I’m a little dumbfounded, to say the least.  I feel almost pressured like I did four years ago when it came to voting and even though it’s not even time yet; I feel overwhelm. 

Four years ago, before the 2008 presidential election, I had no idea who was running against one another.  I heard that Hilary Clinton was in the primaries against a man name Barack Obama.  I didn’t vote in the primaries because I didn’t know what that was.  I’m not into politics.  It bores me and it’s not something I want to discuss at any level unless I want answers.  So, throughout all of 2008, I finally learned along with the rest of America and probably the world that it was Obama vs. John McCain.  Problem was, I didn’t know a thing about McCain either, except he was a republican. 

So in my office, there were debates among many about who to vote for.  The majority was for Obama.  So, I was more of a listener at that time, then the outspoken debater.  The debates came on TV before the election and I had the opportunity to finally sit down and listen to both Obama and McCain debate out the issues and what they wanted to do as our next President.  I knew that something was off about both men.  I can’t explain it, other than, my gut feeling kicked into overdrive, especially about Obama. 

So, as a Christian, as most Christians know that the end times are coming.  Lord knows I am looking forward to him coming to get us.  So, despite any reservations I had about Obama, I felt pressure into voting for him.  Did I make the right choice? Always ranged in my mind.  Whatever happens, happens right?

This time around, I have no idea who to vote for but some people actually question my salvation because I may vote for Obama again.  I will never question another person’s salvation based on who they have voted for.  That doesn’t make any sense to me.  Christians are Christians because they have believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ (his death, burial, resurrection) and asked Jesus to be the Lord of their lives.  At least that’s always what I thought it was to be a Christian.  To be in Christ.  To be a new creature.  To have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon the confession of our faith in Christ.  So, why get attacked, criticized, or bully into voting against Obama or anyone because the norm of the group sees don’t agree with him?  I seriously have a problem with that.  I’m sure if we were back in the time where Christ was here on earth, he will politely put those people in their place quickly for thinking against their bro/sister in Christ like that.  There is one thing to have a legitimate reason as to why you believe or think someone is not a Christian (their fruits, non-confession, their walk doesn’t match, they are against the bible, etc) but to say or think that one is not a true Christian because they have chosen to vote against someone they feel or they view is not an appropriate candidate is just not cool. 

I always said, there is a difference between God’s opinion and Man’s opinion.  God’s opinion is actually written in a book called the bible, which is infallible, it’s forever, it’s true, it’s his word.  Man’s opinion is just a thought sometimes written down on paper that may or may not be relevant.  Choose wisely on who you based your faith and trust upon when it comes to day to day activities, especially when it affects your life and your mindset. 

The Revelation Song song by Kari Jobe

Have you ever wondered that to yourself?  Why do I have to give up my chocolate collection from Ash Wednesday until Easter?  Well, truth is, we don’t.  There is nothing scriptural that supports Lent or it’s observance of it.  It’s a practice that the Catholic religion has made up throughout the years as another way to reach God by their own efforts.  However, not only is this practiced by Catholics; Protestants, Baptist, and other “man-made Christianity” is now adamant about giving something up during the lent season. You have to wonder what one hopes to gain from God by this sacrifice. 

Lets look at what is giving up.  Food, smoking, ice cream, candy, sweets of all kinds, sodas, internet, games, tv, etc.  All types of things are giving up by those that practice Lent as a way of “fasting”.  Even I was ignorant in my way of thinking when it came to lent.  I gave up facebook one year, sodas another year, chips another, etc.  However, once Easter came, I didn’t get anything out of it, accept that I learned to curb my love for sweets and for facebook. I learned that maybe it wasn’t done with the right intent and maybe this wasn’t fasting, but I was hoping to receive something in return.  Selfish, right? The thing of it is, Fasting is scriptural and it’s done with prayer.  It’s not just giving up meat or juice or even tv and internet with the intent of a blessing as a replacement.  No.  That’s not how it works.  When we fast, we pray, we praise God, we worship.   Example, during the time where you may be watching tv for your personal enjoyment, you instead replace that will praying and praising God.  Maybe you take that time to go before his throne and talk to him, or singing/listening to hymns and music, have a private bible study.  These are examples of what can be done during the time of fasting. 

Fasting shouldn’t be done as a badge of honor; meaning it shouldn’t be done with the intent of bragging or for acknowledgment; in other words, doing it to gain attention towards yourself.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”  When we as humans, partake in something like lent, are we doing it for ourselves for selfish gain or are we honoring Christ?  We honor Christ by obeying his word. If the observance or the practice of lent is not in the bible, it aint of God.

I must confess, this year was truly my first time learning what Lent really was all about and something in my spirit always warned me about this but this was one of the times I would follow the leader.  Now that the Holy Spirit led me to what he’s been trying to tell me about this, I will no longer follow blindly or willing.  Point blank, lent isn’t scriptural and it’s not going to glorify God, so why do it?  What is it that we hope to gain?  Are we expecting some type of gold metal?  Think about what religion is.  Religion is defined as man’s attempt to reach God.  Mankind feel that we have to continuously work for our salvation and that’s where the man-made doctrines come into play, especially when one verse is twisted and manipulated to conform into man’s way of thinking.  All to impress God for what they feel is right, instead of what God has ask them to do.  

The only thing that God has ever asked us to do is believe in his son.  Believe that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the whole world.  Believe that Jesus was buried and rose again on the third day, just as he said he will.  Believe that Jesus came in the flesh to pay the ransom for us that we could not afford to pay.  He also ask that we go forth teaching all nations the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The bible speaks for itself because the very words in this great book, God spoke into existence.  It’s our floorplan or our employee handbook so to speak. 

So ask yourself today, since today is Ash Wednesday and “supposedly” the first day of lent, are you doing it because the word of God says so?  Or Are you doing it because of your own reasons and what you can give God?  Or are you doing it because everyone else and their dog named puff is doing it?  Just be honest with yourself and pray if this is something that is in obedience to our Lord and Savior.  Are you afraid that he’s going to say no?  Well, whenever he says no, there is a reason.  Don’t question it, just do what he says. 

So to answer the titled question, no Lent is not biblical. There is not one scripture to support this event and no Matthew 4:1-11 is not the reason. That was done to test Christ when he was in the wilderness, in which Satan tempts him, in which Jesus passed the test with flying colors. A sacrifice was already made over 2000 years ago on the cross, when Jesus’ blood was shed for the remission of sins.  In fact, his death, burial, and resurrection conquered death, hell, sin, and the grave.  We don’t have to do anything except receive his free gift of salvation, by confessing you are a sinner today and believe in the death, burial, resurrection of Christ and receive Christ today as your Lord and Savior.  In that moment when you do that, you will receive the comforter; the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that will lead and guide you into all truths, including what we should do for Christ.  And let me tell you, any sacrifice on our part is going to be led by the Holy Spirit for your good and the glorification of God and it’s permanent.

That’s awesome that you don’t use profanity & it doesn’t mean you’re sinning if a curse word someone said keeps echoing inside your head. 

But what you can do is ask God for help you get that word out of your mind. The bible tells us that the words that come out of a persons mouth reveal what’s going on inside their hearts. 

“Good people bring good things out of the good stored up in their heart, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” - Luke 6:45

So I’m also going to encourage you to pray for the people inside your classroom.

God bless <3

-aramis

Thank you Andrew. It’s good to meet another bro in Christ. Thanks for the follow. :)

I have a confession to make.  I love reality shows like Real Housewives, America’s Next Top Model, Wicked Fit, Millionaire Matchmaker, etc.  Lately, however, I’ve been having a problem with one in particular: Real Housewives of Atlanta. 

Maybe it has to do with the fact that what goes down on that show with the cattiness, gossip, back-stabing, etc.  I dealt with that in high school and guess what, also at work still currently dealing. It’s frustrating and even I can get caught up in it. 

One day (I can’t remember what I was doing) but the Lord laid it on my heart to stop watching RHOATL.  I didn’t listen and currently have been blogging about it on my other blog Stiletto Life under guilty pleasure tab.  Lately, the Lord has been dealing with me while out of my unexpected vacation from work (I had emergency gallbladder surgery Nov 30) and I knew that besides having an infected/inflamed gallbladder and knowing it would be a recovery period from work, it was a reason I was to sit out from work, not being able to drive, not being able to take a bath or shower (my wounds can’t get wet), and pretty much give up any form of control. 

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, even before I gave my life to Christ.  What’s my point?  you’re probably asking right now.  I don’t have one, I just like to ramble. (lol)  No, seriously, my point is that God is always in control and he always see and know what’s going on, even when we don’t tell him.  He has a way for letting you know he’s God at the time that he sees when you’re taking him for granted or if you’re relying too much on the world. 

Now, when I kept on watching RHOATL, I noticed that I kept getting hot and my blood pressure began to rise and I started thinking thoughts that only Satan would be so proud of me for having.  I knew that I needed to listen to the Father and stop watching this show.  The Lord has a way of reminding you and also testing you because he know you can handle what he knows you can handle if we would just trust in him in all areas of our lives, including what we listen to, watch, and read.  I’m so affected by what goes on in my office with the office politics, probably because I started watching this show (not blaming it entirely on the show) but I have to admit, I didn’t care or noticed the stuff that goes down until watching this show for a while and then matched the behavior. 

I believe that God is trying to get me to see that if I can stop watching and turn away from the cattiness and gossip nature of this show, then I may be able to do the same at my office by ignoring and concentrating on the things of God instead. Lets remember that Satan doesn’t have any control over the children of God but he can entice and appeal to us via the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life and when we appeal to those danger zones, things hit the fan like no other. 

I may actually give up Real Housewives altogether, because it’s just not that interesting to me.  I do know that after Beverly Hills is done (soon I hope, usually in January) then I’m done for good.  I also examine any other of the reality shows to see how it fits in my relationship with God.  It’s not fair to him whenever I decide to look at something that may hinder my spiritual growth. 

I encourage that we all will talk to the Lord about whether or not, what we watch, read, listen to is benefiting our growth in him. Lets be proactive in letting him know that we love him so much that we’re able to as his children to give up something that we may personally enjoy but that is hindering our walk with him. He knows what we don’t know so lets chat with the Father and examine our entertainment options.