Lent...

I have been pondering the practice of "lent" that so many denominations
participate in.  I have searched the Scriptures over and nowhere do I find
that we should temporarily give up an item or a practice for a short period
of time. 
 I do find it to be  admirable, for it takes a great deal of self discipline to deny the self of worldly things, but why only 40 days? Why not give up those things permanently?

I know in the bible, the only things we are commanded to give up are the sinful
practices that keep us from heaven,  those actions that keep us from living Godly lives
 and having pure hearts/minds/bodies.
You know...like drunkenness. Murder. Fornication. Adultery. Idolatry. Homosexuality.
Lying. Stealing.  Coveting. Swindling.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
God doesn't want us to give up something for Him for a very short time. He wants us to give up
those behaviors PERMANENTLY.  He wants us to be holy, in ALL our conduct....ALL the time.
 (1 Peter 1: 15).   what good does it do us if we give up a thing that is bad for us, for only 40 days,
then go right back to it. Isnt that kind of like the dog going back to its vomit?  (Proverbs 26:11)
How much better it would be do give up those things permanently that are hindering our walk, our
faith, with God?
  Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men,  but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles – when we walked in licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4: 1-5)

Romans 13:12-13 says, "the night is far spent, the day is at hand, Therefore let us cast off the  works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."

So you see...what really counts isn't if we give up Coke, or pizza, or fish, or deprive ourselves of
something of that nature...but if we give up our SINFUL habits that are keeping us from heaven,
how much more impact that would have on our eternal destination?

"Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God ,that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."  (Hebrews 13:15)

My other observation of Lent...the bible commands us,  "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get."  (Matthew 6:16)  I have noticed that as "Lent" begins, those who are practicing it, have a dark smudge on their foreheads.  How obvious is that?  

"And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our  God." (I CORINTHIANS 6:11).
I hope all of you reading this will repent of those things that are hindering your walk with God, and desire to wash away all of your sins and get started living your life as a DAILY sacrifice....for our Lord DIED for you to have this opportunity for you to do just that!!! 
Come let us reason together!!   (Isaiah 1:18)
Lois