wk 12 Lent:

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Hispanic church 2pm

All Church Night of Worship (Friday March 28 at 6p)

Lent

Lent: Prayer — Fasting — Giving

prayer, 

fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God) and

giving or charity.

Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness.

It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

There are a lot of “if’s” in that passage, But we know that He is God and He “will”

3 Prayer Quotes

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther

“God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions. You can bring everything to him in prayer.” – Rick Warren

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” – Oswald Chambers

Prayer in the Life of the Church​

Prayer is direct conversation and communion with God, whether vocal or silent, planned or spontaneous, individual or corporate.

WE MUST STAND BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

We must rough up our smooth knees, get down and pray, and not let people politely go to hell.

SO LET’S PRAY!!

Lent: Prayer — Fasting — Giving

Barna Group reported ten years ago...

The majority of adults (72%) are aware of the Christian tradition of giving something up for Lent.

Even among non-Christians, awareness of Lent is at about the same level (70%).

Yet in spite of this widespread awareness of the season, only 17% of all adults—roughly one-fifth of those who know about the season—have practiced Lenten fasting in the last three years. The same number (17%) plan to give something up for Lent again this year.

https://www.barna.com/research/celebrating-lent-2014/#.Ux4iG-ddXlo

The Bible mentions fasting throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-4).

Nehemiah fasted when he asked for God’s forgiveness and direction (Nehemiah 1:4).

Daniel, Ezra, Moses, the people of Israel, the early Church, and many more fasted (Daniel 9:3, Ezra 8:23, Exodus 24:38, Judges 20:26, Acts 13:2-3).

Fasting is NOT

Fasting is not something we do to make God love us more.

No action or attitude can change the depth of Jesus’s love for us, so we shouldn’t try to use spiritual disciplines to gain God’s approval. 

Fasting is abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God.

3 Reasons to Fast

1. To Connect with God

In the Bible, fasting is a way to grow a deeper connection with God. It’s a way we show our submission to Jesus and repent for things we’ve done (Joel 2:12-13).

Joel 2:12–13 NLT

12 That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

Fasting is almost always paired with praying.

Why? Because when we give something up for a set time, we can exchange the time spent preparing a meal and eating with time spent talking and listening to Jesus.

2. To Focus on God

Fasting is about remembering that God comes first in our lives.

It helps us practice saying “no” to our desires and saying “yes” to Jesus.

When we give something up for Lent, we are more focused on God than things that may distract us.

Rather than focusing on a craving for food, we should hunger and thirst for what's good and true (Matthew 5:6).

Matthew 5:6 NLT

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

3. To Depend on God

Fasting is an opportunity to place complete dependence on God.

We have the luxuries of running water, easy access to food, and so much more.

We can intentionally step away from something we regularly enjoy to remind ourselves that Jesus provides for all our needs.

God is a generous God, and fasting is one way to remember how good He is to us (Philippians 4:19).

Philippians 4:19 NLT

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Jesus gave Himself to save us from our sin. 

We can give up a luxury for a set time to remember God’s goodness to us.

As we near Easter, let’s remember to set our focus on Jesus and let go of everything that distracts us from Him.

Lent: Prayer — Fasting — Giving

Giving away from ourselves is sometimes called Almsgiving.

Almsgiving: "the act of donating money, food, or other items to people in need of them, especially as a spiritual practice." 

Almsgiving refers also to the act of giving food, or other forms of assistance to those in need, typically as a charitable or religious practice.

It is often associated with various religious traditions, especially Lent, Easter, and Christmas.

This giving is considered a virtuous act aimed at helping the less fortunate.

Almsgiving is seen as a way to express compassion, generosity, and a sense of social responsibility towards individuals or communities facing financial difficulties or hardship.

Jesus heavily emphasized acts of compassion, kindness, and generosity toward the less fortunate in his time on earth. In Matthew 25:40

Matthew 25:40 NLT

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Many of Jesus parables and teachings address issues related to providing direct assistance to those facing poverty, hunger, sickness, or other challenges.

Luke 12:33–34 NLT

33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:2–4 NLT

2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

4 Meanings of Almsgiving

tangible expression of love

care for one's neighbor

aiding the poor

It holds the principles of stewardship

a tangible expression of love and compassion towards others,

it embodies Christian belief to care for one's neighbor and demonstrating kindness to those facing challenges.

It’s a way to follow the example set by Jesus Christ, who emphasized the importance of aiding the poor and marginalized.

It holds the principles of stewardship, as it encourages believers to use their resources for the benefit of others and contribute to the community's well-being. 

Proverbs 19:17 NLT

17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!

Examples of Almsgiving

Almsgiving is not limited to grand gestures; even small acts of kindness done with a sincere and compassionate heart can be considered almsgiving in the eyes of God. Each of these examples reflects the spirit of selfless giving that aligns with Christ's teachings:

Financial Support

Food and Clothing Donations

Volunteering Time and Skills

Housing Support

Medical Assistance

Educational Support

Emotional and Spiritual Support

Acts of Kindness

Acts 20:35 NLT

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

What do we do?

Agape Pregnancy Center of Okmulgee, OK

Services Provided

Pregnancy Testing

Parenting Classes

Abstinence Education

Maternity Clothing / Supplies

Baby Clothing / Supplies

“Earn While You Learn” Program

Ultrasound Services / Referrals

Post-Abortion Services

STD Information / Services

Needs

Diapers

wipes

$$$

Cornerstone’s Response

BOX for you to contribute Almsgiving

Encourage Fasting

Pray beyond your normal routine

WHY?

Because you are an important aspect to Easter!

Share

Invite

Be the invitation in how your live your life

Random acts of Kindness go a long way

THE GRAVE IS EMPTY

SO LET’S LIVE LIKE THE GRAVE IS EMPTY!

GO!!