Friday, August 13, 2010

Day 27

Day 27


Following Him

Read Luke 12:8-9.

Jesus expressed a simple, yet profound message: Confess Him and He will confess you. And vice-versa. What does it mean to confess Christ? Do you confess Him on a daily basis in your life? Why or why not?

Read Luke 12:49-53.

Confessing Jesus as Lord in our lives will not always be easy. In fact, even Jesus Himself said that it will cause great division to follow Him. Are you willing to sacrifice relationships with others in order to confess Christ and follow Him?

Spend some time in prayer. Ask the Lord to search your heart and know your desires. Tell Him about your struggles and victories in confessing and following Him. Ask Him for strength and courage to stand firm for Him.

Read Luke 25-33.

Along with following Christ comes a high price. Being sold out for Him means that we are sold out for nothing else, but rather, we forsake all else for the purpose of following and knowing Him. Is there anything in your life that hinders you from following Christ completely? What is standing in your way? Spend some time praying and write down things that the Lord may be leading you to give up in order to follow Him.

Thank the Lord for the opportunity to follow Him. Praise Him for His mercy and grace in guiding your steps as you learn to confess and follow Him. Ask for His continued guidance and discernment in forsaking anything that hinders your following of Him.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Day 26

Day 26

Jesus walks on water

Read Matthew 14:22-26.

Jesus was off alone, doing His own thing when a storm rises up, stirring fear in the hearts of the disciples out to sea. Naturally, Jesus tended to them, and their immediate reaction to the Lord is one of fear. How do you react in the midst of a storm? Do you respond with fear when Jesus shows up?

Read Matthew 14:27.

Notice Jesus’ reaction to the disciples’ fear. He commanded them not only to ditch the fear, but to actually do the opposite and, “Be of good cheer!” This required a change of attitude for the disciples, a change of trust from their circumstances to their Savior. What or who do you trust in times of trouble? How does your attitude need to change? Spend a few minutes asking God to search your heart and help you adjust your perspective. Confess to Him how you’ve been handling the storms and commit to trusting Him no matter what your circumstances.

Read Matthew 14:28-29.

Even though Jesus had already instructed the disciples to shift their attitudes, Peter doubted and questioned the Lord. In what areas of your life do you doubt? Make a list of ways you struggle with trusting Jesus.

Read Matthew 14:31-32.

Peter’s perspective shifted from doubt to faith and back to doubt again. But notice how Jesus dealt with Him. Jesus continued to stretch out His hand and catch Peter, in spite of his lack of trust. Jesus challenged Peter with a simple question: “Why did you doubt?” Why do you doubt? What is Jesus offering to lead you through right now? Will you trust Him?

Read Matthew 14:33.

Only with Jesus’ power is the impossible made possible. Only through trusting Him are we able to truly worship Him as the Son of God. Spend a few minutes worshiping God. Praise Him for His power and presence in your life. Thank Him for His grace in extending His hand in spite of our doubt.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Day 25

Day 25


Do not worry

Read Luke 12:22-26.

It has been said, “Worrying is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” Jesus affirmed this point in His teaching with His challenge in verse 25. None of us can add an inch to our height, or a second to our lives by worrying about something.

What worries plague you on a daily basis? Make a list of your worries.

How do you handle them?

Read Luke 12:27-30.

Most of us spend way too much time worrying about what others think about our appearance, thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus points out that God takes care of even the grass of the field, which is here one minute, and then tomorrow gone. God clothes even the lilies and the grass, surely He cares for us so much more than that. So, what have we to worry about?

Spend a few minutes soaking in God’s love for you. Think on His protection and how He provides for you. Thank Him for His grace and mercy in tending to your every need.

Read Luke 12:31.

Rather than worry, what should we do? Jesus says to “Seek the kingdom of God…” What does that look like?

Ask the Lord to show you what it means to seek His kingdom. Commit to seeking Him first, above your needs and concerns. Trust in the Lord to provide and meet your needs. Thank Him for His divine provision.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Day 24

Day 24


The Beatitudes

Read Matthew 5:1-2.

Jesus sat on the mountain and the disciples’ immediate reaction is to come to Him. They knew he had something to say. Is that your reaction to Christ? Are you eager to come, sit at Jesus’ feet to absorb His truth?

Take a minute and ready your heart before the Lord. Ask Him to quiet your soul so that you can hear His truth today.

Read Matthew 5:3-12.

Jesus began His teaching using a word that we don’t use quite so often today: blessed. What does it mean to be “blessed”?

In Greek, the word “blessed” was used to describe the kind of happiness that comes from receiving divine favor. In our terms, we might use the word “happy.” Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which includes these Beatitudes, was a response to His call for believers to, “Repent!” How do the Beatitudes speak to your life?

Read Matthew 5:3-12 again, slowly.

How do your perspective, attitude, and actions line up with what Jesus teaches here?

Take some time and pray through verses 3-10, asking the Lord to conform you to His Word. Thank God for His blessing, for His divine favor that He offers those who walk according to His Word.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Day 23

Day 23


Resisting Temptation

Read Matthew 4:1-4.

When Jesus wandered in the desert, Satan tempted Him first by appealing to His physical need of hunger. Satan knew a potential weakness of Jesus and attacked. Notice how Jesus responded to the enemy’s attack in verse 4. He responded with Truth. How do you respond to Satan’s attacks?

How do you sense the enemy attacking you personally?

Read Matthew 4:5-7.

Again, Satan tempted Jesus, this time by appealing to His power. Yet Jesus resisted the enemy’s temptation. Jesus consistently used the Word of God to rebuke Satan and His lies. What lies of Satan have you believed?

Read Matthew 4:8-11.

One last time, Satan tempted Jesus, and Jesus’ response is the same: Truth. Jesus resisted the devil’s schemes in tempting His hunger, physical security, and His heart. In what areas of your life are you tempted? How do you resist?

Through proclaiming Truth, Jesus caused the devil to flee and allowed angels to attend to Him.

Pray now asking God for the strength to resist temptation in your life. Thank Jesus for setting the example for how we are to react to Satan’s lies. Ask Him to show you clearly lies that you have believed and ask Him to abolish those lies in your life. Commit to “worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only,” as Jesus did in verse 10.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Day 22

Day 22


Prepare the way

Read Matthew 3:1-3.

John the Baptist had a simple message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” To repent requires a change in attitude and perspective; it means changing directions from following sin to seeking righteousness. In your own words, what does it mean to “repent”?

John the Baptist preceded Jesus in birth, ministry, and death. How did John’s message urging people to repent pave the way for Jesus’ ministry?

What sin in your life do you need to repent from?

Ask God for His forgiveness. Ask Him to help you turn around and walk His way.

Read verses 13-14.

Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize Him. John’s initial reaction was to protest. Why would John want to prevent baptizing Christ?

Read verse 15.

Jesus insisted that John baptize Him so that He could fulfill all righteousness. Even though Jesus was and is without sin, He was baptized. Jesus’ baptism showed His joining with other believers through baptism, His support of John’s ministry, and His fulfillment of the Father’s will. Jesus walked in obedience with the Lord and set the example for what we as believers are called to do.

Read verses 16-17.

Thank Jesus for His example. Ask God to help you follow Christ’s example of obedience.

Lord, thank you for your desire for righteousness. Thank you that we can follow Christ’s example. Show me how to live my life in such a way that you look down and are well pleased with me. Amen.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Days 20-21

Day 20


The Return

Read Nehemiah 1-3 and Ezra 1.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

What was the report from Jerusalem that Nehemiah received?
What was Nehemiah’s job?
What did Nehemiah want to do in Jerusalem?
How did Nehemiah organize the work to get it accomplished?
What prophet’s words were fulfilled through Cyrus king of Persia?

After reading and answering the question, spend time praying.

Thank God for His faithfulness. Thank Him for holding true to His word. Thank God for how he works through history to bring about His purposes.

Understanding the Old Testament: The return of the exiles to the Promised Land showed God’s faithfulness despite the peoples’ lack of faithfulness. God brought the people back to the land He had promised their forefathers even though Israel had repeatedly served other gods, turned from God and disobeyed His commandments.

God is faithful. He provides a way for all of us to come into a relationship with Him (as we were intended to be since the beginning of time) despite our repeatedly serving other gods, turning from Him and disobeying His commands. It is through Jesus that we can know forgiveness and deliverance from sin. Through Jesus, we can come into a relationship with God.




Day 21

Jesus’ Birth

Read Matthew 1:18-25.

Jesus’ birth came through no ordinary circumstances. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit. His father remained loyal to his mother, in spite of a seemingly scandalous situation. An angel appeared to both Mary and Joseph to explain Jesus’ birth. And He was predicted to save His people from the very beginning. What stands out to you the most about the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth?

Read Matthew 1:19-25 and then Luke 1:26-38.
Consider Mary and Joseph’s reaction to the news of Mary’s pregnancy. God worked in a way that was outside of what Mary and Joseph had planned. How do you react in unexpected circumstances? Are you open to God’s ways and timing?

Spend a few minutes focusing on the Lord and His plan. Thank Him for having a plan that is higher than yours. Ask Him to help you trust His plan and His timing. Spend some time surrendering to His plan for you.

Read Luke 2:8-20.
Through Jesus’ birth, prophecies were fulfilled, showing God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness. In what ways do you see God’s faithfulness in your life?

Thank the Lord for His faithfulness. Praise Him for His fulfillment of promises in Scripture and in your life now. Ask Him to show you His faithful hand in your life.

What has God spoken to you about as you’ve read and prayed through these Scriptures?

Days 18-19

Day 18


A Tragic End

Read 2 Kings 17:6-23 & Jeremiah 52.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

Who captured Samaria, and what did he do with the people?
Why did God let Israel be defeated?
Were the people of Israel more like what God commanded them to be or more like the people they were supposed to stay away from?
Who captured Jerusalem, and what did they do to the city?
Why did Judah fall?
Where did the exiles go?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.

Thank God for His mercy in allowing us to not be facing exile (physically or spiritually). Thank Him for not giving up on people who are far from Him. Ask Him to help you to keep a pure heart and a faithful life.

Understanding the Old Testament: In the Old Testament the people of Israel associated their living in the Promised Land as their connection to God. Living in the land that God had given their forefathers made it possible to have a relationship with God. To be taken out of that land made it impossible to have a relationship with God. His presence was thought to be regional (only in the temple in Jerusalem).




Day 19

The Story of Some Exiles

Read Daniel 1:1. Continue as far as you can in the given time.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

What four exiles were named and talked about in this book?
What problems did Daniel encounter as an exile?
What problems did the other three exiles face?
How did the exiles face their problems?
Was God faithful to the exiles when they were in trouble?
What did God show Daniel about the end of days?

After reading and answering the question, spend time praying.

Thank God for the safety we enjoy. Thank Him for working in the lives of people who are close to Him or far away.

Understanding the Old Testament: For God to do such mighty acts as were seen in the lives of Daniel and others, God proved that He was bigger than a region. The people of God could have a relationship with God outside of the Promised Land, and God was powerful enough to protect His people in a hostile land.

Days 16-17

Day 16


A Taste of Wisdom

Read Proverbs 1:1. Continue as far as you can in the given time.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

What is the beginning of knowledge?
What does Proverbs 3:5-10 say?
What is wisdom better than? More precious than?
What does Proverbs 3:27 teach?
How many chapters begin with the phrase “my son”?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time praying.

Ask God to show you your folly. Ask Him for wisdom. Pray about some of the Proverbs that specifically spoke to you.
 
 
 
Day 17


Wisdom Lost

Read 1 Kings 11-12.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

What did Solomon love that caused him to head down the wrong path as a king and a spiritual leader for the nation?
What happened to the kingdom of Israel that his father, David, passed on to Solomon?
Who were the new kings and who make up their “kingdoms”?
Were either of the new kings going to follow in the instruction that God gave David?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time praying.

Pray for God’s help in remaining faithful to Him and His commandments. Ask God to give you wisdom throughout your life. Thank God for being bigger than our sin.

Days 14-15

Day 14


A Clean Heart

Read Psalm 51.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

Who wrote this Psalm?
Why did he write it?
What does the author want to be washed clean of?
What does the Lord delight in? (Hint: v6)
What will the author teach transgressors and sinners?
What does the Lord not delight in? (Hint : v16)

After reading and answering the questions, spend time in prayer.

Ask God to show you your sin. Ask God to forgive your transgressions. Ask Him to give you a clean heart. Thank God for His love and forgiveness.




Day 15

The Wisest Man Ever

Read 1 Kings 1:28-4.

As you read, watch for the answers to the following questions.

Who was trying to take over as king?
Who became king?
What did David tell Solomon?
What did Solomon do to establish his reign? Who died?
What happened to fulfill the prophecy about the house of Eli in Shiloh? (Hint: 2:27)
What did Solomon ask from God that pleased God?
How famous was Solomon?

After reading and answering the questions, spend time praying.

Ask God for wisdom. Ask Him to help you have a heart that is right before Him. Thank Him for all of the good gifts He gives you.