The Challenge--Day 42

Today's Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

We often have the disciples' attitude of self-righteousness. They thought they knew a better way to use the ointment poured out. Their minds were already thinking of a financial plan that would have helped many with one alabaster jar.

Do you find yourself thinking you know a better way... even telling others how to do it better? Is it possible that our "better ways" are not Jesus' way?

Father God, You sent Jesus to not only save us but to show us the right way to live.

Teach me to see and do things the way He does, even when it challenges my

worldly sensibilities. Help me to recognize when I am offended by His Way 

or by those who are living as He showed us. 

I want to live the best way... His Way.

The Challenge--Day 41

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 25:14-16
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

When was the last time you fed the hungry, clothed the naked... welcomed a stranger? As followers of Christ we are called to serve the "least of these." Honestly, sometimes my attitude about this is not that great. Sort of like following the rule you don't really want to follow.

Recently, my business partner and I were praying for guidance on a particular situation. We were asking God to bless another business because of a debt they owed us. Its the beginning of the week and we've been considering our next step when my partner says, "We've been praying for God to bless it... and we're the ones who get to do the blessing by forgiving the debt! Isn't that awesome. I'm so excited!"

In that moment I realized something about myself. Giving, serving, loving, caring, blessing the least is not a duty but a PRIVILEGE! 

Today let's take that privilege to our home, work places, community... world.

Lord, open my eyes to the least of these,

their needs, and the privilege You've given me 

to be a blessing to others in Your name.

Sabbath Challenge--Day 40

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 25:1-13
It's Sunday and we have a few more minutes than usual. You can click on the link or you may want to hold the book. Quick run get your favorite bible.

Read through the scripture quickly to get an idea of the story.

Now, read it again slowly... letting each word sink in... digging deep for meaning.

Imagine you are part of the story. Who would you be?
...are you a foolish bridesmaid with no oil?
...the one who is wise and prepared?
...are you sleepy?
...are you in a panic because you forgot to bring extra oil?
...are you accompanying the groom to the banquet hall?
...maybe you're standing outside the door?

Your answers to the questions... what are they revealing to you about where you are on your spiritual journey? What's holding you back from the preparation?

Ask God how you can prepare for his coming. 

Rest... rest in the knowledge that when you seek his way he will not leave you out in the cold.

Lord, fill me with a hunger for Your Word,

and a desire for the things of Your Kingdom.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,

and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33 NLT

The Challenge--Day 39

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 24:29-51
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

Jesus says in this passage that heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will not. Words.... we use them all day long. We sing them... say them... type them. Many times we forget the words we speak before a day is done. 

This is not so with the words Jesus speaks. His word is everlasting... eternal. His words teach us, change us, transform us.

How has God used The Challenge to transform you so far? 

Father God, change my perspective regarding Your Word.

The world around me seems so solid, real --- worth investing all my time in.

Yet, this is a lie. It is Your Word that is everlasting, real.

Teach me to invest in the things that really matter.

Your transforming Word.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...

John 1:14 ESV

The Challenge--Day 38

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 24:1-28
(Click on the link to read the verses.)

"...but the one who endures to the end will be saved." Webster's defines endurance as the ability to do something difficult or deal with pain for a long period of time. 

How's your endurance lately? Are you willing to endure difficult things... painful times for the sake of Christ?

Lord, remind me in the midst of each pain, each tribulation, 

each crisis You are in the process of birthing something new.

Keep me focused on Your eternal purpose so I will endure.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

But endurance must do its complete work,

so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4 HCSB

The Challenge--Day 37

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 23:16-39
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

"Woe to you..." Webster's defines woe as a way to express grief, distress, regret. Jesus is clearly grieved by those who have made serving God all about rules and law and looking good on the outside. We've all done it... hidden the yuck on the inside... put a smile on our face to cover the struggle. Keeping up the front is distressing. 

Jesus offers another way. We think we're hiding it... but He knows. He understands our deepest hurt... our struggle with a particular temptation. He offered his life to clean us all up... not cover us up. Would it be so hard to just let our guard down and be... be real... be truthful... be authentic? What's the worst that could happen? Maybe it's time to surrender our clean outsides and embrace the grace that cleans us through and through.

Father God, Your Word says cleanliness begins on the inside---

within the heart. What fills my mind, drives my will, and fuels my emotions

defines my life. Only You make the way for a clean heart.

Clean me, Lord, on the inside.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 NIV84

The Challenge--Day 36

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 23:1-15
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

We are not much different than the Pharisees at times. If we're honest we like to be noticed... seek to be honored. This is the way of the world. It goes all the way back to Cain and Abel. Jesus said, "the greatest among you will be servants." 

What can you do to become a servant today?  Go... do it... serve someone today!

Lord, may I truly humble myself today.

Let nothing be beneath me. Show me who You want me to serve.

Bless me with the faith, grace, love and courage to obey.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,

but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:2 ESV

The Challenge--Day 35

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 22:23-46
(Click on the link to read today's word.)

The Message says it like this:

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

What are you passionate about? If you are not quite sure take an inventory. Where do you spend your time... your energy... your money? Is this passion directly linked to your love of God? Does it overflow to loving others? It all boils down to two things... loving God and loving others.

Lord, purify my passion.

Simplify my priorities.

Put first things first in my life:

Love for You and love for others.

The Challenge--Day 34

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 22:1-22
(Click on the link if you don't have your bible handy.)

"Give God the things that are God's." Doesn't it all really belong to him? Each breath we take... dime we make... every moment of every day belongs to Him. What would happen if we lived with this thought in mind at all times? Would the way you live look differently? 

Take a moment to give thanks to the one to which all things belong.

Father God, each person You created bears Your image.

What You made belongs to You. Each one Your workmanship for Your purpose. 

Thank You for the way You made me. Thank You for my strengths and flaws, 

abilities and disabilities, each a gift and a grace to give back to You.

Use them all to fulfill Your purpose for Your glory.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Sabbath Challenge--Day 33

Today's Scripture: Matthew 21: 23-46
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.  It's that easy!)

The kingdom will be given to those who produce the fruits of the kingdom. 

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

There is no law against such things.

Galatians 5:22-23

Read the list of the fruit of the Spirit... try reading it a second time.

Is there one particular quality of the fruit coming to the forefront of your mind? 

Ask God to reveal to you what it is about this aspect of the fruit He wants you to know. Is it something you are lacking... something you wish came more naturally? What makes it difficult?

Producing fruit doesn't come from "trying harder." It comes from growing roots deep that connect us with the Spirit. Spend some time connecting with Him today.

Father God, Your Spirit bears one fruit with many fine qualities.

What is lacking in the spiritual fruit I bear? How is it imperfect?

Teach me how to cultivate my relationship with You,

so my roots will grow deep. You alone make things grow.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk in him, rooted and built up in him

and established in the faith, just as you were taught,

abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6-7 ESV

The Challenge--Day 32

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 21: 1-22
(Click on the link if you don't have your bible handy.)

Jesus told the disciples "whatever you ask for in prayer with faith you will receive." Do you think this verse applies to us as well as the disciples? What prayers has God answered in your life? Which ones have gone unanswered? Have you given up on Him to answer those prayers? 

Hebrews tells us "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Today let's be sure and certain of the one who is HOPE.

Lord, fuel the faith I need to continually pray.

You answer prayer in three ways: Yes, No, Wait.

Open my eyes and ears to recognize the answers when they come.

Bless me with a thankful heart, no matter the answer.

I trust You to provide what is best.

I put my hope in You.

The Challenge--Day 31

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 20
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

If you were someone in the vineyard, who would you be? Would you be the landowner... first hired or last? Would you grumble at the unfairness of it all? 

Do you find yourself comparing circumstances in your life to others? Do you strive to make everything fair? Why? In light of this scripture, how do you think God approaches fairness?

Lord, sometimes Your ways seem unfair,

but never let me begrudge Your generosity.

I never want to be ungrateful for what You've done for me

or others.

For I know that the Lord is great,

and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,

in heaven and on earth,

in the seas and all the deeps.

Psalm 135:5-6 ESV

The Challenge--Day 30

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 19:16-30
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

When I have chapel with the kids at Readiness School each week there is only one topic that can turn happy friends to fierce rivals... who is going to be the line leader! In the car line of mini-Methodists there is a sibling duo who bolts to their car the minute I say go. It is a contest to see who gets to be in front. Yelling "shotgun" is a term children use all the time to claim the front seat.

Being first is our nature and many times we are willing to do whatever it takes to be the line leader. But Jesus said, "the first will be last... the last first". What does wanting to be first really say about our hearts? 

Choose to be last today. Open the door for those behind you... let someone cut in line at the grocery store... take the parking spot farthest from the door. According to Jesus learning to be last just might put you in front.

Lord, humble me today.

Teach me to live and love

Your upside down ways.

The Challenge--Day 29

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 19: 1-15
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

Hard-hearted is not something we think about much. We have a right to our opinions and that's that. Moses allowed divorce because the people were hard-hearted about this issue. 

Are there hard places in the soil of your heart? Places you aren't really sure you want God to see, let alone heal? Maybe today is the day to present them as a sacrifice to Him who breaks up hard hearts.

Lord, You know the hard places in my heart.

You know why and how they got hard:

my natural bent, my sin, others' sin.

I give You permission to break up those hard places

so I can be tender-hearted toward You, Your will, and Your way.

Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,

for now is the time to seek the Lord,

that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:12 NLT

The Challenge--Day 28

Today's Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35
(Click on the link for read today's verses.)

"...seventy times seven" is a lot. Aren't we taught...

God's forgiveness doesn't have a beginning or an end. Through Jesus it just IS. Give thanks today for the unending forgiveness God pours out to us because of His Son. Is there someone... something you need to forgive?

Lord, open wide my heart to not only receive Your forgiveness,

but to forgive others as freely as You forgive me in Jesus's name.

How can I thank You enough for all You've done?

The Challenge--Day 27

Today's Scripture: Matthew 17:22-18:14
(Click on the link for today's scripture.)

"...unless you change and become like little children." Let's make a list. Write down qualities you see in children that might change over the years. Is it possible that we have lost some of those qualities because we're all grown up now?

Choose one quality from your list. What would it look like to have more of that quality today?

Father God, I long to be the child You call me to be.

Show me what keeps me from a close relationship with You:

attitudes, relationships, activities, possessions?

Whatever it is, bless me with the faith and boldness

 to cut it off and throw it out of my life.

Sabbath Challenge--Day 26

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 17: 1-21

Have a seat... take a deep breath. Let's sit a while longer with the scripture this Sabbath day. What better way to celebrate a day set apart for God than by lingering in His word. Today we practice Lectio Devina, an ancient discipline of meditating on God's word and considering what it means in our lives. 

Read today's scripture found in Matthew (click on the link if you don't have a Bible near).

Read the verses a second time.

Try reading them out loud.

What phrase or word sticks out to you? Is there a word you would like to know more about? Look the word up in the dictionary. I've found when seeking understanding of God's word the simple definition of a word can reveal so much.

Ask God to give you insight about this word. What is he saying through the text?

Rest... rest in the beauty of a God who still speaks to us. Rest in the assurance of His love for you... rest.

Lord, I come into Your presence to rest and wait.

Reveal what You want me to know --- 

Who You are and who I am in You.

The Challenge--Day 25

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 16
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

The people wanted a sign... some miracle or magic trick, so to speak, from Jesus. The simple truth is they already had signs. They knew of his miracles... the prophecies about him. Reading the signs wasn't the issue. Following was.

I recently ignored a sign and caused myself a lot of extra work. It was a reminder of how often I am graciously given signs and how often I just don't do what it says... or think it doesn't apply to me. What signs have you noticed lately? Are you more apt to follow signs or ignore signs and go your own way?

Lord, open my eyes and ears to the signs You provide each day.

Signs to follow and obey. Signs to give me direction, teaching,

and guidance. Signs to offer grace, love, and mercy to those

You place in my path. I don't want to miss another.

The Challenge--Day 24

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 15: 21-39
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

The story of the Canaanite woman seems uncomfortable. Let's focus on the woman's response. Please remember she was not considered a child of God, but a foreigner. Desperate for the healing she knelt before Jesus and even called him "Lord." This woman was willing to humble herself before Jesus in order to receive the healing. 

Being humble in today's world is not considered a great character trait. The scriptures warn us pride goes before the fall. Are there areas in your life where you are proud? What would it take to become humble in these areas?

Help me, Lord, to stay humbly dependent on You.

Remind me each morning, my heart beats only by Your grace,

my next breath is not dependent on me but You.

You, alone, are the source of all that I have, am, and will be.

Remind me, Lord, apart from You I have no good thing.

The Challenge--Day 23

Today's Scripture: Matthew 15: 1-20
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

Here it is again. The message Jesus gives about what comes out of our mouth. Ouch! The bible talks a lot about how we speak. James calls the tongue a fire that consumes entire forests. He even claims that no one can tame the tongue. What do we do about the words that come out of our mouths?

If you look closely you see that Jesus says the words that come from our mouth overflow from our heart. They indicate our heart's condition.

Mouth issue = Heart issue

If we want to tame our tongues we must deal with our hearts. Take a look at the words you said today. What kind of heart issue are they revealing? 

Father God, only You can heal the heart issues

that cause my mouth to lie, brag, gossip,

hurt, slander, exaggerate and curse.

I open wide my heart to You.

Do whatever You need to in order to bring

healing and wholeness to my heart.

The Challenge--Day 22

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 14:13-36
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

"You give them something to eat." This was Jesus' response when the disciples came to him with the problem. His response makes me think. Did the disciples have all they needed to feed the people?  After all, Jesus didn't say, "I'll feed them or we will feed them."  He said, "You..."  Maybe those twelve men didn't recognize their own power in Christ.

Is it possible we don't either? How do you respond when Jesus says "You..."?

Lord, continue to remind me when You call,

I can do all things through You,

who gives me strength.

The Challenge--Day 21

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 13:44-14:12
(Click on the link for today's scripture reading.)

The kingdom of heaven is like... treasure hidden in a field... finding a pearl of great value... a net thrown out for fishing. Jesus spends a lot of time describing the kingdom. In the case of the treasure and the pearl, those who found them were willing to sell all they had just to get it.

Are you willing to sell all you have just to know Jesus? What one thing would be hard to let go?

Lord, you know the hard places in my heart.

You know where I cling to the things of this world.

Reveal to me Your true worth, help me release

the things that will fail. Teach me to take hold of You.

The Challenge--Day 20

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 13:24-43
(Click on the link to view the day's verses.)

"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

Can you imagine angels gathering all causes of sin from among us? No temptation... no frustration... just love. To me it seems impossible and glorious all at the same time. Though we are not there yet, we can still shine like the sun into the dark places of life.

Where can you shine God's light today?

Lord, help me keep an eternal perspective.

Keep me focused on what is to come, what is to last forever.

May I live a life of light from this perspective.

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18 NIV84

Sabbath Challenge--Day 19

It's the one day of the week we might have a few extra minutes... time set apart to bask in his presence... for remembering who we are... whose we are.

Take time to read today's scripture found in Matthew 13:1-23.  (Just click on the link to view the bible verses.)

First, read the scripture.

Second, read the section that stuck out to you... made you question.

Third, ask God what he wants to reveal to you in this section of the word today.

Fourth, rest... rest in the beauty of the day. Give thanks for a God that is willing to give you as much time as you will ask from Him.

Father God, thank You for Your Word.

The Challenge--Day 18

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 12:33-50
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." It is really this simple. If you want to know the condition of your heart, take an inventory of your words.

What words did you use today, yesterday, this past week? What do they reveal to you about your heart?

Lord, break up the hard places in my heart.

Prepare it as good soil for Your Word, 

that Your Word will take root and grow,

and in turn affect my words.

The Challenge--Day 17

Today's Scripture: Matthew 12:9-32
(Click on the link to view the scripture.)

The Jewish leaders had confused their own traditions and understanding with the Word of God. They believed it unlawful to heal people on the Sabbath.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, taught them otherwise. It made them furious.

Are there areas of your life where you let your own understanding or tradition outweigh God's Word?

When we do this it is dangerous, because like the Pharisees, we end up attacking Him rather than glorifying Him.

Father God, bless me with a hunger for Your Word and Your Truth.

Bless me with the discernment to recognize Your Way from my way.

Bless me with the humility to lay down any traditions and understandings

that are not in line with Your Word.

The Challenge--Day 16

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 11:20-12:8
(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

"Yoke" is a common metaphor for the Torah (the written law in Jesus' time). It seems the religious leaders had taken the Torah and created a yoke so heavy none could carry its weight. This is not Jesus' way. His yoke is easy... his burden light.

Do you consider the way of Jesus easy, the burden light? What makes it heavy for you? Ask Jesus to show you how it might become easy and light.

Lord, help me to remember that if my work for You feels like a burden,

then maybe it's not Your work. You say we learn by being under Your yoke,

let me not be deceived by legalism and tradition. 

Show me when I have laid Your yoke down for another's.

Keep me next to You.

The Challenge--Day 15

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 11:1-19
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

"Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" they asked. John was not quite sure this man was the one. There are times we might feel the same way...ask the same question.

Are you the one? Is this really you? You want me to do WHAT? And like John we wonder if it might be easier to wait. And then, how long do we wait, on what are we waiting?

Is it possible you are waiting when you already know the answer? 

Lord, You know my heart better than I do.

Where am I hesitant to believe and act on what I know to be true?

Bless me with the faith to fully trust You.

The Challenge--Day 14

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 10:16-42
(Click the link to read the scripture.)

This scripture reminds me of opposite day. I heard it called "The Upside Down Kingdom" once. Jesus reminding us that he did not come to bring peace but a sword. We must lose our life to find it.

What would be the toughest thing to give up about your life? Loved ones...creature comforts... money? Are you willing to lay it down for Christ?

Help me, Father, to see the world as You see it.

Help me to know what is real and what's temporary,

what to hold on to and what to let go.

Teach me to live as Jesus.

The Challenge--Day 13

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 9:27-10:15
(Click on the link to read the today's verses.)

"When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them...". I love this. Jesus' heart stirred up for the harassed and the helpless. 

What are you feeling harassed or helpless about lately?

Spend a few moments imagining Jesus' heart stirred up for you. What words of encouragement is he giving you?

Lord, I praise You for Your compassion and mercy.

Thank You for being concerned for me.

Sabbath Challenge--Day 12

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 9:1-26

Today we practice the discipline of Lectio Devina once again. Taking a little more time than usual to consider God's word. You can read the scriptures by clicking on the link above, but you might want the book in your hand today. 

Take time to read the scripture through at least twice... maybe three times.

What portion or word seems to be sticking out to you in this passage?

Pray this simple question... "Lord, what are you saying to me?"

Now rest... rest in the knowledge that God is revealing his will and way through his word.

Father God, Your Word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path. Bless me with the light of understanding,

that I may follow Your Way.