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"How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; And those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
~ Psalm 13:1-6
In this lament psalm by David that maps a journey from deep despair to praise
Illustrating how to process pain through honest prayer
It is structured into three parts:
Desperate questioning
("How long")
Earnest prayer for illumination
And a final
Trusting commitment
To rejoice in God's salvation
Despite ongoing & unresolved circumstances
David asks "How long" four times
A feeling of prolonged, forgotten suffering
And abandonment by God
He expresses sorrow in his heart
And the fear that his enemy will triumph over him
Showing his internal, emotional struggle
David asks God to "consider" and "hear" him
He prays...
"Lighten mine eyes"
Which is a request for God to renew his perspective, strength, and hope
So he does not fall into death or despair
Despite no immediate change in his situation...
David declares his trust in God's
"mercy" (unfailing love)
He moves from sorrow to rejoicing in God's salvation
He concludes with a vow to sing to the Lord
Recognizing that God has dealt bountifully with him
Transforming his fear into a song of victory
Sometimes we like David
Find ourselves living in the agony of the silence of God
We come before God and all we seem to have are unanswered questions
It is important that we acknowledge the reality and depth of such experiences
Indeed...
One of the chief ways that the psalms serve as a means of grace to us...
Is by giving voice to the full range of what we experience in relationship with God
Sometimes our prayers are not answered in ways that we understand or can see
Some of our prayers go unanswered for many agonizing years as we learn to lean into God
And journey through a kind of habitat of waiting
The important lesson from
~ Psalm 13
Is to never forget in your times of darkness...
What God has revealed in the times of light
The psalmist...
Even in the depth of Godโs silence...
Puts his trust in Godโs
โunfailing loveโ
In the midst of unanswered questions...
The psalmist declares...
โmy heart rejoices in your salvationโ
He even chooses to...
โsing to the Lordโ
Because he remembers Godโs past faithfulness...
โhe has been good to meโ
His circumstances have not changed
His inner emotional state may still be in turmoil
His prayers may yet remain unanswered
Yet...
He remembers and he trusts
And that in itself begins to transform us and reorient us
We also recognize that this psalm could only anticipate what we now know in full...
Namely...
That Christ himself has entered into this liminal space between the silence of God
And the full joy of divine resolution
Indeed...
This psalm points us to the agony of Christ himself
In the garden of Gethsemane
Who had to trust Godโs faithfulness...
Even in the midst of Godโs silence
In the agony of the garden...
It was difficult for Jesus Christ to capture a sense of the glory that would unfold in a few short days...
In the wake of the empty tomb and his glorious resurrection
Christians must cultivate holy memories of Godโs work in history
And in our lives
Which alone can sustain us in the times of despair and darkness
Christโs obedience to go to the cross was made possible through just such holy memories
Likewise...
God will also bring us...
From the question marks of life
To the great exclamation marks of his sure action
~ Psalm 13:1-6
In this lament psalm by David that maps a journey from deep despair to praise
Illustrating how to process pain through honest prayer
It is structured into three parts:
Desperate questioning
("How long")
Earnest prayer for illumination
And a final
Trusting commitment
To rejoice in God's salvation
Despite ongoing & unresolved circumstances
David asks "How long" four times
A feeling of prolonged, forgotten suffering
And abandonment by God
He expresses sorrow in his heart
And the fear that his enemy will triumph over him
Showing his internal, emotional struggle
David asks God to "consider" and "hear" him
He prays...
"Lighten mine eyes"
Which is a request for God to renew his perspective, strength, and hope
So he does not fall into death or despair
Despite no immediate change in his situation...
David declares his trust in God's
"mercy" (unfailing love)
He moves from sorrow to rejoicing in God's salvation
He concludes with a vow to sing to the Lord
Recognizing that God has dealt bountifully with him
Transforming his fear into a song of victory
Sometimes we like David
Find ourselves living in the agony of the silence of God
We come before God and all we seem to have are unanswered questions
It is important that we acknowledge the reality and depth of such experiences
Indeed...
One of the chief ways that the psalms serve as a means of grace to us...
Is by giving voice to the full range of what we experience in relationship with God
Sometimes our prayers are not answered in ways that we understand or can see
Some of our prayers go unanswered for many agonizing years as we learn to lean into God
And journey through a kind of habitat of waiting
The important lesson from
~ Psalm 13
Is to never forget in your times of darkness...
What God has revealed in the times of light
The psalmist...
Even in the depth of Godโs silence...
Puts his trust in Godโs
โunfailing loveโ
In the midst of unanswered questions...
The psalmist declares...
โmy heart rejoices in your salvationโ
He even chooses to...
โsing to the Lordโ
Because he remembers Godโs past faithfulness...
โhe has been good to meโ
His circumstances have not changed
His inner emotional state may still be in turmoil
His prayers may yet remain unanswered
Yet...
He remembers and he trusts
And that in itself begins to transform us and reorient us
We also recognize that this psalm could only anticipate what we now know in full...
Namely...
That Christ himself has entered into this liminal space between the silence of God
And the full joy of divine resolution
Indeed...
This psalm points us to the agony of Christ himself
In the garden of Gethsemane
Who had to trust Godโs faithfulness...
Even in the midst of Godโs silence
In the agony of the garden...
It was difficult for Jesus Christ to capture a sense of the glory that would unfold in a few short days...
In the wake of the empty tomb and his glorious resurrection
Christians must cultivate holy memories of Godโs work in history
And in our lives
Which alone can sustain us in the times of despair and darkness
Christโs obedience to go to the cross was made possible through just such holy memories
Likewise...
God will also bring us...
From the question marks of life
To the great exclamation marks of his sure action
Forwarded from ๐โ๐ผ ๐๐ธ๐๐ โ๐๐โ
Prayer...
Father I thank you for grace of life and this day
Lord have mercy on us and forgive all our sins
Lord Jesus our faith looks up to you
Who is the author and finisher of our faith
See us through this stage of our lives
Do not forget us oh Lord
Father whatever we have done
Or we are doing that is causing our prayers not to be heard
Forgive us Lord and hear our cry
Father
I know you see struggles we have
Lord give us rest from unfruitful labour
Replace our labour with divine favour
Father scatter the plans of our enemies
And let there be an end to them
Having an upper hand over our situations
Father I trust in your power
Give us victory over all our enemies plans
Father cause us to rejoice and give us a new song
Erase sorrow from our lives
Lord let us find you as we seek you today
Let our fear for you grow more
So we can live a life that please you
Father cause us to sing a new song
Let our testimonies come and be permanent
Heavenly Lord turn our mourning into dancing
Wipe any tears away
Thank you Jesus for answered prayers
In your name I pray
Amen
๐
Father I thank you for grace of life and this day
Lord have mercy on us and forgive all our sins
Lord Jesus our faith looks up to you
Who is the author and finisher of our faith
See us through this stage of our lives
Do not forget us oh Lord
Father whatever we have done
Or we are doing that is causing our prayers not to be heard
Forgive us Lord and hear our cry
Father
I know you see struggles we have
Lord give us rest from unfruitful labour
Replace our labour with divine favour
Father scatter the plans of our enemies
And let there be an end to them
Having an upper hand over our situations
Father I trust in your power
Give us victory over all our enemies plans
Father cause us to rejoice and give us a new song
Erase sorrow from our lives
Lord let us find you as we seek you today
Let our fear for you grow more
So we can live a life that please you
Father cause us to sing a new song
Let our testimonies come and be permanent
Heavenly Lord turn our mourning into dancing
Wipe any tears away
Thank you Jesus for answered prayers
In your name I pray
Amen
๐
Forwarded from ๐โ๐ผ ๐๐ธ๐๐ โ๐๐โ
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A Time for War
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#science #facts #faith #God #inspirational
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They support a huge diversity of wild fauna
These amazing forests occur in tropical regions
#nature #interesting #facts
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โ๐โ๐๐๐ธโ ๐
God's wonderful work ๐คฉ๐๐ฝ
Mangrove forests
Mangrove forests
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DEMONS are MORE Scary Than You Thought | Rob Skiba ๐จ
What are demons ?
Did God create them ?
Are they the same as fallen angels ?
How do they relate to the Nephilim ?
What is their role in this world ?
People have been creating stories and asking questions about these nefarious creatures since the beginning of time
In this video we are attempting to answer those questions
What are demons ?
Did God create them ?
Are they the same as fallen angels ?
How do they relate to the Nephilim ?
What is their role in this world ?
People have been creating stories and asking questions about these nefarious creatures since the beginning of time
In this video we are attempting to answer those questions
How to discern who is who โ God versus the devil โ by Jessica Murray
Good one to listen to ๐๐ฝ
https://youtu.be/YQek8McIz7g?si=AZRt_M32ZPsBQ9H0
But: never forget to PRIMARILY test the spirits and to test everything to the word of God ๐๐ฝ๐
Good one to listen to ๐๐ฝ
https://youtu.be/YQek8McIz7g?si=AZRt_M32ZPsBQ9H0
But: never forget to PRIMARILY test the spirits and to test everything to the word of God ๐๐ฝ๐
YouTube
God Vs Satan - How To Discern WHOS Voice That is! ๐ ๐ฅ
#jesus #satan #explained #voices #thoughts #discernment #spiritualwarfare #intrusivethoughts #spiritual #enemy #bible #christ
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From Broken to Blessed
From personal poverty to provision
This message reveals how aligning with Godโs principles
Especially generosity and tithing
Unlocks His promise to faithfully care for His people
Thank You For Watching!
From personal poverty to provision
This message reveals how aligning with Godโs principles
Especially generosity and tithing
Unlocks His promise to faithfully care for His people
Thank You For Watching!
Forwarded from ๐บ EXPOSING THE NAR
Feb 15, 2026
โ YOUR GOOD WORKS WILL NOT SAVE YOU
If anyone teaches you a worksโbased false gospelโโanother gospelโโsuch as a Lordship Salvationist or a Calvinist, do not believe them or their false message, which offers no salvation.
โ For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.2 Corinthians 11:4
Beware of false teachers; mark and avoid both them and their false messages.
โ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17
Romans 11:6 clearly states that salvation is by God's grace. You cannot add works to graceโotherwise, grace is of no effect.
โ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6
Godโs free gift of salvation by His graceโunmerited favorโis through simple faith in Jesus Christ, not by ANY human effort, so that no one can boast in their good works.
โ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
โถ๏ธ Grace: Godโs unmerited love and kindness, not our worth.
โถ๏ธ Faith: Belief in Jesus Christ, not works/personal achievements.
โถ๏ธ Gift: Salvation is free (Rom 6:23).
โถ๏ธ Purpose: Excludes boasting, placing all glory on God.
The Apostle Paul received the Gospelโthe good newsโdirectly from Jesus Christ.
โ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross for the remission of your sin (past, present, and future).
โ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7
By simply believing in the Saviour Jesus Christโthe Son of God, God in the fleshโand what He did for you on the cross, God promises you everlasting life!
โ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
โ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5:11
When you place your trust solely in Jesus Christ, you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and born again. You receive the new manโa new nature that is righteous and holy in Godโs eyes through Jesus Christ, and you are victorious over sin.
โ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24
โ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
If you are now born again, you should do good works for God's glory!
โ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6
โ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8
Doing good works for God's glory brings heavenly blessings and rewards!
โ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3
โ And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42
Amen!๐
๐บ EXPOSING THE NAR
โ Disciples Of Jesus Christ
If anyone teaches you a worksโbased false gospelโโanother gospelโโsuch as a Lordship Salvationist or a Calvinist, do not believe them or their false message, which offers no salvation.
Beware of false teachers; mark and avoid both them and their false messages.
Romans 11:6 clearly states that salvation is by God's grace. You cannot add works to graceโotherwise, grace is of no effect.
Godโs free gift of salvation by His graceโunmerited favorโis through simple faith in Jesus Christ, not by ANY human effort, so that no one can boast in their good works.
The Apostle Paul received the Gospelโthe good newsโdirectly from Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross for the remission of your sin (past, present, and future).
By simply believing in the Saviour Jesus Christโthe Son of God, God in the fleshโand what He did for you on the cross, God promises you everlasting life!
When you place your trust solely in Jesus Christ, you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and born again. You receive the new manโa new nature that is righteous and holy in Godโs eyes through Jesus Christ, and you are victorious over sin.
If you are now born again, you should do good works for God's glory!
Doing good works for God's glory brings heavenly blessings and rewards!
Amen!
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Forwarded from ๐บ EXPOSING THE NAR
Feb 16, 2026
๐ Romans chapter 5 provides positive proof that Godโs graceโTHE FREE GIFT of lifeโand His declaration of justification assure the everlasting life of the righteous in Jesus Christ.
Thus, being born again, justified by Godโs grace, and declared righteous has nothing to do with human effort; works save no one.
Scripture makes it clear that salvation is a gift of God given freely by Godโs grace that we receive when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
โ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
An example of men boasting before the Lord Jesus is given in Matthew 7.
โ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23
This verse is often given by false teachers to get their brethren to examine whether they are living or behaving in a certain way as evidence of salvation, but itโs actually scripture against false teachers because God says that no one will be boasting in heaven, and these had not done the will of the Father, which is to believe on the Sonโs work in paying for our sinโhis death, burial and resurrection as full payment for our sin.
Religions teach that the way a person lives will grant them heaven one day, but this is a lie of Satan.
The false teachers in Christendom who deny Christโs all sufficiency death as payment for all of our sin, are teaching an accursed gospel that steals the glory from off of Christ.
โ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-9
Just like the serpent in the Garden of Eden made Eve question Godโs word in that she could know the knowledge of good and evil and be as god, Satan today makes people question Godโs plan of salvation through grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and call it cheap grace or easy believism.
They speak evil of the simple truth of salvation and make it difficult to attain by adding a multitude of works. They make it sound holy and pious, but in denying Christโs finished work as full forgiveness for their sins, they call God a liar. These false teachers are everywhere.
โ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 2:1-2
God bestowed his amazing kindness toward us in sending his Son to die for our sins.
โ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
Only Jesus Christ saves to have eternal life. We cannot.
โ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13
Go Here & Learn More:
๐บ EXPOSING THE NAR
โ Disciples Of Jesus Christ
This information is for educational purposes only.
Thus, being born again, justified by Godโs grace, and declared righteous has nothing to do with human effort; works save no one.
Scripture makes it clear that salvation is a gift of God given freely by Godโs grace that we receive when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
An example of men boasting before the Lord Jesus is given in Matthew 7.
This verse is often given by false teachers to get their brethren to examine whether they are living or behaving in a certain way as evidence of salvation, but itโs actually scripture against false teachers because God says that no one will be boasting in heaven, and these had not done the will of the Father, which is to believe on the Sonโs work in paying for our sinโhis death, burial and resurrection as full payment for our sin.
Religions teach that the way a person lives will grant them heaven one day, but this is a lie of Satan.
The false teachers in Christendom who deny Christโs all sufficiency death as payment for all of our sin, are teaching an accursed gospel that steals the glory from off of Christ.
Just like the serpent in the Garden of Eden made Eve question Godโs word in that she could know the knowledge of good and evil and be as god, Satan today makes people question Godโs plan of salvation through grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and call it cheap grace or easy believism.
They speak evil of the simple truth of salvation and make it difficult to attain by adding a multitude of works. They make it sound holy and pious, but in denying Christโs finished work as full forgiveness for their sins, they call God a liar. These false teachers are everywhere.
God bestowed his amazing kindness toward us in sending his Son to die for our sins.
Only Jesus Christ saves to have eternal life. We cannot.
Go Here & Learn More:
This information is for educational purposes only.
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Forwarded from Carli โข Saved by Grace
The Outcast
Unwelcome, unwanted, undesirable
One that just doesn't belong
A person of no great significance
A meaningless face in the throng
But in Him beloved, accepted
Formed to show forth His praise
Chosen, peculiar, made holy
Justified and beautified in grace
Vicki Baird
Unwelcome, unwanted, undesirable
One that just doesn't belong
A person of no great significance
A meaningless face in the throng
But in Him beloved, accepted
Formed to show forth His praise
Chosen, peculiar, made holy
Justified and beautified in grace
Vicki Baird
Forwarded from ๐โ๐ผ ๐๐ธ๐๐ โ๐๐โ
Millions of Christians worldwide observe Lent
A 40-day period of prayer, fasting, reflection and sacrifice leading up to Easter
Widely considered the most important celebration on the Christian calendar
Beginning on Ash Wednesday
The Lenten period reflects the 40 days that according to the Bible...
Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry
The word โLentโ comes from the Old English word โlencten,โ
Meaning spring
Although the traditions and practices of Lent have evolved over time
The core ideas behind it have remained consistent for many centuries
Today...
Many Christians give up certain luxuries or habits
Attend additional worship services
And perform acts of charity and service during Lent
The period culminates in Holy Week
The celebration of Jesusโ resurrection from the dead
In 2026...
Part 2 continues below๐
A 40-day period of prayer, fasting, reflection and sacrifice leading up to Easter
Widely considered the most important celebration on the Christian calendar
Beginning on Ash Wednesday
The Lenten period reflects the 40 days that according to the Bible...
Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry
The word โLentโ comes from the Old English word โlencten,โ
Meaning spring
Although the traditions and practices of Lent have evolved over time
The core ideas behind it have remained consistent for many centuries
Today...
Many Christians give up certain luxuries or habits
Attend additional worship services
And perform acts of charity and service during Lent
The period culminates in Holy Week
The celebration of Jesusโ resurrection from the dead
In 2026...
Part 2 continues below๐
Forwarded from ๐โ๐ผ ๐๐ธ๐๐ โ๐๐โ
Part 2 continues...
In 2026...
Lent is observed from Wednesday, February 18 ---
Thursday, April 2
Some key dates of this Lenten season include:
HOLY WEEK
-------------
* FEBRUARY 18
ASH WEDNESDAY
* FEBRUARY 22
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
* MARCH 29
PALM SUNDAY
* MARCH 30
HOLY MONDAY
*MARCH 31
HOLY TUESDAY
* APRIL 1
HOLY WEDNESDAY
* APRIL 2
MAUNDY THURSDAY
* APRIL 3
GOOD FRIDAY
* APRIL 4
HOLY SATURDAY
* APRIL 5
EASTER SUNDAY
The above dates do not apply to Eastern Orthodox churches...
Whose religious calendar uses the Julian calendar
For this branch of Christians...
Great Lent 2026 begins on
Monday, February 23 ---
Saturday, April 11
The practice of Lent has ancient roots in early Christianity
Dating back to the first centuries
After Christโs death and resurrection
According to Eusebius
A fourth century historian of the early church...
The earliest Christians seem to have practiced fasting in preparation for Easter
Even if it was for just one or two days
After the legalization of Christianity in
A.D. 313
The practice of Lent gradually became more established
Including a 40-day period of Easter preparation that focused on prayer and fasting
The number 40 holds biblical significance:
During Noahโs flood...
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights
Moses remained on Mount Sinai for
40 days and nights preparing to receive the Ten Commandments
And Elijah walked for the same amount of time to reach the mountain of God
More importantly...
Observers of Lent fast and pray in imitation of Jesus
Who was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for
40 days and 40 nights
To face temptations from the devil before he began ministering to the public
Leaders of the early Christian church...
Agreed at the Council of Nicaea in...
A.D. 325
That Easter should be celebrated on the Sunday following the...
First full moon after the vernal equinox
They also acknowledged the existence of a...
40-day preparatory period
Leading up to that holy Sunday
Though they did not mandate the observance of Lent
In 601...
Pope Gregory I
Moved the start of Lent to...
46 days before Easter
Allowing for...
40 days of fasting
Plus six Sundays
The traditional feast day...
When the rules of fasting did not apply
The Lenten season still spans
46 days today
Gregory (590โ604)
Also established the tradition of Ash Wednesday
Including the foundations of the now-common practice of marking parishionersโ foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross
Like the number 40
Ashes have roots in ancient Christian traditions
Several figures in the Old Testament...
Including...
Mordecai
Job
And Daniel
Marked themselves with ashes and wore sackcloth
As a sign of their repentance before God
People in the early church carried on this usage of ashes for symbolic reasons
Eusebius chronicled the experience of an apostate named Natalis clothed in sackcloth and ashes begging forgiveness from Pope Zephyrinus
(A.D. 199โ217)
In the Western Christian tradition...
Ash Wednesday...
Marks the beginning of Lent and falls...
46 days before Easter Sunday
The date changes each year
Because Easter is on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox
Palm Sunday...
One week before Easter
And the sixth Sunday of Lent
Commemorates Jesusโ triumphant entry into Jerusalem
When he was greeted by crowds of people waving palm branches
The final week of Lent...
Beginning with Palm Sunday...
Is known as
Holy Week
It includes Maundy Thursday
(commemorating the Last Supper)
Good Friday
(marking Christโs crucifixion)
And Holy Saturday
(the day Jesus lay in the tomb)
Although Lent technically ends at sundown on Maundy Thursday
Also known as Holy Thursday
The Lenten season continues until Easter Sunday
At this point
The 50-day celebratory Easter season begins
Eastern Orthodox Christians observe a different version of Lent...
Known as โGreat Lent"
Because their churches calculate Easter using the Julian calendar
It often results in different date...
Part 3 cont. ๐
In 2026...
Lent is observed from Wednesday, February 18 ---
Thursday, April 2
Some key dates of this Lenten season include:
HOLY WEEK
-------------
* FEBRUARY 18
ASH WEDNESDAY
* FEBRUARY 22
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
* MARCH 29
PALM SUNDAY
* MARCH 30
HOLY MONDAY
*MARCH 31
HOLY TUESDAY
* APRIL 1
HOLY WEDNESDAY
* APRIL 2
MAUNDY THURSDAY
* APRIL 3
GOOD FRIDAY
* APRIL 4
HOLY SATURDAY
* APRIL 5
EASTER SUNDAY
The above dates do not apply to Eastern Orthodox churches...
Whose religious calendar uses the Julian calendar
For this branch of Christians...
Great Lent 2026 begins on
Monday, February 23 ---
Saturday, April 11
The practice of Lent has ancient roots in early Christianity
Dating back to the first centuries
After Christโs death and resurrection
According to Eusebius
A fourth century historian of the early church...
The earliest Christians seem to have practiced fasting in preparation for Easter
Even if it was for just one or two days
After the legalization of Christianity in
A.D. 313
The practice of Lent gradually became more established
Including a 40-day period of Easter preparation that focused on prayer and fasting
The number 40 holds biblical significance:
During Noahโs flood...
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights
Moses remained on Mount Sinai for
40 days and nights preparing to receive the Ten Commandments
And Elijah walked for the same amount of time to reach the mountain of God
More importantly...
Observers of Lent fast and pray in imitation of Jesus
Who was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for
40 days and 40 nights
To face temptations from the devil before he began ministering to the public
Leaders of the early Christian church...
Agreed at the Council of Nicaea in...
A.D. 325
That Easter should be celebrated on the Sunday following the...
First full moon after the vernal equinox
They also acknowledged the existence of a...
40-day preparatory period
Leading up to that holy Sunday
Though they did not mandate the observance of Lent
In 601...
Pope Gregory I
Moved the start of Lent to...
46 days before Easter
Allowing for...
40 days of fasting
Plus six Sundays
The traditional feast day...
When the rules of fasting did not apply
The Lenten season still spans
46 days today
Gregory (590โ604)
Also established the tradition of Ash Wednesday
Including the foundations of the now-common practice of marking parishionersโ foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross
Like the number 40
Ashes have roots in ancient Christian traditions
Several figures in the Old Testament...
Including...
Mordecai
Job
And Daniel
Marked themselves with ashes and wore sackcloth
As a sign of their repentance before God
People in the early church carried on this usage of ashes for symbolic reasons
Eusebius chronicled the experience of an apostate named Natalis clothed in sackcloth and ashes begging forgiveness from Pope Zephyrinus
(A.D. 199โ217)
In the Western Christian tradition...
Ash Wednesday...
Marks the beginning of Lent and falls...
46 days before Easter Sunday
The date changes each year
Because Easter is on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox
Palm Sunday...
One week before Easter
And the sixth Sunday of Lent
Commemorates Jesusโ triumphant entry into Jerusalem
When he was greeted by crowds of people waving palm branches
The final week of Lent...
Beginning with Palm Sunday...
Is known as
Holy Week
It includes Maundy Thursday
(commemorating the Last Supper)
Good Friday
(marking Christโs crucifixion)
And Holy Saturday
(the day Jesus lay in the tomb)
Although Lent technically ends at sundown on Maundy Thursday
Also known as Holy Thursday
The Lenten season continues until Easter Sunday
At this point
The 50-day celebratory Easter season begins
Eastern Orthodox Christians observe a different version of Lent...
Known as โGreat Lent"
Because their churches calculate Easter using the Julian calendar
It often results in different date...
Part 3 cont. ๐
Forwarded from ๐โ๐ผ ๐๐ธ๐๐ โ๐๐โ
Part 3 continues...
Great Lent takes place over the six weeks before Palm Sunday
And fasting continues during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter
By the fourth century...
Lent was closely associated with preparing new converts for baptism
But it eventually became customary for other Christians...
To observe the tradition as a way to refocus on their own faith
Today...
Lent is observed across many Christian denominations
Including...
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Anglicans
Episcopalians
Lutherans
Methodists
Presbyterians etc...
During the early centuries of Christianity...
Observance of fasting for Lent was very strict
With people in many regions abstaining from...
All meat
Fish
And animal products
And limiting themselves to one meal per day...
Consumed late in the afternoon
A small meal or snack was later added...
To sustain energy and strength for working
Over time...
The rules were relaxed further
Today...
Some people who observe Lent...
Fast and abstain from meat on
Ash Wednesday
And Good Friday
On the other Fridays of Lent...
Some will abstain from meat and might choose to eat fish
Or seafood
These cold-blooded
Sea-dwelling creatures
Are generally exempted from the no-meat rule
Even followers who do not fast...
Are encouraged to give up something for Lent as a sacrifice
Whether a habit...
(like watching TV or using social media)
Or something to eat or drink
(such as coffee, alcohol or chocolate)
Some observers of Lent choose to add positive practices instead
Such as...
Personal prayer
Reading scripture daily
Or volunteering
As a way of refocusing themselves on their faith
And spiritual well-being
Great Lent takes place over the six weeks before Palm Sunday
And fasting continues during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter
By the fourth century...
Lent was closely associated with preparing new converts for baptism
But it eventually became customary for other Christians...
To observe the tradition as a way to refocus on their own faith
Today...
Lent is observed across many Christian denominations
Including...
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Anglicans
Episcopalians
Lutherans
Methodists
Presbyterians etc...
During the early centuries of Christianity...
Observance of fasting for Lent was very strict
With people in many regions abstaining from...
All meat
Fish
And animal products
And limiting themselves to one meal per day...
Consumed late in the afternoon
A small meal or snack was later added...
To sustain energy and strength for working
Over time...
The rules were relaxed further
Today...
Some people who observe Lent...
Fast and abstain from meat on
Ash Wednesday
And Good Friday
On the other Fridays of Lent...
Some will abstain from meat and might choose to eat fish
Or seafood
These cold-blooded
Sea-dwelling creatures
Are generally exempted from the no-meat rule
Even followers who do not fast...
Are encouraged to give up something for Lent as a sacrifice
Whether a habit...
(like watching TV or using social media)
Or something to eat or drink
(such as coffee, alcohol or chocolate)
Some observers of Lent choose to add positive practices instead
Such as...
Personal prayer
Reading scripture daily
Or volunteering
As a way of refocusing themselves on their faith
And spiritual well-being
Goodmorning / afternoon everyone!
I have to elaborate a little on the lady of whom I shared the poem "The Outcast" yesterday. I found out Vicki Baird is a spiritual formation coach, poet and gnostic Christian. My only reason for sharing her poem was because I'm one of those outcasts of society. That's the only reason why I shared the poem. Also because I'm a poet myself. However: I wanted to warn people to not follow people who are into contemplative prayer, spiritual formation and other non-biblical and unbiblically sound doctrines.
May you liked that poem I shared yesterday so much that you thought about checking out more work of miss Baird, I'd love to advise you not to. Stick to God's word instead. Have a very blessed day ๐๐ฝ๐
Ps: if you do want to look into what she does, check out a post about it I will share later today
I have to elaborate a little on the lady of whom I shared the poem "The Outcast" yesterday. I found out Vicki Baird is a spiritual formation coach, poet and gnostic Christian. My only reason for sharing her poem was because I'm one of those outcasts of society. That's the only reason why I shared the poem. Also because I'm a poet myself. However: I wanted to warn people to not follow people who are into contemplative prayer, spiritual formation and other non-biblical and unbiblically sound doctrines.
May you liked that poem I shared yesterday so much that you thought about checking out more work of miss Baird, I'd love to advise you not to. Stick to God's word instead. Have a very blessed day ๐๐ฝ๐
โค3๐1
Forwarded from โ๐โ๐๐๐ธโ ๐
He used to be this chatty little kid who narrated everything he drew. "Mom look this is a dragon but a nice one, mom look this knight has your eyes." Now the house is so quiet I can hear the clock in the hallway from any room. His dad left when things got hard, said he couldn't handle the silence. So it's just me and Marcus and his pencils and this stack of paper I buy in bulk every two weeks because he goes through it like water.
Last week he slid this portrait across the kitchen table to me while I was paying bills. I looked down and my hands started shaking. This boy, this kid they said had no talent, drew a portrait so detailed I could practically feel the texture of the braids in the hair. The shading on the face, the eyes, everything was alive. He's eleven. He did this with a set of pencils and nothing else. I just held it and cried right there at the table and he came over and put his hand on my shoulder which is his way of saying it's okay mom.
I set up a little shop on the Tedooo app selling prints of his work because I wanted him to see that people out there value what he creates. No fees, just his art out in the world. The first order came in three days later and I showed him the notification on my phone. He didn't smile exactly, but he sat up straighter. Then a woman from Tennessee messaged through the Tedooo app asking if he could do a custom portrait of her late mother from a photo. I read it to him and he nodded yes before I even finished the sentence.
He still doesn't talk. I'm not going to wrap this up in some neat little bow and pretend art fixed everything. But my boy picks up his pencil every single morning now with purpose, not just escape. Those kids told him he was nothing. The world is slowly telling him otherwise and I will spend every day I have left making sure he hears it.
#people #art #amazing #inspirational
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This beautiful sister in Christ (Azjah Monae) who transitioned back into her God given female body last year after wanting to be a man for a while, shared on January 13 (last month) that she and her husband are expecting a child. As of yesterday (February 17, 2026) she is 18 weeks pregnant. GOD IS THAT GOOD, hallelujah ๐๐ฝ
๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐ช ๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐๐ค๐ฅ ๐๐๐ค๐ฆ๐ค โ๏ธ๐๐
ยฐ แตแตแต แตโฟ แตสฐแต แตโฑแตแตแต แตแต หขแตแต โฑแต โฑโฟ แถ แตหกหก ยฐ
This beautiful sister in Christ (Azjah Monae) who transitioned back into her God given female body last year after wanting to be a man for a while, shared on January 13 (last month) that she and her husband are expecting a child. As of yesterday (February 17, 2026) she is 18 weeks pregnant. GOD IS THAT GOOD, hallelujah ๐๐ฝ
๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐ช ๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐๐ค๐ฅ ๐๐๐ค๐ฆ๐ค โ๏ธ๐๐
ยฐ แตแตแต แตโฟ แตสฐแต แตโฑแตแตแต แตแต หขแตแต โฑแต โฑโฟ แถ แตหกหก ยฐ