¹Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, English Standard Version)

Theme: Challenges

Today is the 40^th day of our journey.  This is a good time to review your thoughts about the communicable attributes of God made visible by Jesus during Holy Week.  Through application of Spiritual Disciplines we develop a deeper understanding of God’s attributes, and we are better equipped to be “imitators of God.” 

As we bring our 40 Days of Discipline journey to a close for another year, this is also a good time to reflect on the Challenges we have performed over the last few weeks.  Hopefully you discovered areas where you can deepen your relationship with God.

Thank you very much for participating in this spiritual journey.  This year, greater emphasis was placed on action versus commentary.  Nevertheless, we are grateful to all who took the time to share valuable thoughts.  God bless you as you draw closer to Him with Discipline.

¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, English Standard Version)

Review of Current Challenge (Days 29 – 34 of Lent)

Think about any encouragement you took from praying for others this past week. Consider how your intercessory prayers aligned with the following section of the Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Preparation for New Challenge (Days 35 – 40 of Lent)

Our sixth and final challenge focuses on attributes of God that we observe during Holy Week.  The attributes displayed by Jesus during Holy Week are evident throughout His entire earthly ministry.  However, there is something about the emotional and spiritual intensity of the days leading up to the cross that brings certain attributes of God into sharp focus. 

God’s attributes can be categorized into two buckets.  There are incommunicable attributes (unattainable), which are unique to God’s divine nature.  Examples are omnipotence, omniscience, and self-existence.  Then there are communicable attributes (attainable), which are divine qualities that humans can achieve to some degree.  Examples are love, mercy, and goodness. 

We can examine Scripture passages about Holy Week to find communicable attributes displayed by Jesus. By reflecting on these attributes, we gain insights into who we have been “born again” to be. 

Challenge #6 – God’s Attributes 

For Monday through Friday of Holy Week please read the assigned passage of Scripture below and document your answers to the following questions:

1. What is a communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to you?
2. In what areas can you demonstrate this attribute more effectively?
3. What do your answers prompt you to pray about?

As an example of what is expected, here are possible responses based on an examination of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:28-44):

1. The communicable attribute displayed by Jesus that stands out to me is His compassion.  He wept (verse 35) and was deeply moved (verse 38).
2. I can seek to better understand the pain of others.
3. I am thankful for the example set by Jesus and solicit his continued work in me to make me more in-tune with the suffering of those around me.

Assigned Scripture Passages:

• Monday – The Triumphant Entry (Matthew 21:1-11)
  
• Tuesday – Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
  
• Wednesday – Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
  
• Thursday – Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-5)
  
• Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:16-30)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you pursue this challenge.
2. Document your thoughts by using a method you are comfortable with (e.g., writing, typing or a digital voice and/or video message).
3. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to perform this challenge.
4. Avoid complacency because of familiarity with the passage of Scripture.
5. Be careful to make the connections between what Jesus does (activity) and who Jesus is (identity).
6. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity, so his activities and identity are always aligned. Consider areas in your life where your activities don’t match your identity in Christ.
7. Think of other passages of Scripture that also exhibit the attribute(s) of Jesus that you have identified.
8. Discuss your responses with others.
9. Preserve your documentation for future reflection.
10. Thank God for making you a “new creation” with the potential to demonstrate His communicable attributes.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1, English Standard Version)

Review of Current Challenge (Days 23 – 28 of Lent)

Take the time to capture any lessons you learned from meditating on the attributes of God that are evident in his creation. Feel free to share any thoughts others can benefit from.

Preparation for New Challenge (Days 29 – 34 of Lent)

Our fifth challenge recognizes the importance of intercessory prayers.  Standing in the gap for others through prayer is an enduring obligation for Christians.  During times of upheaval, the need for God’s intervention seems more pressing.  Understandably, when there is turmoil we gravitate towards seeking God’s favor for ourselves and those close to us (e.g., family, friends and our church community).  We should certainly continue to pray for those close to us, but the Bible instructs us to intercede for all people. 

The broad call to intercession is consistent with Jesus’ instruction for us to pray these words: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  When we intercede for all based on the Bible, we are praying for God’s reign in the lives of all.  In some ways, interceding for groups we are not close to portrays a selfless and sacrificial spirit.  No one portrayed a selfless and sacrificial spirit in prayer better than Jesus. An example is when He prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” While praying, Jesus certainly knew the kingdom he prayed for came with the cross.  Yet, He persisted with selfless, sacrificial praying that sought the good of others, even if they did not deserve it. It is no surprise then than Jesus commands us as his disciples to pray for those who persecute us (see Matthew 5:44).  This selfless and sacrificial form of praying is the focus of Challenge # 5.

Challenge #5 – God’s Will 

For five days we will dedicate extra time to praying for others.  Our focus will be on groups that don’t typically come to mind when we are seeking God’s favor.  Each day (Monday through Friday), there will be a group assigned.  Our challenge is to pray for God’s will to be done in the lives of individuals in the selected group.  Our prayers should include a petition for the individuals to experience the love of God, accept God’s gift of salvation, and live in the comfort of God’s peace. 

• Monday – Social Outcasts (Think of individuals who because of their status or lifestyle are treated with scorn.  For example, undocumented immigrants and addicts.)

• Tuesday – Neighbors (Include people who live close to you. If you have neighbors you do not get along with, make sure they are on the list.)
• Wednesday – Enemies (Include individuals who you know oppose your welfare. For example, rivals at work and members of hate groups.)
• Thursday – The Invisible (Include individuals who are often overlooked.  For example, the elderly and the incarcerated.)
• Friday – Government (Include politicians in power and in opposition)

10 Tips to Consider

1. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s power to help you find the right words.
2. Be as specific as possible with your requests.
3. Incorporate Scripture into your prayers.
4. Set aside specific time in your daily quiet time to pray for the selected group.
5. Pray in the moment also (e.g., if someone comes to mind).
6. Pray with others.
7. Create a prayer list for each category.
8. Select a day, or days for fasting.
9. Look out for opportunities to share the gospel with those you have prayed for.
10. Thank God for the opportunity to partner with Him.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20, English Standard Version)

Review of Current Challenge (Days 17 – 22 of Lent)

Take the time to capture any lessons you learned from participating in Challenge #3. Feel free to share any thoughts others can benefit from.

Preparation for New Challenge (Days 23 – 28 of Lent)

Our fourth challenge recognizes the importance of seeing God’s power and divine nature in creation.  The Challenge inspires us to pay attention to messages from God’s handy works that are consistent with Scripture.  Often in the Bible, God’s creation is used to portray His attributes.  For example, when God addressed Job out of the whirlwind he said, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.”  (Job 32:4).  This was God’s starting point for helping Job gain a better understanding of who He is.  Often we are too busy to see useful object lessons around us.  We need to make time to smell the proverbial roses.         

Challenge #4 – God’s World 

Meditate on the selected verses below from the book of Psalms.  For each day, a created object (or objects) and an attribute of God are highlighted for your meditation.  Use the object(s) as reminders throughout the day to pause and think about God’s attributes.

• Monday – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 -2, English Standard Version)
  Object:  The Sky.  Attribute:  God’s magnificence
  
• Tuesday – For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:13 -14, English Standard Version)
  Object:  The human body.  Attribute:  God’s mastery of design (He does all things well)
  
• Wednesday – Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. (Psalm 135:6 – 7, English Standard Version)
  Objects: Related to the weather (e.g., clouds and rain).  Attribute:  God’s sovereignty
  
• Thursday  – From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. (Psalm 104:13, English Standard Version)
  Object: Water.  Attribute:  God’s provision
  
• Friday – When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,  the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3 – 4, English Standard Version)
  Objects: Sun, moon and stars.  Attribute:  God’s omnipotence

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s guidance as you meditate on His word.
2. Read the verses in context to ensure you are comfortable with their application.
3. Quiet yourself and actively observe the created object(s).
4. Thank God for his miraculous acts of creation.
5. Thank God for his attributes.
6. Ponder what the attributes of God mean to you personally.
7. Incorporate your thoughts in a time of worship.
8. Discuss your thoughts with someone else or a group.
9. Insert the challenge for the day in your calendar.
10. Document your thoughts for future reflection.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, English Standard Version)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, English Standard Version)

Review of Current Challenge (Days 11 – 16 of Lent)

Take the time to capture any lessons you learned from participating in Challenge #2. Feel free to share any thoughts others could benefit from.

Preparation for New Challenge (Days 17 – 22 of Lent)

Our third challenge recognizes the importance of God’s word.  With technological advancements, it is now very easy to find Bible verses on electronic devices even if you only have a few search parameters.  However, the benefits of being able to recall passages of Scripture from memory remain.  Too often we convince ourselves that memorization is an activity that we grow out of. Bible verse memorization helps us to “renew our mind” at any age.       

Challenge #3 – God’s Word 

Memorize the following 5 verses from Isaiah and Philippians over 5 days: 

Isaiah 26:3-4 (English Standard Version)

³ You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

⁴ Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Philippians 4:6-8 (English Standard Version)

⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for God’s help as you memorize the verses.
2. Read the verses in context to ensure you are comfortable with their application.
3. Partner with others (this is an excellent challenge to do in community).
4. You can use your favorite Bible translation (i.e., NIV, ESV, KJV, etc.)
5. Use an approach that fits your learning style.
6. Use physical memorization aids (e.g., notebooks and Post-it Notes).
7. Use digital memorization aids (e.g., mobile phones and voice recorders). There are also free, add-free Apps such as VerseLocker that focus on Bible verse memorization. 
8. Be alert to opportunities to share the memorized verses to help someone.
9. Incorporate the verses in your prayer.
10. Exact recall is not the objective.  The focus should be application.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, English Standard Version)

Review of Current Challenge (Days 5 – 10 of Lent)

Take the time to capture any lessons you learned from participating in Challenge #1. Feel free to share any thoughts others could benefit from.

Preparation for New Challenge (Days 11 – 16 of Lent)

Our second challenge recognizes that God blesses us with many resources and opportunities to bless others for His glory.  Often when Christians think about giving as an act of stewardship, focus is placed on tithes and offerings.  Giving to local churches is an essential Christian act, which should be done with love.  There are also other opportunities to demonstrate our love for God and others by giving.  These “other” forms of giving are the subject of our new challenge.       

Challenge #2 – God’s Resources 

From the 10 options below, select five acts of giving and perform them over five days: 

1. Neighbor Favor – Do your neighbor an unexpected favor.
2. Meals on Wheels – Prepare/buy a meal and deliver it to someone in need.
3. Words of Encouragement – Write a note/letter to someone who could use some encouragement.
4. Mission Possible – Donate to a missionary or missionary group.
5. Covered Chores – Perform a chore in your household that someone else usually does.
6. Spare some Time – Donate your time to a charitable cause.
7. Make that Call – Call someone you have not called for a long time who would love to have a listening ear. 
8. Disaster Relief – Donate to an organization working to alleviate the effects of human made or natural disasters. 
9. Least of These – Perform an act of kindness to a vulnerable individual/group (e.g., shut-in elderly, homeless person, or vulnerable immigrant).
10. Pass it On – Find something in your home that you seldom/never use and give it to someone who currently needs it.   

10 Tips to Consider

1. Pray for guidance as you decide on your gifts and the recipients.
2. Plan each gift to make it as impactful as possible.
3. Use the giving activity as a relationship builder.
4. Find a way to let the recipient of the gift know that God is the ultimate source of good things.
5. Share the gospel message if the opportunity arises.
6. Consider including a Bible verse with your gift.
7. Meditate on Scripture passages about stewardship and kindness.
8. Perform an act of kindness as a family.
9. Pray for the recipients of your gifts.
10. Thank God for His many blessings.

If you were not able to join in any of the Group Bible Study over the last three days, today is a good day to catch up. Please be sure to read the commentaries as well.

Below is a copy of the Challenge for next week. If you haven’t already done so, please read it so that you are prepared to start the Challenge on Monday.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35, English Standard Version). 

Introduction

The Psalmist David said, “my times are in your hand” (Psalm 31:15) – a reminder that all that concerns us is in God’s control.  So, it is vital and logical that we spend quality time hearing from, talking to, and thinking about God.  This challenge is not about iron-clad rules.  However, there are some clear guidelines included with the Challenge to avoid confusion. 

The “10 Tips to Consider” below are entirely discretionary but they are widely recognized as helpful. Remember our Group Bible study about pursuing godly example. 

If you find the Challenge easy, share your success story with others. If you struggle with the Challenge don’t be discouraged, pick yourself up and try again. You have a supportive community with you.

The Challenge – God’s Time 

• For five days, spend at least 20 minutes in Bible study, Prayer and Reflection without any distractions or disruptions. 
• Please be sure to spend time in Bible study, not just cursory reading.  Invest the time to understand what you are reading so that you can apply it. 
• The Bible study can be a topical study (i.e., a theme from multiple Scripture passages) or a passage/book study. If you are already engaged in a Bible study you can use it for the Challenge. 
• Your time in prayer must be more than a “asking for favors” session.
• Feel free to incorporate music, but it should not serve as a distraction.

10 Tips to Consider

1. Block time out in your calendar.
2. Plan how you are going to spend your time (e.g., a selected Bible study, a prayer list, and selected song).
3. Don’t select a time of the day when you are typically tired.
4. Find a space that is conducive to uninterrupted quiet time and use this space consistently if you can.
5. Ensure that your electronic devices don’t serve as a distraction.
6. Start by praying for guidance.
7. Keep an electronic or hard copy journal of your activity so you can reflect on it in the future.
8. Solicit tips from a Christian friend who you know is consistent with their quiet time.
9. Share useful tips to encourage others.
10. Be accountable to a person or group.

I pray that you will find this Challenge enriching. Feel free to share any thoughts as you go through the Challenge.

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4 – 9, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

We conclude another year of 40 Days of Discipline with our final review. Over the last five days we used symbols to reflect on Jesus’ demonstration of love during Holy Week:

• Monday – Tears.
• Tuesday – Overturned Tables.
• Wednesday – Perfume.
• Thursday – Basin of Water.
• Friday – The Cross.

The symbols are all reminders of the matchless love of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.  Hopefully your review of the postings and commentaries will further inspire you to enthusiastically celebrate His Resurrection.  He is worthy of our worship!

Thank you so much for being a part of this journey!  Special thanks to those who contributed comments and devotional readings!  I pray that we will continue to develop a deeper appreciation of the wisdom of discipline, and more importantly, that we continue to grow in our walk with Jesus.

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.  (Psalm 104:34, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Today is reserved for your review of the devotional readings contributed over the past five days: 

• Monday – Discipline and Delight
• Tuesday – Discipline and Daisies
• Wednesday – Discipline and Destiny
• Thursday – Discipline in the Desert
• Friday – Discipline and Development

As you perform your review, please catch up on the comments.   

Next Week:

Next week is Holy Week.  We will focus on selected activities of Jesus during the week preceding Easter Sunday.  Contributed devotional readings are not required.  Thank you very much for your participation so far!

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.  (Psalm 104:34, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Today is reserved for your review of the devotional readings contributed over the past five days: 

• Monday – Discipline and Durability
• Tuesday – Discipline and Despondency
• Wednesday – Discipline and Discouragement
• Thursday – Discipline and Discretion
• Friday – Discipline and Downtime

As you perform your review, please catch up on the comments.   

Suggestion:

Think about Scripture passages that have helped you be more disciplined in your Christian walk.  Spend a few minutes to jot down your thoughts and email them to norman@40daysofdiscipline.com using the following template.

THE WISDOM OF DISCIPLINE

(Title for your Devotional Reading)

Bible Passage(s)

(Share the Scripture passage(s) here and along with the reference, please indicate what Bible version you are using)

Reflection

(Share your personal insights from the Scripture passage here.)

Conclusion

(If you have any actions you would suggest or words of encouragement from your experiences, share them here.)

Contributed by

(Share the name you want to be used on the blog.)