Challenges

We all likely know many people in our lives that need rescue that only God can provide. In fact, you might have someone specific that's heavy on your heart that needs rescue from something that has had a hold of their lives.  For this week's challenge, lift the names up of those who need rescuing before God. Ask God to allow our eyes to see people breakthrough addiction, breakthrough loneliness, or breakthrough isolation through Him.

For this week's challenge, we first need to recognize your own mess. All of us are a mess. It's only by God's grace that we have been cleaned up and are used by him. You are a mess, and you come from a long line of mess makers. The truth is: the messiest people around are the people who walk around thinking they're not a mess. For the second part of the challenge, remember that Jesus delights in turning messes into masterpieces. That's that's what he does, and that's what the Gospel is about. It's how you've been called to love and see other people. Make it a point this week to make sure someone else knows that is how Jesus sees them, and you see them this way as well.   

The question for the believer today is this, will you simply press on? Will yourecommit to prey on your nays knees every day for that one person? Willyou recommit between you and God to share the gospel with them?Just just one more time. Will you commit to say, I'm gonna invite that person to church so they can experience worship and see Christians with joy and hear the word of God proclaimed. Will you do whatever it takes to wreck the roof, to bring your one to the feet of Jesus?

In times of diffculty or struggle, it can be easy to only seek out the resolution to the problem you are facing.You may be desperate for things to change, but the circumstances seem totally and completely out of your control. This week you are challenged, while still praying and seeking wise counsel on your situation, to try to find the purpose or the opportunity that you have through this difficulty.  Make sure to share the opportunity that you discovered in this community to encourage others to do the same!

For this week's challenge, simply pray that God would put opportunities in your path for you to fulfill the needs of others. Pray that God would give you the courage and willingness to step into these situations when you are presented with them.  Keep your eyes open for ways to demonstrate Jesus's love to people one at a time! Share your story here to encourage others in this community!

So many things in life are constantly pulling our attention in different directions. Saying that we need to focus on other people and God sounds simple, but it is not always easy with our busy lives and hectic schedules.  For this week's challenge, write "Love God and love people" on a notecard and place it somewhere that you will see it daily this week. Whenever you see this card throughout your week, pray that God will help you to love others and Him the way that you're called to.  Share how God changed your priorities through this challenge in the "Stories" section for others to gain encouragement from!

In today's society, there is such a high value placed on our "stuff" or our possessions. We fall into the trap of thinking these items or our wealth will bring us the happiness and fulfillment that we desire.  For this week's challenge, grab a physical object from your home or some money to give away. Be led by the spirit for what this item should be for you! Challenge yourself to find an opportunity each day to let go of your stuff and make more room for God and others in your life. Share what you let go of in the "Stories" section!

In Luke 10, we read about Jesus coming to visit the home of Martha and Mary with his disciples. Martha is busy making sure things are taken care of for the many guests, while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to his teaching. Martha is frustrated with her sister for her lack of help, yet Jesus sees the situation differently “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” We want to be like Mary and spend time at the feet of Jesus. For this week's challenge, set an alarm for the same time each day this week and spend the next 15 to 30 minutes with Jesus. No matter what part of the day you choose, in those minutes just reflect and receive with no distractions. 

There is so much excitement and build-up to Christmas every year that it can be easy to feel a bit of a lull afterwards. As you put away your tree and decorations, it can also be tempting to take the focus off of Jesus. But don't put Jesus away when you put away your nativity scene! After all, he didn't just come as a baby in a manager and stay that way; he came to be the Savior for all humanity.   This week, between now and the start of the new year, open up Scripture and dive into one of the four Gospels. Mark is a great option as it is the shortest if you are feeling intimidated by reading an entire Gospel. But as you read Scripture, allow the Word of God to speak to you and reveal some things to you in preparation for the start of a new year.  Make sure to share what you found most impactful so we can learn from one another!

What does the word hopeful mean to you? In our broken world, it can be hard to remain hopeful in the midst of so many struggles and hardships. But as Christ followers, we have the ultimate hope that never fades, no matter the time or circumstance. This week, your key phrase is "Remind Me". In our challenge, we are asking God to remind us of all his Son accomplished for us and all we have to be hopeful about. Sometimes, we just need God to remind us that he has a plan for everything going on in our lives; we always have hope in Christ. Throughout your week, ask God to remind you of these things and all the promises he has made throughout Scripture that give us hope. Share what God reminded you of this week that helps you remain hopeful!

We know that Jesus offers us life to the full, but we can only truly experience that type of life when we are willing to "step out of the boat" and take risks that may make us feel uneasy or uncomfortable. This week, start off by writing "Stretch Me" on a notecard and putting it on your mirror or any place where you will see it on a regular basis throughout your week. The phrase "stretch me" is an invitation for God to call out the faith inside of you. You are challenged to have faith and take at least one risk this week! That risk may be a conversation with a friend or family member or even giving of your time or money in a plan that you weren't initially planning to.  How many risks can you take in faith this week? Make sure to share one here to inspire and motivate others! 

Jesus gives life, and he gives it to the full! But in our broken world, it can be difficult to see the beauty in what he has done and in what he is currently doing.  For our challenge this week, just ask God to show you the beauty in this world with how he sees things. Ask him to give you his eyes to see the beauty of transformation, and the beauty of what he's doing in your life.  We've know he's given us life to the full, so just ask him to show you! And share what he showed you here for others to be encouraged by!

Jesus gives us life to the full and gives our life purpose each and every day. God has poured intentional and meaningful purpose into you to accomplish things to advance the Kingdom!  For this week's 1X challenge, ask God to use you for his purpose today and each day this week! Grab a post-it or note card to write the phrase "Use Me" on and then place it in a spot that you will see each day this week to help remind you.  Share your story on here on how God used you this week! 

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul tells us, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Jesus changes the way we view the world and what we have. When we see the world through the lens of eternity, we realize that we already have enough. We do not feel the need to be constantly striving for more; instead, we are satisfied and content.  For this week's 1X challenge, take an envelope and put something inside of it. This is totally your choice -- it can be money, a gift card, an encouraging note, or whatever you feel called to put in it. Then, you are going to give it away to someone with a joy-filled heart! Share your story of what you were called to put in the envelope and how it impacted the person that you gave it to!

One of the most practical and impactful ways that you can change your thinking is to change what you are consuming -- your input. This week, you are challenged to turn down the input of things that are in opposition to Jesus, such as social media, the news channel, and other forms of entertainment. These things just cloud our thinking and take away our focus. Instead, turn up the input of things that reflect Jesus; things like worship music, sermons, deep conversations with friends, and times of prayer. Focus your mind on things that are pure, lovely, and noble in order to reframe your thinking. Don't forget to share what you turned up this week with your 1X community here to encourage others!

We are told throughout Scripture that this world is not our home; our true home is in Heaven. Hebrews 13:14 tells us, "For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven." We are to fix our eyes on Heaven, especially when things don't make sense or are difficult here on earth.  This week, you are challenged to make a list of the things you are glad will be gone in Heaven. Some things maybe common for a lot of us, such as cancer, sickness, stress, anxiety, etc., but some things may be really specific to the struggles and pain that you have endured in your life. Some things may be lighthearted and others may be serious, but create a list of all the things you are excited to no longer have to experience when you are in Heaven! Share some of the things on your list here for others to read and get excited about. We'd love to hear your list!