SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH



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Lent
Wednesday, March 1 –Saturday, April 15, 2017

Lenten season is a solemn religious observance of many Christian denominations that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Sunday. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement, and self-denial.
Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, marking the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the tradition and events of the New Testament, beginning on Friday of Sorrows, further climaxing on Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, which ultimately culminates in the joyful celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near to God

Lent is traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days which, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus spent, before beginning his public ministry, fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan.

Explanation of the 40 Days

As we know, Lenten season is 40 days, and, yet, if we count the days from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday (inclusive), we come up with 46 days. So how do we explain the discrepancy?  Because there are six Sundays in Lent, we have to subtract them from the days of fasting. Forty-six minus six is 40. That is why Lent starts on Ash Wednesday—to allow a full 40 days of fasting before Easter Sunday.
So I should pig out on Sundays, Right?                                                                    
Not so fast!

Just because your Lenten sacrifice isn’t binding on Sundays doesn’t mean that you have to go out of your way on Sundays to indulge in whatever you gave up for Lent. But, in the same respect, you should not actively avoid it (assuming that it is something good that you’ve deprived yourself of rather than something that you shouldn’t do or consume anyway). To do so would be fasting, and that’s forbidden on Sundays, even during Lent.
During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near to God. Fast is a powerful spiritual experience that truly can bring amazing revelations, blessings, intimacy with the Lord and much more to those who engage in the fast. Prayers are answered. Lives are touched. Addictions are broken. Bodies are healed. Relationships are strengthened.

 

40 Days of Spiritual Self-Denial
Wednesday, March1, through Saturday, April 15 (Monday through Saturday)
 
Date                                  Detox                                 Scripture                                         Denial
March 1                              Harshness                          Romans 8:1                                      No sour food
March 2                              Double-mindedness         James 1:8                                          No half & half
March 3                              Anxiety                                Isaiah 41:10                                      No beef
March 4                              The past                             2 Corinthians 5:17                            No bitter food
March 6                             Anger                                   Proverbs 19:11                                 No red meat
March 7                              Cursing                               Ephesians 4:29                                 No nuts
March 8                              Fear                                    Proverbs 3:5–8                                  No chocolate
March 9                              Procrastination                 Proverbs 6:4                                      No pasta
March 10                            Negativity                           2 Corinthians 10:5                            No bitter food
March 11                           Jealousy                               James 3:14–16                                  No caffeine
March 13                           Strife                                    Proverbs 20:3                                   No added sugar
March 14                           Worry                                   Romans 8:28                                    No bread
March 15                           Doubt                                   Proverbs 3:5                                     No nuts
March 16                           Pride                                     Proverbs 16:18                                No sweets
March 17                           Anxiety                                 Isaiah 41:10                                      No beef
March 18                           Unforgiveness                     Luke 23:34                                        No pork
March 20                           Unhappiness                       Psalm 30:5                                        No grains              
March 21                           Rebellion                             1 Samuel 15:23                                 No butter
March 22                           Gossip                                  Proverbs 16:28                                 No spicy food
March 23                           Apathy                                  Proverbs 15:19                                No coffee
March 24                           Selfishness                           Luke 6:38                                          No potatoes
March 25                            Disinterest                          1 Thes. 5:6                                        No meat
March 27                            The past                             2 Corinthians 5:17                            No bitter food
March 28                            Anger                                  Ephesians 4:26                                 No spicy food
March 29                            Guilt                                    Psalm 32:5                                        No sweets
March 30                           Resentment                        Mark 11:25                                       No fried food
March 31                           Regret                                  Philippians 3:13                               No added sugar
April 1                                Bitterness                            Ephesians 4:31                                No chocolate
April 3                                Worry                                   Romans 8:28                                    No bread
April 4                                Doubt                                   Proverbs 3:5                                    No nuts
April 5                                Frustration                          Galatians 6:9                                    No dairy
April 6                                  Unforgiveness                   Luke 23:34                                       No pork
April 7                                  Laziness                             2 Thes. 3:10                                     No soda (pop)
April 8                                    Apathy                              Proverbs 15:19                               No coffee
April 10                                Selfishness                        Luke 6:38                                         No potatoes
April 11                                Disinterest                        1 Thes. 5:6                                        No meat
April 12                               Greed                                 Proverbs 15:27                                No salt
April 13                              Inaction                               James 1:22                                        No butter
April 14                              Unhappiness                      Psalm 30:5                                        No grains
April 15                              Negativity                           Hebrews 3:10                                   No eggs