challenge #32

READ

John 11:1-3, 17-37

¹Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. ³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”…

  ¹⁷On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁹and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

 ²¹“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

 ²³Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

 ²⁴Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

 ²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

 ²⁷“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

 ²⁸And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

 ³²When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 ³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴“Where have you laid him?” he asked.
      ”Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

 ³⁵Jesus wept.

 ³⁶Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

 ³⁷But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

ASK

• Why do you think Jesus delayed his arrival?
• Have you ever felt like God was late? When?
• Did Jesus weep because Lazarus died or for another reason? What is it?

THINK

Think about it. From our perspective it seems like God is always running late. Yet from His perspective He is always on time. Do we trust Him enough to know that when things don’t go the way we are hoping that He is still in control and we are still loved?

DO

Sometimes when life gets crazy it’s best to stop and reconnect. Today’s challenge is to call your partner and discuss the journey so far including today’s material. That’s it. Enjoy!

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by loving You more. Allow me to understand that things happen in the right time frame even if it is not my own time frame. Help me increase my ability to love. Amen.

challenge #31

READ

Mark 10:35-45

³⁵Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

 ³⁶“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

 ³⁷They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

 ³⁸“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

 ³⁹“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ⁴⁰but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

 ⁴¹When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴²Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

ASK

• Why do you think James and John are arguing about who is greatest?
• Why were the other ten “indignant” about James and John’s request?
• What does it mean to be great by becoming a servant or slave?

THINK

Think about it. Isn’t this a case of missing the point? James and John are asking to be the greatest in a kingdom of least’s. Yet Jesus does not kick them out or ignore them. He gently corrects them. Jesus truly invested himself fully into these men who would eventually change the course and direction of the entire world. Many times changing the many means investing into the few.

DO

Do you remember when you learned to tie your shoes? You had to have someone teach you, to show you what needs done, and the way to do it. How much more with living out our Christian faith? As we see with James and John, sometimes we need someone to guide us along the way. This weeks challenge is a doozy. Find a mentor. Seriously, seek out someone who will invest into you. No, they don’t have to teach you to tie your shoes (you should already know that). Already have a mentor? Good. You’re ahead of the curve. Now go find someone to mentor… you didn’t think you would get off that easy did you?

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by putting others ahead of myself. Lead me to someone who has been there and I can learn from. Just as James and John had someone they could ask questions lead me to someone I can learn from. Amen.

challenge #30

READ

Luke 19:1-10

¹Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ²A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

 ⁵When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. ⁷All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ “

 ⁸But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” ⁹Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

ASK

• What does Jesus say to make Zacchaeus give his possessions to the poor?
• Why do the rich have a responsibility to take care of the poor in the Kingdom?
• Does salvation come to the house because of what Zacchaeus does?

THINK

Think about it. Jesus did not tell Zacchaeus to do anything. He gives freely and not from obligation but from desire. We cannot make taking care of the poor a social referendum or duty. It must come from a heart that has been changed. And it is our actions that display God’s righteousness to the world – we are the people He is making right again.

DO

Zacchaeus didn’t give because he had to but because he wanted to it. His giving was an overflow of his love. Today’s challenge is simple. Give. This could mean giving your time, your money, your mad skills, whatever it is you feel led to. This will look different for everybody but give out of love not obligation. And yes, chocolate chip cookies do count.

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by giving out of love. Guide me to give to others with a grateful heart. Amen.

challenge #29

READ

Luke 18:18-30

¹⁸A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁹“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ²⁰You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

²¹“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

²²When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²³When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. ²⁴Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

²⁸Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

²⁹“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God ³⁰will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”

ASK

• Who are the rich people in the world today? Check out this map
• Why is it hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven?
• The rich man lacked one thing…What are you lacking?

THINK

Think about it. It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven because it is hard for the rich to think they need anything, because they have “everything”. Adding Jesus is just a +Jesus solution. They don’t want to give up anything… just add something. It’s the +Jesus Theology. I want my wealth, my pride, my affairs, my cars, my homes and a side of Jesus. Yet Jesus refuses to be added. He wants everything else to be subtracted. The call is to lose ourselves remember.

DO

So in case you haven’t figured it out yet… you are the rich people (refer to the map… not your pocketbook!). So today we are going to share some of our wealth. Go to www.worldvision.org there are a variety of gifts you can purchase to help someone in need. If you didn’t find the lamb last week… you can purchase on here! Have fun shopping!

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by reaching out to those who need in this world. Allow me to not add Jesus but be centered on Him! Amen.

challenge #28

READ

Luke 15:11-32

¹¹Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹²The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

 ¹³“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

 ¹⁷“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ ²⁰So he got up and went to his father.
      ”But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

 ²¹“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 ²²“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 ²⁵“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

 ²⁸“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

 ³¹” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “ 

¹¹Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹²The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

 ¹³“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

 ¹⁷“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ ²⁰So he got up and went to his father.
      ”But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

 ²¹“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 ²²“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 ²⁵“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

 ²⁸“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

 ³¹” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “

ASK

• What does the word prodigal mean? Are you sure? You might want to look it up.
• Who was really the most prodigal in this story?
• How does this change the way you view the story?

THINK

Think about it. It was actually the Father who was the most prodigal. He lavished his love on both of his sons despite how they acted. One son despises the Father and runs away and the other son despises the Father and his decision to love the younger son. Yet no matter what, the Father loves his sons and pursues both of them to join the party he throws because one who was lost is now found.

DO

Yesterday we prayed for the lost and today we are going to actively seek after them. Write a letter to someone who is lost. This is not to condemn or be judgmental, but to encourage and love. Make sure to include the prodigal phrase that “God loves you more than you can possibly imagine and He is waiting for you with open arms.”

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by reaching out to the lost who need You. Always remind us as we share with them that You love us more that we can possible imagine and You are waiting for us with open arms. Amen.

challenge #27

READ

Luke 15:1-7

¹Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. ²But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

 ³Then Jesus told them this parable: ⁴“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

ASK

• What was the coolest item you have ever lost and then found again?
• Why did it matter to you that it was lost?
• What was your reaction to finding it?

THINK

Think about it. We only lose things we value… sounds weird right? But seriously, when we misplace things we don’t care about they’re never “lost” because they’re never missed. We only miss the things we care about. And we will only seek after the “lost” if we truly and deeply care about our friends, families, and neighbors who are still missing from the kingdom.

DO

Today we’re going to help some lost sheep. Speaking of lost sheep… Have you seen Lamb Chop lately? Cause I sure haven’t since he dropped syndication. All kidding aside, Today we are going to spend time in prayer for two areas. One, that we would truly value those who are missing. Two, for those who are lost to be found. Don’t make this the quick 2 minute prayer, but truly spend time praying for change.

 

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by loving the lost. There are those out there Father who yearn to be near You, to be close to You, to love You. Guide my path today to someone who needs to experience the Love You have given each of us. Amen.

challenge #26

READ

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 ⁴¹“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴²but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

³⁸As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 ⁴¹“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴²but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

ASK

• Which sister do you feel best describes your relationship with Jesus?
• Do you ever stop and sit at the feet of Jesus?
• Why is it hard to just be still at the feet of Jesus?
• When was the last time you were in awe of Jesus?

THINK

Think about it. We run around so often doing and preparing that sometimes we forget where the source of all this love actually comes from. We need to sit in awe of Jesus at his feet and learn more about Him and listen more to Him.

DO

Today’s challenge is to sit at the feet (or at the computer) of a lover of Jesus who explains how amazing and infinite our God is. Check out this short video clip and be in awe. Laminin

 

 

 

 

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by loving You more. Allow today be the day that I understand how You hold all things together. Father even in the smallest aspects of us You are there. Even in the most remote places You are there. Give me the strength to love You and to live for You today and everyday. Amen.

challenge #25

READ

Mark 6:35-44

³⁵By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. ³⁶Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

 ³⁷But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
      They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

 ³⁸“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
      When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

 ³⁹Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴²They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

ASK

• Why does Jesus tell the disciples to solve the food problem?
• When things seem desperate do you turn to God to provide? Why or Why not?

THINK

Think about it. We have all we need to do what God is calling us to do right now. There is never a supply problem in the Kingdom… just a sharing problem. We have all we need to give to foreign missions, to hungry families, to hurting cities because we have an infinite God with limitless resources. But only when we step out and act will we begin to experience miraculous change.

DO

There are a lot of ways to show love to our world and one of those in providing food for someone in need. It is not often that we can do exactly what Jesus did (have you tried walking on water?) But today we are going to do just that, we are going to provide a meal to a family in need. So get cooking… dinner’s on you tonight. Now if for some reason you don’t know any hungry families you can mail us a Kroger Gift Card to PO Box 498112, Cincinnati, OH 45249. We have some families we know who we can help.


Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by guiding a family in need to my thoughts. Allow me to not want that extra coffee at Starbucks or eat at the more expensive restaurant or think we don’t have enough for our own. You have given each of us richly and what another needs we have. Give us Your heart. Amen.

challenge #24

READ

Luke 10:25-37

 ²⁵On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 ²⁶“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

 ²⁷He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

 ²⁸“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.“

 ²⁹But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

 ³⁰In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

 ³⁶“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

 ³⁷The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
      Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

ASK

• Do you ever find yourself knowing the right answer to what God wants but not wanting to do it?
• How does this story redefine “neighbor”?
• The priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan all saw the man lying there (v. 31, 32, 33) but only the Samaritan cared enough to do something about it. Who are the “beaten”(physically, emotionally, spiritually) people in your life you need to stop and care about?

THINK

Think about it. All of them saw the person laying in the road. But only the Samaritan acted with compassion. We all see but only those of us who are looking to heal our world really act.

DO

Today’s challenge is going to be a little different. We are going to start you off with a little thinking. Think of someone in your life who needs healing. Someone who is broken, battered, and beaten… alright got someone? Now think about what it is you can do to provide some healing. This will look different for all of us. Maybe for some of us it is a letter to a friend, calling a parent, taking someone out to eat, or putting someone up in a hotel… who knows? Whatever you do just provide a touch of healing for someone.
PS. Beating someone up and then giving them a band-aid does not count!

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by showing me someone who needs Your love. Give me the strength to not only think of someone who needs healing and help but to help heal them too. Give me the capacity to love. Amen.

challenge #23

READ

Luke 7:36-50

³⁶Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, ³⁸and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.³⁹When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁰Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴²Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

⁴³Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

⁴⁴Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

ASK

• Does it matter how far in debt you are if you can’t pay any of it back?
• Why do you think the woman was crying?
• Have you ever been so overwhelmed by what Jesus has done for you that it created a physical outpour you couldn’t control?

THINK

Think about it. This woman loves because she has been forgiven… not so she will be forgiven. How different from the way we typically operate? Jesus is telling us here that our capacity to love is equal to our ability to be forgiven. This means our love is a response to God for what He has done rather than a contrived emotion we manufacture.

DO

An idol is anything that gets in our way of loving God. At some point in our lives we have all had idols that are holding us back. Today we are going to break whatever it is that is holding us back. So bust out the hammers and smash, rip and tear your way to freedom. If your idol is something you can’t actually break you may want to create a representation of it on paper and destroy that.

Father, please help me increase my capacity to love by remembering what you have done for me. You are a God who forgives even the deepest of sin. Help me to continually bring my failures to you and stop hiding them. And may my love be a true response to you for what you have done. Amen.