Season of Lent

 
I woke up this morning so excited that Lent Season starts today!  Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose of Lent is to set aside time for reflection on JESUS-his suffering, his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Lent is observed for 40 days and will end this year on 7 April. Sundays are not counted in the 40 days because it commemorates the Resurrection. 40 days represent the time Jesus fasted and prayed while in the wilderness as he was preparing for his public ministry. 40 days is used several other times throughout the bible to show purification and preparation. For example Moses went to the mountain of the Lord in the Sinai wilderness and stayed there for 40 days and nights in prayer and fasting (Exodus 24:18). Elijah, after he was fed with bread from heaven, journeyed through the wilderness without any food for 40 days to the mountain of God (1 King 19:8).

As you are deciding what you are going to  fast from for the next 40 days remember that you are offering up a gift of sacrifice unto GOD. Ask yourself  if the gift that you offering to GOD is going to be pleasing to HIM. GOD is looking for a spiritual sacrifice during this time and on 7 April HE wants you to be spiritually stronger than you were today when you started Lent Season.

When I think about all that GOD has sacrificed for me I am excited about this season of fasting and prayer as it leads up to Resurrection Sunday.

Scriptures to meditate on:

 

Matthew 6: 16-18

Matthew 4:2

Isaiah 58:3-4

Romans 12:1

Fully Committed

    

I went to a small Presbyterian Church in my hometown and the ladies on the choir could saaaaang! One song they would sing is "Fully Committed" and when the music dropped and they would sing the song A Capella it sound so beautiful.  Of course as a teenager I loved to hear them sing the song  but I was not yet saved and I didn’t understand the full meaning.

Last week GOD dropped the song in my spirit and it was as if I was hearing the song for the first time. I was immediately convicted! I love GOD and I live my life for HIM every day but there are some parts of my life that I have not completely turned over to HIM. It is like I am scarred to give up all of my control and fully commit.

I went into prayer and GOD said "I want your whole heart. I want you to trust ME with everything that is in you. I want you to fully give your life to ME."  

I cried out to GOD for forgiveness because I do want HIM to have my whole heart. I want to be obedient to HIS word and HIS will. GOD has been so faithful to me and continues to show HIS love for me over and over again.

I decided to post this because I don't want to be a false witness I want people to know that being saved is not easy but it SO worth it! There are areas in my walk that I can improve on. Can I do better sharing HIS word? Yes! Can I spend more time in HIS word? Yes!  I want to be pleasing to GOD...let me say that again.... I WANT TO BE PLEASING TO GOD. I want to do the right thing. Now that GOD has opened my eyes to the areas that I need to improve on I will be obedient and seek HIS guidance.   I WILL FULLY COMMIT TO HIM!

2 Chronicles 16:9 The Lord’s eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Blessings
A'Keta Julinate'

GOD's Perfect Will

The more I grow in Christ the more I want to be in GOD's perfect will. I love knowing that the way I am living my life is pleasing to HIM!  Romans 12:2 says Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD’s will is—HIS good, pleasing and perfect will.

A few years back GOD allowed me to walk in his "permissive will".  This is the time in my life where I made a big decision that was not in GOD's "perfect will". I knew in my spirit that I was making a mistake but my flesh said otherwise. I paid dearly for that and even though GOD kept me during that time (singing it was HIS GRACE and MERCY that kept me) HE still allowed me to go through.

The best part of walking in GOD's "permissive will" is recognizing that you are not aligned with GOD and repenting (hallelujah)! I am so glad that we serve a forgiving GOD! I am glad that HE heard my cries. I am glad that even though I was disobedient to HIS will that HE still blessed my mess.

Today as I live my life I go to GOD about EVERYTHING!  I seek HIS guidance in every area of my life. GOD has a purpose and plan for my life for HIS good and glory. Isaiah 48:17 says his is what the LORD says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your GOD, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Today ask yourself if you are living a life that is pleasing to GOD? 

Do you ask HIM what HIS will for your life is?

If not I challenge you to read the following scriptures:

Psalms 37:4-7

Romans 8:27-31

Proverbs 16:9

Proverbs 1:33

Isaiah 48:17

Psalms 48:14

Psalms 32:8

Psalms 37:4-7