New Book Release: Taking Back Lent
I am so excited to share my latest release and the second one in the “Taking Back” series. It is available for preorder (which means you can purchase it right now and it will be delivered to your Kindle automatically on January 31st). While Amazon doesn’t allow for paperback preorders, the paperback will be released and available for purchase on January 31st.
To celebrate its release and give you a little preview, here is Day Three from Taking Back Lent:
FRIDAY – DAY THREE
Hebrews 12:1-2 is a wonderful Scripture to guide us through the Lenten season:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Often, when people think about Lent, they mistake the solemnity of the season as a reason for sadness. Reflecting on our sin is not a joyful topic, after all. But a season of fasting, praying, and almsgiving should be a season of joy (one of the fruits of the Spirit) in that we are drawing closer to God through these penitential actions – allowing His grace to flow over us.
Giving up something for Lent is not a punishment for our sins, which would be very bad theology robbing us of the meaning of God’s incredible grace – the forgiveness we have through the atoning sacrifice of His Son. Lent is a season to experience God’s love for us in great measure while living in the hope of the Resurrection!
By participating in the Lenten practice of giving up something, we come to find we didn’t need it after all – that God is all we need. Lent is a wonderful time to grow spiritually stronger, and by releasing what we have been clinging to, we become truly free.
So let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and set our eyes on the One that provides everything we could ever need!
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TODAY’S ACTIVITY: Reflect on the things in your life that divert your attention away from God and His purposes. Be careful to distinguish between your God-given passions and the temptations of the world. You may be called to temporarily fast from what God has planted in your heart, and that is okay, but don’t mistake that for something you should give up permanently. Fast from those things that come from the world, for by doing so, you will find that God fills that void more than you can ever imagine.
My own personal example: I love horses and ride every chance I get. When I ride, it’s also a chance for me to connect with God on my horse – I often sing praise and worship songs and pray. But if I started riding without that spiritual component and rode to the point of neglecting others and my responsibilities, it would be wise for me to fast from riding so that I could regain a spiritual balance.
Since that is not the case, I would choose to fast from social media, as I find myself occasionally pulled in and wasting a lot of time on it that could be much better spent. I could commit to reading my Bible during the time I would normally connect on social media, or do something for someone – perhaps writing a card of encouragement to someone that God put on my heart.
We are each unique – spend some time thinking about what you feel called to do for Lent and commit to doing it. There are no right or wrong answers; just think about what would be pleasing to God in your own life.
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You can learn more about Taking Back Lent on my author page here: https://novelwrites.com/taking-back-lent-moving-with-repentance-and-reflection-to-the-resurrection/
And you can purchase Taking Back Lent here: Taking Back Lent
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,
Nancy Golden
