Red Letter Challenge 5: Giving

Walnut Grove Lutheran Church

Red Letter Challenge 5: Giving

April 3, 2022

Money and material goods are often considered to be measures of success in this world. To God, the way that we use money & our possessions indicate what is going on in our soul. Jesus not only came into this world to win forgiveness for us for all the times we have misused money & matter, he also calls us to live in a new way in a new realm. As Jesus transforms the value we hold in our soul, we are able to invest what we have to help produce a great harvest for God’s Kingdom. (Based on Mark 10:17-31.)

Red Letter Challenge 6: Going

April 10, 2022

In our skeptical, secular culture, it would be easy for us to become discouraged & think that there is no point in trying to go and reach others with God’s love. But going is one of the five targets Jesus has given us to aim at in our life with him. Trusting his words that a great harvest awaits, we go, demonstrating the power of God’s Kingdom and declaring its presence, knowing that Jesus has already prepared hearts that are ripe to receive his love through us. (Based on Luke 10:1-9.)

Red Letter Challenge 4: Serving

March 27, 2022

It is easy for us to believe, as the world does, that what you have determines whether you are blessed or not. But Jesus sees things as they really are, and he tells us that it is what he is doing in our heart that determines whether we are blessed or not. Jesus is constantly at work, in good times and in bad, molding and shaping us so that we become more like him. And serving others is important because that is the way that the blessedness Jesus has put in us is drawn out to bless others. (Based on Mt. 5:1-16.)

Red Letter Challenge 3: Forgiving

March 20, 2022

It is easy for us to think of church as a place for people who have it all together and those of us with brokenness in our lives need to keep that brokenness well-hidden if we are going to be part of a church. But that is a misunderstanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Living an authentic life and a real community means both admitting that we are both completely broken and unconditionally loved by Jesus. His forgiveness is what helps us to live free in authentic community with others. (Based on John 8:2-11.)