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Thursday, August 28, 2025
Challenge #25 - Follow Up (Read John 19)
Everyone wants a good friend, and there’s something special about being remembered, encouraged, and blessed by the thoughtfulness of a friend. Today we are challenged to “follow up” with the person we invited to church—not because of church, but because of friendship.
Scripture shows us again and again that God blesses good friendships. It makes sense: the God of Love is all about relationships! In today’s reading, Jesus demonstrates the ultimate act of love through His sacrifice on the cross. True love goes beyond words—it endures, it sacrifices, it shows up.
That’s what follow-up is all about. It’s not checking a box or fulfilling an obligation—it’s letting someone know they matter. A simple text, a quick call, or a thoughtful message can remind your friend they are seen, valued, and loved. When you follow up, you reflect the love of Christ by walking with them, not just inviting them once and moving on.
Follow up today. Be the kind of friend who sticks close, encourages faithfully, and points others to the love of Jesus.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Challenge #24 - Pray for the Person You Invited (Read John 18)
If you’ve made it this far in the challenges, you are definitely “All In” and willing to grow in your faith. If you took yesterday’s step, you’ve already done one of the most vulnerable things—inviting someone to church.
Today, the challenge is to pray for the person you invited. John 18 reminds us of Jesus’ resolve to go to the cross for us. Prayer not only points us back to His sacrifice, but it also strengthens our love for others. When we invite someone to worship, the next step is to cover them in prayer—asking God to prepare their heart and meet them with His presence.
Those of us “inside” church life know how meaningful it is to belong to a family of faith. Words can’t fully explain why we stay connected, but we know the relationships formed in Christ are deeper than ordinary friendships. Sharing faith life with others is one of the greatest invitations you can offer.
And remember—it’s not about convincing someone to join “your church.” It’s about showing them more of God’s love and trusting Him to work in their life.
Pray for your friend. Pray for their heart. Pray that they meet God in a new way this Sunday.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." — Colossians 4:2
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Challenge #23 - Make a List of 5 People (Read John 17)
In His great prayer at the cross, Jesus prayed for those who would believe through the disciples’ message. That includes us—and those we will invite.
Inviting someone to church is more than an event; it’s joining in Jesus’ prayer that the world may know Him. From the beginning, God has desired to extend His love to His creation—especially humanity. God creates in love because God is love. Though humanity has stumbled along the way, God’s mission has never changed: He longs for everyone to experience the fullness of His love.
Who do you know that needs to encounter God’s love—especially within a community of faith? Church is not a place for the perfect; it’s the perfect place for the imperfect. It’s where we grow in grace together, walking with the One who loves us most and desires to bless our lives now and forever. Someone you know is waiting for you to share what you’ve already found.
Go all in—for God. Go all in—for someone you love. Invite them this week. Do it today.
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message." — John 17:20
Monday, August 25, 2025
Challenge #22 - Make a List of 5 People (Read John 16)
God’s love is for everyone, but many people don’t truly know the truth about His unconditional love. Studies suggest that only about 1 in 5 people regularly attend church. That means countless individuals are left with bad experiences, misinformation, or no real understanding of who God is—or what the Church is meant to be. Many are simply walking through life without the blessing of a church family.
Here’s something to consider: most people will say “yes” if you invite them to dinner, coffee, or—even better—church. People are often open to hearing the truth when it comes from someone they already trust. When we care enough to extend an invitation—to a service, a study, or an event—we create space for someone to encounter Christ and experience His love.
Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them. One way the Spirit still leads us today is by prompting us to share God’s love. Sometimes, that starts with a simple invitation. You don’t have to preach a sermon; you just have to open a door through hospitality and courage.
Today’s Challenge: Make a list of five people you could invite to worship with you. Don’t overthink it—just write the names down. Pray for them, trust God, and be ready to follow through when He opens the opportunity.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth." — Acts 1:8
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Challenge #21 - Commune with The Body (Read John 15)
All over the world today, believers will receive Communion and experience fellowship. Fellowship means sharing life together—joys and struggles, burdens and blessings. Just as the early church “devoted themselves… to the breaking of bread and to fellowship” (Acts 2:42), we too are called to see the Table as a place of unity. In Christ, we’re not only reconciled to God but also joined to one another in love.
When we come to the Lord’s Table, we’re not only remembering Christ’s sacrifice; we’re entering into communion with Him and with one another. The bread and cup remind us of His body and blood, but they also remind us that we are one body in Christ.
In John 15, Jesus reminds us that He is the Vine and we are the branches. Communion is not just a symbol; it is a living reminder that our life flows from Him. It also points us outward: if we are all branches of the same Vine, then we are joined together in fellowship with one another.
Today’s Challenge is to engage in Communion with God and fellowship with others. Open your heart, renew your commitment to God and to His people. God went “all in” for us on the cross; today, take the challenge to go “all in” for God and His church.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:5
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Challenge #20 - Worship in Work and Play (Read John 14)
Today concludes our last “All In” focus for this week’s Worship and Prayer emphasis. We’ve stressed the value of worship beyond Sunday service, and we understand worship as a place of surrender to give our best to our God.
Today’s Challenge: Worship God in both your work and your rest today. How can you honor Him with the way you spend your energy, your time, and your play?
In today’s reading, Jesus promises peace and presence through the Holy Spirit. That means every moment of life—whether we’re working or relaxing—can be a place of worship… if we are allowing the Holy Spirit our “surrender” of worship.
When we work with integrity, we worship God. Similarly, when our play or free time is honorable, God is honored.
When we work with joy and gratitude, even on the tough assignments or with the difficult people, God is honored: We worship Him.
When we enjoy our rest with gratitude to the God who provides the reprieve, we worship Him.
Life itself becomes worship when we invite God into every moment of our lives. Today, worship the Lord in your work and play by intentionally loving God - all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31
Friday, August 22, 2025
Challenge #19 - Pray for Your Church and Your Role (Read John 13)
Never underestimate your role.
Today we are called to reflect on our responsibility to our church. Each one of us has a purpose in God’s world, which means that in every place we find ourselves, we can and should contribute. This is especially true when we consider our role within the church.
Today’s Challenge: Pray for your church and your role.
Our reading today in John 13 shows Jesus Himself washing the feet of the disciples. This action shows us what our role should be in both our church and our world: to be humble, to serve, and to love others. Whatever role we take in our local church is an important part of following Christ’s example.
Your prayers matter for your church. God calls us to pray for our leaders, fellow members, and for His plans, vision, and work to be accomplished through us.
People matter to God. People serving God matter to God. Prayer is powerful, and when joined with others in the church, it unites us in worship and service to our Lord.
When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He set the example of what His church should be—humble, serving, and loving. Your prayers for your church matter. They strengthen leaders, encourage members, and align all of us with God’s vision.
Pray for your church today and for your role within it. Where is God stirring your heart for His Kingdom?
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." — Ephesians 6:18
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Challenge #18 - Worship The Lord in Your Actions (Read John 12)
We’re halfway through this week’s focus on “worship and prayer,” and today’s challenge is to worship the Lord in our actions.
Worship is not just singing. Worship is more than being at church on a Sunday morning. Worship is the active choice to “bow down” our lives because of God’s worth. God doesn’t demand our praise and adoration, but He is most certainly worthy of our gratitude and praise!
In today’s reading from John 12, Mary pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and washes them. It’s more than generous giving of a possession—Mary is offering the very best of all she has to Jesus.
Scripture tells us to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We may not be able to wash Jesus’ feet with perfume today, but we can serve Christ in the way we live:
Our words reflecting a grateful heart (slow to anger, refraining from gossip, speaking encouragement).
Our actions reflecting generosity (giving to those in need, showing patience, offering forgiveness).
Our love extending abundantly to others (caring for the unloved, remembering the suffering, lifting others in prayer).
Intentionally act today with the mindset of giving God your best! Look for the places where someone may need just a little bit more of your heart. Chances are, this will be the very moment you can worship God by giving the best of what you have: yourself.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Challenge #17 - Seek God in New Places (Read John 11)
There are certain times and places where we expect to see God. We expect His presence in a church or in the quiet of a candlelit chapel. Even the most irregular churchgoer will often respond to a Christmas Eve invitation, showing up with the expectation that something special will touch their heart.
Yes, there are places where we expect to see God, and there are beautiful locations around our state and world that remind us of Him. But the truth is: God is everywhere—throughout His creation and among His people—at every turn: in classrooms, offices, homes, gas stations, and especially in the moments we least expect.
In today’s reading from John 11, Jesus raises His friend Lazarus from the dead. No one expected anything like this could be possible! Yet as amazing as that miracle is, God still provides—through miracles and surprise blessings—all the time, often in places and ways we never imagine.
Staying close to God in Scripture reminds us of His power and His ways; staying in communication with Him through prayer keeps us alert to His work in the world around us.
Today’s Challenge: Seek God in a new place. Pray that He will open your eyes to His power, presence, and provision.
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" — Psalm 139:7
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Challenge #16 - Pray that God will confirm your path (Read John 10)
This week focuses on prayer and worship together. In John 10, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Worship is one of the ways we respond to His voice.
Worship is more than a song or a sermon. Worship means surrendering to God and what He provides. It doesn’t require a platform, instruments, or even a perfect voice—it simply requires a willing heart.
When we worship out loud, we not only encourage our own hearts but also declare God’s goodness to anyone who hears. Worship out loud could be singing along to a song on your phone, lifting your voice in the shower, or simply speaking words of praise in prayer. More than anything, worship out loud is surrendering to God’s plans, holiness, and role as King in our lives—audibly, so that our hearts and voices are joined in praise.
How will you worship out loud today? However you choose, let it be a response to God’s voice—calling on Him, celebrating Him, and trusting Him.
“I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” — Psalm 104:33
Day 15: Monday, August 18, 2025
Challenge #15 - Pray that God will confirm your path (Read John 9)
Another Monday, and we continue to go “All In.” Where will this week take us? Life doesn’t always give us clarity.
In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. Suddenly, the blind man can see, but he has no idea what life will look like in the days ahead. Will he find work? Now that he is healed, will he be accepted by his community? Despite all the unknowns, he knows this: Jesus has touched him.
Often when we ask God to confirm our path, we only get one step at a time. We want the full picture, but God calls us to trust Him with each step of the journey. Faith is choosing to move forward when we can’t see the whole road.
Today’s challenge is to pray for confirmation on your path. Remember: the journey is not about seeing the whole picture—it’s about trusting the One who walks beside you. We can trust God!
Stay connected to Him today. Surrender it all and go “All In,” living faithfully.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
Day 14: Sunday, August 17, 2025
Challenge #14 - Share in Worship and Prayer
Today is the Lord’s Day! We gather with friends and familiar faces to worship the LORD and give thanks for His goodness. As we continue going “ALL IN” for God, this week our focus in prayer and worship takes on a new dimension.
At first glance, today’s Challenge may seem simple—worship and prayer on another Sunday. But notice the word share. Sharing worship means more than just being present; it means actively engaging with others and with God Himself. We don’t simply attend and leave—we participate, connect, and respond.
It’s possible to be in church and still miss God. Distractions, preoccupations, or other motives can keep us from truly encountering Him. Today, let’s be fully present—heart, mind, and spirit. Why make the effort to come if we miss the One we came to meet? And in prayer, why speak words to God without listening for His voice? As we learned last week, prayer is a conversation that requires openness, attentiveness, and a readiness to receive what God may speak.
Sharing worship and prayer also means caring for those around us. Offer a smile or kind greeting to someone near you. Pray silently for a person who seems to be struggling. Join with others in prayer—ask what they need and offer encouragement.
Give God your full attention and heart today. Take it up a notch—go “All In” by sharing your love for the Lord in worship and prayer, and invite others into that same joy.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42
Day 13: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Challenge #13 - Journal what you know to be true about God.
Happy Saturday! As the weekend brings a shift in our routines, today’s challenge reminds us that some things are constant — especially God. Opinions and news are always changing. Our emotions can mislead us, and our circumstances can create doubts that aren’t valid. But God never changes.
God doesn’t cancel His promises to us. We may fall short on our commitments, but He remains committed to us. Scripture reminds us that the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever life brings, we can count on Him.
Taking time to recall what we know is true strengthens our faith and clears our vision. Journaling these truths gives us a touchstone for the tough days — especially when emotions, temptations, or challenges try to shake our belief. God is real. God is true. God is with us.
As you head into your weekend, journal what you know is TRUE about God. Write as much as you can — truths from Scripture, experiences you’ve had with Him, and promises you cling to.
“For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.” – Psalm 33:4
Day 12: Friday, August 15, 2025
Challenge #12 - Write down 1-2 prayers or questions for God.
If we want to know God and His will, we have to listen and respond honestly. This week, we have focused our attention on God's Word and listening for God’s voice. Today, we are coming with an honest and open heart and putting this on paper.
God already knows what’s in our hearts. When my children were small, we would chant in a sing-song rhythm: “You can’t see Him but He’s there, because God is EVERYWHERE!” We know God is everywhere and knows everything, but it’s different when we open up to Him.
Most of our Psalms come from King David, who was the greatest King and was full of mistakes, just like you and me. In Psalm 62, verse 8, David writes, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” The scripture doesn’t say, “Hold it in until you can figure it out.” It says, “Pour out your hearts to Him.”
Bringing our hearts to God —questions, hurts, joys, and praise — we step into a deeper relationship. While scripture keeps us anchored in truth, our honest prayer keeps our hearts in line. The more we are in God’s Word, the more we’ll know His will, and the more we share our hearts, the more we will trust Him and return to His Word again. The cycle keeps us growing!
Today: Read John 6. Then, in your prayers and meditations, write down 1–2 prayers or questions you have for God. Be yourself. God already knows - and He is good, He is love, and He is for you, today and always.
Day 11: Thursday, August 14, 2025
Challenge #11 - Ten Minutes in Silence
We continue today in our daily readings with John 5. In this chapter, we see Jesus healing on the Sabbath — something only the LORD could do. Jesus knows the voice of God and acts in perfect alignment with His Father.
Today’s Challenge: Spend ten minutes in silence.
Our challenge is more than just turning off the television or car radio. Sometimes the best prayer we can bring to God is a conversation of listening to His voice. In our culture of constant noise, silence can feel uncomfortable, but Scripture reminds us that stillness — choosing to be purposefully quiet and inactive — helps us know God.
Silence isn’t empty; God is already there. In stillness, we remove the obstacles that keep us from seeing and hearing Him more clearly. Silence is an act of trust, a way of recognizing that we don’t have to fill every moment with noise — we can choose to listen for God.
Today, spend at least ten minutes quietly before Him. Focus on His presence. Journal your observations — either now or later, from your time of silence or from your reading in John 5. Did you notice anything? Did you sense God’s presence differently?
We are continuing to know God more this week. Go All In. Try something different. Take the Challenge for Silence today!
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." — Psalm 46:10
Day Ten: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
"I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord." — Psalm 104:33–34
Day 10 Challenge: Intentionally listen to Christian music for 10 minutes today.
Today’s challenge shifts us to another of our senses. Today we are going to intentionally listen to Christian music. The genre doesn’t matter: Gospel, Choral, Hymns, Contemporary Worship, etc. The point is to listen to something that will shift our mindset and redirect our thoughts in a different way, lingering in our minds as we continue with our daily activities.
What? No reading? Oh yes, we are reading today! We will still read our next Chapter, John 4, which fits perfectly: Jesus shares how true worshipers “worship the Father in Spirit and truth”. Worship isn’t bound to a place — it springs from within, shaped by what fills our heart and mind.
Whether you listen to the music before or after you read, we know that song and meditation can help us in offering our best to the Lord. When our minds are focused on God, our hearts overflow with praise. Music can prepare us to receive God’s word and can also help us respond to God’s goodness. Meditating today on all that God gives to us by combining music with our reading can alter our mindset, strengthen our resolve, and empower us to receive all that the Holy Spirit has for us today.
Today’s Challenge: Read John 4 and set aside 10 minutes for some good, godly music. Lift your heart to God and offer your meditation to him today.
"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." — Proverbs 23:7
Day Nine: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Challenge #9 - Read John 3
It’s Tuesday, and we’re picking up speed in our 28-Day Challenge! Think of it like a road trip — you’ve settled into the rhythm, snacks are within reach, and the scenery is starting to change. You’ve come too far to turn back now!
Today we’re opening one of the most familiar chapters in the Bible — John 3. You know this one: it’s where we get one of the most well-known verses in the world, the one that sums up the heart of the gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”
Today we are reading the entire chapter of John 3. Why?
To keep our momentum.
To keep our habit of Scripture reading.
To see something we haven’t seen before.
If you’ve never read this chapter before, looking at 3:16 in context may help you understand more of what that verse is saying. If you’ve read John 3 in the past, reading it again will allow you to hear God speak in a new light — if you slow down to look and listen!
What is something you’ve never noticed before?
What surprises you?
What truth can you carry with you for the rest of the week?
Today’s Challenge: Read John 3 and write down two observations.
The Bible isn’t just a book of stories; it’s alive — speaking truth and hope right into your everyday life. When we take time with Scripture, even familiar passages can show us something fresh.
Grab your notebook, take your time, and let today’s reading speak to your heart.
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…” – John 3:36
Day Eight: Monday, August 11, 2025
Challenge #8 - Read John 2
Watch out on the road: it’s Back-to-School Day! Reading, writing, and “’rythmatic”… the kids are back at it—and we’re learning, too!
Today’s Challenge: Read John 2 and write down one observation.
In today’s classrooms, elementary students are often encouraged to think for themselves before aiming for a perfect answer. In math, they might first observe a word problem, think silently, jot down their observations, and even write a question to share with a partner. In reading, students often make predictions before finishing a text, noting questions and observations along the way before writing a summary or drawing conclusions.
It makes wonderful sense! If we want to encourage creativity, original thought, and deeper insight, we invite people to notice and think for themselves rather than simply absorb programmed information. The same is true when we approach God’s Word.
When we open Scripture, what do we notice? What do we wonder about the story or dialogue taking place? Are there words we need to look up? Is something familiar—reminding us of another passage—or completely new? Do we see God’s presence directly, or is He symbolized in the text? Do we notice something in creation, a miracle, or the heart of the Lord?
God has given us a gift that sets us apart from all creation: our minds. We are equipped by the Holy Spirit to prayerfully approach what we read to ask God to guide us in understanding.
Today, as part of our challenge, we’ll read John 2—but not just read. We’ll write down one observation: something about God, something amazing, or something that speaks to us personally. What is the one thing that stands out to you?
God made each of us unique, and when we share what we notice, we see more of Him together than we could alone. So let’s go “All In” today—read, think, and write. Use the mind God gave you, and watch how He reveals Himself in fresh ways.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14
Day Seven: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Challenge #7 - Read John 1
Today begins the second week in our Sermon Series, and we are adding an element—a “discipline” or routine, if you will.
Today’s Challenge: Read John 1.
Yep. We are beginning today to read a chapter of Scripture every. single. day. If we can stay the course, we will read the entire Gospel of John by the end of the 28-Day Challenge! Most experts say it takes twenty-one days to make a habit, so starting this routine today will set us up for a regular habit of reading Scripture daily.
Why John? For starters, John contains details that the “synoptic” gospels don’t. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell much of the same information from different perspectives, but John gives us another lens for understanding Jesus. In fact, 90% of John’s account is not included in the other gospels! John often uses the number seven—seven miracles, seven “I Am” statements. In the Bible, seven is symbolic, signifying creation and completion to the Jewish people (think of creation: God rested on the seventh day). While the other gospels often present teachings through Christ’s sermons, John focuses on the conversations Jesus had, giving us a deeper perspective on His heart and person.
The next question you might be asking is, “Which version should I read?” The answer is simple: Read the version you will read consistently.
There is no shortage of translations or paraphrases of the Bible. Additionally, there are online resources where you can sample multiple versions at once (for example, biblegateway.com or biblehub.com). Start with John 1:1 and try a few—New International Version, The Message, NRSV, The Living Bible—and see which tone resonates most with you.
We can do this! We’ve already made a habit of checking this devotion each day. Let’s also make a habit of getting to know God’s heart better for ourselves—not just relying on what someone else tells us to think. Today we will begin reading, thinking, and asking God with our own minds and hearts.
Go “All In” today with this step! I promise you: God will be there to meet you.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
Day Six: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Challenge #6 - Celebrate Sabbath!
Coming into a hot but beautiful summer weekend, it’s incredible that we are already wrapping up Week One of the 28-Day Challenge! Tomorrow we will celebrate Day 7 with our second Sunday of our Series and Challenge, “All In for Jesus.” Today’s challenge is the perfect preparation:
Today’s Challenge: Celebrate the Sabbath — and plan tomorrow!
Christianity is founded on Jesus, and Jesus was Jewish. The Jewish Sabbath began at sundown on Friday and continued until sundown on Saturday. The word Sabbath (shabbat) means “to rest” or “to cease from working.” God commanded His people to keep this Sabbath day holy — “set apart.”
Early Christians continued the practice of Sabbath and then celebrated the Lord’s Day on Sunday, worshiping Jesus, the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), breaking bread together, and celebrating His victory over death. Over time, these gatherings became what we now think of as worship or “Sunday service,” depending on our Christian tradition.
It’s pretty amazing — and a little sobering — to see how mankind has tinkered with God’s rhythm of work and rest. God designed the Sabbath so His people could be physically refreshed and spiritually renewed, yet over the years, we kept pushing to fill our schedules. The result? Burnout, strain on community life, and damage to our health and well-being. Eventually, in 1938, the United States even passed laws to restore some balance to our routines — echoing God’s original design from the very beginning!
How do you celebrate Sabbath? Do you take time to rest and honor the Lord? Do you celebrate the “Lord of the Sabbath” on Sunday and remember the rest Jesus provides — both now and for eternity?
If you’re mowing the lawn today, I hope it’s a joy and not a burden. Ideally, Sabbath is a day to set aside the work that drains you, rest in the peace of God’s provision, and enjoy fellowship with family and friends. Then, as God commanded, keep this Sabbath time holy — set apart for Him — by giving thanks and preparing your heart for worship tomorrow.
Enjoy your Saturday — but Go All In: Plan for tomorrow and a holy Sunday set apart for God. Take the challenge today by resting well and preparing to give thanks tomorrow to the One who makes every day possible!
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.” — Deuteronomy 5:12
Day Five: Friday, August 8, 2025
Challenge #5 - Write a letter to someone!
Our first Friday in the Challenge is the perfect time to encourage someone else. Today’s challenge is a fun one: Write a letter to someone!
Everyone likes a thoughtful note or card, and there’s something special about old-fashioned “snail mail” in our instant, electronic age. Yesterday’s scripture reminded us we are light to the world around us; today, we are called to act and carry that light to someone else with words that encourage and strengthen.
When we think of Fellowship, it’s more than time spent together; Fellowship is investing in each other. Writing someone recognizes that we believe in someone and appreciate them. People need reminders! When we remind people that they matter, we aren’t just being kind… we are building community.
Who might you write to today? Perhaps it will be someone who has encouraged you or helped you grow in your faith, or it may be someone who is going through a hard time and needs to be assured they are not forgotten. Maybe there is a loved one who lives alone and doesn’t get out of the house much. Whoever it is, receiving a surprise note of encouragement may bless their day and touch their heart more than you may ever know.
Take the time today to bless someone by writing them a letter. Include a verse of encouragement (you can Google all kinds of scripture verses!), remind them that they matter, and let them know why they are important to you. Then, mail it.
Words carry power. And today, your words may be exactly what someone else needs to take a step closer to God.
Go All In — Be the encourager today!
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Day Four: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Challenge #4 - Call a church member and Challenge them to connect
Today is Day 4 in the PHBC 28-Day Challenge! We are “All In” as we grow in our faith and grow with our community.
Today’s Challenge takes us to the heart of community: Call a church member and challenge them to reconnect with the Church.
We’ve launched into our Challenges, recognizing that scripture is a compass for our lives. God shows us in His Word, time and time again, that our lives are to be fueled by His love so that we can share in fellowship with the community. God’s love is the heart of today’s challenge: pick up the phone to challenge someone to go All In with you!
In the coldest places on earth, penguins survive not by strength, but by huddling together, taking turns bearing the cold for the sake of the whole. Elephants instinctively gather around the weak, circling their injured to protect, feed, and lift them. Even the smallest creatures, like bees, flourish only in the hive—each one with a role, all working toward something sweet. And overhead, we see geese flying in formation, each one taking a turn in the lead, honking encouragement to those beside and behind.
We aren’t individuals walking alone in life! We belong to each other, and when someone is missing, we are incomplete. People pull back from community for many reasons - pain, life changes, mistakes, you name it! Sometimes people drift away, not because they’ve stopped believing, but because no one has called them back in. Today, YOU are the one to do that.
God designed creation around togetherness, and today we choose to be a part of God’s design. Fellowship is a gift! Let people know they are needed!
Take the challenge today: Call a church member and invite them to reconnect.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Day Three: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Challenge #3 - Share with Someone what You’re Reading
Today is Day 3 in our 28-Day Challenge! If you're just getting started, you're in the perfect place to let God begin something new in your life. We're journeying together to go All In—asking God to move in our lives, our church, and our community!
If you’ve been with us the last two days, you know we’ve already committed to 28 days of change—and to being changed as we grow.
Today we’re dipping our toes into the water:
Today’s Challenge is to share with someone what you’re reading.
Tell someone you’re doing something new! When we truly commit to following Jesus—especially through His Word—something powerful begins to take shape. This isn’t just about reading the Bible for information; it’s about transformation. And it’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about showing up with a willing heart and letting God continue the good work He’s already begun in you.
Good news is meant to be shared! When we’ve received something wonderful—when we hear good news—we naturally want to tell people we care about. That’s especially true when God blesses us and unleashes His power in our lives. When we share what we’re experiencing, it reinforces truth in us and plants a seed in someone else.
Here’s the thing: this can be simple. You can just say,
“Hey, I’ve been reading this, and it really encouraged me.”
If you’re reading this on Facebook, share the post on your wall—or send it through Messenger to someone you care about. The bottom line is this: we’re not supposed to hide God’s goodness. We’re meant to share His love and generosity with others.
Tell / text / post / share with someone today about what you’re reading in this challenge. You might just help someone else take a step—and maybe even change their life.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
Day Two: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Challenge #2 - Commit to be open to being changed
We are beginning something new! If you are just starting, no worries. You’re right on time, and it’s never too late to let God do something new in your life! We are on a journey together to go “All In” for the next 28 Days so God can move in our lives, church, and community. Plan now to join us in worship this Sunday at 2200 Kavanaugh in Little Rock!
Each day this month, we have a challenge. Each day, we are committing to something more, together, to be more of who God can make us be. We are stronger together, so committing together makes it more likely to accomplish the task.
Today’s Challenge is big: Commit to being open to being changed.
Oh, I know… On the surface, that may sound kind of simple: you haven’t been asked to do anything specific (yet). Today, we are challenged to be ready if God asks us to step out of our comfort zone. The challenge is to decide - now - that we will commit to being “All In” when we have that nudge to call someone, speak to someone we wouldn’t talk to normally, pray when we normally wouldn’t, or… well, you get the idea.
Think about creation: A caterpillar doesn’t become a butterfly by holding onto the branch — it must enter the cocoon and let transformation happen. Does the caterpillar know what is going to happen when it goes into the cocoon? Does it feel crowded or uncomfortable?
Change can be uncomfortable. It means letting go of the familiar and trusting that God has something else planned, instead. When we open our hearts to God, He works in ways we can’t always see but can fully trust.
If we commit to being changed by God’s Word and Spirit, we’ll emerge stronger, freer, and more beautiful in Christ than we ever imagined. If we wait until it feels comfortable, we will probably never take the first step!
Commit today to be open to whatever change God brings this week or this month. Expect it to challenge you, but be ready for something beautiful!
Pray today and ask God to help you commit to Him fully as you prepare to be changed. Tell God that you are “All In” for all that He has for you!
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6
“28 Days: All In For Jesus” - Day One: Monday, August 4, 2025
Challenge #1 - Commit to Go “All In”!
Have you ever noticed how much can happen in a short time, or “when God is in charge”?
In just 3 days, Jesus went from crucified to risen — changing eternity forever. Jonah went from the belly of the fish to dry land. A seed can begin to sprout in as little as 3 days.
In 5 days, a tiny colony of bees can hatch new life in the hive. A weather system can cross an entire continent. A small idea can multiply into something much greater than its beginning.
In 7 days, God spoke the entire universe into existence and rested. Taste buds can start adjusting to new habits.
And in 28 days? A caterpillar can transform into a butterfly, a robin can go from laying eggs to sending its young into the world, the moon can move through its full cycle, faithfully marking time and seasons, and new habits can take root and begin to reshape a life.
God’s Church in Acts 2 didn’t just admire Jesus’ teaching — they devoted themselves to living it out. For the next 28 days, I’m inviting you to commit — really commit — to the Lord.
If God can create the universe in 7 days, raise Jesus in 3, and transform nature in 28, what could He do in your life if you were truly devoted for the next 4 weeks? What would your life, your church, and your community look like if you were “All In”?
What if your Church Family was “All In” with you, too?
Today is the beginning of something new! If you missed worship yesterday (August 3), find someone who was there to get more details and make plans to be in worship with us this Sunday.
God is doing big things at 2200 Kavanaugh in Little Rock. He has chosen you to be a part of this work! Pray today and ask the Lord to help you commit fully to Him over these 28 days. Tell Him you’re “All In”!
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” - Acts 2:42