Take the 1% Step Challenge

If you're anything like our family, there's a chance you've enjoyed some amazing mountaintop experiences and then slid a long distance down that mountain to hit some deep valleys.  These highs and lows may have been experienced physically, emotionally or spiritually.  We all walk unique paths in which God is continually guiding, teaching, loving and caring for us.

Through the past "almost" 21 years, we've had our fair share of deep valleys.  We've shared some of them in previous posts - Answering the "Why?" :: Part 1 and God is Still a Healing God.  Beyond the struggles with our health, we have also walked through financial valleys... and ultimately spiritual valleys.  It became easier to throw up our hands and give up than it was to keep going and keep growing.

When there was more expenses than income, we allowed our fears to take over and held on to what little we had rather than give it for God's use and glory.  We knew that God taught that He would pour out blessings to those who give.  It was just too hard to actually give.

Have you had those days?  those years?  All the instant, day-to-day needs seems so overwhelming.  Although God asks us to give FIRST to Him 10% of what we receive, it can become easier and easier to make excuses, prolong the giving, decrease the giving and possibly altogether stop the giving.

In recent years, we've been learning to live within our means.  That in itself was and is so very difficult.  We then challenged ourselves to give out of our firstfruits to God and then live within what was left.  Although we struggle to do this, God has been proving Himself faithful.

We came across a challenge that a pastor in a Texas church gave to his congregation.  He asked them to take the 1% step challenge.  We LOVE this concept!  If you are giving 10% to God's work, challenge yourself to give 11%.  If you are giving 5% to God right now, challenge yourself to give 6%.  If you are not giving anything to God right now, challenge yourself to give 1%. 

It doesn't matter where we currently are in our giving... it's more about challenging ourselves to take just ONE STEP of faith and increase our giving by 1% to further God's kingdom in our church, in our community and around the world.  Can you just imagine how much of a kingdom impact would be seen if everyone takes just one step forward?!

We've decided to take the 1% step challenge this past week... will you?


If you'd like to give to our ministry to Lyon, you can find out more information HERE.  Thank you so much!