Chapter 27 : Day 3

Chapter 27 – Resurrection

Day Three –
What’s Next?

 

Today’s
reading: Top of page 388 through end of chapter

 

This
reading covers: Matthew 28; John 20-21

 

Summary: Jesus
gives his followers direction for the future.

 

Spiritual growth is all about taking Next Steps.  Everyone has one.  The surest way to make zero progress in our
lives is to stay right where we are; the same mistakes, the same habits, the same
hurts.  The surest way to move ahead into
a life of victory is to take the next step on our journey with Christ.

 

Consider
this: The next step for any believer is to do more, go farther, dig
deeper.  Have you just become a
Christ-follower?  The next step is to
begin a daily time with God.  If you have
that habit down well, maybe it is time to start serving.  If you’ve been a Christ-follower for years,
consider yourself mature in the faith, and maintain consistent godly habits in
your Christ-filled life, then you’d better be making disciples.

 

Jesus loves us where we are, but he does not want us to stay
there.  Following Christ is never
accomplished.  We finish when we
die.  Until then, there is always room
for growth.

 

For
further reading: Romans 12:1-2

 

Prayer: Dear
Father, help me to take my next best step with you.  Challenge me to move ahead in my journey with
you.  I know it is not always easy, but you
promised to be with me always.  And I can
do all things through you.  In Jesus’
name, Amen.

April 6th, 2012
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Chapter 27 : Day 2

Chapter 27 – Resurrection

Day Two – Back
to Fishing

 

Today’s reading: Break
on page 384 through top of page 388

 

The
reading covers: Luke 24; John 20-21

 

Summary: When
they go back to their previous ways, the disciples encounter Jesus.

 

The disciples figured it was time to fish or cut bait.  It’s what they knew.  It’s what was comfortable.  They thought they’d lost their identity as
Christ-followers when they no longer had Christ, so they picked up where they
had left off in life – as fishermen.  But
Jesus did not leave them where they were.
Jesus never wants to leave us where we are.

 

As believers we have a new identity.
We are a new creation.

 

Consider
this: Who are we supposed to be like?
Our goal is not to know more of Jesus, but to be more like him.  Our identity is not what we make of ourselves,
but what Jesus wants to make of us.  Some
Christ-followers have a profound life change when they become believers.  Others have subtle changes which happen deep
within their souls.  Thinking of your old
identity, without Christ, what comes to mind?
How have you changed as a new creation?

 

For
further reading: Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter
1:13-16

 

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to know you better in order to be more like you.  Conform me to your image.  In your name, Amen.

April 4th, 2012
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Chapter 27 : Day 1

 

Chapter 27 – Resurrection

Day One –
Resurrection

 

 

Today’s reading: Page 381
through break on page 384

 

This
reading covers: Matthew 27-28; Mark 16; John 20

 

Summary: Jesus
rose from the dead, just as he said he would.

 

When Jesus died it appeared evil had finally won.  But just as he promised, Jesus rose from the
dead.  With that one act he secured his
identity as the son of God, and proved that he could be trusted to do whatever he
said he would do.

 

In the end, Jesus’ victory was not just over evil.  It was victory over death itself.

Consider
this: What do you need Jesus to overcome?
Are you trusting yourself to overcome?
Or are you trusting Jesus?  Do you
need to overcome something in the world, or is it within you?

 

For
further reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 1 John 5:1-5

 

Prayer: Jesus,
thank you that you are who you say you are.
Thank you that you can do what you say you can do.  Thank you that, because you have overcome the
world, I can have peace.  In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

April 2nd, 2012
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Chapter 26 : Day 3

Chapter 26 – The Hour of Darkness

Day Three –
The End?

 

Today’s reading: Bottom of Page 377 through end of chapter

 

This reading covers: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

 

Summary: As the crucifixion takes place, it seems all hope is lost.

 

Consider this: Spend time reviewing the suffering of Christ.  If you had been in the crowd, what role would
you have played?

 

Imagine yourself as a Roman soldier.  Would you have been the one who drove the
nails, or the one who said, “Surely
this was the son of God“?

 

Imagine yourself as one of those who passed by.  Would you have hurled insults at him, or
would you have wept hopelessly?

 

Imagine yourself as one of the thieves crucified on either side of Christ.  Would you have been the one who
cursed, or the one who asked for mercy?

 

Imagine yourself among the family and friends.  Would you have stood far off, or remained at
the foot of the cross?

 

For further reading: Isaiah 53

 

Prayer: It is hard to imagine the scene at the cross.  But as I look back over what happened, I
respond with great sadness and great joy.
Jesus, Thank you for dying for me.
I pray in your name.  Amen.

March 30th, 2012
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Chapter 26 : Day 2

Chapter 26 – The Hour of Darkness

Day Two – Not
My Will

 

 

Today’s reading: Bottom of Page 371 through
break on page 377

 

This reading covers: Matthew 26-27; Luke 22; John 18

 

Summary: From a peaceful garden to a noisy palace, Jesus follows God’s
plan.

 

Consider this: Surrounding Jesus during this dark time were the faithful and the
unfaithful.  Judas proved himself an
enemy rather than a trusted friend.
Peter vowed to never fail Jesus, but he denied him three times.  The apostles fell asleep when they were
supposed to be praying and watching.
Then, fearing for their own lives, they all ran away.

 

When would you have been an enemy of Jesus?  How were you released from that state to
become his friend?

 

For further reading: Romans 5:1-11

 

Prayer: It makes me sad to know that I was counted among your
enemies.  But I am so thankful that you
made it possible for us to be friends.
Thank you Jesus for following God’s plan all the way to the cross.  I pray in your name, Amen.

March 28th, 2012
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Chapter 26 : Day 1

Chapter 26 – The Hour of Darkness

Day One –
Final Moments

 

Today’s reading: Page 367 through bottom of page 371

 

This reading covers: Matthew 26; John 14-17

 

Summary: Jesus models service and comforts his followers in their final
time together.

 

Consider this: Preparation.  Service.  Submission.
This was the pattern Jesus followed during his last hours.

 

Preparation: Jesus chose the place, the time and the
guests.  What preparations do you make
when you read God’s word?  Where is the
place?  What is the time?  How do you prepare yourself to welcome the Holy Spirit who teaches all things?

 

Service: Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.  How do you wash the feet of others?  You can “wash other people’s feet”
through words of encouragement, by shopping for them, taking care of their
children, by feeding them.

 

Submission: Jesus asked the Father to remove the cup, but then added,
“Not my will but thine be done.”  How have you submitted to the Father’s will?

 

For further reading: Philippians 2:1-11

 

Prayer: Thank you for showing me clearly the way you
intend for me to live.  Jesus, you
perfectly modeled a life pleasing to God right up to the very end.  Help me now to live like you.  In your name I pray, Amen.

March 26th, 2012
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Chapter 24 : Day 3

Chapter 24 – No Ordinary Man

Day Three – Hard Teaching

 

 

Today’s reading: Bottom of page 349 through end of chapter

 

This reading covers: John 6

 

Summary: The crowds followed because of food, but Jesus is the bread of life.

 

Consider this: For some, Jesus was merely entertainment or someone they hoped would become an earthly king.  He astounded them with his interpretations of the law and his miracles, but they somehow missed the big picture: he was the Messiah!  Why did Jesus compare himself to the manna of his listeners’ ancestors?  What do Jesus’ symbolic words, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,” mean to you?  What significance does the Lord’s Supper hold for every Christ-follower?

 

For further reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-5; Luke 4:1-4

 

Prayer: “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”  We hunger and thirst for you, dear Jesus.  Fulfill us and sustain us as we grow in our relationship with you.  Amen.

March 16th, 2012
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Chapter 24 : Day 2

Chapter 24 – No Ordinary Man

Day Two – Miracle Man

 

 

Today’s reading: Break on page 343 through bottom of page 349

 

This reading covers: Matthew 9, 14; Mark 4-6

 

Summary:  Jesus performs miracles that show who he is.

 

Consider this:  What is your definition of the word miracle?  Do you think the word is used too casually today?  On the other hand, if a proper definition of the word is “an act that only God can perform,” what would you say to someone who stated, “God no longer performs miracles like he did in the Bible?”  Besides healing, what other benefits did the recipients of Jesus’ miracles receive?  What benefits can you receive from reading about Jesus’ miracles?  

 

For further reading:  Psalm 77; John 10:22-30; Acts 2:22-24

 

Prayer:  Savior King, I stand amazed at the miracles you performed while you were here on earth.  Thank you for the miracles you still perform today in and around my life.  Thank you for rescuing me from my sin.  Amen.

March 14th, 2012
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Chapter 24 : Day 1

Chapter 24 – No Ordinary Man

Day One – Teacher

 

Today’s reading: Page 335 through break on page 343

 

This reading covers: Matthew 5-7; Mark 4; Luke 10, 15

 

Summary:  Jesus teaches in everyday language so the people can understand.

 

Consider this: Jesus’ parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son all convey one truth: God seeks after what is lost.  Why would this have been such a radical concept to those religious leaders schooled in the law?  The story of the Good Samaritan ends with a direct command, “Go and do likewise.”  If you agree those words weren’t just meant for the audience that day but for you as well, think of some small acts of kindness you can do every day to obey this command.  When asked how to pray, Jesus gave his disciples a succinct example that includes praise as well as requests for needs, protection and forgiveness.  Think about your prayers.  Are they forced and contrived or are they genuine conversations from the heart?

 

For further reading: Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 4:2-6

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love you.  I thank you for the spiritual truths you so clearly gave to all “who would have ears to hear.”  Help me love my neighbor.   Thank you for the privilege of being able to talk to you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

March 12th, 2012
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Chapter 23 : Day 3

Chapter 23 – Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Day Three – Among the People

 

Today’s reading: Break on page 327 through end of chapter

 

This reading covers: Matthew 4, 11; Mark 1-3; John 4

 

Summary: Reading Jesus’ story reminds us that ministry happens among the people.

 

Consider this: Jesus’ power, compassion, and love are shown through his people. Some of what Jesus did is beyond our calling.  But we can buy school supplies for underprivileged children, provide toiletries for the homeless, paint a room in a Habitat for Humanity home, make a casserole for a sick neighbor, trim the shrubs for an elderly friend, hold babies in the church nursery, listen to a middle school girl pour out her heart or move chairs in a worship center.
The power of a servant’s heart speaks his message of love for others.  What can you do today, this weekend, to help someone else?  Where do you serve?  If you don’t serve, it is time to put feet to your heart.  If God has made a difference in your life, then you need to go out and make a difference in another.

 

For further reading: Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:34-35; Philippians 4:9

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for those who serve me.  I pray that you would help me to be a servant to others.  Make me aware of opportunities, and give me a boldness to step out in obedience to you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

March 9th, 2012
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