Bible Challenge (James 1:5-6, 3:17)

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." - James 1:5-6, 3:17

Lord, am I humble enough to recognize my need for wisdom, desirous enough to ask for it, teachable enough to learn it, bold enough to use it, and meed enough to give You all the glory?

Bible Challenge (1 John 5:17a)

"All unrighteousness is sin:" - 1 John 5:17a

If I am unsure of something, will I stop and ask, "Is it righteous?" If I hold it up to the light of God's Word, if it is not righteous in God's eyes, then what is it?

Bible Challenge (James 1:5-6)

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbriaideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." 

            - James 1:5-6

God is the ultimate provider of wisdom, and is eager to pour it out on His children, but am I faithful to ask for His wisdom? Am I willing to WAIT for Him to show me His wisdom, or will I jump ahead and try to figure things out on my own?

Bible Challenge (Hebrews 13:5)

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - Hebrews 13:5

No matter where I am in life, there will always be someone who "has it better", be it position in life, possessions, or people. Will I determine to focus on Christ, and rest content and willing to be "filled with all the fulness of God"? (Ephesians 3:19)

Bible Challenge (Job 17:9, Psalm 24:3-5)

"The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." 

- Job 17:9

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of His salvation." - Psalm 24:3-5

How clean are my hands?

Bible Challenge (Job 13:15a)

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:" - Job 13:15a

My purpose and ultimate calling in life is to bring God glory by trusting in Him. Will I trust Him with my desires? My future? My life? How far am I truly willing to go with that trust?

Bible Challenge (Psalm 119:11)

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalm 119:11

If I am having struggles with sin, do I stop and prayerfully consider how diligent I have been in God's Word? What will my answer be?

Bible Challenge (1 John 2:6)

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." - 1 John 2:6

I profess to abide in Christ, and I may be walking like a Christian walks, but am I walking how CHRIST walked? It isn't enough to be as others are, but to pursue Christ as He is.

Bible Challenge (Job 1:20-22)

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the found, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." - Job 1:20-22

I am ready and willing to bless the Lord when He blesses me with good things, but am I just as willing to bless Him when He takes things away?

Bible Challenge (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 

- 2 Corinthians 5:21

He covered Himself with our sins so He might cover me with His righteousness. What a humbling thought! How unworthy I am! May I not taint His righteousness with my own!

Bible Challenge (Isaiah 43:25)

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." - Isaiah 43:25

If God forgives and forgets, who am I to hold on to regret? It will only hinder my effectiveness in serving Him!

Bible Challenge (Hebrews 7:19)

"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." - Hebrews 7:19

Is my life in Christ a mixed-up method (focusing on the Law: doing what I know should be done) or a renewed relationship (focusing on Christ, and resting in His righteousness)?