Day 40: Friday, February 19:

Well… praise the Lord! We made it to day 40 of our Red Letter challenge! So, how was it? I hope over the past 40 days you have learned more about Jesus and the kind of life he calls us to as his followers. I pray you never stop learning and growing and becoming all Christ calls you to be!

This challenge is meant to last a lifetime, because when we follow Jesus and his words, we find the life we were made for. Our 40-day challenge may be over, but I want to encourage you continue pursuing the five main principles we focus on during this Challenge:

Ø Being – Spend time connecting with Jesus each day through prayer and Bible Study. You have made it regular practice over the last 40 days, so you know you can make this a consistent routine in your spiritual life.

Ø Forgiving – Think back on our week of “Forgiving. Is there any unconfessed sin in your life you need to ask God to forgive? Is there someone in your life you still need to forgive? Remember, when we forgive others, we are the ones who are set free!

Ø Serving – God wants you to be involved in his work on earth. If you haven’t already, make serving part of your life. When you serve, you get to be a part of what God is doing all around you.

Ø Giving – Be a cheerful giver. You can’t out give God. He is the most generous giver of all and he wants you to be like him.

Ø Going – You have a story to tell! God has placed you in the lives of others to make a lasting impact. Ask God to work through you and trust him to give you the words to say. Someone’s life could change forever because of your willingness to share the Good News of Jesus and his love.

It’s not always easy following in the footsteps of Jesus; we will need the support, and encouragement from each other, the family of God, and the church. Most importantly, we will need the Holy Spirit. God is glad to give us his Spirit so that can confidently say along with the Apostle Paul:

“I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

DAY 40 CHALLENGE

So, here is your last challenge: Pursue Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Pray for God to use you to make a difference for his Kingdom. After all is said and done in this world, may you hear God say “WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!

Day 40: Friday, February 19:

Well… praise the Lord! We made it to day 40 of our Red Letter challenge! So, how was it? I hope over the past 40 days you have learned more about Jesus and the kind of life he calls us to as his followers. I pray you never stop learning and growing and becoming all Christ calls you to be!

This challenge is meant to last a lifetime, because when we follow Jesus and his words, we find the life we were made for. Our 40-day challenge may be over, but I want to encourage you continue pursuing the five main principles we focus on during this Challenge:

Ø Being – Spend time connecting with Jesus each day through prayer and Bible Study. You have made it regular practice over the last 40 days, so you know you can make this a consistent routine in your spiritual life.

Ø Forgiving – Think back on our week of “Forgiving. Is there any unconfessed sin in your life you need to ask God to forgive? Is there someone in your life you still need to forgive? Remember, when we forgive others, we are the ones who are set free!

Ø Serving – God wants you to be involved in his work on earth. If you haven’t already, make serving part of your life. When you serve, you get to be a part of what God is doing all around you.

Ø Giving – Be a cheerful giver. You can’t out give God. He is the most generous giver of all and he wants you to be like him.

Ø Going – You have a story to tell! God has placed you in the lives of others to make a lasting impact. Ask God to work through you and trust him to give you the words to say. Someone’s life could change forever because of your willingness to share the Good News of Jesus and his love.

It’s not always easy following in the footsteps of Jesus; we will need the support, and encouragement from each other, the family of God, and the church. Most importantly, we will need the Holy Spirit. God is glad to give us his Spirit so that can confidently say along with the Apostle Paul:

“I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

DAY 40 CHALLENGE

So, here is your last challenge: Pursue Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Pray for God to use you to make a difference for his Kingdom. After all is said and done in this world, may you hear God say “WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!

Day 39: Thursday, February 18:

Jesus talked a lot about giving and having a spirit of generosity. Generosity at its core is a lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle in which we share all that we have, are, or ever will become. We live a life of generosity as a demonstration of God’s love and a response to his grace. We give because God so generously gave to us. Just listen to Jesus talk about God’s generosity in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God gave us his only Son and Jesus gave us everything (his life), so we could be reconciled to the Father through a relationship with him. When I think about generosity, I can think of no greater example than this!

Jesus challenges his followers to make generosity a way of life. He was so serious about this that he actually talked about money more than even heaven or hell. Jesus wants us to understand that God is more important than money or any material possession we could ever have.

You may be thinking “I’m not rich, I don’t have anything to give,” but we all have been given so much.

DAY 39 CHALLENGE:

Sometimes it’s hard to give when we are holding on too tightly to things. Think about what these things might be in your life. Ask God to prepare your heart for what he would have you give and give up. Ask him to give you a heart of generosity.

Day 39: Thursday, February 18:

Jesus talked a lot about giving and having a spirit of generosity. Generosity at its core is a lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle in which we share all that we have, are, or ever will become. We live a life of generosity as a demonstration of God’s love and a response to his grace. We give because God so generously gave to us. Just listen to Jesus talk about God’s generosity in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God gave us his only Son and Jesus gave us everything (his life), so we could be reconciled to the Father through a relationship with him. When I think about generosity, I can think of no greater example than this!

Jesus challenges his followers to make generosity a way of life. He was so serious about this that he actually talked about money more than even heaven or hell. Jesus wants us to understand that God is more important than money or any material possession we could ever have.

You may be thinking “I’m not rich, I don’t have anything to give,” but we all have been given so much.

DAY 39 CHALLENGE:

Sometimes it’s hard to give when we are holding on too tightly to things. Think about what these things might be in your life. Ask God to prepare your heart for what he would have you give and give up. Ask him to give you a heart of generosity.

Day 38: Wednesday, February 17:

Jesus lived a life of humility. He never put himself above others. He spent time with those no-one wanted to spend time with. He healed the sick, raised the dead and fed thousands. Everywhere he went, Jesus demonstrated a heart of service. Before going to the cross, Jesus challenged his disciples to follow his example and serve others.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:12-15)

As we spend more time with Jesus, our gratitude for what God has done leads us to serve him. We don’t serve because we have to, we serve because we get to! When we serve out of the overflow of what God is doing within us, we get to experience the joy of serving others. The Apostle Paul expounds on what true Christian freedom is all about:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

When we serve others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus to the world around us. When we understand the freedom we have in Christ, we realize we don’t have to serve, we get to serve! When you realize how Good God is and what he has done for you, you want to serve.

DAY 38 CHALLENGE

Today we’re refreshing on Target #3: Serving.

As you head into your day, be sensitive to God’s prompting and leading. You may be surprised to find the number of opportunities God gives you to serve others and share his love when you are looking for them. Remember, while serving others won’t save you, it may help save someone else!

Day 38: Wednesday, February 17:

Jesus lived a life of humility. He never put himself above others. He spent time with those no-one wanted to spend time with. He healed the sick, raised the dead and fed thousands. Everywhere he went, Jesus demonstrated a heart of service. Before going to the cross, Jesus challenged his disciples to follow his example and serve others.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:12-15)

As we spend more time with Jesus, our gratitude for what God has done leads us to serve him. We don’t serve because we have to, we serve because we get to! When we serve out of the overflow of what God is doing within us, we get to experience the joy of serving others. The Apostle Paul expounds on what true Christian freedom is all about:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

When we serve others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus to the world around us. When we understand the freedom we have in Christ, we realize we don’t have to serve, we get to serve! When you realize how Good God is and what he has done for you, you want to serve.

DAY 38 CHALLENGE

Today we’re refreshing on Target #3: Serving.

As you head into your day, be sensitive to God’s prompting and leading. You may be surprised to find the number of opportunities God gives you to serve others and share his love when you are looking for them. Remember, while serving others won’t save you, it may help save someone else!

Day 37: Tuesday, February 16:

Have you ever had found out you were having company unexpectedly? I sure have. If you are like me, in the rush to make sure your home was presentable when your guests arrived, you quickly put things into any closet or drawer you could find! And some even may have found their way under the bed! Your guests arrived and were welcomed into a clean and tidy home. After they left, you were relieved you were able to “clean things up” in time. Everything looked great on the outside, but if they only had opened a closet door or two, they would have discovered an absolute mess inside.

Our lives are a lot like this! We can create the appearance that everything is perfect when in reality, in may ways we are broken inside, full of regrets, hurts and pain.

This reminds me of the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus. They both were a mess, but only one was willing to expose who he really was to Jesus and saw Jesus for who He was.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Why would Jesus pardon one who in all probability never said grace much less do anything to deserve it? The only thing more outlandish than the request that was given that day by the repentant criminal was that Jesus granted his request! Maybe this criminal heard Jesus speak. Maybe he had witnessed him love the lowly. Maybe not. Maybe the only thing he knew about Jesus was what he saw, a beaten, battered and bruised suspended preacher. His face crimson

with blood, his bones peeking through torn flesh, his lungs gasping for air. This criminal must have realized in the midst of all that was happening that he was in the company of the One who could forgive his sins and grant him eternal life. I can imagine the repentant criminal asking Jesus “Any chance you can put in a good word for me?” and Jesus’ response “Consider it done!”

We can spend many years regretting sins from our past and reliving hurts and regrets. With all he had done wrong to put him on that cross next to Jesus, the criminal had the courage to ask for forgiveness and Jesus granted it. The greatest act of love we can experience is the grace and forgiveness Jesus offers. But we don’t experience the peace of forgiveness if we are intent on keeping our sins hidden, holding them inside of us. Repentance is the Spirit of God working on us to willingly lay open the closet doors of our lives and show Jesus the mess that we have hidden inside. This all sounds good, but for many, it means having an honest conversation with the Lord and opening up the doors and drawers and exposing everything we try to so hard to hide.

DAY 37 CHALLENGE

Today we revisit target #2: Forgiveness.

What sins are you most embarrassed about? Embarrassment is powerful. It causes us to feel ashamed and afraid. Ask the Lord for the strength of his Spirit, to open up and release these sins to him!

What does it mean to trust that Jesus died on the cross, even for these sins? How does this change the way you feel? What will be different in your thinking as you move forward from here in the peace that Jesus fully and freely forgives you?

Day 37: Tuesday, February 16:

Have you ever had found out you were having company unexpectedly? I sure have. If you are like me, in the rush to make sure your home was presentable when your guests arrived, you quickly put things into any closet or drawer you could find! And some even may have found their way under the bed! Your guests arrived and were welcomed into a clean and tidy home. After they left, you were relieved you were able to “clean things up” in time. Everything looked great on the outside, but if they only had opened a closet door or two, they would have discovered an absolute mess inside.

Our lives are a lot like this! We can create the appearance that everything is perfect when in reality, in may ways we are broken inside, full of regrets, hurts and pain.

This reminds me of the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus. They both were a mess, but only one was willing to expose who he really was to Jesus and saw Jesus for who He was.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Why would Jesus pardon one who in all probability never said grace much less do anything to deserve it? The only thing more outlandish than the request that was given that day by the repentant criminal was that Jesus granted his request! Maybe this criminal heard Jesus speak. Maybe he had witnessed him love the lowly. Maybe not. Maybe the only thing he knew about Jesus was what he saw, a beaten, battered and bruised suspended preacher. His face crimson

with blood, his bones peeking through torn flesh, his lungs gasping for air. This criminal must have realized in the midst of all that was happening that he was in the company of the One who could forgive his sins and grant him eternal life. I can imagine the repentant criminal asking Jesus “Any chance you can put in a good word for me?” and Jesus’ response “Consider it done!”

We can spend many years regretting sins from our past and reliving hurts and regrets. With all he had done wrong to put him on that cross next to Jesus, the criminal had the courage to ask for forgiveness and Jesus granted it. The greatest act of love we can experience is the grace and forgiveness Jesus offers. But we don’t experience the peace of forgiveness if we are intent on keeping our sins hidden, holding them inside of us. Repentance is the Spirit of God working on us to willingly lay open the closet doors of our lives and show Jesus the mess that we have hidden inside. This all sounds good, but for many, it means having an honest conversation with the Lord and opening up the doors and drawers and exposing everything we try to so hard to hide.

DAY 37 CHALLENGE

Today we revisit target #2: Forgiveness.

What sins are you most embarrassed about? Embarrassment is powerful. It causes us to feel ashamed and afraid. Ask the Lord for the strength of his Spirit, to open up and release these sins to him!

What does it mean to trust that Jesus died on the cross, even for these sins? How does this change the way you feel? What will be different in your thinking as you move forward from here in the peace that Jesus fully and freely forgives you?

Day 36: Monday, February 15:

On Day one of the Red Letter Challenge, we focused on the first target: Being with Jesus.

Jesus himself teaches us this importance of this:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

To put it simply, we need Jesus. Not only for our salvation but also for living as saved people. He is the fine, the source of life, of health, of vitality. If we stop coming to him, we deprive ourselves of all the life-giving nutrients we need to be spiritually healthy.

So how have you done through this challenge in “being with Jesus”? What positive progress do you see? What difficulties has the Lord help you overcome? How are you spiritually healthier today than when we first started this challenge almost 40 days ago?

DAY 36 CHALLENGE

Take another look at your schedule. Where can you open up even more room in order to spend time with Jesus every day?

Take a look at the environment where you spend your time with Jesus. How can you set that environment to maximize your focus on him? What distractions can you remove or mute? What helps can you add to the environment to help you maintain your focus?

Day 36: Monday, February 15:

On Day one of the Red Letter Challenge, we focused on the first target: Being with Jesus.

Jesus himself teaches us this importance of this:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

To put it simply, we need Jesus. Not only for our salvation but also for living as saved people. He is the fine, the source of life, of health, of vitality. If we stop coming to him, we deprive ourselves of all the life-giving nutrients we need to be spiritually healthy.

So how have you done through this challenge in “being with Jesus”? What positive progress do you see? What difficulties has the Lord help you overcome? How are you spiritually healthier today than when we first started this challenge almost 40 days ago?

DAY 36 CHALLENGE

Take another look at your schedule. Where can you open up even more room in order to spend time with Jesus every day?

Take a look at the environment where you spend your time with Jesus. How can you set that environment to maximize your focus on him? What distractions can you remove or mute? What helps can you add to the environment to help you maintain your focus?