How’s the challenge going? I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, victories, challenges. If you’re just joining us, feel free to check out:
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
Now, ready for week 3? Let’s do it!
Monday, June 4: Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens.”
Who around you is burdened today? In what way could you personally take part of that burden onto yourself in such a way that your friend is alleviated? Perhaps you can carry her burden by listening? Perhaps you can share your resources in such a way that a friend’s financial burden is lessened? Perhaps you can carry a friend’s burden in prayer, laying her needs before the Father faithfully all day. The essence of this day is this: Make her burden your burden. Make her concern your concern. Ask God how you may personally help your friend carry her burden today.
Tuesday, June 5: 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Encourage one another.”
To encourage is to inspire courage in another. How can you do this today? By a hand-written card? By praying for her? By reminding her of all the amazing qualities you see in her? By throwing a party for someone and showering her with love? By taking the time to just be with someone who could use your presence? Think of someone who might need courage today and consider how you might inspire courage and inspire faith in her today.
Wednesday, June 6: Colossians 3:16: “Teach and admonish one another.”
We like to leave this one to the pastors, speakers, and Bible teachers, but scripture is clear we are to teach and admonish each other. What does it mean to admonish? To admonish is to 1)Warn or reprimand someone firmly. 2) Advise or urge (someone) earnestly. In other words, it is to warn – caution – exhort – reprimand – advise. Well… that doesn’t sound like very much fun! Now here’s the deal, don’t just go reprimand someone just to fulfill the day’s challenge, but do pray and ask God to show you if there is someone you can lovingly share God’s truth with. It might be the form of a searching question (Can you tell me more about your decision to …?), a truth from Scripture (I came across this scripture today and wanted to share it with you …), a personal story or testimony which illustrates a biblical truth (Can I tell you something that happened to me and what God showed me through it?), or simply a nugget you discovered in the Word (Can I share with you what I discovered?!). However you do it, be sure it is scriptural, and done in love and humility, according to God’s timing and in God’s way. Easier said than done! If this sounds terrifying to you and you’ve never done it before, consider just sharing one verse with a friend. Be brave and be blessed!
Thursday, June 7: Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”
Before you call your friend and leave her a voice mail with a rousing rendition of The Old Rugged Cross, think about what might bless her and draw her more to Jesus. Perhaps you want to send your friend a particular Psalm that God puts on your heart. Perhaps you’ve discovered a new favorite worship song or worship album that really lifts your heart in praise to God and you’d like to buy her a copy or send her a song? My new personal favorite is Rend the Heavens’ new album. Going to their CD release concert Wednesday night–awesome! What do you listen to? Does it draw you closer to Christ? Does it lift your heart up in praise and draw you to your knees in worship? How can you encourage your friend to worship God in this same way?
Friday, June 8: Romans 12:16: “Live in harmony with one another.”
Who do you live with? Is there harmony? Or, who do you “do life” with on a regular basis? Is there harmony in that relationship? Today, take a look at those relationships closest to you–spouse, roommate, parent, child, sibling, co-worker. Is there harmony in this relationship? Ask God to search your heart and know you, to point out any wicked way in you and lead you in the way everlasting. You are not in control of that other person, but “as much as depends on you, live at peace with all people.” Today, take steps toward peace and harmony in your closest relationships, the ones who you usually take for granted, or who usually see you at your worst. Focus there, and pursue harmony.
Saturday, June 9: 1 Corinthians 1:10: “Agree with one another.”
This is one I feel like I’ve constantly reinforcing with my kids. They are so prone to argue about things that do not matter (he called it a donkey but it’s really a horse!). You know what? We’re the same way. We can get so bent on being “right” that we win the argument but lose the relationship. Today, begin asking yourself, “Does this really matter?” Unless it is a core doctrine or someone’s well-being is at stake, just let it go. It is a glory to overlook an offense, love covers a multitude of sins, have nothing to do with foolish arguments. It takes two to fight, so today, consider how you can simply “agree” or keep quiet instead of insisting you are right or having to prove your points. In short: Let it go!
Sunday, June 10: James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.”
This isn’t a real fun one either. And I don’t believe we are to just go willy-nilly hanging out all our dirty laundry. BUT, we are to confess our sin to each other so that we can pray for each other. Just last week a friend did this with me, and we were so able to mutually encourage each other, pray together, and be helping each other through text messages all week. Love that! Ask God to show you if there’s something He wants you to confess and receive prayer for. I have done this often and found such freedom in confession and the humility of asking for prayer! Be sure, also, to ask a trusted friend, who you can rely on to not talk to anyone about the issue other than God. And always be sure that anything you share does not break confidence of someone else or put anyone else in a negative light. This is just between you and God and asking a trusted friend for prayer. It can be as simple as, “I’m really struggling with …(this)… right now, can you please pray for me right now?”
Thanks so much for continuing along this path with me. I do pray you are seeing His Word come to life as you put these into practice. Bless you, and thanks for reading!