Lent Challenge

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:16 

 

Lent is, once again, upon us.  It began on Valentine's Day, which I believe is appropriate because God's great Valentine to us was His Son, Jesus Christ.  And with Lent begins a 40 journey to prepare our hearts, lives, and spirits for Easter!

 

People will tell me what they are "giving up" for Lent.  They say they will give up soda, alcohol, fried foods, swearing, sports, Facebook, Twitter, and the list is endless. While the giving up of things which take our focus from Christ is a good thing, I would ask for a different Lent activity.

 

I issue this Lent Challenge for those of stout of heart and fearless in their prayers:  Join me in spending each day of Lent praying for our Nation, that we may focus more on our commonalities than our differences.  Pray that we would learn to work together.  Pray that we would be humbled until we have no alternative except to work together.  Pray that we would get rid of all the pettiness that causes us to believe we are better than anyone else.  Ask God to replace our negativity with His love, encouragement, and desire to be part of each other.

 

Are you up for it?

What Are You Thankful For?

Praise the Lord!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Let me ask you a question....how thankful are you?  Are you thankful for all that God has provided you?  Are you thankful for the people He has brought into your life?  Even the people who seem to irritate you the most?  Are you thankful when things don't go the way you want?  Are you thankful for the "little" things (like breathing, seeing, hearing, speaking, thinking)?  

Here's one more question...when was the last time you told God that you are thankful for all His provisions?  When was the last time you told the people He has brought into your life that you thank God for them?  When was the last time you thanked God for His love that you have the opportunity to share?

November is the month with Thanksgiving.  That time of year where we eat more than we should, watch football until we drift off to sleep, then we wake up and eat some more.  

My challenge to you and to me...for each day of November, write down something or someone you thankful to God for and then tell God how thankful you are.  If it is a person, tell them that you are grateful that God has brought them into your life.  

#dailythankfulchallenge

  

Today's Challenge: Live ONE Day At A Time!

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:34

 

 It's amazing the way God reminds us of lessons we had learned yet seem to have gotten lost in our daily rush to get everything done.  I was stopped at a traffic light when the song "One Day At A Time" by Joe Walsh came on the radio.  As I listened to the song, several thoughts came bouncing into my mind like excited Jack Russell Terriers trying to get the first cookie.  God has given us the gift of living each day ONE Day At A Time.

 

Think about it.....When the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness, God provided their DAILY needs (Exodus 16:4); God's mercies are NEW every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23); Jesus taught us to pray "And give us THIS day, our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).  God has made provision for us exactly what we need every single day!  We don't have to worry about tomorrow, in spite of what happens around us, because God has already been through tomorrow and has made provision for us when tomorrow becomes today.

 

Yes, it's difficult not to worry about tomorrow when it is being shoved in our faces every moment of every day, and "gloom and doom" seem to be on every news feed. Yet when we stop for a moment and remember the great lesson that God has even built into us (we live our lives one heartbeat at a time, one breath at a time, one day at a time), then tomorrow doesn't seem so daunting.

I Am Grateful....!

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be grateful.

Colossians 3:15 

 

Peace.....  That doesn't seem to be what we see a whole lot of in the world today.  Just look at the all that is happening around us.  Peace?  Hardly!

 

But remember what Jesus taught us about Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage" - John 14:27.  Remember the Peace He gives us is NOT lack of trouble, rather the focus on Christ during troubling times!  And part of that Peace includes gratitude!

 

The Apostle writes, "And ALWAYS be grateful!"  Yes, grateful even in times of chaos.  Yes, even in times of struggle.  Yes, even in times of trials.  We are to ALWAYS be grateful.  I confess, that I have gotten caught up in all that is going on around me and have forgotten all I have to be grateful for.

 

When I am struggling, God is still in control and still loves me.

When I doubt, God is still in control and still loves me.

When I am angry, God is still in control and still loves me.

When I am frustrated, God is still in control and still loves me.

When I mess things up, God is still in control and still loves me.

When I am happy and think it's all because of me, God is still in control and still loves me.

 

So what do I have to be Grateful for:

...those who care enough to pray for me and with me (in spite of myself).

...those who share a laugh with me.

...those who allow me to be part of their lives.

...those who let me pray with and for them.

...those who are willing to love and be loved.

...those who dare to reach out for help.

...those who reach out to help.

...I am grateful that God has allowed me to see another year (today's my birthday).

the list of reasons to be grateful is endless.

 

My challenge for all of us....focus on all we have to be grateful for...especially when we are tempted to let the world trample us.  Focus on the Peace of Christ and embrace it! 

Want to Win?

Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.

Romans 12:21 

I remember during Army Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, having to navigate Victory Tower.  Now Victory Tower is, at first up close sight, quite daunting and intimidating.  Our Drill Instructors gathered us at the rally point and explained, in great detail what we were to do, how we were to do it, and when to do it.  And if we followed their instructions to the letter, we would make it without injury.

Part of the process of Victory Tower involved repelling down one side.  In order to do this, we had to make an "improvised Swiss Seat" out of a length of rope we were given.  If we followed the instructor's instructions perfectly, the seat would work safely without any "undue pain to the nether regions."  However, if we did not follow the instructions, "there is a Medic on hand to deal with what's left."

So up we began in our effort to conquer Victory Tower while remembering all the instructions that had been thrown at us by multiple Drill Instructors in about a 10 minute briefing.  My heart was pounding like a jackhammer and my legs felt like jelly, but I was determined to conquer this obstacle.  Then came the time for the Swiss Seat.  Trying to remember how we were supposed to tie it, I did my best, grabbed the guide rope and yelled to the ground crew "Buddy Ready".  When I heard my key of "Buddy MOVE!" I began my descent toward the ground.  

Let me tell you that the feeling of the earth under my feet never felt so good and since I didn't have to go see the Medic, I felt as though I could conquer the world. I had done good!  My Drill Sergeant, crusty old gristle though he was, said so. Actually he seem rather stunned, although I'm not sure why.

But think about this, when we conquer something we fear; when we conquer some temptation; when we are able to conquer a challenge, the feeling is almost euphoric!  And here, the Apostle Paul is reminding us that if we are to overcome evil, we cannot do it by giving evil in return.  We are to overcome evil by doing good.

"Two wrongs don't make a right!"  Remember that little adage?