Category Archives: Discipleship

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Lent 2014: 3 Reasons to Take the Challenge

Lent. A 40 day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. A season of fasting and preparation, repentance and anticipation.

Lent

Last week I heard Margaret Feinburg talking about Lent on the Catalyst podcast. It caused me to step back, reflect, and pray about how I participate in Lent this year. I highly recommend listening to that interview.

In the last few years I’ve participated in Lent by reading Lent devotions via YouVersion. I also fasted. For me it was simple, like cutting coffee, social media, or ice-cream.

But this year I’m taking a new challenge. Feinburg challenged her blog readers last year to read the entire Bible during Lent. Thankfully I missed that challenge! Her challenge to read just the New Testament this year is much more reasonable.

#LentChallenge

 

It’s a simple challenge. Download the free Lent Challenge: 40 day New Testament Reading Guide here. Or you can download the half page version here. Starting next Wed take 30-minutes a day and read the entire New Testament!

If you’ve never done this before it may sound daunting. But you CAN do it! Here are three reasons you SHOULD…

 

1. Cut the Fat: it’s good for your health

 

Trimming fat on food is good for your physically health. Trimming fat (excess) in our spiritual and emotional lives is healthy too.

Consider cutting excess social media, TV, web surfing, or work in order to add 30 minutes of Bible reading each day.

 

2. Feed Your Soul: it will drive away your real enemies

 

Jesus was tempted by the devil after a 40-day fast. He was hungry! But Matthew 4:4 says rather than give in Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

When we’re tempted we need spiritual strength. Filling our minds and hearts with the promises of God give us that strength.

 

3. Prepare For Renewal

 

There’s a chance God has something for you in the next few months. A new challenge, opportunity, trial, job, calling, blessing. Only He knows.

Nothing but a full spiritual tank can prepare us for what’s ahead.

Take the challenge.

Cut the Fat.

                        Feed Your Soul.

                                                      Prepare for Renewal.

Through the season of Lent I will be sharing my experience here and on Twitter and Facebook. I encourage you to do that same.

 

QUESTION: what are you hoping to experience during Lent 2014?

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4 Rules of Communication: Act, Don’t React (Part 4)

Seems like human nature to passively react to what’s going on around us. This last rule of communication is not only essential in marriage, but applies to every relationship. The challenge is putting off the reactions and putting on the actions!

To act and not react in relationships is challenging, isn’t it! My wife is the greatest blessing in my life. But at times I have let pride and selfishness blind me from what’s most important… loving my wife. Love is about doing and not responding. Love is about the other person first and me second.

Rule #4… ACT, DON’T REACT!

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

Here are the reactions. Through Jesus and the Holy Spirit these are to be “put off.” Followed by the actions, which are to be “put on.”

1. Reactions (v. 31) – attitudes & actions that need to be “put off”

  • Bitterness: the refusal to treat someone as if they never hurt you.
  • Wrath: flaring outbursts.
  • Anger: hostility that frequently seeks revenge; the “slow burn.”
  • Clamor: harsh contention and strife.
  • Slander: speech that injures or abuses.
  • Malice: desire to harm others or see them suffer.
  • Note: The natural tendency of our sinful nature is to be defensive about dealing with our own sins (Eph. 4:31).
  • Resource: Celebration of Discipline will introduce or help you deepen your roots in the practice of “putting off” and “putting on.”
  • Question: what reaction do you struggle with most? Ask Jesus to change that from the inside out.

2. Actions (v. 32) – attitudes and actions that need to be “put on” to replace the reactions 

  • Kind: benevolent, helpful, courteous.
  • Tenderhearted: lit. “of good heartedness,” compassionate, sympathetic.
  • Forgiving: to give up your right or claim to revenge, hold a grudge or get even.
  • Note: Through God’s Spirit, we can and must be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving as a team (in marriage or friendship).
  • Resource: Spiritual Maturity lays out principles for spiritual growth, which embody the concept of “putting on.”
  • Question: In what way does God want you to act toward your spouse and/or friend? Ask Jesus to mold your heart with that action.

 

For THE Cause,

Ed Choy