‎1 John 1:5-7 NASB
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Personal Challenge…
We often think of walking in darkness as walking in sin… purposely choosing to live a life that we know that would be dishonoring to God. However, this also means doing those little things that we would not be considered sin by the measurement of the culture around us.

One that I can think of is in the language that we use about, or to, those around us. Do I build people up or tear them down? Do I offer grace in my words, even to those that I do not like or agree with, or do I offer criticism and cynicism? Do I speak with the love of Jesus or the malice of Jerry Seinfield? Do I show and speak love to those around me (physically and virtually in the Internet world) or do I tear them down?

Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Words of Encouragement…
It amazes me that when you look at all the other religions and “non-religions” around the world you find that the god that is being pursued, or the end that is desired, is so far from human reach. It is never possible to know if you will “make it”.

However, for true Christianity we are reminded that since we are inadequate and incapable to reach God on our own, God came to us through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a life as a man, like all of us. He was tempted, but never gave in to the temptation. He suffered, but always remained true to His Father. He laughed and cried and played with children. He knows what it is to be human…up close and personal. And because of Him and His sacrifice we who believe in Him have a means by which we can reach God. Now that is encouraging!

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Words of Encouragement…
How much does God love His children? He loves us so much that it is not possible to define it in our meager, finite human terms. If I am loved that much, then how can I not show love to those whom God has placed in my life?

Romans 12:9 NLT
Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.

Personal Challenge…
I love how the NLT presents this verse. It is so easy for me to act, or pretend, like I am loving others. But, God can see through that facade. If I am to be living out my relationship with Christ, my sonship through Christ, then my love for others must be real, it must be sacrificial, it must be for their good…even if it means giving up my desires to be right. This is how God wants me to shine His light in this dark and gloomy world.

Luke 11:17 NASB
He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A divided home is also doomed.

Personal Challenge…
I have always seen this verse used to defend Christ as the Son of God and the miracles that He performed. But couldn’t it also be a warning to us in the church? A warning to stop being a divided church, arguing with each other over who has the “true” expression of the gospel and the “true” right to call themselves Christians.

Zechariah 7:9-10 NASB
“Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’

Personal Challenge…
This is one message that is consistant throughout the Bible, both old testament and new testament. We are to love our neighbor and take care of those in need. I guess it is in there in so many places, so many different ways, because people like me need to be reminded about this a lot.

Proverbs 21:21
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

Command with a Promise…
Pursue righteousness and loyalty (NIV says “love”) and you will find life, righteousness, and honor. This is so contrary to what the world teaches. We are told to pursue success and wealth, knowledge and power, self-gratification and instant everything. It is the pursuit of God and the love for those whom He has put in our lives that will yield a full and righteous life.

This is the doctrine that Jesus based His teaching on, “Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Psalm 1:1-3 NASB
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Words of Encouragement…
Have you ever had those times in your life when you wondered if all of the time spent going to church, reading the scripture, being silent in prayer was worth it. I can vaguely remember feeling this way in my younger years…but now as I get to ride the roller-coaster on the downhill side I can look back and say with JOY, “It has all been worth it, it has been wonderful to be planted by streams of living water, to be able to yield fruit, to not wither, and to be prosperous in Him. I cherish the opportunity to continue walk through life delighting in the law of the LORD and meditating upon Him.”

‎1 Kings 22:5 NASB
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”

Personal Challenge…
Have you every wondered what is the first step for any decision that you need to make…no mater how big or how small. Go to the Lord and see what He wants you to do. This is so much easier said than done, but it is the best way to walk through life.

‎1 John 4:10-12 NLT
This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

Personal Challenge…
Love…such a misunderstood word, concept and command. Oh, how often I slip into the mode of loving those around me according to the world’s standard of love. Then I am reminded to go read 1 Corinthians 13. That is when I realize that the commandment by our Lord to love our neighbor is to not to love them the way the world loves, but the way that God loves. Definitely a lifelong challenge, but one that is worth pursuing.