Day 13 - Psalm 43:1-5

Going through difficult times can be stressful on the soul. Why suffering takes place or some injustice has happen may allow us to start feeling sorry for ourselves and to lose hope. Yet we have to remind ourselves to seek our comfort and refuge in the Lord. "Why are you so down my soul? Our hope is in the Lord for salvation comes from Him." The next time the dark clouds roll in may I not focus on the circumstances but take refuge in the Lord.

Day 12 - 3 John 1-4

What kind of wake do you leave behind you? Or in other words who are the people you are influencing for Christ? We all have the responsibility for the next generation that follows.  John was thankful for the good reports of those coming behind him in the faith. These are some challenging questions I must look square in the face about how I choose to live my life...

Day 11 - Romans 5:1-11

Romans 5:8 is one of the most powerful verses in my life. When I think about God demonstrating His love towards me even before I acknowledged Him, it blows my mind away. This passage goes further to give us a hope which will never disappoint because our hope is not in our "righteousness" but in God. This is the same God who demonstrated His love before we acknowledge Him. So we can be assured our hope doesn't depend on our perfection or our performance but it solely relies on God Himself.

Day 10 - 1 Cor. 2:6-11

Wisdom comes from God. Not a completely earth shattering news but it does help us keep things in perspective. Just think about the time and effort we give to train, and educate our mind. We commit  roughly 1//3 of our time here on earth to being in school. Now this doesn't give us permission to blow off the need for school but it does remind us not to put our hope in what this world knows but to seek God and the wisdom that comes from Him.

Day 9 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

God wants a generous heart. One who is a cheerful giver. It is hard sometimes to not focus on your wants and to give to others but here in this passage it talks about what God loves, a cheerful giver. I always try to pay attention to the things that please God or make Him glad. If we truly love Him then we will want to do the things that bring joy to Him. We also get a promise that if we sow sparingly then we will reap sparingly. So if we want others to be generous to us we need to be generous to others.

Day 8 - James 4:6-10

Humility is a subject I have never mastered. Many a times have I thought way more of myself then I ever deserve. Passages like these are so good for my soul to be reminded of daily. Here is the harsh reality, my proud attitude is directly opposing the will of God. It is as if I was stepping over the desires of God just to do things my way, which most of the time never works.

Day 7 - Luke 17:11-15

This passage has always made me think hard about physical healing. From what I understand all ten lepers were healed but it was only this one who turned back who received spiritual healing.  The human heart can be cold and selfish, this is just one example of it and even when God heals a person, they still may never be ready to receive what they really need. A cleansing of the soul....

Day 6 - Romans 11:33-36

Oh the levels of God, what a mind bogging thought! Have you ever tried to grasp the largeness of God? The depths of His power and presence over all of creation. Who can even beginning to comprehend these things. It is amazing that in every language and every culture God can be worshipped and understood. It is a sobering thought.

Day 5 - Ephesians 5:15-21

Do not be foolish....

How not to be a fool is a great question to ponder because it would mean that you are instead choosing to be wise. I love the word wise better than smart because we usually associate smart with book intelligence but I believe wise is better defined as making good/healthy choices. In this passage Paul encourages his readers to not be fools and let wine control you but be wise and let the Spirit control you. Evidence of Spirit filled life will be a joyful heart and a willingness to work alongside others.

Day 4 - Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the Lord.... Why should we?

Well look at this list found in these verses:
1. Holy
2. Forgives iniquity
3. Heals diseases
4. Redeems life
5. Steadfast love
6. Mercy
7. Satisfies with good
8. Renews your life

Just a small sample of reasons to bless the name of the Lord

Day 3 Psalm 107:1-32

"For he satisfies the longing soul
and the hungry soul he fills with good things" Psalm 107:9

What a great verse for so many people who struggle with finding a satisfied soul. I pray your soul is not too easily satisfied in things of this world.

Lord, please teach me how to stay satisfied in you and help me to lead others in this way.

Day 2 Colossians 1:3-8

Paul starts out this letter to indicate his thankfulness for the Colossians. He was thankful for them because of their faith, love and hope....

As I was reading through this passage I started to think through some people I am thankful for their faith, love and hope. I am so thankful for others who have paved the way and left behind examples of each of these three key aspects of the Christian faith.... And Lord willing I can be an example for those who follow after me...

Day 1 - Colossians 3:12-17

Paul tells us in verse 12 to "put on" or "clothe yourself", it is a concept of actively pursuing the following list:
1. Compassionate hearts
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Meekness
5. Patience
6. Bearing with one another
7. Forgiving each other
8. Love
9. Peace
10. Thankfulness

Then Paul wraps up by encouraging us to let God's word dwell in our hearts and whatever we do, do it in the name of Jesus....

Look over that list again and see what areas you need to "put on" each day as you represent Christ. I know I need several of them as they don't come natural. Take time and prayer for God to help you "clothe yourself" with this list today.

180 Challenge Reading Plan

Day 1: Colossians 3:12-17
Day 2: Colossians 1:3-8
Day 3: Psalm 107: 1-32
Day 4: Psalm 103:1-5
Day 5: Ephesians 5:15-21
Day 6: Romans 11:33-36
Day 7: Luke 17:11-15
Day 8: James 4:6-10
Day 9: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Day 10: 1 Corinthians 2:6-11
Day 11: Romans 5:1-11
Day 12: 3 John 1-4
Day 13: Psalm 43:1-5
Day 14: Psalm 56
Day 15: Psalm 50:14-15; 23
Day 16: Psalm 30
Day 17: Proverbs 3:13-18
Day 18: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Day 19: 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Day 20: 2 Timothy 1:3-5; 3:14-15
Day 21: Proverbs 21:2-9
Day 22: Proverbs 30:7-9
Day 23: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Day 24: Ruth 2:1-13
Day 25: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Day 26: Ezra 3:8-13
Day 27: 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Day 28: Philippians 1:3-11
Day 29: Deuteronomy  6:1-12
Day 30: Galatians 5:16-24

What is the 180 Challenge?

I accept the 180 Challenge. Over the next 30 days I will wake up and completely turn my life towards God. Over the next 30 days I will invite ONE unsaved friend out to church. I will spend EIGHT minutes with God in three different ways. Eight minutes reading my Bible, eight minutes praying and eight minutes journaling what God has done. And finally I will have ZERO tolerance for anything that might intervene with my relationship with God.