Category Archives: 90 Day Light the World Challenge

spiritual light

Spiritual Light – Day 47: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

“Spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in darkness waiting for someone to flip a switch.” – Dieter F Uchtdorf

What are you doing today to move your feet in the direction of the light? Tuning into inspiration is sort of like finding an analog radio station in the desert. It is something we have to work at. The clearer our own channels, the clearer the inspiration.

Some ways you can flip the light switch in your life include

  1. Random acts of kindness – follow little nudges you feel to reach out and serve others. The more you act swiftly upon inspiration, the more inspiration you receive.
  2. Study scriptures – the Word of God teaches you the language of the Spirit. The more you exposure yourself to the language of the Spirit, the more you will recognize the still small voice in your life.
  3. Live in harmony with God’s laws. Some people think God’s commandments are old fashioned and controlling. In fact, God’s commandments are a guide to living a happy life – a recipe for happiness. As we live in harmony with God’s commandments, we put ourselves on a channel to receive more and more revelation, inspiration and illumination.
  4. Ask – ask for illumination. Ask to be able to see your life through God’s eyes. A world of opportunities and insights await.

As Neal A. Maxwell once said, “To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe.”

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

 

Copyright: Sarah Nicholl / BigStockPhoto.com

be not weary in well doing

Be Not Weary in Well Doing – Day 46: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it’s not making a difference? If you’ve participated in this Light the World Build the Kingdom Challenge for even a few days, you probably know what I mean. You act when you feel prompted to do something, and sometimes you see immediate positive results. Yet, many other times you have no idea when or if what you said or did will make an impact for good. When you have a lot of those days in a row, you begin to feel like you’re wasting your time. Why bother?

Nobody’s listening. Nobody sees. Nobody cares. Nobody responds.

And then every so often, you get to see how something you said or did 5 years ago affected someone’s life in a profound way. It’ll be some little thing, some small interaction with you that flipped a railway switch that sent someone’s life onto a better track.

A friend reminded me today that it is important that we live our lives in the highest and best way because we’re not doing it just for today, or this decade. We’re doing it for eternity. When we act in the highest and best way consistently over time, someone else will be affected down the line — perhaps when we aren’t here physically.

So keep going, keep trying, keep putting good into the world. Even when you can’t see you’re making the least bit of ripple in the pond. Somewhere, someway, you are making a difference. As Paul said, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek / BigStockPhoto.com

when it's all been said and done

When It’s All Been Said And Done – Day 45: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

My parents made this recording of my Uncle Bob singing When It’s All Been Said and Done. I love this song. I think it says it all about what lighting the world is all about. I’m so grateful for my parents and people like my Uncle Bob who model what it means to live your life for truth. Thanks to my sister for putting this up on YouTube.

When It’s All Been Said and Done

Don Moen Lyrics

When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?

When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Turning sinners into saints.
Hallelujah

And I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For you’ve shown me heavens, my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone…

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: sandramatic / BigStockPhoto.com

people will talk

People Will Talk – Day 44: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

Are you being called to speak up? To share a message? Do you have something that can impact lives for good, but you’re concerned about what other people might think if you do? People will talk. Anyone who sets out to make a difference tends to be spoken ill of at some point.

Maybe your family members won’t like you sharing that incriminating story. Or maybe they’re afraid your story will make them look bad or embarrass them. Or maybe you’re worried what your customers will think if you start speaking out on certain topics. If this is you, today’s message in the Light the World Challenge is for you.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

 

Featured Image Copyright: AndreyPopov / Bigstockphoto.com

nothing is impossible

Nothing Is Impossible – Day 43: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

We sometimes here people say, “I was born this way” or “I have this birth defect” as if either of those mean that is that… you’re just stuck with whatever you were born with. Yet, we also know that with God, nothing is impossible. In John 9 Jesus heals a man who was born blind. The shock of it ripples through the community until the man is brought before the Pharisees and questioned about Jesus and his methods.

In this account, we learn that nothing is impossible for God. Even being born with a problem is no reason to assume a challenge cannot be overcome or a defect cannot be corrected. How many times do we think to pray for God to correct a chromosomal problem? A genetic defect? A birth defect? I’d wager to guess we rarely ask for something so fundamental as the root cause to be corrected. Perhaps we assume those things are too much to ask. But why not? Why not ask? You don’t receive if you don’t ask.

Sure, it may be your lot in life to deal with a problem or challenge that came here with you from birth, but it may not. You’ll never know until you ask. In this session I talk about a couple issues that I have that were birth defects. One has been surgically corrected and the other, God led me to work-arounds that have made the defect a non-issue.

Remember, anything is impossible with God and to those who believe.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

America

America – The Light of Liberty Shines – Day 42: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

As lost as sometimes Americans feel or as at odds we may be with one another, America … the idea of the United States of America and the foundations principles for which it stands … are of Divine origin. Those ideas and principles stand as a beacon of light to all people who seek liberty.

“Where the Spirit is the Lord is, there is liberty.” And the converse is true… where there is liberty, the Spirit of the Lord is present. Let us actively seek to live close to that Divine Spirit and continue to be a beacon of light and liberty to all within our influence.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: Gino Santa Maria / BigStockPhoto.com

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

I Know that My Redeemer Lives – Day 41: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

Today, I decided to play one of my favorite hymns, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” on Yamaha with Guitar Setting. This is an extemporaneous arrangement of the popular hymn.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives Lyrics

1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799.
Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858-1921

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image: © 2015 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

angels on earth

Angels On Earth: Day 40 – Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

As you ask God each day what one thing you can do to light the world and act upon the answer, you have the opportunity to be angels on earth – facilitating the answer to someone else’s prayers.
 
In 1 Corinthians 16:15-17, the Apostle Paul is closing up a letter to the Corinthians. He speaks of the house of Stephanas who were newer converts to Christianity. He says “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” I love that word “addicted” in this context.
 
When we become converted to Jesus Christ, the desire of our hearts is to “strengthen our brethren.” That’s what Jesus told Peter: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). It’s really not something you have to force. Once you’re converted, you naturally reach out to others. You can’t stand to watch them suffer or wander in darkness. You want to reach out to those in need and lift them upon your shoulders.
 
Upon conversion, our desire to be like the Savior increases. We’re filled with His love which makes us want to care for, teach and love those around us. It literally becomes a sweet addiction. The wonderful thing is that it is an addiction with no side-effects! Try finding that anywhere else in the modern world.
 
This kind of love not only enables us to help others in need, but it also allows us to let others shine. When filled with this love, we no longer feel less because someone else is more. We don’t feel inferior if someone else is better than we are at something. Rather this type of Christ-centered love rejoices in the triumphs and talents of another.
 
I cannot begin to enumerate the people who have touched my life and answered my prayers. When I lacked knowledge, these people shared theirs. When I lacked vision, these people helped me see. When darkness engulfed me, these people brought understanding and enlightenment. When I needed help, they’ve been there.
 
I feel like Paul as he described his friends Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus when he said, “for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)
Copyright: AntonioGuillem / BigStockPhoto.com
time and season

Time and Season – Day 39: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

There is a time and season for every purpose. We don’t harvest in the same season that we plant. Every dream or goal has a gestation period.

Back in August of 2010, God gave me an understanding that my life was going to change. A year later, this feeling that things could be better and would be better became a clear big vision that propelled me forward.

But, honestly, all my working toward that vision for several years looked fruitless. At one point, it all fell apart and seemed impossible. Then in the middle of 2017, it started falling into place FAST — like the monster zucchini showing up in my garden.

God’s timing is rarely our timing. I wanted all of this to happen a lot earlier, yet as much as it has taken shape and is falling together, the full picture still is yet to unfold. Rarely does the fruition of a big vision occur simultaneously with the inception of the vision or the goal. It takes time, like planting a garden. Everything has a gestation period and a season.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

 

Featured Image Copyright: amenic181 / BigStockPhoto.com

healing through Christ

Healing Through Christ – Day 38: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

Are you seeking healing? Healing through Christ is not like modern medicine. His methods for healing seemed to be as unique as the individual. He put mud on one blind man’s eyes, but did not on another. He touched some people, yet others He simply healed from afar. The methods and means of healing through Christ are diverse, but there is one common component. That’s the topic of today’s Light the World: Build the Kingdom episode.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

 

Featured Image © 2018 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.