Dear
God, we are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that
you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around
our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the
greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of
love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so
we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh
filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come
to know you.
We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2024-Heart
Dive 365 - 365 Days through the Bible
in one year with Kanoe Gibson
An
enriching journey through the Bible, meticulously
studying each chapter and unraveling its
profound wisdom. Extensive notes, insights,
and reflections for every chapter.
2024
Reading Plan, Heart Dive 365 with Kanoe
Gibson. PDF
link
Luke
1, Luke, a follower of Christ, details in
his book to Theophilus the events told to
him by eyewitnesses about the birth and
life of Jesus and His apostles. His main
objective is to provide evidence that these
were more than just stories and rumors.
Zacharias
is chosen by lot to perform the high priest
duties and is visited by the angel Gabriel
at the altar of incense. He is informed
that his barren wife will have a baby despite
being past childbearing age and is prophesied
to prepare the hearts of the people towards
the Lord. In disbelief, Zacharias doubts
the word spoken by the angel and is told
he will be mute until the day his child
is born. His wife, Elizabeth, is overjoyed
to learn she will be a mother.
Gabriel
also visits Mary, a virgin betrothed to
a man named Joseph. He informs Mary that,
though a virgin, she will become pregnant
and be the mother of the Messiah. She travels
to see Elizabeth, and they sing praises
to the Lord for His kindness and blessings
upon them.
Elizabeth
gives birth, and when the child's name is
declared, Zacharias immediately regains
his ability to speak and recalls Gabriel's
prophecy regarding his son.
John
1, John writes about the humble arrival
of the Messiah, God made fiesh, and how
the world treated Him when He was among
His people. He begins his book by explaining
the eternal existence and nature of God
made fiesh, the Word.
He
speaks of a man who was sent to prepare
and witness to the people of the Messiah's
arrival. He recalls many rejecting the Messiah,
but those who received Him were granted
the blessing of becoming known as a child
of God.
John,
known as the Baptist, explains to the people
he is not the Messiah when they inquire
of him. As he is baptizing one day, Jesus
comes to be baptized, and John proclaims
he stands before the Messiah. John objects
to Jesus asking to be baptized but complies
when He insists. John sees the Spirit of
God descend upon Jesus when He arises from
the water. John again declares Jesus the
Messiah, saying that he was sent to prophesy
his coming, and two of John's followers
leave to follow Jesus instead. The introduction
of Jesus' first followers is mentioned as
Andrew, Simon Peter, Phillip, and Nathaniel.
SERVING
IN DISAPPOINTMENT | Lk. 1:6-7
Both
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous before
God and walked blameless. This didn’t mean
they never sinned, nor did it mean they
had no problems or challenges. They had
gone their entire lives with the stigma
of not being able to bear children. This
was looked at as a curse in these days.
Yet
they still faithfully served God through
their disappointments because they weren’t
serving Him for what they could get from
Him. They were serving Him because of who
He is and what He has already done. Heart
Check.
Do
you continue to faithfully serve God, even
through your disappointment? Or do you only
praise Him when He does something good for
you?
PRAYER
BUCKET | Lk. 1:11-13
I
can only imagine how long Elizabeth and
Zechariah had been praying for a child.
And the angel reveals that those prayers
did not go unheard, although it likely felt
like they did for many years.
This
tells us that our prayers are being stored
up in heaven. I almost picture it as those
vast buckets at the waterpark that kids
sit under, just waiting for that bucket
to be dumped on their heads at the ring
of the bell. Our prayers are like water
being poured into a bucket. And as long
as we keep asking, keeping seeking, keeping
knocking, that bucket will eventually reach
capacity, and the blessing will overfiow.
But
if we stop short, it may never tip over.
Heart Check.
Have
you stopped short of tipping the prayer
bucket over in heaven? Is there something
you have stopped praying or believing for?
SEALED
LIPS | Lk. 1:18-20
Even
though Zechariah’s unbelief doesn’t void
the promise, it does rob him of the ability
to celebrate and enjoy this incredible news!
They
were finally going to have a baby and he
can’t tell anyone about it. This is what
unbelief will do. When we try to outthink
God instead of coming with childlike faith
and believing that He will do what He says
He will do, that unbelief and cynicism will
rob us of the joy of the many miracles and
blessings that the Lord pours out.
And
in a way, our lips will figuratively be
sealed as we will then refuse to spread
the Good News because we don’t believe it.
Heart Check.
Are
your lips sealed? Or are you celebrating
with childlike faith that the Good News
is true?
REJOICING
SPIRIT | Lk. 1:46
Just
as God is a triune God, we are triune beings,
made up of body, mind, and soul.
The
Bible speaks of all three, and here, Mary
says that her soul magnifies the Lord, meaning
she glorifies God with her thoughts, emotions,
and attitude. The soul is where the mind
and emotions are seated. It’s the part of
us that makes choices.
But
the spirit is the deepest part of our being,
where the Spirit of God, love, and our purpose
dwells. This is our very essence that relates
to God.
So
Mary is basically saying that even when
her thoughts are out of left field or when
she doesn’t “feel like” worshipping, her
spirit will still rejoice because He is
the source of her identity, her joy, and
her strength. She understands that worship
goes beyond feelings. Heart Check.
Does
your spirit still rejoice and worship when
your feelings aren’t into it?
HEARING
| Lk. 1:62
We
were only told that Zechariah would be mute,
not that he would be deaf too. But here
it appears that either these people are
treating him as though he can’t hear, or
he has become hard of hearing because there’s
no outfiow of speech.
If
we look at the spiritual implication of
this, if we only gobble up the Word of God
for ourselves, reading every commentary,
watching every sermon online, going to all
the conferences, but never sharing what
we learn with others, we will eventually
stop hearing from God because we will be
so full that we’re no longer hungering for
it. But when you pour out unto others, you
will find that you will continue to crave
His Word and His Presence. And He will continue
to pour into you as well. Heart Check.
Can
you still hear clearly? How hungry are you?
Are you pouring out unto others?
SEEKING | Jn.
1:38
This
is such a simple yet profound question:
“What are you seeking?” The cookie cutter
answer would be, “Jesus,” of course.
But
if we really think about it, what are we
craving? What is that one thing that we
think would change our lives, that one person
who would make everything right, that perfect
job that would get us on our feet, that
thing that is on our minds all day long.
Those
things aren’t necessarily bad, but the Bible
says to seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, then all these things
shall be added unto you. It says that all
of God’s promises are yes and amen, meaning
everything that we want or desire is wrapped
up in Him. He is what we desire, whether
we realize it or not. But seeking Him takes
e£ort. Heart Check.
What
are you seeking?
I
SAW YOU | Jn. 1:48
This
was definitely a compliment for Nathanael,
because in this day, students would study
under the shade of fig trees.
Many
scholars believe he may have been studying
Jacob’s dream from Genesis 28:12, when Jacob
saw the angels ascending and descending
on a ladder that extended from earth to
heaven. But can you imagine how Nathanael
must’ve felt in that moment? To be seen
by this Messiah that he had been studying
about for years?
But
He says this to us as well—I see you. He
sees us in the valleys, He sees us when
we’re sick and broken, He sees us in our
sin, and He sees us when we are righteous.
And through it all, He loves us the same.
Heart Check.
If
Christ were to say that He saw you this
past week, what would He have seen? Would
it be a compliment?
Deep
Dive
How
do you see the link between the Old Testament
and the writings of Luke? Why is this important?
Why
did Luke precede the gospel account with
his scholarly statement? What would it do
for the following writings? Why is this
important for our faith as Christians?
What
is the GOOD NEWS?
Luke
is a doctor—do you think it was di£icult
for him to accept the virgin birth? Or did
this persuade his belief and faith even
more?
Consider
the responses of Zechariah and Mary to the
angel Gabriel. How would you react?
How
many ways to do you see Jesus in John 1?
How does this expound upon your understanding
of His purpose in coming to earth?
As
we seek your face today, we are so thrilled
to be here with a greater understanding
of your role and purpose in coming to the
earth. It blows our mind that this was all
playing out from before the beginning of
time.
The
plans were in existence. They just needed
to be carried out, step by step, detail
by detail. What an honor it is to be able
to live in this time where we have evidence
and proof of all of these words that were
spoken and have come to pass. This gives
us so much hope for what is still to come!
So
I pray that these accounts by Luke and John
today will increase our faith and belief
that what you have spoken, it will be or
even already is, as you don’t operate by
the constraints of time as we know it. If
you said it would happen, it has already
happened in the future. Wow!
Forgive
us if we have ever doubted the way Zechariah
did. But I pray that this be a lesson for
us to never give up, to never stop seeking,
asking, and knocking. We know that you hear
our prayers and that they’re being stored
up in heaven. It may just be that one tiny
little prayer that we say in our spirit
that tips the bucket. So increase our grip
today to keep holding on to dreams and desires
that you have placed in our hearts. You
will never give up on us, so we won’t give
up either.
For
those who are longing to have a family but
don’t see any hope on the horizon, I pray
that you will comfort them in the waiting.
Help them to trust in your perfect timing
and to find peace as they lean on you for
strength that they cannot find within themselves.
Heal
their bodies where necessary and remind
them of the promise that you have spoken
for a hope and a future, whether or not
a child is a part of that or if it is another
path that they cannot yet see.
Guide
their doctors, Lord, and give them wisdom.
We pray they will be instruments in your
hands and will. But more than anything,
may they rest in knowing that your will
is perfect and good, and may they desire
it above all else. I pray they will bask
in the love that already surrounds them
through family and friends.
May
this be the prayer for all di£iculties
that anyone is struggling with today. And
may we always praise you in the storm, especially
when our feelings aren’t leading us well.
For
those of us who have the freedom to open
our mouths and share the good news with
others, I pray that we won’t shy away from
it. We pray for divine appointments with
people who need to be introduced to you.
I pray for words to speak to them and for
hearts to be prepared in advance so that
they will be good soil upon which we will
be able to plant seeds.
But
up until that point, may we prepare the
way for others to be able to see you, Jesus.
When we finally surrender ourselves to simply
live for you and to bring others with us,
joy and gladness will follow suit.
I
pray that we will have a Mary like heart
that desires to know your Word and trusts
it when it is spoken to our hearts. Even
if it sounds crazy to the world, if you
have spoken, it will come to pass. You are
the God of the impossible, and we trust
that you will do what you say you will do.
Keep
our hearts humble so that when we gaze upon
you, we will see how mighty you are and
how you have done great things. You have
shown us over and again how your mercy extends
throughout the generations to those who
fear you. Free us from pride and self-reliance,
and teach us to always trust in your strength
alone. Fill us with your love so that we
can refiect that to the world. May our lives
be a testament to your goodness the way
that John the Baptist’s was. May we proclaim
your greatness the way he and Mary did,
never seeking glory for themselves but always
pointing others to you. So we rest today
in your unwavering love and plans that you
have for us.
Matthew
1, The Apostle Matthew begins by recording
Jesus' genealogy from Joseph's lineage.
Although not His biological father, it maps
out Jesus' claim to the throne as the rightful
heir of King of the Jewish people.
Joseph
is betrothed to Mary, but when she is revealed
to be pregnant, he contemplates divorce.
An angel visits him in the night and informs
him this is God's plan, and she is carrying
the Messiah, according to prophecy.
Luke
2, Caesar Augustus decreed a census for
all Roman Empire citizens. Everyone was
commanded to return to their ancestral city.
Joseph and Mary left Nazareth and traveled
to Bethlehem to be registered, and Mary
gave birth to her son.
Angels
announce to nearby shepherds the Messiah's
birth, and instruct them where to find Him.
The shepherds worship Him, and proclaim
to all who would hear of His arrival. The
child is circumcised, brought into Jerusalem
to the temple for Mary's purification, and
He is given the name Jesus as they were
instructed by the angel.
A
devout Jew, Simeon, who was promised by
the Lord that he would not die until he
met the Messiah, encounters Mary, Joseph,
and Jesus along with the prophetess Anna.
Mary
and Joseph return to Nazareth, where Jesus
is brought up and raised. When Jesus is
twelve years old, they all make the pilgrimage
to Jerusalem for Passover. Among all the
crowds in the city at this time, Mary and
Joseph lose track of Jesus. They locate
Him among the religious teachers and leaving
them in wonder with His questions.
TRUST
| Matthew 1:1-17
Fun
fact: the name David has a Hebrew numerical
value of 14. With fourteen generations listed
here, each name has been chosen by God to
be included in this geneaology that spans
across 2000 years. The overall message that
we see here is that God’s timing is perfect
to fulfill His plan. We just spent the past
nine months learning about these very people
and how they all fit into the gospel. Most
of the time, it didn’t make sense to those
involved, but having this bird’s eye view,
we should be able to say, “Wow, everything
He does has a purpose!” Heart Check.
Do
you see God’s hand at work in your life?
Are you trusting that He has a plan and
that the events of your life are fulfilling
that purpose?
FAMILY
LEGACY | Matthew 1:1-17
Secondly,
I believe God wants us to see how He can
use anyone, from the ordinary and unseen,
to the evil and unfaithful, to the righteous
and holy, for His purpose and His glory.
These 14 families run the gamut!
But
God is not an ordinary God. He breaks the
barriers of what we think is normal. He
forgives the darkest of sins. He reaches
across the universe and beyond the borders
to seek out those whose hearts are set on
Him. It took 14 generations to get to the
man after His heart, yet He still named
the ones in between because they matter
to Him. And so do the people in your family.
Heart Check.
As
you reflect on your family’s legacy, how
can you see God’s hand upon the good, the
bad, and the ordinary?
CRAZY
OBEDIENCE | Matthew 1:24-25
When
you know this story of the virgin birth
of Christ, you can easily take it for granted
and glance over the fact that this was crazy
obedience on Joseph’s behalf.
His
fiancé is claiming to be pregnant
with God’s baby, but she is a virgin. That’s
crazy talk! And he knew it! But God said
to marry her anyway, and he did not hesitate.
Heart Check.
Is
there something that God is calling you
to have crazy obedience in? Are you doing
it?
ENCOUNTER
| Luke 2:42-46
Some
might ask how in the world did they lose
track of their child? In fact, I used to
be that judgmental parent until I lost my
3-year-old daughter in the middle of the
Miami airport. It’s a lot easier to do,
especially when you’re traveling in a big
group like these families often would when
they were making these treks to the festivals.
Plus, Jesus was 12 and, as we can see, very
mature.
So
they likely didn’t feel the need to be helicopter
parents, as they expected that He would
obediently stay by their side. And, of course,
just as any good parent would do, they immediately
searched for Him, and the first place they
looked was where they saw Him last.
If
we ever feel as though we are lost or far
away from Jesus, this is an excellent tactic—to
look for Him in the place where you saw
Him last. I know for myself that I hear
Him best in the wee hours of the morning
when everyone else is asleep. As soon as
my household wakes up, my mind is scattered
in a million di£erent directions,
and I hear every other noise that drowns
out His whispers. Heart Check.
Where
would you look if you felt lost? Where do
you best encounter Jesus?
SECURE
& SUBMISSIVE | Luke 2:51
I
love how Jesus was still submissive and
honoring to His parents. He’s the Christ,
the Anointed One, the Savior of the World!
But yet He’s still so humble.
This
is because He was secure in His identity
and didn’t need to lord it over others or
prove it. The more mature and secure we
are in our identity, the less we will feel
the need to let everyone know about it.
The
other day, when I was fiying my drone before
my son’s football game, the referee scolded
me, telling me I couldn’t fiy anywhere near
a football stadium. Not only did I have
permission from the athletic director to
do this, but I was also following all of
the aviation rules I had to know to pass
my test.
But
instead of arguing my point, I simply said,
“Okay, thank you. Is it okay if I land it
here?” And that was it. I submitted to his
authority as a referee, even though I technically
wasn’t in the wrong. But if I were insecure,
I could’ve quickly escalated that situation
if I tried to put him in his place. But
where would that have led us? Nowhere good.
I
probably would’ve been removed from the
game, and they would’ve had a bad taste
in their mouths about our school. Sometimes,
we just have to humble ourselves and submit
to authority, as long as we are not led
to disobey God in any way. Heart Check.
How
secure are you in your identity? Do you
feel the need to let people know they’re
in the wrong? Or are you able to submit,
even when you know you’re right?
Deep
Dive
Why
was it significant for Matthew to begin
with geneaology?
Which
person in His genealogy resonates with you
most?
What
references are made to Jesus regarding His
name and identity? How does this shape your
view of Him?
How
would you explain to someone that Jesus
is fully God and fully man?
How
has your view of the humble birth of Christ
changed from your traditional Christmas
story?
Consider
the responses of each of the people in these
chapters. What can we learn from them?
Heavenly
Father, As
we reflect on the wonder the birth of Jesus,
we sit here in awe and gratitude.
We
praise you for the peace and joy that we
have, even in the middle of a chaotic world.
The goodness of the news has not faded,
and the light of your glory still shines
as brightly, if not brighter today than
ever!
You
have proven yourself faithful throughout
the generations. From the beginning of time,
through the life of Adam, across thousands
of years to Jesus, and thousands more to
us, you have shown us the divinity of your
plans and purposes and the way they are
fulfilled. We stand in awe of it, with so
much gratitude in our hearts, especially
knowing that you had us in mind the entire
time. Thank you for sending your only Son,
Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, Immanuel,
God with us.
Thank
you for doing so in such a miraculous way,
that proves your power and mystery. Thank
you, Jesus, for setting aside your divinity
so that you could identify with us. There
is nothing that we encounter that you didn’t
go through, so we never have to shy away
from thinking you don’t get it when we are
struggling. There is nothing too small or
too great for the likes of you.
Thank
you for showing us how you can and will
use anyone for your greater purpose. From
humble servants like Mary and Joseph, to
evil rulers like Abijah and Manasseh, to
the unfaithful and foreigners. There are
no barriers with you, for you created every
single one of us, and should you choose
to touch our lives in such a way that transforms
our hearts to become fully committed to
doing your will, you will redeem us. We
are never too far gone, we have never fallen
too deep, to be used by you. Thank you for
that.
And
thank you for the way that you have liberated
women and pulled them out of oppression.
We pray for your continued protection on
your daughters and her identity, as the
enemy attempts to blur the lines between
genders so that he can put women back into
a lower place.
But
we know that wherever the gospel has gone,
Jesus, you have lifted us up. So we continue
to pray for those who do not have the freedoms
that some of us do. Set them free, Lord.
We thank you for the call that you have
placed on our lives. Sometimes it may seem
crazy to the world, but you will never call
us to do something that you will not equip
us to do.
So
if there is great faith that is needed,
give us a boost today. If Mary and Joseph
obeyed, so will we. If they trusted in your
plan, so will we. You are trustworthy, so
may we not fear any of the obstacles or
potential dangers that appear to be in our
way. We know that you are with us, for you
are Immanuel. Help us to see the significance
of what you are doing in our lives and on
the world stage. I pray that we will be
like the shepherds who were quick to respond
and may we have the courage to proclaim
your goodness and the joy of our salvation
to those around us. I pray that we will
have the expectant hearts like Simeon and
Anna, never giving up on hope, and always
looking for you in all things, knowing that
you will fulfill your purpose in its perfect
timing.
Wrap
us up in the swaddling cloths of your love,
grace, and truth today, giving us that security
that we need to maintain a heart of humility
but also strength and courage to do what
you have called us to do. Let your light
fill our hearts and guide our steps. And
may the transformation that takes place
in our hearts be a witness to the world
as we live in a way that refiects that love
and grace that you pour unto us.
Matthew
2, King Herod of Judea is visited by wise
men who have journeyed from the east looking
for the newly-born king of the Jews. Herod
is disturbed by this news and begins a search
for the prophesied king.
The
wise men follow the star to Bethlehem and
meet Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They worship
Jesus and present them with precious and
expensive gifts. The wise men take another
direction back to their land and do not
return to Herod. An angel appears to Joseph
in a dream, urging them to escape to Egypt
quickly.
When
Herod dies, an angel again appears to Joseph
in a dream, telling him they will be safe
enough to return to their home in Nazareth.
WHERE
YOU’RE AT | Matthew 2:2
Even
though we’ve grown up singing songs and
seeing scenes of three wise men going to
see Jesus on the night of His birth, the
truth is, we really don’t know how many
there actually were.Some scholars believe
there could’ve been hundreds. And these
wise men were astronomers, which is why
they’ve taken such interest in this star
leading them to Christ.
And
that’s how God works—He meets us where we
are. He’s always speaking, and we just need
to open our eyes and ears. This is why you
are getting so many football mom references
this season. Heart Check.
Where
might God be trying to meet with you?
PASSING
THE BUCK | Matthew 2:6
The
interesting thing here is that the scribes
knew the prophecies and the Word better
than anyone, so they should’ve known the
magnitude of this moment. Yet they made
no effort to go and see the Messiah for
themselves. This is the danger of having
head knowledge but doing nothing with it.
They were like Monday morning quarterbacks,
giving all their input but unwilling to
do the work themselves.
It’s
easy to sit on the sidelines and yell at
the players. I have people all the time
who tell me, “You guys need to do this and
pray for that,” and my thought is, how come
you’re not doing it? How can you be a part
of the solution rather than passing the
buck to someone else? Are you praying for
those things? Heart Check.
What
are you doing with the knowledge God is
giving you? Are you passing the buck to
someone else to do the work that you could
be doing?
WISE
MEN STYLE | Matthew 2:2-12
There
is so much we can learn from the wise men's
response. They heard about Jesus, diligently
sought Him out, rejoiced, worshipped, and
came bearing gifts. Yet this is almost the
opposite of how many people approach God.
It’s nearly as if they expect God to seek
them out and prove Himself by blessing them
with gifts before they will worship Him.
This
is a self-serving worship. But we don’t
seek out or worship God for what He can
give us; we seek Him because of who He is
and what He already did. Heart Check.
Are
you excited to seek God for who He is? Does
it bring you joy? Are you coming with gifts
or are you coming empty-handed and expecting
Him to fill your hands?
CHANGE
DIRECTION | Matthew 2:12
No
wonder these men are called wise—they genuinely
are wise men. After they met the King of
Kings and worshipped Him, the angel let
them know that they would need to go in
a di£erent direction from which they
came. And isn’t that the case with us?
When
we get saved, there are many areas in our
lives where we must take a di£erent
turn, about-face, or never return to. Heart
Check.
How
has Jesus affected the direction in your
life?
Deep
Dive
Consider
the responses to the news of Jesus’ birth.
How do we see similarities in the way people
respond to Him today?
How
does the faith and journey of the wise men
inspire you?
How
is God’s divine protection on display in
this chapter?
What
Bible prophecies are fulfilled?
What
is the significance of Jesus being called
a Nazarene? What inspiration can we draw
from it?
Heavenly
Father, As
we continue to diligently seek you, we thank
you for shining the light for us to be able
to fnd our way.
I
thank you for choosing us and speaking to
our hearts right where we’re at. You can
speak through football games, through crafting,
through song, or through the wind. There
is nothing on this earth where you can’t
be found. Thank you for allowing us to know
who the true King is. Because we are secure
in whose we are, we don’t have to try to
fight our way into prominence or position.
We trust you and all the plans that you
have laid out for our lives.
Our
stories have been written, and all we need
to do is listen for the words that you have
written about it. So may we be like the
wise men who hear about you and earnestly
follow after you. Continue to guide us by
the light of your Word so that our daily
walk always points in your direction. We
adore you and we worship you. Oh that only
the world would do the same.
And
as the days draw nearer to your return,
we hear of wars and rumors of wars, and
all we can do is keep our hearts right,
our eyes peeled, and our spirits in constant
prayer. Protect us from the threats and
dangers of this world the same way you did
with Jesus. If we have to take an unexpected
turn, help us to trust in that divine protection.
I pray that fear will not hold us back from
being obedient and immediately stepping
out in faith when you tell us to. And if
something seems too hard or too dangerous,
we will find refuge in you, our Prince of
Peace.
Thank
you for helping us to grow in our faith
walk. We know that growing requires change,
so may we not get stuck in the same old
thinking, never wanting to spread our wings
or do things that seem out our comfort zones.
Jesus you didn’t come into this world for
us to stay the same.
You
came to shake things us. So shake us up
today. Move us into action. And when we
think that other people need to do this
and that, may that be a reminder to us that
perhaps you are calling us to be a part
of the solution rather than the question.
Show us what we can do, even if it’s something
small. Our calling may not appear as big
as someone else’s but that doesn’t mean
it’s any less significant. Look at Bethlehem
and Nazareth!
They
were small but they were perfect, and out
of those two small, despised, and insignificant
towns, came the greatest man to ever walk
the earth. We never know who we will impact
when we plant seeds. A simple encouragement
may be the few words that saves someone’s
life. We may be speaking to the next greatest
evangelist. So may we never despise our
calling and may we never try to pass the
buck to someone else. Your plans for us
are good and sovereign, and we will continue
to trust in them today.
Thank
you, Jesus, for coming to the earth. We
are eternally grateful.
Matthew
3, Many from all over Israel come to hear
John the Baptist preach repentance and baptize.
He rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees for
their lack of faith and self-righteousness.
He prophesies the Messiah is coming to baptize
with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus
comes to John to be baptized and fulfill
the law's requirement. John protests the
need for Jesus to be baptized but agrees
when Jesus insists. A voice is heard from
heaven, and God's Spirit descends on Jesus.
Mark
1, John the Baptist preaches repentance
and baptism to the people of Judea and Jerusalem.
Jesus comes to him to be baptized as well
and then retreats into the wilderness, where
He is tempted by Satan for forty days.
John
is arrested, and Jesus comes out of the
wilderness to preach repentance and the
good news of God. Jesus gathers His first
four disciples: Simon, Andrew, James, and
John, the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus
teaches at a synagogue in Capernaum and
amazes the people inside when He casts out
an evil spirit from within a man present.
He also heals Simon's mother-in-law, those
who su£er from diseases and demon
possession, and a man with leprosy.
GENUINE
FAITH | Matt. 3:4
I
love this image of John the Baptist. Imagine
this—after 400 years of silence, the man
God chooses to break that silence by wearing
animal hair and chomping on grasshoppers.
This
was vastly different from the fiowing and
decorated robes of the priests. But that’s
our God—He loves to use the wild and ordinary.
But I believe the greater reason God chose
him is because of his genuine faith. He
walked the talk and practiced what he preached,
and because so, so many people fiocked to
him and his teaching of repentance. He was
a living testimony. Heart Check.
Do
you practice what you preach? Are others
attracted to your genuine faith?
BAPTISM
| Matt. 3:6
This
was nothing short of a revival! Previously,
baptism was for Gentiles who wanted to profess
their newly found Jewish faith publicly.
But here, John is baptizing Jews who finally
acknowledged their need to confess their
own sins rather than waiting for the Day
of Atonement and turning from their sin
and toward God.
This
baptism was a sign of both repentance and
forgiveness. Today, Christian baptism goes
a step further in the way that you are fully
immersed in water, representing the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This
takes place after salvation, meaning if
you were baptized as a baby, you should
do so again after being saved, because it
is a decisive thing.
Not
only is it a public declaration of repentance
and forgiveness, but it is symbolic for
your old self dying as your sin is washed
away, and you now become a new creation.
It’s a renouncing of your old self and your
old ways. So if you get up out of that water
with the same heart and mind, you might
need to dip that cookie again, because baptism
without repentance is just a bath. Heart
Check.
Have
you been baptized? Is there a visible change
of heart in you?
FRUITFUL
TREE | Matt. 3:8-10
Here,
John discerns the motives of the Pharisees
and the Sadducees in the way that they are
coming to baptism just for the sake of appearing
religious. It’s all talk and no walk because
they have no intentions to change.
They
think that their heritage and religiosity
alone can save them, but John is telling
them that if they don’t want to be cut down
like unfruitful trees, they need to keep
with repentance and bear fruit. We are called
to do the same. It’s not enough to say that
we grew up in a Christian home or that we
go to church. That won’t save us. Every
tree will be examined for its own fruit.
And the Christian life isn’t just about
us and our sin. We are called to bear fruit
and do good works, meaning we obey His Word,
resist the devil, share the Good News, and
serve others. Heart Check.
How
fruitful is your tree?
BUSYNESS
| Mark 1:35
I
love how Jesus was probably so exhausted
after a long work day, yet He chose to get
up before everyone else and spend time with
His Father. He didn’t do this because He
was tired and weak. He did it because He
knew where His strength for today would
come from. He wholly depended on the Father
for it. This is the opposite of what most
of us do when we become busy. We say things
like, “I’ve just been so busy at work and
school that I’ve fallen behind,” or “I can’t
serve or go to church because I’m too busy
with sports and weekend activities.”
But
Jesus shows us that hard work and busyness
should lead us to the Father and not further
away from Him. We will be exhausted at every
turn if we treat Him like another task on
our to-do list. But if we go to Him first,
at the start of our day, letting prayer
be our first words and praise be our first
action each morning, He will renew our strength.
You will find that you are more joyful and
will have more peace because the virtue
that is poured out needs to be refilled.
No one knew this better than Jesus. Heart
Check.
When
you get busy, do you find yourself getting
closer to the Lord or falling behind? How
do you feel in your spirit as a result?
YOUR
SPOT | Mark 1:37
I
bet the disciples knew exactly where to
look when Jesus wasn’t publicly preaching,
teaching, or healing. He could be found
in solitary with His Father. He wasn’t out
in the crowds getting fanned over. It’s
the same way with my kids.
If
I’m not in the kitchen cooking for them,
helping them with homework, or driving them
to and from their activities, they know
that if I have any downtime, I will be right
here in this room. They know where to find
me. Heart Check.
Where
do people look when they can’t find you?
What is the spot you are most often found
in?
PURPOSE
| Mark 1:38
Jesus
did a lot while He was on this earth. He
cast out demons, healed the sick, gave the
blind sight, and raised the dead to life.
Yet that wasn’t His main purpose. He knew
that His biggest job was to preach. Because
He knew His main purpose, He was able to
stay focused on where to go next. Heart
Check.
What
is your main purpose in life?
OPEN
HEAVEN | Luke 3:21
The
heavens opened when Jesus was praying. We
have that same direct channel to hear from
the Father today too, but a lot of people
won’t ever hear from the Lord, simply because
they won’t come to Him in simple conversation.
Heart Check.
Are
you praying? Is heaven opening and are you
hearing from the Lord?
Deep
Dive
What
does it mean to prepare the way today?
What
external factors might people rely on today
to prove their religious status instead
of a relationship with Christ?
What
is the difference between John’s baptism
and Jesus’ baptism?
Why
did Jesus get baptized if he was without
sin?
What
does the separating of the wheat and chaff
symbolize?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for your clear message of repentance
today.
Sometimes
we shy away from this message for fear of
appearing doomsdayish. But we realize this
was the first word of both your ministry
and John the Baptist’s. It’s a message that
needs to be spoken today, for the further
we get from you, the more dangerous it is
for us collectively. Help us to prepare
the way and present this message without
potholes and boulders. We don’t want to
be a nuisance or hindrance for people to
come to you.
So
I pray we will be the first to show others
what it means to keep with repentance in
the way that we live. I pray that our lives
will look so different that people will
long to know what changed us. And it’s always
you Jesus. Give us the courage and ability
to point them to you.
We
pray for those who have not yet grasped
this message. I pray they will come to you
with a heart that is ready for change and
open heart surgery. May we all turn from
the things that are hindering our relationship
with you. Show us how to make our own paths
straight so that you can do a good work
in our lives. And I pray that we will bear
much fruit.
Jesus,
you always gave us the greatest example
in showing us how to live. Thank you for
being so humble and always seeking to let
us know that you get us. You always looked
for ways to identify with us, and in being
baptized, you showed us the importance of
obedience and submission to the Father.
I pray that we will follow your example
in every area of our lives. Convict our
hearts, and lead us to baptism if we haven’t
already done it.
May
your Holy Spirit wash over us so that we
will be empowered to carry out your good
work. Please fill us afresh and purify our
hearts. Continue to guide us by the light
of your truth as we seek your wisdom.
And
Holy Spirit, we welcome your refining fire
in our lives that cleanses us of all impurity
and empowers us to be your faithful witness.
We hear the urgency in the gospel of Mark
today, so I pray that we will all be quick
to respond to the quickening of your Spirit
within us. Help us to resist all temptation
the way you did, Jesus. But I pray that
if we falter, that we will be quick to repent
as we realign our hearts back to you and
your will.
May
we never get so caught up in the busyness
of life and all the distractions that come
with it, that we begin to move further away
from you. We know that we will only find
ourselves less fulfilled and more anxious,
and that’s no way to live. You don’t desire
that for us. You left us with peace, not
chaos. So I pray that we will be like you,
Jesus, in the way that you always got away
to be with the Father. You were never swayed
by the attention or the crowds. In fact,
it was quite the opposite. The more famous
you got, the more time you would spend in
isolation and prayer. So may we be like
that, as time with you restores our virtue
and gives us strength for today.
May
we be as bold as John the Baptist in sharing
our faith with others. We don’t necessarily
need to preach the way Jesus did, but if
we live our lives refiecting your goodness
and love, we will ultimately be that living
testimony that can bring hope to the hopeless.
So we lay down anything that is hindering
our walk with you, and we are ready to move
when you say so. But may we also live with
humility and compassion as we reach out
to those who may be hurting. Show us where
our hands and feet can extend to help where
necessary. And I pray that we never lose
sight of our greater purpose by getting
caught up in religion. Soften our hearts
to be like yours and give us wisdom so we
can carry out your mission and your purpose.
May everything we do be glorifying to you.
Matthew
4, In the wilderness, Jesus fasts for forty
days and forty nights. Brought to a state
of starvation, Jesus faces three instances
of temptation over the fiesh, pride, and
lust. He finds Himself proved righteous
before the Father and is nursed to health
by angels.
Jesus
hears of John the Baptist's arrest and travels
to Galilee to continue the work John began.
He preaches repentance and the kingdom of
God before them. Four men begin following
Jesus as His disciples, and He heals numerous
people of their diseases and casts out demons
from those under possession.
Luke
4, Before Jesus' ministry begins, the devil
comes to tempt Jesus in the wilderness.
He attempts to manipulate Jesus to provide
Himself food and turn stones into bread,
worship the devil to gain all the kingdoms
of the world, and test the Father's love
for Him.
Jesus
begins teaching in synagogues throughout
the region of Galilee and comes to teaching
in His hometown of Nazareth. He reads from
the Book of Isaiah, and those enraged in
His town attempt to throw Him off a nearby
cliff. Jesus continues preaching and healing
in Galilee, including healing Simon's mother-in-law
and casting out an evil spirit from a man
in a synagogue in Capernaum.
Luke
5, Numerous people had come to hear Jesus
teach. To allow all to hear Him, He climbed
into a fishing boat and had them take Him
into the Sea of Galilee. After He was finished
speaking, He asked Simon to let down his
nets to catch some fish. Simon objected
at first, but then miraculously, their nets
were filled to overfiowing when they brought
them up.
Jesus
gains disciples who journey with Him as
He continues to preach and heal the people
they encounter. The Pharisees and teachers
of the law questioned Jesus' authority to
heal and forgive sins.
THE
EASY WAY OUT | Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus
told Satan, "Do not test the Lord your
God." He wasn’t going to bow down or
worship anyone but His Father. Through these
temptations, Jesus proved His divine purpose.
He was showing us that He alone is worthy
to be the atonement for our sins. Satan
tried to get Him to take the easy way out,
o£ering Him kingdoms and shortcuts.
But Satan doesn’t really have control over
this world—the victory has already been
won through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The devil might trick us, making us think
shortcuts are easier, but in the end, they
lead to nothing. Heart Check.
Are
you tempted to take shortcuts in life instead
of trusting God's plan?
WHAT
IS THE COST? | Matthew 4:18-22
It
was such a simple command—"Follow me."
Maybe the disciples had already seen or
heard about Jesus’ miracles, so when He
called them, they didn’t hesitate. They
knew He was di£erent, even though
they weren’t fully sure yet that He was
the Messiah. The most remarkable part is
they immediately left everything behind.
It reminds us that there is always a cost
in following Jesus. We don’t know what that
cost looks like for you, but for me, it’s
been job opportunities, career ladders,
and certain comforts. It’s all about trusting
God. We are using platforms like this to
share His Word, just like Jesus used a boat
to preach. Heart Check.
What’s
the cost of following Jesus in your life?
Are you ready to leave behind your old ways,
comfort zones, or relationships that hinder
your spiritual growth?
OPEN
ARMS |Matthew 4
Jesus
didn’t create exclusive groups. He welcomed
the outcasts, the sick, and the broken.
But in our world today, we often create
circles that exclude people based on appearance,
status, or even how spiritual we think they
are. Jesus, on the other hand, showed grace
to everyone, no matter their background.
Heart Check.
Have
we created exclusive circles that keep others
out? Are we extending the same grace to
others that Jesus extends to us?
AUTHORITY|
Luke 4:31-37
Every
moment in Jesus’ ministry, from His temptations
by Satan to casting out demons, shows us
that there’s a spiritual battle happening
behind the scenes. We can’t forget that
we live in a broken, sinful world, and that
there’s always a spiritual undercurrent
in everything. Heart Check.
Do
you have faith in Jesus’ authority over
both the spiritual and physical realms?
Are you aware of the spiritual battles happening
around you and trusting Jesus to be victorious?
UNWORTHINESS
| Luke 5:1-11
Even
though Peter was hesitant, he obeyed Jesus,
and in that moment, he witnessed Jesus'
authority in a miraculous way. Peter understood
his unworthiness and sin, and Jesus saw
his heart. Jesus told him, “Do not be afraid.
From now on, you will fish for people.”
The Greek word for "catching"
here means "catching alive," so
Jesus was calling Peter to lead others to
life in Him. This wasn’t just about Peter;
it was about John and James too—Jesus was
gathering them all for a bigger purpose.
Heart Check.
Have
you ever had a moment where you fully understood
God's holiness and your unworthiness? What
did that moment lead you to?
CLEANSING
| Luke 5:12-16
Leprosy
was highly contagious, and those with it
were outcasts, living outside the city gates,
cut o£ from society. When this man
approached Jesus, the crowd likely parted,
not wanting to become “unclean” themselves.
Jesus
didn’t just speak the healing—He touched
the man. Think about that. Jesus could have
just said the word, but He reached out and
physically touched him. No amount of guilt
or shame can keep Jesus from reaching into
your life and cleansing you. But just like
the leper, you must be willing to come to
Him. Heart Check.
Are
you willing to come through the crowds,
through your hardships, and lay it all at
Jesus’ feet? Do you believe that He is willing
to cleanse you?
COMMUNITY
| Luke 5:17-26
Fellowship
is a spiritual discipline we can’t a£ord
to neglect. It’s so easy to isolate ourselves,
especially with technology. But let me tell
you, my spiritual growth didn’t just happen
in isolation.
It
happened on couches in living rooms, in
church, surrounded by my sisters in Christ.
Dishes were in the sink, babies were crying,
co£ee in our hands—we were doing life
together, crying and laughing as we dug
into God's Word. These same women showed
up for me when my husband was in the hospital.
I came home to my laundry folded on the
couch, including my husband’s underwear.
These are the people who are going to break
through roofs and lay you at Jesus’ feet
when you need healing. Heart Check.
Are
you neglecting the fellowship of the community,
or are you seeking relationships that bring
you closer to Jesus?
***I
am not mocking our very own Bible study
that is built on YOUTUBE! I am challenging
myself and others to be doers of the word
by practicing spiritual disciplines that
help us grow deeper relationships with others
and God. Not just Bible study intellectuals
but to put our faith in action with others.
CHANGE
| Luke 5:36-38
The
religious leaders of the day couldn’t see
Jesus for who He was because they were stuck
in their old ways, thinking righteousness
came through following the law. But Jesus
came with a new message—His gospel, the
good news. And it’s not compatible with
the old ways. You can’t force new wine into
old wineskins because it will burst. This
fresh, exhilarating gospel requires a fresh
heart to receive it.
And
that change isn’t easy. Some people preferred
the old because they couldn’t handle the
new. It’s kind of like how things are here
at Heart Dive. Some of you have been with
Kanoe for a long time, and now here I come,
and I’m different. My cadence, my tone,
my style—it's not the same. And I get it,
change is hard. But like I said, we’re on
the same mission, and we’re growing together.
Just as Jesus taught us, sometimes stepping
into new things is hard, but it's necessary
for growth. Heart Check.
Are
you resisting change in your spiritual life?
How is Jesus calling you to embrace the
freshness of His message and move forward
in faith?
Deep
Dive Notes
DAY
278 | Matthew 4 & Luke 4-5
Matthew
Chapter 4: Temptation of Jesus (Verses 1-11)
● Tested
in the Wilderness: Jesus is led by the Spirit
into the wilderness for 40 days, paralleling
the Israelites’ 40 years of testing in the
desert. While Israel failed and profaned
God's name, Jesus triumphs, showing His
divine mission and purpose.
● The
First Temptation: Satan tempts Jesus by
suggesting He turn stones into bread (Matthew
4:3). Jesus, weak with hunger, responds
with Deuteronomy 8:3 - "Man shall not
live on bread alone but on every word that
comes from the mouth of God." Jesus
refuses to prioritize His physical desires
over spiritual obedience.
● The
Second Temptation: Satan then tells Jesus
to throw Himself from the temple's
pinnacle,
quoting Psalm 91 that the angels will protect
Him (Matthew 4:5-6). Jesus answers with
Deuteronomy 6:16 - "You shall not put
the Lord your God to the test," recalling
how the Israelites tested God in the wilderness.
Again, Jesus rejects shortcuts.
● The
Third Temptation: Satan offers dominion
over the world’s kingdoms if Jesus worships
him (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus rebukes him,
citing Deuteronomy 6:13 - "You shall
worship the Lord your God and serve Him
only." He refuses Satan’s false promises,
knowing His true kingship will come through
the Cross, not compromise.
● Final
Victory: Jesus commands Satan to leave (Matthew
4:10), and angels come to minister to Him,
providing sustenance after His fast.
Matthew
Chapter 4: Jesus Begins His Ministry (Verses
12-17)
● Ful
llment of Prophecy: After John the Baptist's
arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, specifically
to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. Isaiah
9:1-2 prophesied this region would see a
great light, and here Jesus begins His public
ministry, proclaiming, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
This signals that Jesus has come to liberate
both Jews and Gentiles from spiritual darkness.
● Signicance
of Galilee: Jesus’ ministry begins in a
predominantly Gentile area, reflecting that
His salvation is not exclusive to the Jews
but extends to all people, fulfilling Old
Testament prophecy.
Matthew
Chapter 4: Jesus Calls His First Disciples
(Verses 18-22)
● The
Call to Follow: While walking by the Sea
of Galilee, Jesus calls Simon Peter and
Andrew, saying, “Follow me, and I will make
you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Immediately,
they leave their nets and follow Him. Shortly
after, He calls James and John, who also
leave their boat and their father to follow
Jesus (Matthew 4:21-22).
● Immediate
Obedience: The disciples’ instant response
emphasizes the radical cost of following
Jesus—leaving behind their livelihoods and
families.
Matthew
Chapter 4: Jesus Ministers to the Crowds
(Verses 23-25)
● Healing
and Teaching: Jesus begins traveling throughout
Galilee, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming
the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
disease and a£liction (Matthew 4:23).
People from all over Syria bring to Him
those who are sick, possessed, and paralyzed,
and He heals them all.
● Inclusivity:
Jesus’ ministry breaks cultural barriers
by reaching out to Gentiles and healing
them, contrasting the legalism of the time,
which excluded non-Jews. This emphasizes
that Jesus’ salvation is for everyone, regardless
of background, race, or status.
Luke
Chapter 4: The Temptation of Jesus (Verses
1-13)
● Led
by the Spirit: After His baptism, Jesus,
full of the Holy Spirit, is led into the
wilderness for 40 days. The wilderness is
often associated with refuge, testing, danger,
and even the domain of evil spirits.
● Scapegoat
Imagery: Just as the scapegoat was sent
into the wilderness carrying Israel’s sins
(Leviticus 16:10), Jesus, the Lamb without
blemish, is led into the wilderness to bear
our sins and be tested.
● Divine
Appointments vs. Devil's Opportunities:
While God allows testing to refine and strengthen
us, Satan seizes moments of weakness to
tempt us. Jesus’ prayer teaches us to seek
God for strength to resist these temptations
(Matthew 6:13).
● Temptation
1 – Turn Stones into Bread: Satan taunts
Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God,
command this stone to become bread” (Luke
4:3). Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 8:3,
declaring that man doesn’t live by bread
alone but by God’s word. Here, Satan tempts
Jesus
to prioritize His physical desires over
spiritual obedience, similar to how Adam
and Eve failed in the Garden of Eden.
● Temptation
2 – Authority Over Kingdoms: Satan o£ers
Jesus the kingdoms of the world if
He
worships him (Luke 4:6-7). Jesus rebukes
him, citing Deuteronomy 6:13, stating that
only God is worthy of worship. Satan is
tempting Jesus to gain power without going
through the su£ering of the Cross,
appealing to worldly recognition and pride.
● Temptation
3 – Test God's Protection: Satan tempts
Jesus to throw Himself from the
temple's
pinnacle, quoting Psalm 91 (Luke 4:9-11).
Jesus replies with Deuteronomy 6:16—“You
shall not test the Lord your God.” Satan
tries to push Jesus toward self-glorification
and self-reliance.
● Jesus’
Victory: After these temptations, Jesus
commands Satan to leave, and the devil flees.
Jesus is victorious through His unwavering
trust in God’s word.
Luke
Chapter 4: Jesus Rejected in Nazareth (Verses
16-30)
● Jesus
Preaches in Nazareth: Returning to His hometown,
Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue,
proclaiming Himself as the fulfillment of
this prophecy (Luke 4:18-21). He declares
that He is the Anointed One, sent to proclaim
good news and liberation.
● The
People’s Reaction: At first, the people
of Nazareth marvel at His words, but when
Jesus challenges their expectations and
reminds them of the prophets Elijah and
Elisha, who ministered to Gentiles, they
become enraged (Luke 4:25-27). The crowd’s
rejection escalates as they attempt to throw
Him o£ a cli£, but Jesus calmly
walks away.
Luke
Chapter 4: Jesus’ Authority in Healing and
Casting Out Demons (Verses 31-37)
● Teaching
with Authority: Jesus enters Capernaum and
teaches with authority, astonishing the
crowds. A man possessed by an unclean spirit
interrupts, and Jesus commands the demon
to leave, demonstrating His power over the
spiritual realm (Luke 4:35-36).
● The
Spiritual Realm’s Recognition: Even the
demons recognize Jesus as the Holy One of
God, acknowledging His authority, which
prompts a refiection on whether we, as believers,
recognize and trust Jesus’ authority in
our lives.
. Fasting
and the New Covenant (Verses 33-39)
○ Old
vs. New: Jesus explains the incompatibility
between old religious practices and the
newness He brings, emphasizing the transition
from law-based to grace-based faith. This
invites us to embrace change and be open
to God's transformative work in our lives.
Deep
Dive
Are
there areas in your life where you hesitate
to obey God's Word because it contradicts
your own expertise or logic?
How
can you be more intentional about surrounding
yourself with a community of believers who
lift you up in faith and prayer?
What
“unclean” or untouchable areas of your life
do you need to surrender to Jesus for healing?
How
does this challenge your view of those society
tends to reject?
Jesus
calls us to catch people but reminds us
that He alone cleanses and transforms. How
does this shape your approach to sharing
the Gospel—do you feel pressure to “clean”
others, or do you trust Jesus with that
task?
Are
there any areas in your spiritual life where
you struggle with change? How can you better
embrace the new things God is doing?
Heavenly
Father, We
thank You for the powerful lessons we see
in Luke chapter 5.
Lord,
we praise You for being a God who meets
us where we are, even when we doubt or hesitate,
just as You met Simon Peter. Help us, Lord,
to trust You fully in every area of our
lives, especially when things don’t make
sense from our own perspective.
We
confess that we often rely on our own strength
and knowledge, but today we declare our
trust in You. Like Peter, we lay down our
nets at Your command, knowing that Your
ways are higher than ours.
Lord,
we are amazed by the way You touched the
leper, not afraid of his condition, but
willing to bring healing. We pray today
that You would touch those areas of our
lives that are broken and in need of Your
cleansing. Help us to see that no sin, no
addiction, or bad habit is too great for
Your healing power. We come to You in faith,
knowing that You alone can make us whole
again.
Father,
we also lift up our communities to You.
Thank You for the friends and family who
surround us, just as the paralytic had friends
who brought him to You. Help us to be people
of faith who lift each other up, especially
in times of weakness. May we always remember
the importance of fellowship and carrying
each other’s burdens, knowing that together,
we are stronger in You.
Finally,
Lord, we thank You for calling us to be
fishers of men. Give us the boldness and
courage to share Your love with others,
trusting that You will do the work of transforming
hearts.
Teach
us to be patient and to let go of the need
to control outcomes, knowing that it is
You who catches, cleanses, and calls. Help
us to embrace the new things You are doing
in our lives and to trust Your process,
even when it’s uncomfortable.
John
2, Jesus and His disciples are invited to
a wedding. Early on in the celebration,
the wine for the guests runs out, and Mary
asks Jesus to help create more wine to avoid
embarrassment to the bride and groom. After
six pots are filled with water at Jesus'
command, a cup from one of them is brought
to the bridegroom, and he declares it is
the best wine he has ever tasted.
Jesus
rebukes the people conducting business inside
the Temple instead of praying and worshiping
the Lord. The Jews ask what authority he
has, and Jesus responds by declaring He
will tear down the Jewish temple and rebuild
it in three days.
John
3, Nicodemus comes in the night to speak
privately with Jesus. He acknowledges his
belief that Jesus has been sent by God,
and Jesus asks him to be born again. Nicodemus
is very confused by the phrase "born
again," and Jesus provides the spiritual
context He refers to, which involves sacrifice
and leads to salvation.
The
followers of John the Baptist inquire about
Jesus' true identity and mission compared
to his own. John declares Jesus to be the
Christ and that he, John, has only been
sent to pave the way for Christ. John warns
against all who deny Jesus's identity and
work, for they will not be justified before
the Lord.
John
3, Jesus and His disciples traveled to Samaria
and rested in the city well. The disciples
disperse to buy food, and Jesus converses
with a Samaritan woman. Jesus asks her for
a drink of water and proclaims He has come
to bring everlasting living water. She is
amazed when He accurately explains her living
situation to her despite having just meant
her, and he announces He is the awaited
Messiah.
Jesus
teaches His disciples about spiritual strength
and duty. A nobleman and his entire household
come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah
when Jesus heals his dying son.
STEP
BY STEP | John 2:6-11
Jesus
could’ve done this miracle all by Himself,
but that’s not how He works. He partners
with us, and in doing so, our faith is strengthened
through our obedience. Our growth isn’t
dependent upon what He does but on what
we do. And notice how He didn’t huddle them
up like a quarterback and give them the
entire play-by-play.
No,
he gave them one step at a time, and they
were obedient to the fullest. They didn’t
sit there and question, “Why water? The
people want wine.” They trusted that He
had a plan! He could’ve and would’ve carried
it out without them, but because they faithfully
took each step without knowing what He would
do next, the miracle was able to be fulfilled
through them.
This
is powerful. So many of us quit in the middle
and stop short of the miracle because we
can’t see the end. But if we trust in His
plans and the fact that He orders the steps
of the righteous, and we take those steps
in obedience, He will work miracles through
us! Heart Check.
Are
you willing to take the steps without knowing
the end goal?
BEFORE
THE MIRACLE | John 2:23-25
These
people only believed when there was proof;
to Jesus, this was a superficial and shallow
belief. When it says He did not entrust
Himself to them, it doesn’t mean He forsook
them or stopped loving them; it just means
that He wasn’t going to try and prove Himself
to them because He did not live for the
applause and admiration of man. I believe
God uses those who trust Him before the
miracle in spectacular ways. His disciples
were a great example of this; they dropped
everything and immediately followed Him.
They didn’t need signs and wonders to fuel
their faith. Heart Check.
Do
you trust God before the miracle? Or is
your faith only fueled by signs and wonders?
SIMPLE
WILL | John 3:23-24
John
is living out his purpose in such a practical
way. I don’t know how he was led to the
Aenon to baptize there, but in his mind,
it was simply because there was a lot of
water there. Sometimes, I think we overcomplicate
finding our purpose and never find it.
But
if our hearts are aligned with God and His
righteousness, so will our desires, and
I firmly believe that our purpose is often
connected to our greatest desires and abilities.
For me, I love the Word of God. I’ve fallen
in love with it since I was 12. I also love
reading, writing, filmmaking, crafting,
and public speaking.
These
things come quickly to me. But look how
God is using all of them to fulfill His
purpose in me! If you haven’t yet figured
out your purpose, first ensure that your
heart is aligned with His, and then look
at how He might be able to use the things
you love the most to find His simple will.
Heart Check.
Is
your heart aligned with His? Are you using
your desires and gifts to fulfill His purpose?
Or are you overcomplicating His simple will?
TICKET
TO HEAVEN | John 3
In
the end, John tells the people that they
need to show proper credentials if they
want a ticket to heaven. It’s not religion,
riches, or authority like Nicodemus's. It’s
not being a good person and doing charity
work. Jesus made it very clear that rebirth
is the only way to have eternal or everlasting
life. It is dying to the old self and being
reborn spiritually by believing in Christ.
Believing
in Him is not just agreeing that He is God.
It is trusting in, having confidence in,
and laying down your life so He can be lord
over it. It’s becoming a new creation and
allowing His light to expose the dark corners
of your life so that you can be transformed
from the inside out. Everything else is
counterfeit. And it can only be done by
the work of His Spirit in us. There’s no
amount of cleaning up we can do to get it
right if He isn’t a part of it. Heart Check.
Do
you have the ticket? Have you been born
again and transformed into a new creation?
THIRSTY
| John 4:7-16
This
was not a spiritual response, as the woman
only thought about the material. At this
point, she believes this “living water”
will make her life easier. But we know Jesus
speaks of the spiritual Living Water that
brings eternal life. If we don’t drink that
water, we will always be dissatisfied because
we long for heaven. Jesus brought heaven
down to earth so we could be satisfied while
we were here.
No
amount of money, success, or material will
satisfy our souls' thirst. Only Jesus can
fulfill. It doesn’t mean we won’t get thirsty—we
will—especially when we go back to our old
watering holes to drink. But if we thirst,
all we need to do is go to the water fountain
and get a drink! But it’s in the thirst
where many people allow their spirits to
wilt because they assume this Christian
thing isn’t giving them what they want.
But all it would take is returning to the
fountain to drink again. Heart Check.
Are
you thirsty (satisfied) in this life? What
fountain are you drinking from?
CONFRONTING
SIN | John 4:16-18
At
first, the woman may have thought that He
was telling her to call her husband so that
this conversation could be a little more
socially appropriate. However, Jesus was
simply confronting her sin. Why? Because
without confronting our sin head on, we
will never truly be converted. This is why
Holy Spirit convicts us, so that we will
deal with our sin. It’s that light that
He shines in the dark corners. But we know
that the porch light won’t illuminate our
homes until we open the door. We can call
ourselves Christians and still live in the
dark. Anything we try to keep hidden from
Him is a barrier, as we turn our backs to
Him in order to shield that thing from Him.
Heart Check.
Is
your door open? Are you allowing the confrontation
or conviction of the Spirit to do a full
conversion?
GENUINE
WORSHIP | John 4:23-24
There
is so much to unpack in these two verses,
and we could spend all day on them. But
in the context of this conversation, Jesus
is saying that there will come a day when
worship will no longer be confined to a
specific location within specific parameters
because once He leaves His Spirit to dwell
among the people, they will be able to worship
whenever and wherever they want!
But
it still needs to be done in light of the
truth, meaning there is sincerity in who
and why you worship. It isn’t just a “spiritual
activity.” Even within the confines of church
worship, some churches only want to be Spirit-led
in their worship, and others are so rigid
that they leave no room for the Spirit.
Jesus says both are required. He is literally
looking for people who worship Him in this
way. So if we ever feel lost, all we need
to do is worship in spirit and in truth,
and we will be found by Him. If you know
the truth about Him, you can worship in
your car, craft room, work, and even the
bathroom! Heart Check. Are
you worshipping in both Spirit and truth?
SPIRITUAL
HUNGER | John 4:31-34
In
the beginning of this chapter, Jesus sent
His disciples to get something to eat because
He was both hungry and thirsty. But here,
we see that Jesus is suddenly full without
taking a bite of any food! Instead, He was
nourished and satisfied by doing the will
of His Father and finishing the work. In
our minds, we think that we will be filled
when we receive. It was in the ministering
or the giving that Jesus’ hunger ceased.
That means that our Christian walk goes
beyond church, prayer, and Bible study.
If we truly want to grow and be fully satisfied,
it’s going to come in the going out into
the world and making disciples. When we
live to fulfill the great commission, that
is where the true feast is.
Heart
Check. What are you doing to satisfy your
hunger? Are you doing the Father’s will?
INVITATION
| John 4:39-41
Here
we see that one of the best ways to get
others saved is to share what He has done
for you and tell them to come and see for
themselves. Two simple things—testimony
and invitation. We don’t need to be trained
theologians who preach or quote scripture
to be e£ective witnesses! Look at
me! All you need to know is who Jesus is,
what He’s done, and where people can find
Him. He will do the rest. Heart Check.
Are
you leading others to the well? Are you
sharing your testimony and inviting others
to come and see?
Deep
Dive
What
significance does Jesus’ first miracles
hold for you?
How
might we have zeal for the Father’s house?
Has it been lost?
How
does Jesus still show zeal for His “temple”
today?
What
are some “counterfeit tickets” that people
hold for heaven?
What
was significant about Nicodemus’ interaction
with Jesus compared to others in the Sanhedrin?
What
does worshipping in spirit and truth look
like?
What
are the greater lessons we can learn from
Jesus’ personal interaction with the Samaritan
woman?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for loving us so much that you would
give your one and only begotten Son. We
believe! Thank you for the gift of eternal
life!
Thank
you for being the miracle worker. Nothing
is impossible for you, and we trust that
whenever we lack, or whenever we get in
a pickle, you will be there to bail us out.
Sometimes it may not happen right away or
in the way that we think it should, but
we will simply trust that your plan is best.
We know that you can transform any situation
for the better and the best is always ahead
of us when we are following after you.
I
pray that we will have the unwavering trust
of Mary. Knowing that every need can be
met by you, all we need to do is come and
ask. We don’t need to put our demands or
the how to on it, because you already know
what we need and how it can be accomplished.
And you will do so, as you see fit, and
in your perfect timing. Regardless, we will
praise you before the miracle, because you’ve
done exceedingly more for us than we could
ever deserve.
And
may we be faithful in the way that we take
each step by faith. Sometimes you purposely
do not show us what’s up ahead so that we
will operate in faith and not fear. Your
heart is never to overwhelm us, for you
desire to remove burdens, not create more.
Thank you for that. I pray that we fully
understand this so that we have no reason
to doubt when we can’t see further than
the illuminated path directly in front of
us. But we thank you for the revelation
of each step that you do give. May we be
obedient to fill it to the brim, never questioning
or doubting along the way.
Jesus,
thank you for showing us your zeal for your
temple. This proves how much passion you
have for us as your holy temples. You will
not stand for people trying to take advantage
of us or standing in the way of our worship.
May we have that same passion in keeping
our temples holy before you. Clear out anything
that may be dishonoring to you and cleanse
our hearts so that we can fully worship
you with abandon. Purify our thoughts, desires,
actions so that they align with your heart
and will. And may everything we do be pleasing
to you. I pray that we will always be a
people who worship in spirit and in truth,
never doing so for the sake of appearance
or personal gain.
Thank
you, Holy Spirit, for doing a convicting
work in our lives, giving us the ticket
of salvation by the gift of your grace.
We know there is no other way to receive
eternal life, except by being born again.
Thank you, Jesus, for the redemptive work
you did on that cross on our behalf. There
is no better way to live than our life in
you. We are so grateful that we have been
touched by the wind of your breath. So as
we continue to walk out this life here on
earth, I pray that we will open ourselves
up to the light of your truth so that every
dark corner is exposed. We don’t want to
be children of the dark. And while that
exposure to the Son may burn a little in
the beginning, it’s going to leave the most
beautiful bronzed glow in the end. So transform
our hearts from the inside out, for we desire
to live freely without any skeletons in
our closet.
So
as we begin to step out in our new outfits
and lead others to you, I pray that we never
lose sight of our purpose. May we decrease
so that you can increase. We were not only
created by you, but we were made for you,
so I pray that the moment we begin to try
to take any of that glory from you, that
you will humble our hearts before it gets
out of control. You are above all, and the
only reason we can even stand tall is because
you are holding us up.
Thank
you for the gifts and abilities you have
given to us. There is nothing we can do
apart from you, so have your way in us.
I pray that you will continue to reveal
to us how we can use every gift, talent,
and moment in our lives for your glory.
Sometimes
our purpose is right in front of us, but
we overcomplicate it as we put our own spin
on what we think it’s supposed to look like.
And
thank you for the way you love the rejected,
the marginalized, and the lonely. You meet
us in every circumstance, whether joyful
or devastating. You know how to speak to
us through our circumstances and even our
sin, yet you never condemn us in it. Thank
you for confronting us head on so that you
can do a transformative work in our spirits.
When we finally open the door fully to you,
heaven invades and wipes out the darkness
and fear. We begin to see you for who you
truly are and are able to worship in spirit
and in truth. So I pray that for the rest
of our days, we will drink from the well
that never runs dry. And as we are revived,
show us how we can go out and minister unto
others. Set divine appointments so we can
share our testimony and invite them to come
and see for themselves. It’s in the doing
that that we will truly be satisfied to
the fullest as we accomplish the work that
you have given us to do.
Matthew
8, Jesus encounters a leprous man and gives
specific instructions to immediately run
and show the priests after He heals him
of his affliction. A centurion pleads with
Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus
marvels at the centurion's solid faith in
Him.
The
mother-in-law of His disciple Simon and
all who came to Him with varying sicknesses
and demonic possessions were also cured
of their a£lictions. Imagining life
with Jesus is a glorious opportunity, and
some offer to join His close band of followers.
A
storm calms the Sea of Galilee, with Jesus
and the disciples in the midst of it. When
they reach shore, Jesus casts out a legion
of demons from two men, and the spirits
enter a herd of swine.
Mark
2, A paralyzed man is lowered through a
roof in hopes of receiving healing from
Jesus. Jesus heals a man and demonstrates
His ability to forgive sins.
Jesus
teaches a crowd that forms as He travels,
and a tax collector is added as another
of Jesus' close disciples. Controversy swoons
as Jesus and His men dine at Levi's house
and when they gleam from a wheat field.
NO
EXCUSES | Matthew 8:18-22
This
might sound a little harsh, but Jesus isn’t
saying that this man couldn’t attend the
funeral of his father. We assume that his
father is still alive because if he were
dead, Mosaic law would require that he not
be in public.
So
Jesus knew the condition of this man’s heart
as he said, “I want to follow you, but not
yet. I have an inheritance check to collect
first or other things I need to do before
I fully commit my life to you.” In other
words, he was making excuses, whereas the
disciples dropped their nets and said, “We’re
all in.”They didn’t care what it cost them.
Heart Check.
Have
you fully committed your life to Jesus?
Are you putting Him first or making excuses
and saying, “Not yet”?
STORMS
OF LIFE | Matthew 8:23-27
This
word storm reads “tempest” in other translations
and comes from the Greek word seismos, where
we get the word seismology, which is the
science behind earthquakes. The Sea of Galilee
is a relatively small body of water, but
it sits below sea level at the base of Mt.
Hermon. When the cold air comes o£
the mountain and mixes with the warm air
below, it stirs up these storms at a moment’s
notice, and the waves can reach up to 40’
faces! It’s no wonder the disciples are
freaking out!
But
we see Jesus as fast asleep, meaning He
ain’t worried about it. His peace on their
boat should’ve anchored their faith. But
they began looking at the storm as if it
were more powerful than the Creator. We
do this with our spiritual storms.
We
quote the scripture that we are more than
conquerors, that we can do anything through
Christ who gives us strength, He who is
in me is more significant than he who is
in the world, no weapon formed against us
shall prosper… but the moment the arrows
start fiying, our blood starts boiling,
we get a quiver in our voice, and we begin
focusing on the problem rather than the
problem solver.
We
know the Prince of Peace is at rest in our
spirits, so I imagine that Jesus says the
same to us when we begin panicking: “O you
of little faith. Why are you afraid?” Heart
Check.
How
do you handle the storms of life? Do you
go straight to the Maker and problem solver?
Or do you focus on the problem and panic?
UNLIMITED
GOD | Matthew 8
In
the end, we see that Jesus had authority
over all diseases, over every evil power,
and over nature—and He still does! We see
how Jesus healed di£erent people from
di£erent social classes and genders.
We see how they approached Him in various
ways, and He healed them through other methods—all
to say that Jesus will work in whomever
and however He chooses.
We
cannot box Him into working the way we think
He should. This was the problem with many
of the religious leaders in this day—they
were so deeply rooted in their culture and
tradition that they stayed stuck in it and
could not see the new thing that Christ
was doing. They were limiting their faith!
Heart Check.
How
limited is your faith? Are you open to seeing
God move, speak, and heal in new ways? Or
do you truly believe He is a God without
limits?
PICK
UP YOUR MAT | Mark 2:11
Let’s
take a look at this mat and what it represents.
This
man has been paralyzed and bedridden for
who knows how long. This is what he has
been stuck to for the amount of time that
this paralysis has struck his body. This
is also the mode of transportation that
drove him to the feet of Jesus. Jesus could’ve
simply let him get up and walk out the door,
but He wanted him to take the mat. While
He never explains why, I believe it’s because
he wanted the man to take authority over
that old anchor holding him down. He wanted
to show this man the power that he had over
old ways of thinking, old wounds, old fears,
and old habits.
When
we encounter Jesus, it doesn’t mean we will
no longer have problems; it just means we
will carry them di£erently. We will
be the head and not the tail as we pick
up our problems, walk out the door, and
let the world see where we came from and
how we have new strength to bear the burden
that once held us down.
And
we can do that because Jesus is walking
beside us, bearing the more significant
load. This man can say, “I was sick, but
now I am healed. I was a sinner, but I’ve
been redeemed. I was held down, but now
I’m walking in freedom. Do you see it? This
thing no longer holds me down!” Heart Check.
Are
you stuck to an old mat? Is there something
that you need to take authority over and
walk in freedom?
FLEXIBLE
| Mark 2:21-22
Jesus
declares that He is not here to patch up
the old problems simply. He is doing a new
thing! The Law was intended to point them
to their need for a Savior, and He fulfilled
that perfectly, so now there’s a new message,
a new way to salvation, through the new
covenant.
However,
the Pharisees wanted to remain in their
old religious ways, and therefore, there
would always be a staleness in their wine
or none at all because the fermentation
change required would make them burst at
the seams. When we become that new creation
in Christ, we have to be fiexible in how
He wants to do something in us that might
be a little uncomfortable initially because
we won’t be used to it. We cannot stifie
what He wants to do by placing our rigid
rules around His purpose and being so sti£
that He can’t mold us. Heart Check.
Are
you being legalistic or rigid in the way
you live? Or are you flexible and allowing
the Holy Spirit to move in and through you?
Deep
Dive
What
significance does Jesus’ first miracles
hold for you?
How
might we have zeal for the Father’s house?
Has it been lost?
How
does Jesus still show zeal for His “temple”
today?
What
are some “counterfeit tickets” that people
hold for heaven?
What
was significant about Nicodemus’ interaction
with Jesus compared to others in the Sanhedrin?
What
does worshipping in spirit and truth look
like?
What
are the greater lessons we can learn from
Jesus’ personal interaction with the Samaritan
woman?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for loving us so much that you would
give your one and only begotten Son. We
believe! Thank you for the gift of eternal
life!
Thank
you for being the miracle worker. Nothing
is impossible for you, and we trust that
whenever we lack, or whenever we get in
a pickle, you will be there to bail us out.
Sometimes it may not happen right away or
in the way that we think it should, but
we will simply trust that your plan is best.
We know that you can transform any situation
for the better and the best is always ahead
of us when we are following after you.
I
pray that we will have the unwavering trust
of Mary. Knowing that every need can be
met by you, all we need to do is come and
ask. We don’t need to put our demands or
the how to on it, because you already know
what we need and how it can be accomplished.
And you will do so, as you see fit, and
in your perfect timing. Regardless, we will
praise you before the miracle, because you’ve
done exceedingly more for us than we could
ever deserve.
And
may we be faithful in the way that we take
each step by faith. Sometimes you purposely
do not show us what’s up ahead so that we
will operate in faith and not fear. Your
heart is never to overwhelm us, for you
desire to remove burdens, not create more.
Thank you for that. I pray that we fully
understand this so that we have no reason
to doubt when we can’t see further than
the illuminated path directly in front of
us. But we thank you for the revelation
of each step that you do give. May we be
obedient to fill it to the brim, never questioning
or doubting along the way.
Jesus,
thank you for showing us your zeal for your
temple. This proves how much passion you
have for us as your holy temples. You will
not stand for people trying to take advantage
of us or standing in the way of our worship.
May we have that same passion in keeping
our temples holy before you. Clear out anything
that may be dishonoring to you and cleanse
our hearts so that we can fully worship
you with abandon. Purify our thoughts, desires,
actions so that they align with your heart
and will. And may everything we do be pleasing
to you. I pray that we will always be a
people who worship in spirit and in truth,
never doing so for the sake of appearance
or personal gain.
Thank
you, Holy Spirit, for doing a convicting
work in our lives, giving us the ticket
of salvation by the gift of your grace.
We know there is no other way to receive
eternal life, except by being born again.
Thank you, Jesus, for the redemptive work
you did on that cross on our behalf. There
is no better way to live than our life in
you. We are so grateful that we have been
touched by the wind of your breath. So as
we continue to walk out this life here on
earth, I pray that we will open ourselves
up to the light of your truth so that every
dark corner is exposed. We don’t want to
be children of the dark. And while that
exposure to the Son may burn a little in
the beginning, it’s going to leave the most
beautiful bronzed glow in the end. So transform
our hearts from the inside out, for we desire
to live freely without any skeletons in
our closet.
So
as we begin to step out in our new outfits
and lead others to you, I pray that we never
lose sight of our purpose. May we decrease
so that you can increase. We were not only
created by you, but we were made for you,
so I pray that the moment we begin to try
to take any of that glory from you, that
you will humble our hearts before it gets
out of control. You are above all, and the
only reason we can even stand tall is because
you are holding us up.
Thank
you for the gifts and abilities you have
given to us. There is nothing we can do
apart from you, so have your way in us.
I pray that you will continue to reveal
to us how we can use every gift, talent,
and moment in our lives for your glory.
Sometimes
our purpose is right in front of us, but
we overcomplicate it as we put our own spin
on what we think it’s supposed to look like.
And
thank you for the way you love the rejected,
the marginalized, and the lonely. You meet
us in every circumstance, whether joyful
or devastating. You know how to speak to
us through our circumstances and even our
sin, yet you never condemn us in it. Thank
you for confronting us head on so that you
can do a transformative work in our spirits.
When we finally open the door fully to you,
heaven invades and wipes out the darkness
and fear. We begin to see you for who you
truly are and are able to worship in spirit
and in truth. So I pray that for the rest
of our days, we will drink from the well
that never runs dry. And as we are revived,
show us how we can go out and minister unto
others. Set divine appointments so we can
share our testimony and invite them to come
and see for themselves. It’s in the doing
that that we will truly be satisfied to
the fullest as we accomplish the work that
you have given us to do.
John
5, Jesus heals a man suffering 38 years
from a disability as he sits by the Pool
of Bethesda. The Jewish leaders have no
empathy for the man's miraculous healing.
They immediately condemn the man and Jesus
for doing work on the Sabbath.
Jesus
explains His relationship with God the Father
does not permit Him to do anything outside
his will. If Jesus can perform a miracle,
it is righteous with the Father.He also
provides clarity that the Father has given
the Son all authority to judge and to bring
life to the souls of those who except Him.
Jesus
states that it is not enough for Him to
declare Himself the Son of Man; they must
take into account other sources declaring
His deity. He challenges them to consider
John the Baptist's testimony and what Moses
and the Scriptures have prophesied. He rebukes
their prideful hearts.
STOPPING
SHORT | John 5:1-9
Tradition
says that these invalids believed that when
this brook would bubble up, the first one
into the water would be healed, so it would
be a mad race or competition at first sight
of movement in the water. This paralytic
was here with enough hope that the waters
could heal him, but his hope stopped short
of the miracle due to his limitations of
how he would get into the pool. Jesus didn’t
ask if he wanted to be healed because He
didn’t know the answer. We know that Jesus
knows our thoughts.
But
instead, asking the man if he wanted to
be healed was Jesus’ way of moving this
man beyond his hopelessness and limitations
by making him declare hope. Sometimes, we
can limit God with our hopelessness. We
say we have hope but will make every roadblock
bigger than God’s ability to move them.
Heart Check.
Are
you stopping short of your own miracle because
you are setting up limitations in your mind?
COMPETITION
| John 5:1-9
Secondly,
notice that Jesus didn’t go to the one who
would win the race with his swiftness and
ability to be the most outstanding leader.
He went for the one who couldn’t even compete.
But Jesus wasn’t interested in the competition.
In fact, He took the man out of the race
altogether and made him focus on his own
journey. I believe we can sometimes be so
focused on beating people or rising to the
top, that we completely lose sight of our
purpose as we look around at what everyone
else is doing. Heart Check.
Are
you focused on your own journey or looking
around at the competition?
LIVING
LIFE | John 5:24
Up
to the point of salvation, we are perishing
or living to simply die. Some would call
this a living death.
But
what Jesus is saying is that when you believe
in Him and receive that gift of salvation,
you are now living to live! But many of
us, even as Christians, live for this life
alone, and therefore, death becomes something
to fear or dread because it means that everything
we know comes to an end. But when die that
spiritual death at salvation, it’s only
the beginning of a new journey that has
no end. We have something to look forward
to for eternity! But it will depend on how
you look at it. Heart Check.
Have
you died so you can live? Or are you only
living to die?
SEEKING
VALIDATION | John 5:41
Jesus
doesn’t struggle with this need to be validated
by people because He only seeks validation
from His Father, which He has already received
at His baptism (Matt. 3:17). This is why
He would withdraw when the crowds began
to fiock. The crowd or public opinion didn’t
sway him. He knew that truth would o£end
people, yet He wasn’t afraid to confront
them. He didn’t need a pat on the back or
honor and He wasn’t worried when people
would come at Him in disagreement. It’s
the same way that our validation should
come from knowing that we are a child of
God who is doing the Father’s will. This
is the only stamp of approval that will
truly bring satisfaction and allow us to
bear fruit. Heart Check.
Where
do you seek your validation from? Do you
need constant praise and approval from others?
Deep
Dive
What
are the greater lessons learned in the healing
of the paralytic at the pool?
Why
did Jesus find the man to confront his sin?
How might sin a£ect our physical being?
What
examples of legalism is debated today?
How
does Jesus’ claim of sovereign and ultimate
power show His oneness with the Father?
How
might interpretation lead to legalism and
division? How does this hinder the greater
gospel message?
How
can we discern between rigid legalism and
faithful obedience?
Heavenly
Father, We
praise you, Almighty God, the giver and
sustainer of live, Righteous Judge, and
Healer.
Thank
you for continuing to seek us out when we
are in need. Just as you went to the pool
of Bethesda, you show up when all hope seems
to be lost and move us from the impossible
to the miraculous. You meet us in our time
of need and become our strength where we
are weak. You heal all sickness and disease.
And you take all of our weaknesses and fears
and do not allow us to camp out in them.
I love how you told these men to pick up
their mats so that they would not go back
to that place of hopelessness and despair.
Yet they would be reminded as they now carried
the burden with you instead of letting it
anchor them down, that you are burden bearer.
You have come to set us free. Thank you.
So
we answer the question, “Do you want to
be healed?” with a resounding, “Yes!” We
need your healing touch upon our hearts,
our minds, our bodies, our communities,
our churches, our people, our nations, and
our world. We need faith to come and replace
fear or doubt. We need peace where there
is war and anxiety. We need a renewed hope
where we fear the ominious clouds that seem
to be looming on the horizon.
I
pray that when you o£er us the gift
of grace, healing, and freedom, that we
will rise up and not allow anything to hinder
us from walking in it. Your grace is su£icient
for all things and the authority you have
given us to operate in is more than enough
to not only sustain us but to lift us up
to higher ground.
I
pray that you will remove any barriers of
doubt, unbelief, or hopelessness in our
minds so that we don’t stop short of the
miracle that you have already done. May
we never limit your power or ability to
make changes due to our own preconceptions
or misinterpretations of your Word.
We
ask for continued wisdom and discernment
as we continue to seek out your truth. Protect
our hearts from any false teachings, but
I also pray against any division or disunity
where there are disagreements on doctrine.
Help us to stay focused on the heart of
the Word and the goodness of the gospel.
I pray that we will not be a roadblock to
those who may be coming to the faith by
spewing dissension, bitterness, or discord.
Help us to lift one another up and always
encourage, as well working toward the same
goal of pointing others to you Jesus.
That’s
our heart, so may we never lose sight of
doing our Father’s will.
Please
remove any competitive spirit that might
be within us, hindering us from being able
to focus on our own race. I pray that we
will stay in our own lane rather than focusing
on how we can slow the people around us
down. There’s room for everyone, and if
we stay on our path, we won’t need to worry
about others. I pray that our validation
will come from you alone, rather than seeking
the approval of man. Thank you, Jesus, for
the being the greatest example of this security.
And
we thank you, most of all, for the gift
of eternal life, that is available to all
who believe in you. So we declare today,
that we believe that Jesus came to the earth
to die for our sins on the cross and rose
again so that we could live for eternity.
As we become that new creation, may we live
as though we are living and not dying. I
pray that we will be those lamps that refiect
the brightness of your glory. May we be
a beacon of hope for others in these dark
days.
Matthew
12, Jesus and His disciples face opposition
against the Pharisees. They attempt to accuse
and chastise Jesus and His men for not observing
the Sabbath, but Jesus provides His defense
for eating from the wheat field and healing
on the Sabbath.
The
Jewish people continue to follow Jesus,
and the Pharisees again try to tarnish His
name by stating He must be casting out demons
by Beelzebub. Jesus again defends the name
of the Lord, and chastises them for assuming
He works for Satan and showing the true
nature of their hearts.
The
Pharisees demand a sign that proves Jesus
is who He states, but are rebuked once more
for it as Jesus speaks consequences for
rejecting Him. Jesus' family attempts to
pull Him away from the crowd of people.
Mark
3, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and
enrages the Pharisees. News of His ability
to heal and commanding power over demons
quickly spreads and Jesus and a multitude
of people begin following Him. He and His
disciples board a boat and cast o£
into the Sea of Galilee to escape the growing
crowd.
Mark
lists the twelve disciples Jesus personally
chooses to be at His side. Jesus' family
believes He is having delusions of grandeur,
and the Pharisees accuse Him of working
with Beelzebub to cast out demons. He warns
them to guard their hearts against rejecting
Him and blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Luke
6, Luke also records the Pharisees' rebuke
of Jesus and His disciples performing acts
of work and healing on the Sabbath. Jesus
chooses His twelve apostles. A great multitude
gathers around Jesus seeking to be healed
and rid of their demons. While they are
gathered, He begins preaching to the people
and speaking in parables.
LOOKING
FOR GOOD | Matthew 12:1-8
The
Pharisees miss the heart of the matter because
they are hellbent on finding what Jesus
was doing wrong rather than the good He
was doing. They completely forgot that the
purpose of the temple and the Sabbath was
to bring people together to worship God
and to be able to rest. God is all about
relationships, not rituals. The whole purpose
of the Law was to point them to Jesus.
But
instead of seeing the blessing right before
them, they created even more of a burden.
This happens today, too, where people sit
in church and pick apart the worship team
or dissect the pastor’s message by looking
for holes and discrepancies. They even criticize
people’s clothing or jewelry and end up
missing the heart of worship and the heart
of the message because they are more focused
on people than God. They are looking for
the bad and not the good. You see, what
you set out looking for, you will find.
There’s no doubt about that. If you are
focused on seeking out the bad in others,
you will find it because there’s evil in
everyone.
But
if you are focused on God instead of everyone
else, you will only find good because there
is only good in Him, and therefore, you
will see the good in others. Heart Check.
What
are you focused on? God and the good in
others? Or what people are doing wrong?
GUARD
DOG | Matthew 12:33-37
Our
mouth is the megaphone or the guard dog
of our heart. Our speech's context and tone
will refiect what’s in our hearts. It isn’t
just a copout to say that people who criticize,
gossip, swear, or are combative have issues.
Criticism, gossip, swearing, and angry words
are the fruit of heart issues. The way we
talk pulls back the curtain on our motives
and attitudes.
I
used to be quick with my tongue because
I had a lot of unresolved hurt and insecurities
from my past, and this caused so much friction
in my marriage for years. But once I dealt
with those issues, it was as if my tongue
got a new muzzle because my heart didn’t
need a guard dog anymore. And my guard dog
was more like a ferocious chihuahua.
But
now it’s more like a golden retriever. My
mouth is used to glorify our God because
that’s where my heart is fixed. It doesn’t
mean I have perfect speech because my heart
will never be ideal, but I can say that
most of my words are for edifying and encouraging,
rather than backbiting and criticizing like
they used to be. Heart Check.
What
kind of guard dog do you have around your
heart? What does your megaphone say about
it?
SQUATTERS
| Matthew 12:43-45
The
key word in this passage is “empty.” Whether
we speak of an unclean spirit, a bad attitude,
motive, habit, or anything else we rid ourselves
of, the space they took up in our spirits
must be filled in if we don’t want them
to return.
If
we leave the space empty, the devil and
his little squatters will come back with
a vengeance. When we become Christians,
we get rid of our old tenants, and we now
have a new landlord with the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit so that no demons can
come in uninvited.
But
if we don’t allow Jesus to occupy the space
where our old self used to dwell, then we
are leaving a foothold in the door of our
hearts to allow the enemy to come back and
squat with all his lies. So fill your house
with the truth of His word! Heart Check.
Are
you ensuring there are no empty spaces in
your house for squatters? What are you flling
it with?
FOLLOWING
JESUS | Mark 3:7-8
Some
wonder how so many could turn on Jesus after
following Him. The truth is right here where
it says, “…they heard all that He was doing,
and they came to Him.” They were only interested
in what He was doing for people. There’s
nothing wrong with that, but the condition
of their heart leads them to fall away.
Their
faith only went surface deep, so once they
got their miracle or didn’t see new ones,
they simply got bored of Him. This will
happen to us if we only follow Jesus for
what He can do for us rather than following
Him because of who He is. Heart Check.
FOLLOW
THE LEADER | Luke 6:39-40
Jesus
clearly says not to follow those who stumble
around and cannot see the truth. He also
declares that we will become like those
we follow. We are all following Jesus and
hoping to be more like Him, but we also
follow others in this life. Heart Check.
Who
are you following? Is their life one that
you wouldn’t mind emulating?
FIRM
FOUNDATION | Luke 6:46-49
In
the end, we will all go through life storms
that will test our faith's foundation. Jesus
says that if you want to withstand the storms
and not fall into ruin, you must be both
a hearer and a doer of the word. If we only
hear the word and don’t do it, we fall into
the sin of omission or the sin of doing
nothing (Numbers 32:23), and when a strong
wind comes, we will ultimately crumble like
a Hollywood set. But every time we walk
out our faith in obedience, we strengthen
our foundation and move beyond a superficial
faith. Heart Check.
How
frm is your foundation? Are you doing the
things that God is telling you to do?
Deep
Dive
How
does Jesus being Lord of the Sabbath a£ect
your view of its meaning for our lives today?
How
does Jesus’ reaction to the Pharisees shape
your reaction to those who may have di£erent
views on scripture?
How
do we reconcile an unforgiveable sin with
the central message of God’s forgiveness
and grace?
What
is spiritual kinship and what does it look
like in the context of today’s church?
How
does the “Sermon on the Plain” challenge
societal norms?
Heavenly
Father, We
come humble before you and all the authority
that you hold over heaven and earth.
Thank
you for loving us so much that you would
rain down goodness from heaven upon us.
I pray that we never miss the blessings
in life because we are so focused on the
mishaps and missteps of others. I pray that
we will never be so consumed with religion
that we forget about the relationship with
both you and people. May everything we do
and every word we speak be hugged with compassion
and love.
Fill
our hearts with more grace so that our words
will be ones that lift up and edify. And
may the fruit that comes from our tree leave
a sweet taste in the mouths of others as
we share the truth of your Word. We know
that the gospel and truth can be o£ensive
to those who are not receptive of it. It
will taste bitter in their mouths. We pray
for a softening of the hearts so that they
will be one more soul that is gathered with
the harvest.
Forgive
us if we have ever been quick to judge or
quick to criticize others the way the Pharisees
did. I pray that we can all get a boost
of grace and mercy in our prescription so
that we can people through your lenses.
I pray that we will be more sensitive to
the needs of others so that we will look
for ways to be a blessing and not a burden.
We want to be a part of your redemption
and not a roadblock. So I pray that as the
truth of your Spirit dwells within us, we
will be transformed, bearing good fruit,
and glorifying you in every word we speak
and every action we take. Help us to kick
out the squatting lies of the enemy so that
when our spirits are convicted, we do not
allow condemnation to come and take up residence.
As we get rid of sin, we will fill those
empty spaces with your truth so that it
does not come back and try to gain entry.
Please fill us afresh today.
We
pray for continued wisdom in understanding
the signs of the times, not asking for more,
but trusting fully in your truth and your
providence. I pray that we will walk in
faith knowing that our Greater than Jonah
is with us. Give us strength to withstand
the attacks of the enemy, and keep us close
as we battle in the spiritual realm. We
will discern and stand firm in your truth,
trusting in your authority over every kind
of evil. Where there are false accusations,
I pray that you will silence them the same
way you did with the unclean spirits.
Keep
us armored up and may we be a people who
stand together in unity and never bring
division. As we band together in prayer
today, I pray that your glory will be seen
all across the earth.
Help
us to be e£ective witnesses, not being
fearful of the o£ensiveness of your
truth. We have all sinned and fallen short
of the glory of God, so none of us are qualified
to judge or condemn, but we do love people
enough to confront sin. So I pray that when
we do, it will always be wrapped with compassion
and love. Show us how we can bring healing
and restoration to those in need, and prepare
their hearts to be receptive to it. We want
to do your will, for we know that in doing
so, we are worthy to be called your sisters
and brothers. May we always be a people
who fight for unity and never bring division.
Thank
you for showing us that you choose us not
based on our gifts, talents, or abilities,
but you choose us by your wisdom for the
sake of your purpose. You can use any of
us, in all of our mess and weaknesses, to
bring glory to your name. So may we continue
to follow your leading, not because we are
seeking out what you can do for us, but
because of who you are. Thank you for choosing
us to be your disciples. I pray that we
will faithfully answer the call to the faith
and to service.
Thank
you, Jesus, for your healing touch. We know
there are so many who are waiting for miracles,
diagnoses, and treatment. Touch them today
with your healing hand, and restore them
in every way so they can be a living testimony
to your lovingkindness.
And
thank you for the way that you radically
love us. We take it for granted in the way
that we will take it all in but refuse to
love in the same way. Help us to forgive
quickly, recognizing our own shortcomings
before we try to point out others’. I pray
that if there are any planks in our eyes,
that you will help us to remove them so
we can see clearly, not to condemn, but
to help.
And
thank you for the reminder of how to live
as citizens of the kingdom of God. We truly
are a blessed people. We recognize how much
we need you, so we bankrupt our spirits
as we open ourselves up fully to depend
solely on you. May we always have godly
sorrow that leads to repentance, knowing
that you will bring comfort in the midst
of the temporary pain it may cause. And
may we always hunger and thirst for righteousness
so that we will diligently seek you to bring
that satisfaction. In doing these things,
we know that our lives are built on a solid
foundation that by your grace and strength
can withstand anything. Thank you for that
promise.
Matthew
5-7, A multitude has gathered around Jesus.
He walks up a mountainside so all may hear
His words and begins preaching on the character
expected of one who will enter the Kingdom
of Heaven.
He
speaks of the blessings one should expect
when one has a genuinely humble and reverent
heart towards God. He explains how the world
will receive such people for the Lord and
compares God's people to salt and light.
Jesus provides clarification of the Law
regarding the New Covenant He will be ushering
in.
Matthew
6, The sermon Jesus preaches on the mountainside
is continued in this chapter. Jesus covers
themes such as God-centered, forgiveness,
giving, how to pray, fasting, and coveting.
He speaks about not placing trust in material
things in this world, which can cause unnecessary
anxiety and worry.
Matthew
7, The final parts of Jesus' sermon on the
mount are preached in this chapter. Jesus
preaches on judgment and discernment in
this world. He emphasizes the idea that
people will either choose themselves and
the world or give themselves to the Lord.
POOR
IN SPIRIT | Matthew 5:2
What
I love about the Beatitudes is that Jesus
modeled every single one of them for us.
He was the most blessed human being ever
to walk the earth! So every one of these
should be #goals for us as it shows us how
our attitude should be.
Being
poor in spirit is the first step to salvation
in recognizing our need for a Savior. Jesus
gave up all of His supernatural power and
had to fully depend on His Father to do
anything. This is what being spiritually
poor means—we empty ourselves so that we
can receive the indwelling of the Spirit
of God. Like Jesus, we entirely depend on
Him to do anything. This is the state of
mind that we can do nothing without Him.
A state of humility ultimately brings a
deep sense of joy. Heart Check.
Are
you poor in spirit?
MERCY
TANK | Matthew 5:7
Being
merciful is precisely what it sounds like,
full of mercy. This means you don’t dish
out what a person may deserve. Instead,
show compassion to those who may have hurt
you; you don’t condemn those who are outwardly
sinning; you choose to see the best in others.
You seek out needs above your own, you seek
to restore broken relationships, and you
genuinely care about the souls of all people.
These
are all fruits of mercy that Jesus has so
lovingly displayed to each one of us. We
all want to be on the receiving end of mercy,
but we are usually not so quick to give
it out. Heart Check.
How
full is your mercy tank?
BRIGHT
LIGHT | Matthew 5:13-16
I
love how Jesus says that we are the light
of the world and the salt of the earth,
meaning we are not becoming these things.
We already are! The light that we shine
does not come from us— the Son shines upon
us, and we refiect His glory and goodness.
This
is why we must ensure the world doesn’t
come between us and the Son, eclipsing that
light. Our job is to bring the goodness
of God to a dark world, but if we imitate
the world and blend in, then we are imitating
darkness, not illuminating it. On the fiip
side, people will use this verse and condemn
people in the name of “exposure of the dark.”
But
we must remember that when the lights are
on, our hearts are also illuminated. And
the world isn’t looking to Christians for
the good that we have to o£er. They’re
looking at our city on the hill and waiting
for it to crumble. They’re watching for
us to fall so that they can say, “I told
you so.” This is an even greater reason
for us to ensure that we genuinely refiect
God's grace, mercy, kindness, and goodness.
Everything else dampens His light in us.
If we claim to be blessed, we should be
among the happiest or most joyful people
on earth! Heart Check.
How
bright is your light? Are you reflecting
the light of His goodness and joy, or are
you blending in to the darkness?
PICKING
UP OFFENSE | Matthew 5:38-39
In
this day, a slap on the cheek was understood
to be a profound insult. Jesus is in no
way saying to endure physical abuse. He
is telling us to bear insults or offense
patiently. Truly, offense has no power over
you unless you pick it up. People can spew
insults all day, but in turning our cheek,
what we are really doing is turning our
ear so that we are paying no mind to it.
In the physical sense, if you don’t turn
your slapped cheek, you are leaving the
already sensitive and raw area open for
more strikes.
So
if we pick up the o£ense and engage,
we are now allowing that o£ense to
put down roots in us, and eventually, that
o£ense turns into a stronghold. But
when we choose not to fight back or to be
combative and trust that our Defender will
avenge us, we actually gain more control
over the situation rather than allowing
it to control us. Think about two people
fighting. Who looks more powerful and in
control? The one screaming and yelling?
Or the one who holds their tongue? If we
choose to love back instead of fight back,
we will see how it di£uses the situation,
weakens the defenses of the opponent, and
ultimately changes the whole environment.
Heart Check.
Do
you pick up offenses and fght back? Or are
you able to patiently endure and allow the
Lord to be your Defender?
BLESSING
YOUR ENEMIES | Matthew 5:44-45
Again,
this is easy to understand but really hard
to do. Loving, blessing, and praying good
for those who hurt you is not accessible
by human standards. But Jesus wants us to
do this because there’s a two-fold blessing.
Praying good for them not only changes them
but also begins to change us. As we begin
to pronounce blessings, we will start to
see them through the lenses of God. Our
hearts will begin to soften. It di£uses
the problem, confuses the enemy, and breaks
down walls of defense, and ultimately puts
the power into our hands! Prayer and blessing
is our greatest weapon in these situations.
We also have to remember that people are
not the true enemy. So this is why we battle
on our knees. Heart Check.
Are
you praying for and blessing those who have
hurt you?
GIVING
HEART | Matthew 6:1-4
The
heart of the matter here is the motive behind
giving. If you’re only giving to others
to receive applause (even from yourself)
or to be seen in a certain light, then you
may be considered a hypocrite or an “actor”
if it isn’t given with true intention. It’s
kind of like meeting a celebrity in real
life, and if they’re not as nice as the
character they played, you will feel so
betrayed because their heart doesn’t refiect
their acting. So God doesn’t just look at
our actions, He looks into the secret places
of our hearts to test the motives behind
everything we do. Heart Check.
What
motivates your generosity? Do you give expecting
something in return? Or are you able to
give even when no one knows about it?
TREASURE
| Matthew 6:21
This
is an easy concept to grasp in the mind,
but not something we often think about.
Wherever we put our treasure, our hearts
will follow after it. If we sow into stocks,
we will constantly follow the stock market.
If we bet on a football game, we are going
to watch that game with anxiety. If we have
real estate, we always watch for market
trends. But if we put our treasure into
heaven, guess what we will pay attention
to? Heart Check.
Where
are you putting your treasure?
Deep
Dive
How
did Jesus display each of the beatitudes?
How
are Christians persecuted today?
How
can we sprinkle our salt, shine our light,
and live out each of the beatitudes in practical
ways?
Write
an expanded version of the Lord’s prayer
and then pray it. Does this better help
you to engage your mind when you pray such
a familiar prayer?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you that we are indeed a blessed people
as Kingdom kids.
Thank
you, Jesus, for showing us how to live,
not just by the words that you spoke, but
in the way that you so beautifully modeled
for us what it looks like. By the law and
even by these standards, we all fall short,
but you made a way for us to be perfected
and to be made clean, pure, holy, and righteous.
What a privilege it is! So I pray that as
we walk out this life and continue to build
upon the solid foundation that you laid,
please help us to maintain a humble spirit
that is always dependent and fully submitted
to you. Without you, we can do nothing.
Thank you for taking our mourning over our
sin and turning it into joy unspeakable
as you pour out your grace and mercy upon
us. Teach us to be this way and teach us
gentleness and compassion so that we can
make others hunger and thirst for righteousness.
We want them to want the Kool-Aid! May everything
we do be done with sincerity, integrity,
and for the purpose of glorifying you. Give
us all a deep longing for your justice and
truth so that our lives will refiect your
will as we show what true forgiveness is,
not just for those who do good to us, but
even more so for those who hurt us. Strengthen
us in times of opposition or trial so we
can stand firm in our faith and rejoice
when we come out on the other side.
May
our salt be like that of the ocean, where
it never loses potency or fiavor. We want
to be infiuencers, not on TikTok or Instagram,
but for your kingdom. I pray that we will
add fiavor to the lives of others as we
pour out kindness and blessing. I pray that
our words will be seasoned with grace and
kindness so that we are uplifting and encouraging.
And I pray that your light will shine so
bright as we refiect your glory. Do not
allow the distractions of the world to stand
in the way or eclipse your light. So please
remove any impurities within us and may
we be purehearted so that we can see God.
May we be the peacemakers in this world.
May
we be the joy that is lacking all across
the earth. I pray that we will let our light
shine before others so that they may see
our good works and give glory to the Father
in heaven. Thank you for your Word that
is true and everlasting. Thank you, Jesus,
for fulfilling the Law, paving the way for
us to be perfected. Thank you for paying
the penalty of all the laws we have broken
as a people.
Help
us to continue to grow in understanding
and wisdom of what all of this means. And
I pray that we will continually work to
maintain purity and to be holy, just as
you are holy. And help us in times of o£ense
or confrontation. I pray that you will fill
our mercy tanks to the brim so that we will
not feel the need to be defensive or combative
in any way. I pray that we will not pick
up the o£enses but rather fight against
the spiritual force behind it in prayer.
Help us to see people through your eyes
rather than seeing them as the enemy. But
if we do view them as such, help us to pray
for them and show us how we can bless them.
It all comes from love, so please fill our
love tanks too. We know that when we love
others rather than curse or fight them,
we are actually the ones who hold the power
to di£use situations and weaken defenses.
Please remind us of that when we face these
kinds of trials.
Thank
you for being such a generous God. I pray
that we will have hearts like yours, that
desires to give, not because you are trying
to get something from us, but simply because
that’s who you are and it’s in your nature
to be so kind. Mold our hearts so that we
will give with pure motives and intentions
and not just for the sake of appearing righteous.
I also pray that we will always give from
a heart that desires to honor and serve
you. We know that when we store up treasures
in heaven, that’s what our hearts will value
as well. This isn’t a matter of being rich
or poor but one of stewardship and priority.
We do desire to seek first the kingdom of
God in everything we do, for in doing so,
you will always pay us back in full. So
may we be anxious for nothing. I pray that
we will remember the past, plan for the
future, but fully live in the present. We
know that you care for us the same way you
care for the birds and fiowers of the earth.
Please strengthen our faith to continue
to trust in that provision for ourselves
as well.
I
pray that we will also be generous with
forgiveness. You sure have given us a lot
of it, so I pray that we will steward that
gift and pay it forward. We may not realize
that forgiveness can actually do more for
us than it does for the other person. But
more than anything, it refiects your heart,
which is what matters the most.
Thank
you for teaching us to pray. May we not
be intimidated by the depth or length of
others prayers because that’s not what you’re
looking for. You desire connection with
us through conversation, not dogmatic dialogue.
I pray that when we pray, our hearts and
minds will be engaged so we don’t feel the
need to fill the space with empty words
or phrases.
I
pray that we will be discerning but not
judgmental. We what to be able to identify
fruit in others for the sake of knowing
where we can help to restore and build up.
We want to find the ones who are seeking
help and are in need of a Savior. But may
we always look within first to ensure that
our hearts are right before we go looking
for faults, for we know that our own bitter
or sour fruit can easily make us see people
through squinty eyes. So if we have planks
in our eyes, please help us to remove it
so we have clearer vision to seek out righteousness.
Thank
you for being our loving Father who so desires
to give to His children. Please continue
to guide us along the narrow path that leads
to life. May everything we do be done with
sincerity, integrity, and for the purpose
of glorifying you. And as we live out our
lives in this way, our foundation only gets
stronger, and we will be able to stand firm
in faith that is rooted in grace. Thank
you for that.
Matthew
9 & Luke 7, A paralytic is brought
before Jesus. He forgives the man for his
sins and heals him of his affliction. The
Pharisees consider Jesus a blasphemer, and
Jesus questions their hearts.
Matthew,
the tax collector, joins as another of Jesus'
disciples and invites them to a feast at
his house. Jesus raises a little girl from
the dead and continues to heal many from
their illnesses and disabilities.
Luke
7, Jesus heals the centurion's servant and
raises a boy from the dead. John the Baptist
inquires from Jesus if He is the long-awaited
Messiah. Jesus discusses His and John's
ministry. A woman anoints Jesus' feet and
receives criticism for her humble gesture.
Jesus speaks a parable to her critics regarding
how it was received through God's eyes.
INTERPRETING
GOD'S WORD | Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus,
in multiple instances, proclaims His authority
through acts that were beyond comprehension.
What I want to bring to our attention here
is to see the miracles at hand for what
they are: hints of the Messiah.
Exegesis
means that we look at the text literally,
considering what it means culturally, historically,
and in context. When we read God's Word,
we might wonder why the Pharisees couldn't
see Jesus for who He was. It's because of
how they had interpreted God's Word—their
exegesis approach was fiawed. They interpreted
all the Old Testament prophecy and only
honed in on what they wanted to see. They
expected a Messiah who would be human, without
His deity, without divine powers—a human
king, a political leader who would ride
in on a mighty horse (not a donkey) and
wipe out the Romans.
Jesus
was so radically different from anything
they had expected. They avoided Scripture
that talked about Him being a su£ering
servant. They avoided seeing His humility,
that He would come and bear our sins. They
were legalistic, focusing only on what they
wanted to see in the Bible. Heart Check.
Do
you interpret God's Word through your own
desires, focusing only on what you want
to see? Or do you allow the Holy Spirit
to divinely interpret it for you?
JESUS
DESIRES MERCY | Matthew 9:9-13
Jesus
perceives their thoughts; He knows what
they're saying. He quotes from Hosea, pulling
Old Testament ideas and Scriptures that
God had already established. Yet, they couldn't
see Him. They misinterpreted God's Word,
forgetting that God said, "I desire
mercy, not sacrifice."
This
was addressed in Hosea to a sinful nation
that thought they could do whatever they
wanted 364 days a year and then throw a
sacrifice on the altar to be forgiven. Sometimes
we call this "Sunday morning Christians"
or "Easter Sunday Christians"—people
who roll into church occasionally but aren't
living out their faith. They think they
can pray for forgiveness and continue living
in sin.
Remember
what the Pharisees said: "Why do you
sit with tax collectors?" Dining with
sinners was against their communal laws;
they believed they became unclean by association.
They separated themselves from sinners,
thinking that was righteousness. Yet, their
own sins were hidden—the pride of life,
the lust of life. They wanted to be seen
as holy and righteous.
They
didn't realize that the true sacrifice was
Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins.
He is the only sacrifice that matters. The
Pharisees thought they were righteous, but
we have to accept our sinfulness before
we can accept the salvation from Jesus Christ.
Heart Check.
Are
you guilty of hiding your sins and failing
to show grace and mercy to others?
PERSEVERANCE
IN FAITH | Matthew 9:27-31
Consider
the blind men who followed Jesus. They couldn't
see, but they didn't give up. They might
have been grasping and asking people, "Where
did Jesus go? We're following Him. Son of
David, have mercy on us!" Maybe someone
was leading them.
But
they persisted; they followed Him and entered
the house with Him. How often do we give
up right at the edge of a discovery, a revelation,
a breakthrough, or spiritual revival? Is
there someone in your life you've shared
the gospel with repeatedly, planting seeds
and watering them, but you're tempted to
give up? Perhaps you're right on the edge
of a breakthrough.
God's
Word can sometimes be o£ensive; it's
a hard concept for some people. But His
Word will never return void. That's why
we learn it by heart and share His Word,
not just our own. Heart Check.
Are
you giving up on planting seeds of faith?
Will you continue sowing, even when progress
isn't visible? Have you given up on someone
who needs to hear the gospel?
FAITH
IN ACTION | Luke 7:1-10
What
I love about the centurion is that his faith
preceded him. He had people who would proactively
go and vouch for his reputation. He was
known as a God-fearing man, even though
he was a Gentile—a Roman centurion. He helped
build a synagogue; he put his faith into
action. His hands and feet embodied his
faith as he built something up for God's
glory.
This
moves me to ask myself: Is there any practical
application of my faith? Perhaps this YouTube
channel is fruit of that. I love seeing
the fruit of salvation in other people's
lives. I love seeing my children walk out
their faith daily, being salt and light
in their schools. Heart Check.
Have
we taken time to reflect on what we are building
in our lives for God's glory? Are we, like
the centurion, humble in our efforts, recognizing
our need for Jesus?
THE
WOMAN ANOINTING JESUS' FEET | Luke 7:36-50
During
this time, men and women wore sandals and
walked everywhere; their feet were dirty.
Cleaning feet was customary but considered
a menial task, usually done by servants
or young children in the home. It was not
something performed by a person of higher
status.
The
Pharisee, like the others, judged the woman
and separated himself from sinners. He thought,
"I can't associate with her; if Jesus
were a real prophet, He would know who she
is." Oh, He knows who she is. He knows
everything about her, and for the first
time, someone who knows her completely still
loves her. Jesus came to forgive that sin.
Heart Check.
Are
we willing to come before Jesus with our
own brokenness and gratitude? Do we recognize
the depth of our need for His forgiveness
and respond with joy, like the woman who
wept at His feet?
Deep
Dive
What
does the centurion’s humility teach us about
true faith?
How
can we build up our faith like the centurion,
even when we don’t feel worthy?
Why
does Jesus honor faith, even in times of
questioning, as He did with John the Baptist?
How
can our doubts help us grow in faith?
What
can we learn from the woman’s act of love
and worship at Jesus’ feet?
What
dangers arise from interpreting Scripture
solely through our own biases?
Heavenly
Father, we
come before You in awe of the lessons You’ve
provided through the lives of the centurion,
John the Baptist, and the woman who anointed
Jesus' feet.
Thank
You for showing us that faith begins with
humility, just like the centurion who recognized
his unworthiness but still trusted in Your
power. Help us to lay down our pride and
come to You with open hearts, trusting You
to lead us even when we have questions,
as John the Baptist did. When doubt arises,
give us the courage to come to You, knowing
that You welcome our questions and provide
truth.
Father,
may we also learn from the woman who came
to You in brokenness. We recognize our deep
need for Your grace and forgiveness. Like
her, may we be unashamed to pour out our
love and gratitude, knowing You accept us
in our vulnerability and heal us in our
pain. Let us be reminded that the greatest
honor we can o£er You is our heart
fully surrendered.
We
pray that You will protect us from the temptation
to misinterpret Your Word, bending it to
fit our desires or expectations, just as
the Pharisees did. Instead, help us to seek
the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing Your
truth to transform our hearts and minds.
We
ask for wisdom and grace to live out Your
Word authentically, humbly, and with love.
May our lives refiect Your goodness and
lead others to the truth of the gospel.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Matthew
11, In Matthew 11, John the Baptist, from
prison, sends his disciples to ask Jesus
if He is the promised Messiah or if they
should expect another. Jesus responds by
pointing to the miracles and works He has
done, fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah.
He praises John the Baptist as the greatest
prophet yet explains that those who are
part of the Kingdom of Heaven are even more
blessed.
Jesus
then rebuked the people and cities that
rejected both His ministry and John’s. He
warns that those who have witnessed His
miracles and remained unrepentant will face
harsher judgment than even the wicked cities
of the Old Testament, such as Sodom.
Finally,
Jesus o£ers one of the most comforting
promises in Scripture: rest for the weary.
He invites those who are burdened to come
to Him, explaining that His yoke is easy,
and His burden is light. In this invitation,
He speaks to those oppressed by legalism,
weariness, and life struggles, promising
them proper rest in Him.
DOUBT
AND FAITH | Matthew 11:2-6
John
the Baptist had a lot of time to think while
in prison. The more time he had, the more
anxious thoughts crept in, leading to doubts.
John knew he was the forerunner of the Messiah,
yet his situation did not align with his
expectations. Like the Pharisees, he may
have envisioned a Messiah who would be a
political leader or a warrior—one who would
take immediate action against the Romans.
But Jesus came with a different mission:
to establish a spiritual kingdom, not an
earthly one.
John's
doubts mirror the doubts we often face.
When our circumstances don't change, when
life becomes overwhelming, or when we face
su£ering, we start to question God's
plan. Jesus doesn't always change our circumstances
immediately, but He does call us to change
our perspective. Heart Check.
Are
we, like John the Baptist, bringing our
doubts to Jesus when we face uncertainty?
Do we trust Him to respond in ways that
strengthen our faith?
LIVING
ON THIS SIDE OF THE CROSS | Matthew 11:11
Jesus
praises John the Baptist, acknowledging
his role as the one who came to prepare
the way for the Messiah. Yet, Jesus also
says that the least in the Kingdom of Heaven
is greater than John. Why? Because those
who live after Jesus’ resurrection have
a clearer understanding of the gospel and
can point to Him with greater clarity.
We
sometimes attempt to establish our significance
based on our work, achievements, or spiritual
gifts. But true greatness lies in our witness
to Jesus Christ. On this side of the cross,
we have the privilege to point others to
Jesus with clarity that even the greatest
prophets did not have. Heart Check.
Are
you living out your purpose to share the
gospel, fully embracing the privilege of
living on this side of Christ’s completed
work?
THE
CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF | Matthew 11:20-24
Jesus
warned that the cities that had seen His
miracles but failed to repent would face
a harsh judgment. Even the cities that were
destroyed in the Old Testament, like Sodom,
would face less severe punishment than those
who had witnessed His works firsthand but
remained unrepentant.
This
should serve as a warning to us. Are we
indi£erent to the gospel? Are we lukewarm
in our response to God’s works? Jesus is
clear: judgment is coming for those who
reject Him. We cannot a£ord to close
our eyes to the truth of the gospel. Heart
Check.
How
do we respond to God’s miraculous works
that we see in the Bible, and perhaps even
in our lives today? Are we overlooking them
like the cities Jesus condemned for their
unbelief?
REST
FOR THE WEARY | Matthew 11:28-30
This
passage could be an entire sermon. Jesus
invites those who are weary and burdened
to come to Him for rest. The Pharisees and
teachers of the law had placed heavy burdens
on the people with their legalism and rituals.
Similarly, we are often weighed down by
the demands of life, sin, and pride.
Jesus
uses the image of a yoke—a wooden crosspiece
placed on the shoulders of oxen. Normally,
a stronger ox is yoked with a weaker one,
with the stronger bearing most of the weight.
Jesus invites us to take on His yoke, where
He bears the burden for us, o£ering
rest and grace. We are unburdened from the
weight of trying to earn our salvation or
solve our problems in our own strength.
Heart Check.
Are
we truly allowing ourselves to rest in Jesus,
or are we burdened by trying to solve everything
on our own? How can we better surrender
our struggles to Him?
Deep
Dive
How
does Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’s
doubts encourage us when we face uncertainty?
What
does it mean to take on Jesus’ “yoke” and
find rest for our souls?
Why
does Jesus emphasize the importance of recognizing
His works in the world?
How
does this chapter challenge us to trust
God’s timing, especially when we are waiting
for answers?
How
can we learn to live in the freedom that
comes from accepting Jesus’ rest?
Heavenly
Father, we
thank You for the powerful reminders in
Matthew 11 that You are with us even in
seasons of doubt.
Just
as You responded to John the Baptist’s questions,
You respond to ours with patience and love.
Help us to bring our uncertainties to You
and trust that You are always working, even
when we cannot see the full picture.
Teach
us, Father, how to rest in You. So often,
we carry burdens that weigh us down and
attempt to solve our problems without turning
to You. Remind us that Your yoke is easy
and Your burden is light. Help us to release
the pressures we face and find true peace
in surrendering them to You.
We
also ask for eyes to see the many ways You
are working in our lives. Forgive us for
the times we overlook Your blessings or
take Your miracles for granted. Give us
hearts that are sensitive to Your presence
and voices that are quick to praise You
for all that You do.
May
we walk in faith and trust, knowing that
You are always near, and may we find the
rest that our souls desperately need in
You.
The
disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray.
He provides them with an example prayer
that outlines how a God-centered prayer
should sound. Jesus tells them not to be
afraid to come to the Father for all their
needs and to never cease asking Him according
to His will and with a simple faith like
that of a child.
Jesus
is accused of working under Beelzebub and
not for God the Father and asked to prove
the source of His power with a sign. He
is invited to dine at the house of a Pharisee.
The Pharisees are rebuked for not shepherding
the people as the Father has required of
them. They begin to look for hypocrisy in
Jesus to destroy His character before the
people.
THE
HEART PRAYER TEMPLATE
H
- Honor His Name "Our Father
in heaven, hallowed be Your name" Lord,
we begin by lifting up Your name, recognizing
Your holiness. May our hearts be full of
reverence and awe as we honor You in all
we say and do. Help us live lives that bring
glory to Your name.
E
- Establish Your Kingdom "Your
kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth
as it is in heaven"Father, we ask that
Your kingdom come into every part of our
lives. May Your will be done in our families,
communities, and throughout the world. Let
Your love and truth transform us and the
world around us.
A
- Ask for Provision "Give
us today our daily bread" Lord, we
come to You with our needs, trusting in
Your faithful provision. You know what we
need before we even ask. We depend on You
for our physical, emotional, and spiritual
sustenance each day.
R
- Receive Forgiveness "And
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven
our debtors" Thank You for the forgiveness
You o£er through Jesus. Soften our
hearts so we may receive Your grace and
extend forgiveness to others. Help us walk
in love and release bitterness, as You have
forgiven us.
T
- Turn Away from Temptation "And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one"Lord, guide our
hearts away from temptation and protect
us from the traps of the enemy. Give us
the strength to stand firm in faith and
live in a way that honors You.
THE
PROPHETS AND THE PHARISEES | Luke 11:47-51
Jesus
rebukes the Pharisees and religious leaders
for building monuments to honor the prophets,
while their ancestors persecuted and killed
them. He foreshadows His own death, which
will come at the hands of the very leaders
who claim to honor God’s messengers. They
are guilty of the same sin as those who
rejected the prophets of old.
These
religious leaders were also guilty of withholding
the truth from the people. Jesus says, "You
have taken away the key of knowledge. You
did not enter yourselves, and you hindered
those who were entering" (Luke 11:52).
They had misinterpreted the Scriptures,
overcomplicating the simple truth of God’s
message. They burdened the people with legalistic
interpretations, keeping them from understanding
the true heart of God. Heart Check.
Are
we living in a way that reflects Jesus’ teachings,
or do we sometimes act like the Pharisees,
focusing more on outward appearances than
on inward transformation?
REFLECTING
JESUS INWARDLY | Luke 11:53-54
The
Pharisees’ legalism and obsession with appearances
blinded them to the truth of Jesus’ message.
Instead of accepting the truth, they sought
to trap Him and silence Him, just as their
ancestors did with the prophets. They were
more concerned with maintaining their outward
status than allowing their hearts to be
transformed by the truth.
Jesus
calls us to live authentically from the
inside out. Our outward actions should refiect
the inward work of the Holy Spirit, transforming
us into Christ’s likeness. This requires
humility, a willingness to admit our faults,
and a heart surrendered to God’s will. Heart
Check.
Are
we living with inward transformation that
reflects Jesus, or are we more concerned
with maintaining appearances?
Deep
Dive
What
can we learn from the structure and simplicity
of the Lord’s Prayer?
Why
is persistence in prayer important, and
how does it strengthen our relationship
with God?
How
does Jesus’ teaching on demons challenge
us to be vigilant in guarding our hearts
and minds against spiritual attacks?
What
is the significance of Jesus rebuking the
Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and how can
we apply that to our own lives?
How
can we grow in our understanding of God’s
provision, especially in seasons of waiting?
Heavenly
Father, we
come before You in awe of Your goodness
and faithfulness, as shown to us in Luke
11.
We
thank You for teaching us how to pray, for
giving us a model in the Lord’s Prayer that
focuses on Your will, Your kingdom, and
Your provision. Help us to remember that
prayer is not just about asking for what
we want but aligning our hearts with Your
purpose for our lives.
Lord,
we ask for persistence in our prayer lives.
So often, we become discouraged when we
don’t receive immediate answers, but Your
Word reminds us to keep asking, seeking,
and knocking. May we be diligent in prayer,
trusting that You hear us and that You will
respond in Your perfect timing.
Forgive
us for the times when we’ve focused more
on outward appearances than on the transformation
You desire within us. Just as Jesus rebuked
the Pharisees, remind us that true faith
is not about checking o£ religious
boxes but about living in genuine relationship
with You. Cleanse our hearts of hypocrisy
and help us to live lives that honor You.
We
also pray for the strength to resist the
temptations and spiritual battles we face
daily. Protect us from the schemes of the
enemy, and fill us with Your Spirit so that
we can stand firm in our faith.
Thank
You, Lord, for being a God who provides,
protects, and leads us.
Jesus
begins His preaching with parables of a
farmer sowing seeds, a field of wheat and
tares, a mustard seed, and how leaven corrupts.
His preaching fulfills the prophecy of the
Messiah's ministry.
He
continues with more parables of hidden treasure,
the costly pearl, and a dragnet. Jesus travels
to His hometown of Nazareth to preach in
the synagogue, but He is quickly rejected
by those He was raised among.
THORNS
| Matthew 13:22
The
soil here is good but a little too fertile,
as thorns and weeds are growing among the
good plants. This is where the more mature
Christians get choked up because you may
have moved past the unbelief, and perhaps
you’ve grown the ability to withstand trials
in Christ’s strength, but where you lose
your footing is when your plate begins to
get packed.
It
can be filled with worry, temptation, misplaced
priorities, must-dos, have-tos, and want-tos.
Everything outside the will of God is just
a distraction that the enemy will use as
a thorn to uproot you. Heart Check.
Do
you have any thorns of distraction that
are keeping you from doing God’s will?
SOIL
| Matthew 13:10-23
There
will be seasons when your soil changes topographically
or on the surface. There were many times
when I would get down on myself because
I knew my soil was no longer fertile and
my spiritual growth was stalled. I had to
start watering it with the Word and tilling
my soil through prayer again. I had to get
back into church and stop making excuses.
Heart Check.
What
is your soil like? Do you hear and understand
the Word? Does it take root? Is it bearing
fruit? Is there some watering and tilling
that needs to be done to make it fertile?
HELPERS
| Luke 8:3
This
term “provided for” comes from the Greek
word diakonia, from which we get the word
deacon or even deaconess, a position held
by women in the early church.
I
love that Jesus put Himself in that humble
place where He allowed others to provide
for Him. He didn’t need anyone’s help and
could’ve done everything alone, but that’s
not His heart.
He
loves fellowship and relationship, which
is why He urges us to do the same. This
was a£irmed for me this past weekend
when I was able to meet some of the Heart
Dive volunteers for the first time. Up to
this point, we had only been chatting behind
the screen. In these days, that seems su£icient,
but what I realized is that heart-to-heart
contact cannot be replaced by technology.
The
moment I hugged these girls, I just wept.
There was even breakthrough in my worship
at church on Sunday, because what I realize
is that when you are in the vicinity of
other believers, the power and presence
of God exponentiates. The Kingdom of Heaven
is so much more evident. So I thank God
that He opened up my own heart to allow
others to come along and help where they
desired to. There is power in fellowship
and relationship. Heart Dive would not be
what it is without the Hollys, Miches, Monicas,
and many others who said, “How can I help?”
They
did it for Jesus, but what they probably
didn’t realize was the impact it would have
on so many hearts. I pray that everyone
has people like that who can heal with just
one hug, who can lay hands on you and pray,
people who just get you, and people you
can laugh with. Heart Check.
Are
you in fellowship with others? Are you open
to allowing others in to help you? Have
you stepped up to say, “How can I help?”
HEARING
MANNERS | Luke 8:18
Jesus
is emphasizing that if you bear truth, you
also bear responsibility. When we receive
an understanding and revelation of God’s
Word, we will be held accountable for what
we do with that truth.
And
the manner in which we hear the Word also
matters—we should be attentive, retentive,
faithful, obedient, responsive, joyful,
sincere, and prayerful—and when we receive
the Word this way, He will give us even
more desire for revelation and understanding.
Spiritual growth gains momentum in both
directions. Heart Check.
Which
way are you growing? Are you gaining momentum
in understanding God’s truth? Or are you
becoming more frustrated? Which hearing
manner may be lacking?
SHINE
BRIGHT | Luke 8:18
Secondly,
we are the lamps that refiect the light
of Christ. Heart Check.
Is
your lamp on? How are you letting your light
shine in your daily life? Are there any
areas where you may need to shine brighter?
JESUS
IN THE BOAT | Luke 8:22-25
Jesus
wasn’t bothered by the storm, but He was
bothered by their unbelief. We must remember
that unbelief doesn’t cause the storms,
but it reveals the rejection of the promise
within it. And the promise here is that
if Jesus is in your boat, your boat ain’t
sinking, so we can all stop fretting! Heart
Check.
Are
you worrying about going under? Is Jesus
in your boat? If so, are you rejecting the
promise that He will never leave you or
forsake you?
WHERE
IS YOUR FAITH | Luke 8:25
Even
after Jesus calmed the storm, they were
still afraid. That blows my mind! But we
do the same. A lot of anxiety in the United
States right now is centered around politics
and what will happen come November. And
it’s all rooted in fear. Some think that
their fears and anxieties will subside if
their candidate gets elected, but the truth
of the matter is, that fear will never go
away if your faith is in anything other
than Jesus and His Word, because faith comes
by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
The disciples had Jesus and they had just
been taught His Word. This is why He asked
them where their faith was. It’s kind of
like a teacher asking, “Are you listening?”
Heart Check.
Where
is your faith?
BREAKTHROUGH
& HEALING | Luke 8
In
the end, we saw two healings take place
in two different ways. One was a poor and
desperate woman who secretly sought out
Jesus and was publicly healed, and the other
was a rich, infiuential ruler who publicly
sought Jesus on behalf of his daughter,
and Jesus healed her in private.
Both
of them required faith and belief that Jesus
could heal. Heart Check.
Are
you waiting for breakthrough or healing
in your life? Do you trust that Jesus can
heal or restore what’s broken? Have you
reached out in faith?
Deep
Dive
Which
parable speaks to the current season you’re
in in your life? Why?
How
should we handle “weeds” if they are not
to be plucked out? How can we stay faithful
among them?
What
is the true worth of following Christ? What
is the cost?
How
might we live with more urgency knowing
that there will be a separation between
the believing and unbelieving?
How
might the healing of the demon-possessed
man strengthen your faith to be set free
from other types of oppression or strongholds?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for the wisdom and truth that you have
revealed to us through your Word today.
Oh
how we long for our soil to be good and
ready, every single day, for the watering
of your Word. We long for seeds to be planted
so that we can go forth and bear fruit.
But we know that requires a little bit of
work on our end to ensure that we are growing
and maturing in our walk with you so that
when the storms hit, we aren’t caving in.
Or when a million distractions or responsibilities
are thrown our way, we don’t become so busy
and get choked out by the pressure of the
world. Please show us what thorns may be
in our garden so that we can avoid them.
We know they will still be there, but we
can work around them. If we seek you first,
they can take a back seat without us feeling
as though we have somehow failed. Our heart’s
desire is to honor you first and foremost
in everything we do.
So
please continue to help us understand the
depth of your Word as we hear it so that
we can apply it to our lives. We don’t want
to just be hearers of the Word but doers.
I
pray that we will never despise the small
mustard seeds of faith and obedience that
are sown. We may not see the growth right
away or perhaps never at all, for one planted
seed may grow outside of our field. So may
we never lose heart in sowing love, grace,
and truth, knowing that you will bring the
increase. We also pray that you will protect
our hearts if there is ever a huge growth
stunt in our lives. Our tree may look big
from the outside, but beneath the leaves
are weak branches. This is why we will always
appreciate slow and steady growth.
We
love you so much, Lord, and we value the
Kingdom of God above all else. It is like
the hidden treasure. We know that following
you will cost us something, but it is always
worth more than anything we could gain here
on this earth. Please open our eyes to the
true worth of following you, and I pray
that you will give us the courage to give
up anything that is hindering us from fully
pursuing your will.
As
we draw nearer to the coming day of judgment,
I pray that we will remain steadfast in
our faith. Help us to be a light to others
so that they will not be lost. May we be
the righteous that shine like the sun. Your
kingdom is the greatest treasure that we
could ever find, so may we hold dear both
the old wisdom and the new revelation so
that we don’t miss a single thing that you’re
doing.
Mark
4, Jesus preaches a parable of a farmer
sowing seeds to a multitude of people. He
teaches the meaning of it only to His disciples,
and the responsibility of spreading God's
Word and not keeping it secret. He teaches
two more parables, and then He and His disciples
head out into the Sea of Galilee. They encounter
a storm on the waters, and Jesus rebukes
His disciples for lacking in faith when
He calms the storm and waves.
Mark
5, When Jesus and His disciples reach land,
they encounter a demon-possessed man who
runs to them from his home among the tombs.
Jesus casts the legion of demons out of
the man and allows them to enter a nearby
herd of swine. The townspeople reject Jesus
and force Him out of their town, but the
man is grateful and proclaims the miracle
throughout the region to all who would listen.
A
synagogue ruler, Jarius, pleads with Jesus
to heal his daughter who is near death,
and a woman with a chronic bleeding disorder
begs for healing and relief as well. Jesus
cures the woman of her disorder, and He
raises the young girl from the dead when
He arrives at the rulers house after his
daughter had passed.
THE
KEY | Mark 4:9
If
faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
Word of God, then faith is the key that
anyone would’ve needed to be able to understand
these parables. When Jesus said, “He who
has ears, let him hear,” He was basically
saying, “Those who hear this and believe
it will understand it.” We have all had
our journeys in reading and understanding
the Bible, and we don’t always “get it”
immediately. But little by little, it’s
as if the Lord begins to unlock treasure
boxes as we read. Things start to make sense
and you receive spiritual insight that blows
your mind. The key to those treasures is
your faith! If you resist His Word and what
He can do, those boxes will remain closed.
Heart Check.
Do
you have the key to God’s treasure boxes?
BEARING
FRUIT | Mark 4:20
Here,
we see that the sole purpose of the seed
is to bear fruit. One of the reasons why
many Christians don’t end up bearing fruit
is because they’re only looking at the Word
of God as food for themselves. How can this
feed me, fix me, help me… me, me, me! And
while it is our daily manna and will feed
and nourish us like nothing else can, it
intends to take root and bear fruit. This
means that as we consume the Word and it
begins to take root, we now become a tree
that others can glean from. We are called
to feed the sheep of Jesus by sharing our
testimony with others, teaching them His
Word, inviting them to church, praying for
them, serving our community, helping the
needy, and so on. Heart Check.
Is
the seed that is being sown in your heart
growing to bear fruit?
MEASURING
SPOON | Mark 4:21-25
When
Jesus says to “pay attention” to what you
hear, He is saying that we have a responsibility
in the way we hear the gospel. We must be
careful who we are listening, how we are
listening to them, and then most importantly,
what we are doing with what we listen to.
And
the measure we use to determine this will
be given right back to us. For instance,
if we sincerely desire to hear the gospel
and learn about Jesus without hesitation
or criticism, the more we know, the more
we will hunger for it.
But
if we go into a church or a ministry and
begin criticizing what the person is wearing,
debating whether or not they have Botox,
ready to chew at every o£ense and
fault, that’s what we’re going to find because
every human has them. This is where our
measuring spoon must be full of spirit and
truth, meaning we have grace and discernment.
We
will be able to decipher fake faith (because
in this day of technology, there’s plenty
out there), but we will also be able to
overlook minor weaknesses of the faithful
ministries as we receive the Word with gladness.
You will know if your measuring spoon has
these things because there will be peace
in your spirit, not angst. Heart Check.
What’s
in your measuring spoon? Are you able to
discern fake faith? Can you overlook weaknesses
and still gain insight from the faithful?
UNDERESTIMATING
JESUS | Mark 4:41
Even
after the disciples saw prophecy fulfilled,
miracles performed, and their lives literally
saved, they still underestimated Jesus's
power. They still said, “How can this be?
Who is this?” Many of us think, “If that
were me, I wouldn’t do that,” yet we are
still sitting scared in our boats when Jesus
calls us to step out in faith. Heart Check.
Are
you underestimating what Jesus can do? Have
you stepped out of the boat in faith?
RESISTING
GREATNESS | Mark 5:15
I
sat with this idea of the people being more
afraid of what Jesus had done for the man
than they were of the man who was once demon-possessed.
It didn’t make sense to me… until it did.
You see, we, too, can sometimes be more
afraid of what Jesus is doing in our lives
than what the enemy is doing. And the reason
is that if we are getting attacked by the
enemy, we know that we can run to Jesus
for His help. But if Jesus begins to do
some painful work in us or begins to stretch
us beyond our comfort, we can’t ask Him
to work against Himself.
And
other times we fear our greatness because
we are so afraid of upholding that image
in the face of others. This was the reason
I didn’t want to win Miss America. When
I stood on that stage embracing the woman
who would take home the crown in 2004, I
was shaking in my boots, and my whole family
knew it. I told them the night before that
I did not want the crown and that I just
wanted to go back home to my dog and be
Miss Hawaii. But it took me a good 20 years
to realize that it wasn’t the success that
I feared— it was the failure. And therefore
I resisted what I believe God wanted to
do with my life. I had more faith in my
failure than I did in my God. Heart Check.
Do
you have more faith in your failure than
you do in your God? Are you resisting what
Jesus wants to do in your life because of
it?
MINISTRY
BOATS | Mark 5:18-20
We
see the actual transformation in this man’s
heart because he wanted to go with Jesus.
He wanted to be in His boat. But Jesus said
no, where prior to this, He gave permission
to demons to do what they wanted, and He
left when the people of Gerasenes told Him
to.
Jesus
didn’t say no because He was rejecting the
man—He said no because He was commissioning
him. This man’s calling was not in someone
else’s boat. His calling was in his own
boat, ministering to his family and friends.
Sometimes, we want the dream that it’s in
someone else’s boat, but Jesus just might
be calling us to do things with those who
are right beside us. In fact, our families
and friends should be the first line of
ministry in our lives before we go out and
try to row with anyone else. Heart Check.
Are
you ministering in your own boat? Or are
you trying to get into another’s boat?
Deep
Dive
How
can we cultivate good soil in our hearts
to produce lasting fruit?
How
do we trust the process when we don’t see
fruit being born?
How
can we be more intentional to listen and
apply God’s Word with good measure?
Is
there any area of your life where fear needs
to be released and replaced with faith?
What
do these chapters reveal about the heartbeat
or character traits of Jesus?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for revealing your wisdom to us once
again.
We
know that when you repeat yourself, it is
with good reason, so our ears are open.
We are listening for your voice and your
truth to be revealed in it. We crave spiritual
insight from you, and we thank you that
you have chosen us to receive it. I pray
that we will not be discouraged in our own
misunderstanding but instead trust the process
of slow and steady growth.
As
long as there is some sort of change happening,
and we are allowing the continual watering
by your Word, we will grow roots as your
transformative power moves within us. Lord,
you are constant—you never change and neither
does the Word that you sow. We are the ones
who are the change agents or the variation.
So
we ask for your help today in keeping our
hearts set on you. We ask that you show
us if there is any plowing or tilling that
needs to take place so that we always have
good fertile soil for you to work with.
Remove any thorns of distraction, worry,
or pleasure-seeking that might choke us
and create a spiritual apathy within us.
And may your Word take root in our hearts
and lives, bearing fruit for your Kingdom.
Thank
you, Jesus, for allowing your light to shine
through us. You are the only light we need,
one that never dims and never fades. I pray
that we never hide or shy away from bearing
this privilege of letting it shine in everything
we do. May we be bold but also humble in
the way that we live out our faith, knowing
that even the smallest acts of faith and
obedience will be used for something powerful.
Even our weaknesses and failures can be
turned to good, so we trust you to do that.
For
those who are faithfully sowing seed, I
pray that you will keep them steadfast,
even when they can’t see the roots that
are growing or the fruit that is born. You
work in mysterious ways, so help us to trust
in your timing and your ways. As long as
we are faithful in planting, you will do
all the watering and cultivating to bring
about a harvest in due season. Thank you,
Jesus, for being in our boats on the daily.
When the winds begin to blow and the waves
are billowing around us, help us to remember
that you are our ever-present help in time
of need.
We
may be scared initially, but we will not
allow that fear to lead to distrust in you
and your promise to bring us through. You
will never leave us or forsake us, so I
pray that we will always choose faith over
fear, knowing that you are in control, even
in the worst of circumstances. Calm our
fears and anxieties, increase our faith,
and may your peace that surpasses all understanding
still our hearts.
We
reach out to you today for a healing touch,
whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual
healing that we need. We acknowledge that
it is by your power that we can be set free
from anything that is holding us captive.
If you broke the chains o£ a demon-possessed
man, you can do it with us. Break any strongholds
right now, in the name of Jesus, that are
keeping us bound. We bring you every hurt,
fear, and struggle and place it at your
feet.
We
believe that just one single touch from
you can eliminate every one of them, as
you cast out fear. Nothing is impossible
for you, and we believe in the restorative
and redemptive work that was done on the
cross for our freedom. Help us to take up
our own cross and walk in that freedom so
that we can declare your glory to the whole
earth.
Matthew
10, Jesus divides His disciples into groups
of two and sends them out to preach in surrounding
Jewish towns. He gives specific instructions
for them as they go from town to town and
if they are rejected.
Jesus
prepares the hearts of His disciples for
the inevitable persecution they will face
for proclaiming the Gospel. He encourages
them to remain bold amid opposition and
completely trust in Him as they forfeit
their lives daily in Christ's name.
FULLY
PRESENT | Matthew 10:11
This
is one of my favorite convicting verses
because one of the more significant issues
I had to work through was being present.I’m
a dreamer and a visionary, and I have such
a monkey mind that I get so excited to swing
to the next branch. And the moment I get
there and eat a banana, I’m over it. All
to say I used to have di£iculty completing
tasks to their fullest potential because
I had major commitment issues. At the core,
I was never at peace or content in my own
spirit.
When
Jesus is telling the disciples to stay in
the town they’re in until they depart, this
isn’t just an arrival and departure notice.
He is telling them to seek out a place of
integrity rather than comfort, and once
they get there, don’t go looking for bigger
and better. Be present where you are!
I
know we can sometimes get so excited for
what is to come, but when we begin to focus
more on the future and what can be, we lose
sight of what God is doing right in front
of us. Heart Check.
How
present are you? Are you more concerned
about what is to come and already moving
on to the next town? Or are you fully present
today and focused on what God is doing right
in front of you?
PRONOUNCING
BLESSINGS | Matthew 10:13
This
verse has been a game-changer and has covered
me in so many situations.
When
Jesus told them to greet the house they
were entering, He was telling them to pronounce
a blessing upon it. I used to work in the
cutthroat news industry, and early in my
career, there were many days when I would
walk into the building with anxiety. But
the moment I finally understood this verse,
I had a new confidence because as I walked
through the newsroom doors each day, I would
proclaim, “Peace be upon this place.” And
I knew that if it were not worthy, that
blessing would return to me. From that day
on, I started blessing people who cut me
o£ on the freeway, and I still bless
people in the comment section.
But
our hearts have to be right when we do this
because it is not intended to be a means
to gain a blessing. It’s a true desire to
see the Lord bless that person or that place
for the betterment of them. It will fall
fiat if we proclaim a blessing and don’t
mean it. But if you are sincere in it, it’s
a win-win situation. You will have peace
in your heart and might receive a blessing
in return. Heart Check.
Are
you able to sincerely bless people and places
that you don’t feel are worthy of it?
SHAKE
IT OFF | Matthew 10:14-15
Contrary
to popular (young) belief, Taylor Swift
did not coin the phrase “shake it o£.”
In Biblical days, if the Jews ever walked
into or through Gentile territory, they
would shake the Gentile dust o£ their
feet the moment they returned to Jewish
soil. This was their way of saying, “We
tried. If you don’t want to change, that’s
on you. Judgment is coming.” It was sort
of like washing their hands of this rejection
and leaving it in God’s hands instead. Imagine
how di£erent the world would be if
we could all do this when someone o£ends
us, or they have di£erent political
views, or they just rub us the wrong way.
Shake
the dust and keep on walking. Don’t let
someone else’s dirt hold you back from doing
a good work. Heart Check.
Is
there any dirt on your feet that simply
needs to be shaken off?
LOOSEN
YOUR GRIP | Matthew 10:38-39
The
Kingdom of God works backward from the world,
and if we don’t understand this concept,
it will sound like God wants us to be miserable.
The world says to work toward security,
wealth, and success, and then you will have
a good life. Jesus says to get rid of that
thinking, and then you will indeed be happy.
Having money or success is not the problem.
The problem is when it has you. When we
live for those things, we will inevitably
become more and more empty inside.
This
is my husband’s testimony—he felt that he
had it all early in his pilot career. He
had just renovated a beachfront condominium
in Waikiki, was fiying for a commercial
airline, and had a beautiful girlfriend—yet
felt entirely empty. That’s when he fully
turned his life over to Christ, and everything
changed for him. If we cling to this life
on earth alone, we will eventually lose
our strength and fall.
But
if we loosen that grip and surrender control,
we will gain more strength and vitality
and will be able to experience God’s best
for us both here and in heaven. Heart Check.
What
are you living for? Have you lost your life
for Christ’s sake? Is there anything that
you need to loosen your grip on?
REFLECTING
JESUS INWARDLY | Matthew 10:53-54
The
Pharisees’ legalism and obsession with appearances
blinded them to the truth of Jesus’ message.
Instead of accepting the truth, they sought
to trap Him and silence Him, just as their
ancestors did with the prophets. They were
more concerned with maintaining their outward
status than allowing their hearts to be
transformed by the truth.
Jesus
calls us to live authentically from the
inside out. Our outward actions should refiect
the inward work of the Holy Spirit, transforming
us into Christ’s likeness. This requires
humility, a willingness to admit our faults,
and a heart surrendered to God’s will. Heart
Check.
Are
we living with inward transformation that
reflects Jesus, or are we more concerned
with maintaining appearances?
Deep
Dive
Are
you living out an apostolic mission? Who
can you share your faith with?
How
might we handle rejection of the gospel
while still showing love and grace?
How
can we be as wise as serpents but innocent
as doves? What does that look like practically?
How
can we balance our faithfulness and devotion
to God with loving those who are divided
against the faith?
How
can you be more intentional in giving without
expecting anything in return? How does this
show God’s love to others?
From
the moment we heard our name, you have always
been so kind and so gracious to us. Even
though we may not have the resume of some
spiritual heavy hitters, or we may think
there is nothing really significant about
us, you love us the same. There is no such
thing as common or uncommon in your eyes.
We are simply your children and your creation,
who you can use to do extraordinary things.
You
love us through our weaknesses, just the
same way you did with shifty Simon, Andrew
who was always in the shadow of his brother,
James and John who had tempers, Nathanael
the skeptic, Thomas the doubter, Matthew
the tax collector, the unknown James, Simon
the zealot, and Judas the betrayer. These
were men who likely would’ve never gotten
along if put into the same room, yet with
you, you united them for a greater purpose.
And
because they set their eyes on you, they
were commissioned for greater things. I
pray that we can find the commonalities
with other believers rather than the di£erences.
Help us to remember that we are on the same
team so that we are not that divided house
that is doomed to fall. So may we put on
that apostolic hat and begin declaring,
by the way that we live, that the Kingdom
of Heaven is at hand. It is here now, and
there is hope for every person to have a
new life.
I
pray that we will be bold in declaring your
love and truth while fully trusting in your
provision along the way. Help us to keep
it simple and not overcomplicate it. We
know that you will give us words to speak,
but that does not mean we don’t need to
prepare. So may we be as wise as serpents
and as innocent as doves, displaying wisdom
and integrity in everything we do while
maintaining a gentle spirit.
Thank
you for equipping us for the very calling
that you have placed on our lives. We know
that when you purpose something, you also
provide for it. Please continue to guide
us in the steps we are to take and the how
to.
I
pray that we will not become so focused
on the end goal that we lose our footing
along the way. Help us to be present wherever
we are so that we do not miss the blessings
that are right in front of us. Thank you
for where we are—for the jobs that we have,
the homes we live in, and the people that
surround us. All of it is a gift from above,
so I pray that we will steward it well.
We
know that the gospel can be o£ensive
to those who are not ready to hear it. Help
us to stand firm but also show love and
grace when we face opposition. Remind us
that our identity is in you and that we
do not need the approval of man to prove
it. May our responses refiect that. But
if there is resistance, instead of fighting,
I pray that we will simply shake the dust
and bless them. Remind us when we face these
situations that we have this ability to
pray for them and to ask for peace to be
upon them. Help us to have your heart in
seeing them change for the better.
We
ask for continued strength to take up our
cross and follow you. If there is anything
in our lives that we are holding too tightly
to, I pray that you will help us loosen
our grip and surrender that control so that
we can fully live the abundant life. The
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, meaning your
best for us is available here and now, but
it will require us to lose our life first
so that we can find it. Let it be done,
here on earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew
14, Herod Antipas has John the Baptist beheaded
at the request of Herodias' daughter. He
becomes gripped with fear when he hears
false rumors that Jesus may be John the
Baptist raised from the dead. Jesus fiees
by boat from Herod's region, but multitudes
of people discover where He has gone and
travel to Him.
Jesus
heals the people late into the day, and
the disciples urge Jesus to send them away
so they may seek sustenance. Jesus instead
miraculously duplicated five loaves and
two fish into a feast for five thousand
people, and there were even baskets of leftovers.
The
disciples travel across the Sea of Galilee
as Jesus heads to a mountain to pray. A
storm arises on the waters again, and Jesus
walks out on top of the water to join them.
The disciples are fearful, and Peter walks
out to Jesus in faith but begins to sink
when he takes his eyes off Him. When they
landed, Jesus began healing the multitudes
that came to Him seeking relief.
Mark
6, Jesus teaches in the synagogue of His
youth, but the people in His town do not
accept Him as a teacher. Jesus sends the
disciples out in groups of two to preach
repentance, the kingdom of God, and healing
and casting out demons. He provides instructions
on how they should seek accommodations for
food and shelter and what they should do
if a town rejects them.
Herod
Antipas is terrified of Jesus and His ministry
when he hears false rumors. He may be John
the Baptist, whom he had put to death, risen
from the dead. Jesus teaches a multitude
of people who have gathered to hear His
doctrine. He miraculously provides enough
food to feed the people from five loaves
and two fish.
Jesus
and the disciples separate when He goes
to pray on the mountain. They sail across
the Sea of Galilee. A storm brews, and Jesus
walks to the boat on the waters. When they
land, He continues to heal and cast out
demons among the people.
Luke
9, Jesus sends the disciples to the surrounding
towns to preach repentance and cure the
people of their diseases and demon possessions.He
also provides instructions for testing their
faith and how to respond when they are rejected.
Rumors
spread that Jesus was the risen John the
Baptist. Jesus inquires from His disciples
whom they believe Him to be and invites
anyone willing to follow Him to pick up
their cross and follow Him.
The
disciples return, exchanging stories of
their encounters, and multitudes begin to
gather around Jesus. After He has taught
them for a while, He miraculously duplicates
five loaves and two fish into a feast for
the multitude. Jesus is seen transformed
on the mountain standing with Moses and
Elijah, and God's voice is heard praising
His Son. A boy is freed from his demon possession,
and Jesus teaches His disciples the sacrifices
and character needed to be great in the
kingdom of God.
COMPASSION
| Matthew 14:13-14
Here,
we see the humanity of Jesus as He withdrew
to a quiet place to grieve his cousin John’s
death. He sought solitude, yet he was met
with a crowd of people who wanted something
from him. If you’ve ever been in a place
where you feel like you’re giving and giving,
and it never feels like it’s enough because
the more you give, the more people want,
you may know how it feels to be depleted
and perhaps a little burdened when the demands
pile up.
But
not Jesus. When he saw the crowds, He had
compassion. That’s who He is—He sees needs
and meets them repeatedly without growing
weary. Heart Check.
How
much compassion do you have? Do you see
the mounting needs as a burden or an opportunity
to do something to meet those needs?
HAND
IT OVER | Matthew 14:15-19
Don’t
you just love how Jesus made what seemed
insufficient into something great?
So
many of us stop short of what He wants to
do because we limit ourselves by thinking
that our gift is too small or insignificant.
Or perhaps we’ve listened to the lies of
others telling us that we’re not good enough.
We think we don’t have what it takes or
we don’t have all the resources to fulfill
the dream. But if we are faithful in the
little things, we will be steadfast in much.
So if we take our small gifts and abilities
and place them in the hands of Jesus, He
will bless them, multiply them, and hand
it back to us so we can go and fulfill the
vision. Heart Check.
In
what ways can you trust God to use what
you have in your hands? Have you handed
it over? Are you trusting Him to provide
what is needed to fulfill the vision He has
given you?
FAITH
| Matthew 14:28-33
It’s
easy for us to get stuck on “O ye of little
faith,” but let’s give Peter some credit
here—it took some immense faith to step
out of that boat and walk on water.
But
notice when his faith diminished—it was
when he took his eyes o£ Jesus and
began focusing on the wind. He had more
faith in the wind's ability than in the
One who makes the wind blow. In other words,
he had more faith in the storm than in the
Savior. But let’s not forget that little
faith is still faith, and Jesus honored
it, as small as it was. Heart Check.
Have
you stepped out of the boat? Are there any
“storms” or “winds” that are taking your
eyes off Jesus? How can you remain focused
on Him when challenges arise?
TWO
BY TWO | Mark 6:7
The
Lord has been working in pairs since the
moment He created man, when He said, “It
is not good for man to be alone.” Almost
every great leader in the Bible had a partner
next to them. This is because working with
another person can help strengthen and encourage
you, comfort you in times of rejection,
help sharpen or a£irm your discernment,
and stir your spirit when there tends to
be some apathy or idling taking place.
God
loves to work through teams of people, so
if you’re resistant to that and doing life
alone, you may want to rethink it and begin
praying for your other half in every area
of your life. Heart Check.
Are
you doing life two-by-two? Are you closed
off to it? Do you need to pray for your
partner in a specifc area of your life?
SELF-FEEDING
| Mark 6:38-43
Any
time Jesus fed the people, He brought a
feast. He gave them enough food and leftovers
to satisfy their satisfaction but noticed
that He didn’t spoon-feed them. He handed
the food to the disciples, who set it before
the people. This means the people had to
feed themselves. We can go to church and
be spoon-fed the Word, but total satisfaction
occurs when we pick up the Word for ourselves,
chew on it, and meditate on it. At the end
of the day, we all have the same number
of provisions set before us. It’s up to
us to pick it up and feed on it. If you
ever wonder why one person gets more out
of the Word than the other, perhaps it’s
because they are making a more significant
e£ort to feed themselves. Heart Check.
Are
you flling up and satisfed with God’s Word?
How much is being spoon fed vs. self-fed?
TAKE
UP YOUR CROSS | Luke 9:23-24
Jesus
basically told the disciples, “Oh, you know
how I just said that I was going to su£er,
be rejected, and be killed? So will you.”
He
uses this illustration of taking up their
cross, because no one in their right mind
would voluntarily pick up a cross. Crosses
were put on the backs of Roman prisoners
right before they walked to their death.
It was a one-way ticket, and there was no
way out.
As
gloomy as that sounds, it truly is the only
way we will find life—we must first walk
to our death with Christ. We must die to
our selfishness, die to our sinful desires,
and potentially even die to living a life
of comfort and security. But the return
on that death is eternal life and glory.
The reward in heaven pales compared to what
it will cost us here on earth. Heart Check.
What
does self-denial look like in your daily
walk? What might need to be lost in order
for you to find true life?
Deep
Dive
What
lessons can be learned about the way Jesus
handled the news of John the Baptist’s death?
How
does Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand
strengthen your faith regarding God’s provision
and compassion?
How
closely related are faith and doubt? How
does Peter illustrate this?
What
moment in your life made you say or believe,
“Truly you are the Son of God”?
Jesus
asked the disciples who they thought He
was. If someone asked you who Jesus is,
what would you say? Who is He to you?
How
can we rely more on the authority and provision
of God than our own self-sustenance and
self-reliance?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for being such a compassionate God.
Even
when you were grieving or tired, you still
had such a heart for people and had such
a desire to meet their needs. Oh how I pray
we will be more like this. I pray that we
will see the hurting and the hungry and
look to what we can o£er them, even
if it seems small or insignificant.
We
know that if we give even the smallest amount,
you can bless and multiply it so that it
will impact thousands. We know that there
is such a spiritual hunger in the world
right now, with people all around us not
even realizing that their souls are famished.
Let us be bold enough to bring them to you.
We don’t need to be fancy, knowledgeable,
perfect, or even polished to send out an
invitation. Even within our church, there
are so many who are missing out on the hearty
meals that are only found in your daily
bread. So let them come and feast on your
Word so they can be transformed by the power
of your truth.
I
pray that we will have faith that is big
enough to step out of the boat. Keep our
eyes focused on you, for we know that after
we have gone through the teaching, a test
is always on the horizon. This isn’t anything
to fear, for you are with us, and you will
never leave us, even in the midst of the
storm. So when challenges arise, I pray
that we will not look to them as being impossible
or too big for you to handle. May we always
walk in faith and not in fear, especially
when we face opposition or rejection.
We
know that you will never send us out to
do something you will not provide strength
and resources for. So whatever task you
are placing before us today, I pray that
we will pick it up, bless you for it, allow
the breaking within us, so that we can then
go out and give unto others.
We
thank you for those you have placed in our
lives to be partners. I pray that we will
not be resistant to it, but discerning of
who you have brought into our lives for
specific purposes, and fully trusting that
it is for our good. We may very well be
the partner someone else is praying for,
so I pray that our eyes will be peeled for
areas that we can be of assistance. Help
us also to trust in your timing.
Sometimes
we think that storms need to pass according
to our forecast, or that you need to provide
a miracle right away, but you don’t always
work that way.
The
main thing is that we don’t lose hope. And
you are our hope. So help us to remember
this when we are in the middle of the blessing
and the giving, right in the thick of the
breaking. That’s the most important step
of the process, for it is in the breaking
that we learn to fully depend on you and
every ounce of pride is wiped away. But
when we come out on the other side, we will
see things di£erently and be able
to relate to others with compassion when
they go through something similar. So let
us never discount what you are doing through
our di£iculties. We know that it is
in the struggle that faith is developed
and perfected. So we will continue to trust
and obey, even when we can’t see the evidence
or the end result.
I
pray that we have a true understanding of
what taking up our cross means. Let us count
the cost and follow you, even if it means
that we must deny ourselves and sacrifice
in order to do so. We know that it is only
in the losing of our own life on this earth
that we find our true life and purpose,
and that is what we are all seeking, whether
we know it or not. Even non-Christians want
to know their purpose. So give us the strength
to embrace what being a true disciple of
Christ means, and I pray that we will walk
it out boldly and with joy so others will
see that it is truly a beautiful life.
Teach
us to come away with you and rest, for you
are our True and Good Shepherd. We know
the world keeps on spinning even when we
lie down, so may we never adopt the idea
that things will fall apart if we don’t
stop moving. We will trust you in your leading,
knowing that you will always guide us into
places of peace and provision, and never
to destruction. Teach us humility and let
us always follow your example in serving
others and not seeking out recognition or
honor. We want to prioritize your Kingdom
above all else, so that all who see us know
that you are the Christ and Lord and Savior
of our lives. May you be glorified in everything
we do.
John
6, After crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus
had compassion for the great multitude of
people who had gathered and followed Him.
He miraculously multiplied five loaves and
two fish to provide food for the multitude
of five thousand.
Jesus
makes His retreat when the people give the
indication they desire to make Him their
king. The disciples follow Jesus to Capernaum
through the Sea of Galilee. They become
fearful when they see Jesus walking on the
water toward their boat.
The
crowd follows Jesus to Capernaum and inquires
of Him about the bread of life He speaks
of as He teaches in the synagogue. Many
disciples from the multitude who have been
following Him become confused and unsatisfied
with His responses and decide to no longer
follow Him.
The
twelve close disciples of Jesus proclaim
their loyalty to continue and follow Him.
LOW
ESTIMATIONS | John 6:1-6
When
Jesus asked this question, Philip’s mind
automatically went into the weeds of microeconomics.
He began counting the potential cost and
running figures, and if he could, he probably
would’ve printed some money.
But
Jesus was testing him to see if he could
rise above to the macro level, where He
was at. Sometimes, we limit what Jesus can
do purely based on what we assume He can’t
or won’t do. Here, Philip assumed Jesus
wouldn’t bust out a bu£et for the
thousands of people because it seemed like
an impossible task by human standards. On
the one hand, we have to give Philip a little
credit for trying to find a solution rather
than just complaining about the problem.
But again, he got stuck in the weeds of
his estimations. Heart Check.
Have
you allowed your own estimations of Christ’s
power to keep you from doing the seemingly
impossible?
TRUE
FOLLOWERS | John 6:25-26
The
people asked when Jesus got there, but they
were really more interested in the fact
that He dug out, and they never knew it.
And Jesus confronts them in His answer by
telling them why they were there—to get
another free meal. They were following Jesus
because they were hungry, which wasn’t spiritual
hunger. But here, Jesus begins to fiip this
idea on its head in getting them to focus
on the spiritual rather than the physical.
A lot of people today still follow Jesus
for selfish reasons. But true followers
of Christ are seeking Him in spirit and
truth, knowing He is the key to this life
and the next. Heart Check.
Are
you a true follower? Do you follow Jesus
to satisfy physical, emotional, or relational
needs? Or do you follow Him because you
know that He is the only way to true life
both here on earth and in heaven?
Deep
Dive
How
does Jesus’ referral to Himself as the Bread
of Life deepen your understanding of what
He came to do?
How
does Jesus satisfy our spiritual hunger
and thirst?
If
Jesus wanted us to put more emphasis on
the spiritual work that He does, where does
the physical work that we do come in to
play? At what point?
Humans
are selfish by nature. How do we get to
a point of seeking Jesus for who He is and
not what He can do for us?
Why
do you think many of His disciples unfollowed
Jesus in the end? How do we see this play
out today?
How
might we handle di£icult teachings
that we may not agree with or that are hard
to accept?
Heavenly
Father, We
are here to seek you in spirit and in truth.
We
don’t come to you for what you can give
to us, but we come because we know that
you are the way, the truth, and the life,
and that no one can come to the Father except
through you. Thank you for making a way
for us when we didn’t deserve it.
I
thank you for the way that you are able
to take the smallest things and turn them
into something miraculous. We trust in you
for provision, especially when things seem
to be impossible. If we are struggling in
the weeds of the details, will you lift
us up out of the micro environment and bring
us to the 30,000’ level so we can see the
greater picture of what you want to do,
both in our lives and in the lives of others
as it relates to your greater purpose. We
know that you can multiply fish and bread,
so you can multiply what little we have
to offer.
Forgive
us if we have sought after anything other
than you to satisfy our souls. We know and
declare that you truly are the Bread of
Life, meaning you sustain us, you fill us
up, you nourish our spirits, and you make
us hunger for more. I pray that we will
hunger and thirst for you above all other
things. Draw us close, and as we come near,
we trust that you will pull us in even further.
We want to grow deeper in our relationship
with you, so please fill us with your Presence
and love.
When
we hit the roadblocks or enter the storms
of life, I pray that the thing we look for
is you. Sometimes we don’t sense that you
are with us, and we feel like we are rowing
and getting nowhere, but once we fix our
focus, there you are telling us not to fear.
Thank you for that reassurance. Your Presence
is all we need to calm every fear, so we
welcome you in with gladness knowing that
you will bring us to the other side every
single time.
So
we shift our focus today off of the temporary
things of this world and on to the eternal.
Each day begins and ends with you, so I
pray that we will come to you daily and
consistently consuming the true food and
drink. It is only by your Word that we are
able to sustain this life in every realm.
Thank you for being the perfect atoning
sacrifice for us to make this possible.
I pray that you will continue to reveal
yourself to us and keep us steadfast, especially
in the harder to understand teachings.
Or
if there is an offense that we feel
in our spirits, may we not react with frustration,
but come to you first so that we can respond
with faith and perseverance rather than
emotion.
I
pray that we will have faith like Peter—one
that is always willing to follow you wherever
you go. There’s no better path than the
one that is being illuminated right in front
of us. So may we follow after you all the
days of our lives.
Matthew
15, Jesus confronts the Pharisees after
they accuse Him of not following the ceremonial
handwashing traditions. He teaches that
it is not what goes into the mouth that
defiles a person, but what comes out, revealing
the heart's condition.
Later,
a Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus to heal
her daughter from demon possession, and
her faith leads to her daughter’s healing.
The chapter ends with Jesus feeding 4,000
people, emphasizing His compassion and miraculous
provision.
Mark
7, The Pharisees accuse Jesus of ignoring
ceremonial traditions. Jesus rebukes them,
highlighting that their traditions have
made them hypocrites, focusing on external
purity rather than the purity of the heart.
A
Syro-Phoenician woman seeks Jesus’ help
for her demon-possessed daughter, and Jesus
honors her faith. Additionally, He heals
a deaf and mute man, demonstrating His divine
authority and power to heal.
PATIENCE
IN TEACHING | Matthew 15:10-20
Even
though Jesus was a little frustrated that
they hadn't understood this truth yet, He
didn’t just leave it at a rebuke and say,
“I wash my hands of these disciples.” No.
We see His compassionate heart, even when
His disciples were slow to understand. In
another version, He says, “Are you so dull?”
or “Are you so hard-headed?” It’s like,
how do you still not get it?
How
do we respond when others around us don’t
seem to understand spiritual truths? Are
we quick to lose patience or are we willing
to meet them where they are, as Jesus did
with His disciples?
WELCOMING
| Matthew 15:21-28
Now,
I love this part with the Canaanite woman.
Jesus turns to His disciples and says, “I
came for the lost sheep of Israel,” acknowledging
that His mission was first to the Jews.
But what’s incredible is her humility. She’s
not part of the covenant promise, but she
still approaches Jesus in faith. Jesus challenges
her, but she responds perfectly.
When
He says it’s not right to take the children’s
bread and throw it to the dogs, He uses
a term that means a household pet, something
endearing. It’s not a stray dog or something
dirty; it’s a loved and cared-for pet. She
doesn’t take o£ense. Instead, she
says, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs.” She
knows she’s not part of the promise, but
she’s humbling herself before God.
Are
we like the disciples, quick to judge and
dismiss those we consider unworthy of God’s
grace? How can we show the same compassion
that Jesus did?
GRATITUDE
& TRUST | Matthew 15:36
Next,
in the feeding of the 4,000, I love this
detail: even Jesus gives thanks before breaking
the bread. Even Jesus, the Lord incarnate,
thanked His Heavenly Father before the miracle.
That’s a lesson for us! Do we stop and give
thanks for all God provides, even when the
resources seem slim?
Do
we give thanks for all the ways God provides,
especially in difficult seasons? Are we trusting
that He will feed and equip us spiritually
as we walk out our faith?
DEFILEMENT
FROM WITHIN | Mark 7:1-13
Jesus
also points out that it’s what comes out
of a person that defiles them, not what
goes in. This is a key moment where He’s
saying it’s not about external rituals.
We need internal transformation. You can
be outwardly clean but inwardly a mess.
It’s the stu£ in our hearts—our thoughts,
words, and attitudes—that really matters.
We must guard against that.
Are
we focusing more on external rituals or
internal purity? How can we guard our hearts
from sin that grows from within rather than
worrying about external appearances?
TRADITIONS
VS GOD’S WORD | Mark 7:1-6
Lastly,
this part about traditions is important.
Are
the traditions we hold on to truly biblical,
or are they man-made? In my own home, my
husband and I came from di£erent religious
backgrounds, and at first, there were traditions
he practiced that I didn’t fully agree with.
But over time, after reading the Bible cover
to cover, we came to a unified understanding
that traditions shouldn’t replace the simplicity
of the gospel.
And
one quick side note—Jesus didn’t say anything
about hygiene. Yes, washing your hands is
important for health, but here, He’s focused
on spiritual cleanliness, not physical hygiene.
Are
we allowing traditions, rules, or human
expectations to become equal to God’s Word
in our lives? How can we remove man-made
legalism and return to the simplicity of
the Gospel?
Deep
Dive
How
does Jesus' teaching about inner purity
challenge our focus on outward appearances
and rituals today?
What
does the Canaanite woman’s faith teach us
about humility and persistence in prayer?
In
what ways can man-made traditions distract
us from the true essence of God’s Word?
How do we safeguard against this?
Why
is Jesus’ patience with His disciples in
both rebuke and teaching a model for how
we should approach discipleship today?
How
do the feeding of the 4,000 and Jesus' continual
healings emphasize His compassion and provision?
How can we trust God’s provision in our
own lives?
Heavenly
Father, we
come before You with hearts open, seeking
to understand and live out the truths found
in Your Word.
We
acknowledge that, like the Pharisees, we
often get caught up in man-made rules, traditions,
and external appearances. Help us to remember
that what truly matters is the condition
of our hearts before You. Teach us to focus
on the purity that comes from within and
to rid ourselves of any sin that takes root
in our lives.
Lord,
we thank You for Your patience with us.
We see in Your response to the disciples
that You understand our shortcomings and
that You are always willing to guide us
when we don’t understand. Help us to have
a teachable spirit and the willingness to
ask for help when we need it. Let us also
have the same compassion and patience with
others as they grow in their faith, knowing
that we are all on a journey toward deeper
understanding.
Father,
we ask for Your heart when we encounter
those whom we might deem unworthy of Your
grace. Like the Canaanite woman, give us
the humility to approach You with faith,
knowing that Your mercy extends to all.
Help us to be inclusive and compassionate,
refiecting Your love to everyone, regardless
of background or status.
We
are reminded, Lord, of Your constant provision.
Just as You fed the multitudes, You provide
for us spiritually each day. We give thanks
for the blessings in our lives and ask that
You continue to feed us with Your Word,
so we do not grow weary or faint on our
journey of faith.
May
we walk confidently, knowing that You are
always with us, equipping us for the task
ahead. Finally, Lord, guide us as we seek
to follow You in both word and deed. Let
us not be distracted by the noise of the
world or the burdens of human expectations.
Instead, let us cling to Your truth and
Your Word, trusting that You are all we
need.
Matthew
16, The religious leaders of Israel press
Jesus to provide a sign that He is the Messiah
they have awaited. The disciples are warned
to beware of false doctrines spoken by the
religious leaders and asked who they believe
Jesus' true identity is. Jesus reveals the
mission of the Messiah and what His followers
should expect to encounter when they give
their lives to Him.
Mark
8, The power of Jesus feeds a multitude
of four thousand people.The Pharisees test
Jesus' claim that God sent him and a man
is cured of his blindness. Simon declares
his belief in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus
reveals the Messiah's true mission and what
is expected of those who choose to follow
Him.
MIRACLES
& SIGNS | Matthew 16:1-4
Jesus
could’ve easily called down fire or sent
another plague just to tickle their fancy,
but He knew where their hearts were. After
all, He had just fulfilled hundreds of prophecies
and performed amazing miracles, yet their
hearts were so hardened that nothing would
convince them at this point. Not even a
miracle in the sky would change anything.
If
our hearts are waiting for Jesus to prove
Himself to us before we fully believe or
commit ourselves, it will never happen because
He has already done it. If we are closed
o£ to what He’s already done and the
thousands of years that include testimony
after testimony, we will never gain any
more revelation.
But
when we are open to the miracles of God,
we will begin to see them everywhere. Heart
Check.
Are
you waiting on God to prove Himself to you?
Or are you able to see His miracles all
around you?
DECLARATION
| Matthew 16:13-17
This
confession was a big deal because it was
not based on life circumstances or emotions.
Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ
because the Father revealed it to Him. He
didn’t profess His faith because he had
seen miracles or had his prayers answered.
Many
people will start going to church because
something is wrong or something incredible
happened to them. But the moment their circumstances
change, their feelings take over, and they
stop going. The church is not made up of
the fickle. The church Jesus is talking
about are those who have made a decision
and a declaration to follow Him because
He is the Christ. Those are the ones who
the power and forces of evil will not overcome.
Heart Check.
Have
you made this declaration and decision that
you will follow Jesus because He is the
Son of God and the Christ? Or are you following
Him because you need Him to do something
for you?
SET
YOUR MIND | Matthew 16:21-23
Even
though Peter decided to follow Christ and
had declared publicly and in his heart that
Jesus was indeed the Messiah, it didn’t
keep him from doing squirrely things because
he was still human after all. And Jesus
strongly rebukes him here because he stood
in the way of what needed to happen. Because
he was only thinking short-term and focused
on the opinions and actions of man, he was
completely missing what God was doing.
If
we are only focused on the things around
us and not on how God is always working
them for our good, we just might get in
the way of what God is trying to do. Heart
Check.
Where
have you set your mind? On things of God
or things of man?
WORKING
WORDS | Mark 8:31-33
Before
this, Jesus had just a£irmed Peter’s
ability to hear from the Father, which may
have led to Peter having confidence and
comfort with Jesus, leading him to take
his authority a little too far. Earlier,
he was acting as a messenger of God when
he professed that Jesus was the Christ and
the Son of God, and now he just as quickly
acted as a messenger of Satan.
A
lot of the time, we don’t realize how easily
our words can be used as tools for either
side. When people send me messages or receive
letters in my P.O. Box, it is often an encouraging
word that I need at that very moment. And
then there are the sideline critics who
come to attack without good reason, and
they likely don’t realize that they are
working for the devil when they decide to
spew hateful words. Heart Check.
Do
you ever consider who your words are working
for?
Deep
Dive
How
does recognizing Jesus as the Messiah impact
the way you live on a day-to-day basis?
What
steps can you take to strengthen your spiritual
foundation and ensure you are building on
the Rock of Ages and not on the things of
this world?
What
have we been given authority over to bind
and loose (forbid and permit)?
What
expectations might you have of God that
limits your ability to see things clearly?
How
can we live more boldly for Christ, especially
when it is unpopular or unaccepted?
How
can we prioritize our spiritual health over
temporary achievements or worldly success?
Jesus,
we declare that you are indeed the Son of
God, the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.
Help us to live each day with full recognition
but also application of this belief. This
is the foundation of everything we will
do as we walk out our lives on this earth.
We recognize the way you have fulfilled
the prophetic and cannot deny that you are
the Lamb of God who gave up everything for
our sake. Where we have fallen short of
seeing this, I pray for greater understanding
so that we stop seeking for more signs or
for you to prove yourself to us. You have
gone above and beyond, not because you were
trying to convince us, but because you love
us and your greatest desire is to do the
Father’s will, which was to bring us back
home. Thank you for doing that. You didn’t
have to.
Heighten
our discernment of any “leaven” that may
be making its way into our thoughts or hearts.
We know that it only takes a little, so
may we leave no room for any misguidance.
I pray that we will fill ourselves up with
your truth and your Spirit so nothing else
can invade. Increase our faith to continue
to believe everything that you have spoken
and done, and may we never forget it.
You
are our solid rock, our firm foundation,
our Cornerstone, and our Rock of Ages. It
is upon you that we build our own lives
so that we can be the living stones of your
church. It isn’t our pastor’s church or
anyone else’s. It’s your church. What an
honor it is to be a part of it. Thank you
for the reminder that the gates of hell
shall never prevail against it, which means
that they will not prevail against us.
Rea£irm
the authority that you have given us to
be able to forbid evil and sin and to permit
liberty, joy, and love. And as we walk in
that authority, we pave the way for others
to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Help
us to set our minds on things above, and
not just on the things of this world or
the things of man. We know that we all fall
short, just as Peter did, but your grace
covers us in our times of weakness. We know
that we can get in our own way, so please
forgive us if we have ever resisted what
you were trying to do in and through us.
Give us the strength and direction to submit
fully to your plans. Thank you for providing
for our every need, just the way that you
did with the multitudes. I pray that we
will always recognize where every blessing
comes from and always have a heart of gratitude,
even in the smallest of things.
Open
our spiritual eyes today so that we can
see more clearly. We know that sometimes
this is a gradual process, so help us to
have grace on ourselves and not give up
so easily when we feel like we are missing
the mark or falling behind. You always touched
people in such personal ways, and we know
that you are doing the same with us. You
can work in the unexpected, so I pray that
we won’t be so closed o£ by our own
expectations or ideas of how you work. Please
continue to lead us into a deeper awareness
of your power and love, and may our actions,
words, and decisions align with our confession
that you are Lord of our lives.
We
know that you have called us to take up
our cross and follow you, which means we
may be subjected to shame, rejection, or
maybe even some su£ering, but in enduring
that and in denying ourselves, we will find
true life. Forgive us for ever prioritizing
our own comfort over obedience. Sometimes
we struggle to surrender our plans to your
will because we simply don’t understand
it. But please show us how to surrender
our desires, ambitions, dreams, and our
daily lives to you. You have set before
us a path that will prosper us and not harm
us, so may we not lose our footing along
the way. Show us what it means to carry
our cross daily and to follow you with a
heart full of faith and trust. Give us an
eternal perspective so that we can see things
from that 30,000’ level. We know and trust
that nothing in this world is worth losing
our souls. You are our everything so may
we seek your Kingdom above all.
Matthew
17, Peter, James, and John follow Jesus
as He climbs a high mountain and is transformed
so that His face shines like the sun and
His clothes are as white as light. Moses
and Elijah are seen standing talking with
Jesus, and a voice from heaven declares
Jesus God's beloved Son.
The
disciples discuss with Jesus it being written
that Elijah must come before the Son of
Man. Jesus casts out a demon from a boy
that His disciples cannot, providing a valuable
lesson of faith. The disciples are confronted
about the temple tax.
Mark
9, Mark tells the account he heard of Jesus'
transfiguration on the mountain. He recalls
Peter, James, and John admitting to the
appearance of Elijah and Moses standing
with Jesus and Peter's wrong assumption
out of fear.
The
disciples' lack of faith prevents them from
saving a boy from the demons that plague
him. Jesus steps in and casts out the demon.
Jesus reminds the twelve disciples of His
mission as the Messiah.
The
disciples argue among themselves who will
be considered the greatest in the kingdom
of God. Jesus corrects their thinking to
be more heaven-minded.
VOICE
FOR TOMORROW | Matthew 17:1-13
Jesus
often pulled Peter, James, and John aside
and prepared them for something yet to come.
He would speak a word, and they would be
amazed because it wouldn’t make sense in
the context of that particular day. But
lo and behold, come a week later, that very
word that Jesus spoke would come to fruition,
and then they would be like, “That’s what
He meant when He said…”
How
many times do we experience this when we
read God’s Word and, a few days later, recall
something He spoke to our hearts and realize
that He was preparing us for this very moment?
But
if we aren’t open to that preparation and
just skim-read, thinking, “Nothing is speaking
to me today,” then we will likely remain
discouraged because we will miss the personal
words that He speaks to us. His Word is
alive and active and spans all time, meaning
what is spoken today is true for tomorrow
and the next days, all throughout eternity.
I recommend taking notes and writing them
down, because our minds are fickle. Heart
Check.
How
much preparation do you see the Lord doing
in you through His Word? Are you open to
hearing His voice for tomorrow?
MOVING
MOUNTAINS | Matthew 17:20
If
faith is the size of a mustard seed, it
can move mountains, and Jesus called the
disciples’ faith “little,” which tells me
they were possibly trying to cast out this
demon on their own strength. We all have
mountains in our lives—those situations
seem impossible, too hard, or too lofty
for us to overcome. And the truth is, it
is impossible… without Jesus.
But
if we have the smallest amount of genuine
faith that brings us to our knees in prayer,
what begins to shift is our perspective.
The
mountain will suddenly become smaller as
our God becomes greater. Our position changes,
and we move from a place of discouragement
as He lifts us up to higher ground to now
see above the peaks. Our posture changes
from hanging our heads to looking up at
the One who can get us over the hill. We
move mountains when we put our faith into
motion. Heart Check.
What
is mounting up in your life? How big is
your faith and how have you put it into
motion?
SERVANT
HEART | Mark 9:35
This
is a big challenge that Jesus is proposing
to be the last of all and servant of all.
This is known as a paradox—a statement that
goes against human logic. It is more human
nature to be the greatest of all and to
be served. No one likes to be in last place,
and the words “servant” or “slave” have
a bad taste in most of our mouths. But Jesus
wants us to embrace this way of living because
it refiects His nature.
I
was talking to my children about this yesterday
after a young girl approached me in our
bagel shop and asked what I did for a living.
She saw me editing on Adobe Premiere, and
as an aspiring filmmaker, her curiosity
was piqued. So we chatted a bit, and I offered
to help her however I could. And my kids
later asked why I always do these things
for free.
That
was an excellent opportunity to explain
this concept of “it is more blessed to give
than to receive.” But I also explained that
when you take on this kind of heart, the
Lord gives you favor in so many other ways,
and they fully understand because that has
been proven in our family. Heart Check.
Where
are you on the greatness scale? Do you truly
have a servant’s heart? Or are you striving
to “make it” so you can be served?
KINDNESS
| Mark 9:41
Jesus
is showing us to not only be hospitable
but also generous to everyone around us,
not just Christians. Even the smallest acts
of kindness will be rewarded in heaven.
Heart Check.
How
might you show kindness to someone today?
TRULY
GREAT | Mark 9
In
the end, Jesus has just shown the disciples
how to be truly great:
1. Treat
all men equally, especially when they can
do nothing for you.
2. Be
kind, especially to those outside your holy
huddle.
3. Be
sensitive to others’ weaknesses
4. Deal
with yourself radically
5. Live
peaceably with all men.
Heart
Check.
Knowing
what it means to be truly great, how great
are you? What area might you be able to
work on?
Deep
Dive
The
transfiguration was a glimpse at the glory
of God. How does God reveal His glory to
us or give us glimpses of heaven?
The
disciples often needed further explanation
when Jesus spoke. How does this strengthen
your faith when you don’t understand, and
how can you seek better clarity through
scripture and prayer?
How
can we overcome unbelief or doubt?
Why
is Jesus’ teaching on greatness so di£erent
from the world’s view? How can we truly
wrap our minds around this and teach it
to others?
Heavenly
Father, You
told us to listen to your Son, so here we
are with our ears peeled to your Word.
We
stand in awe of your glory that is revealed
to us through it but also in the way that
you open up the windows of heaven and give
us a glimpse every day. I pray that our
eyes are open to be able to see it. Help
us to see you more clearly each day so that
we can follow your leading in everything
we do. And should we fall down in dismay,
we thank you for the way that you always
come to lift our heads and reassure us that
we need not fear. We don’t want to miss
your glory because we are too wrapped up
in our sorrow.
Forgive
us for any times when we may have doubted
or had little to no faith in what you could
do in the impossible. Please strengthen
our faith so that we can overcome any challenge
that we face. I pray that we will continually
store up your Word in our hearts so that
when we do end up at the base of the mountain,
we will be able to get to our knees and
recall every promise that you have spoken
along the way. Thank you for preparing us
for what is yet to come. Help us to hear
your voice for tomorrow and store up your
promises so that we will be able to shift
our perspective when something seems immoveable.
Give us the courage to face di£iculties
with confidence, knowing that you are always
with us.
Please
teach us humility and help us to display
it the way that you did. I pray that we
won’t only act out of obligation, but rather
serve others and act with love and grace
so that we refiect your heart. I pray that
we will be a people who always strive for
unity and avoid unnecessary confiict or
o£ense. We are called to be the light
in dark places, so I pray that we will be
just that and never snu£ out the light
in others.
We
bring you every struggle, I pray that we
will be like those parents and friends who
were wild in their pursuit of you when they
were interceding on behalf of others. We
know that like the father who cried out,
“Help my unbelief,” there are times when
we struggle with a little bit of doubt.
But help us to fully trust in your power,
especially in the overwhelming moments of
life when things seem impossible. We know
that all things are possible for those who
believe. So we will continue to be persistent
in prayer, knowing that sometimes it is
necessary to keep us close to you.
Help
us to understand the true meaning of greatness
and to live it out with humble servant hearts
that are willing to serve others. Help us
to put others’ needs above our own and to
treat everyone with kindness, especially
those who cannot do anything for us in return.
I pray that our eyes will be open to see
who is in our boat and stop finding reasons
to sink it. If they are not against Biblical
teaching, then we know that are with us
on the same mission. Show us how we can
share truth in love always.
If
there is anything on our path that may cause
us to stumble, help us to deal radically
with it. I pray that we will not be a stumbling
block for others. We want our lives to bring
you glory in everything we do so that we
can lead others to know you as well. So
keep us salty, preserving your Word in our
hearts and changing the fiavor of the rooms
we walk into. May we be a people who strive
for unity and be at peace with all men.
Let it be done.
Matthew
18, The disciples argue about who they think
is the greatest of the twelve and who will
be elevated when the kingdom of God is ushered
in.
Themes
of humility, forgiveness, and God's character
are discussed. Confiict should be avoided
whenever possible, and how to deal with
sin within the community of believers is
also stated.
Jesus
compares sin and God's forgiveness to a
debt owed between servants and masters.
CHILDISH
VS CHILDLIKE | Matthew 18:1-4
The
disciples were being childish and petty
in their fight for greatness. When Jesus
says to be like a child, this isn’t Him
telling us to be petty, but instead having
that innocence of a child before they are
corrupted in their minds by society.
This
is a call to humility, sincerity, sensitivity,
and simplicity. He doesn’t want us to be
concerned about social status, nor does
he want us to have critical or cynical spirits.
When I sit at the park and watch all the
kids playing, it is one of the most beautiful
things to see children running around with
so much freedom. They have smiles on their
faces, they’re laughing, and it’s as if
there are no cares in the world.
That’s
what our Father wants to see in us when
He looks down from Heaven. Heart Check.
What
does the Father see when He looks at you?
Are you the one joyfully running around
on the playground with a childlike spirit?
Or is there childish behavior and concern
with petty issues?
CUT
IT OUT | Matthew 18:7-9
Again,
this is not a call to self-harm, but rather
a command to cut o£ any stumbling
blocks that may be causing you to sin. This
could be a relationship that is ungodly,
going to places that are filled with temptation,
habits that need to be broken, or any other
practice that leads to sin, whether it is
something you’re watching, scrolling through,
or reading. Heart Check.
Is
there anything in your life that is causing
you to sin that needs to be cut off or cut
out?
FORGIVE
| Matthew 18:23-35
In
the end, this man failed to live by the
Golden Rule to do unto others as you would
have them do unto you. He had no problem
being on the receiving end of forgiveness
but once he was the one to have to dish
it out.
To
his defense, forgiveness is hard when we
are doing it on our own strength.
But
once we truly grasp and understand how completely
forgiven we are by Jesus, it becomes so
much easier, because in realizing how incredibly
undeserving we are, we can view others through
His eyes of grace. Jesus doesn’t owe us
anything, so we have a greater obligation
to forgive than He does. He payed all of
our debts. If we refuse to forgive others,
it’s as if we are saying that His payment
wasn’t enough, and we set ourselves above
His law of love.
So
it is our duty as Christians to forgive.
Heart Check.
Is
there someone you need to forgive today?
**It’s
also important to point out that we are
not God, and therefore, forgiveness can
be one-sided, meaning repentance is not
necessary for us to forgive someone. We
can also forgive without physically reconciling,
because not every relationship is approved
by God or beneficial, especially if we are
still weak or fragile. So we can reconcile
in our spirits and forgive someone without
maintaining an unhealthy relationship with
them.
Deep
Dive
How
can we cultivate humility?
Who
does the “one” out of 99 represent? How
can we be like Christ in going after them?
What
is the danger of harboring resentment?
How
do we demonstrate forgiveness? What does
it look like practically?
What
are the benefits of two or three gathering
in His name?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for showing us what kingdom living looks
like.
We
know that the prerequisite of entering into
the kingdom of heaven is humility. Help
us to let go of any pride that may be hindering
us from having a childlike spirit. We want
to be like children who fully trust and
depend on their parents for everything they
need. We want to maintain an innocence and
purity so that we are not looking at the
world through scratched up lenses.
Help
us to live that simple and free life that
radiates joy. And may we be examples to
those younger than us, never causing them
to stumble, but leading them in the way
everlasting. Protect our children, Lord.
Protect the innocence of their minds and
spirits. Where the enemy is trying to infiltrate
in their schools and wherever their eyes
land, we bind that spirit of deceitfulness
and plead for your angels to watch over
and protect them.
Show
us if there is anything in our lives that
may be causing us to stumble. Give us the
tools to cut it off or cut it out of our
lives. We know that these things are hindrances
to our relationship with you and with others.
We want to live our lives in holiness and
righteousness so that we can shine your
light and love to the world.
Thank
you for seeking us out when we were lost.
We are so grateful for the way that you
love us both collectively and individually.
Your unconditional love is so beautifully
on display, so help us to have that same
kind of heart, that goes after those who
are wandering and never stops seeking them
out. I pray that when they return, we will
receive them with joy and not with condemnation.
Please
help us to be forgiving, just the way that
you have been with us. Free our hearts from
any bitterness or resentment that we may
be harboring. We were so undeserving of
your forgiveness, yet you poured out your
life to pay our debts.
Please
give us the courage to do the same for others
as we grant forgiveness, even if someone
is unwilling to make things right. May we
never forget the great mercy that you have
shown us, and please help us to extend that
to others. We can’t do it on our own, so
we plead for your help. Please fill us today
with compassion, grace, and love, and may
it fiow through us as we walk out our faith.
Help
us to be merciful and forgiving beyond measure.
Live with childlike spirit in humility like
children. Care about others by speaking
truth in love. Forgive others as you forgave
us. Apart from your Spirit working in our
hearts, we are bankrupt and unable to forgive.
Let these things be real in our lives
John
7, During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus
enters Jerusalem secretly to avoid the religious
leaders who are seeking His life.
When
He speaks in the synagogue of Jerusalem,
the religious leaders are suspicious of
Jesus' ability to read and understand doctrine
without a formal education. They suppose
He is crazy or at least possessed by a demon
and attempt to have Him arrested. The arrest
fails, and Nicodemus comes to speak to Jesus
under cover of the night.
John
8, As Jesus is teaching in the temple early
in the morning, and the religious leaders
bring to Him a woman caught in the act of
adultery. Hoping to trap Him in hypocrisy,
they ask if she should be stoned. Jesus
saves the woman from her accusers, and the
religious leaders walk away frustrated.
Jesus
declares Himself the Light of the world
and explains His dependence on the Father.
Jesus o£ers freedom to all and provides
clarification that descending from Abraham
is not enough to save a person. He questions
and challenges them to examine if their
hearts belong to God or if they are in opposition
to Him.
Jesus
declares He is the I AM.
DOOR
OF OBEDIENCE | John 7:17
So
many of us want knowledge, wisdom, and revelation
from the Lord. Jesus gives us the key right
here to how to get it—do the will of the
Father, and then you will know.
Even
though I have been reading and studying
the Bible for more than 30 years, the knowledge
and revelation I have gained these past
two years has far surpassed the collective
knowledge I gained throughout my life. I
know it’s because I am right in the center
of His will for my life. It has nothing
to do with my ability. Obedience will open
the door to revelation. Heart Check.
Are
you doing His will? Is He revealing Himself
to you through the open door of obedience?
SET
FOCUS | John 7:31-36
Jesus
often dumbfounded the Pharisees because,
in their minds, He was controversial, and
they thought His words were incendiary.
But Jesus was not afraid of His words starting
fires because His mind was set on heaven,
and He didn’t fear man. The problem with
most of us is that we create undue anxiety
within ourselves, and most of the time,
we can trace it to fear of man.
But
when we set our focus on heaven and we begin
to do the will of the Father, there is a
di£erent orientation, where you will
be able to operate in more authority and
boldness just the way that Jesus did. Heart
Check.
Where
is your focus set?
CASTING
JUDGMENT | John 8:7
This
is yet another teaching on looking inward
before you try to point out everyone else’s
sin. Jesus wasn’t going against the Law
here—He told them they could stone her for
this capital o£ense, but the one to
cast the first stone would need to be sinless.
In
doing this, He is focusing their attention
on mercy and forgiveness. This is our role
as Christians—to show love, mercy, compassion,
and forgiveness. The role of the Father
is to judge. If we are quick to pass judgment
on people, we are acting as though we are
sinless. Heart Check.
Are
you quick to pass judgment on others? Do
you consider your own sin first? How much
mercy, compassion, and forgiveness do you
offer?
IDENTITY
| John 8:12-20
Jesus
is once again fiashing the credentials that
the Pharisees were asking for earlier. He
is telling them that He does these things
by the authority and witness of His Father.
Sadly, they don’t accept this type of identification,
but it doesn’t sway Jesus either way, because
He’s so secure in His identity.
I’ve
been getting quite a few requests lately
for my “credentials.” This is something
that used to intimidate me, knowing that
I had no o£icial piece of paper that
“qualified me” to do ministry… but I do.
I have 1500 pages of qualification right
here in His Word. The only credential we
need is the truth of God’s Word and knowing
what He has commissioned us to do, which
is to go throughout the world and teach
people His Word. Knowing that I am the daughter
of the King of Kings is all the security
I need. Heart Check.
Are
you secure in your identity?
Deep
Dive
How
important is divine timing? How can we cultivate
patience when waiting on the Lord?
How
might we create an environment where people
feel safe to express their possible di£ering
beliefs without fear of judgment?
How
do you react when others challenge your
beliefs? How should we react?
What
spiritual disciplines can keep us filled
with the Living Water? How can we pour it
out for others?
What
does the light of Christ mean to you? How
is His light on display in the world?
How
can we be set free from sin that we feel
enslaved by?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for the truth of your Word that sets
us free.
Every
Word you speak and everything you do is
always right on time. You are never early,
never late, so I pray that we will have
patience in waiting for your plans, knowing
that you are working them for our good.
Give us the wisdom we need to see your hand
at work in all things and keep us humble
and open to correction always.
Jesus,
you always showed so much constraint, calmness,
and patience, so please help us to be the
same. Even when your own brothers didn’t
believe in you, you still displayed so much
grace and compassion. I pray that we will
be the same, especially when we face misunderstanding
or opposition. Help us to remain faithful,
with our eyes focused on you so that we
do not seek the approval of man. You are
the only identification we need, so please
secure us in our faith and identity today.
As
we set our focus and obey, we know that
you will reveal even more of yourself to
us. We want more of you and less of the
chaos of this world. Fill us afresh today
so that all fear, doubt, and anxieties will
fiee. May your Living Water fiow over us,
in us, and through us so that we can not
only experience the fullness of your Presence,
but so that we can also bring it with us
everywhere we go. We want to be a people
who refresh others and bring joy and peace
into the room. That will come when we walk
in your Spirit.
We
thank you for the love and compassion that
you showed the woman who was caught in adultery.
In a way, we are all like her. We have all
sinned and have felt the heaviness of shame
when we are caught in our sin.
But
we have also experienced the freedom of
your forgiveness as you poured out your
grace and mercy. I pray that we will do
the same for others. We don’t want to put
more shackles on people—we want to set them
free! Show us how to do that, for it is
only by your Spirit that it will be done.
But we can help to guide them to you. Let
us be examples of what it means to truly
walk in freedom, leaving behind anything
that holds us back from living fully for
you.
If
there is anything that is holding us captive
today, set us free. Break the chains so
we can grab hold of you and live in the
joy and peace that only you can give. We
want to hear your truth in its fullness
so please remove any jealousy, pride, or
lies of the devil that are keeping us from
hearing from you.
I
pray that your light will shine brightly
in our lives. Illuminate the dark corners
of our hearts and guide us in your truth
as we walk in your footsteps that are before
us. In you, there is no darkness, so may
we abide in you and you in us so that others
will see your goodness and be drawn to your
love.
Jesus,
you are the Light of the World and the Great
I Am. I pray that this will be the foundation
of our lives as we walk in the confidence
and authority of your power, love, and sovereignty
over all things. We pray these things in
the mighty name of Jesus.
John
9, The disciples encounter a blind man and
question what sin could have caused him
to be born blind. Jesus corrects their misguided
thinking and gives sight to the blind man.
The
Pharisees question the formerly blind man
and how he gained his sight. They are furious
with his answer and defense of Jesus and
excommunicate him from the temple. The man
comes to faith in who Jesus is, and Jesus
discusses who the truly blind in this world
are.
John
10, In this chapter, Jesus examines the
relationship between shepherds and their
sheep. Jesus claims He has power over life
and death and is once again accused of being
demon-possessed.
The
Feast of Dedication is celebrated in Jerusalem,
and the religious leaders confront Jesus
about being the promised Messiah. Jesus
declares Himself and the Father are One.
Jesus
travels beyond the Jordan River, and many
people believe in Him as their Messiah.
ANALYZING
PROBLEMS | John 9:1-4
Rather
than figuring out how to help this blind
man, the disciples just wanted to know how
he got into this position. They assumed
that either his sin or his family’s sin
caused this condition.
We
can easily say, “That’s so insensitive,”
but how many of us do this?
When
we see people begging on the streets, we
talk about their addiction or bad choices
that landed them here. Or even if we get
sick or stumble upon hard times, many times
we will think, “What have I done wrong?”
But Jesus simply says, “We need to help
him while we can.” Heart Check.
When
you see a problem or someone in need, do
you analyze why they’re in the position
they’re in? Or do you simply help them where
you can without question?
ONE
THING | John 9:25
Whether
this man was afraid to state the whole truth
about who Jesus was or he simply didn’t
know, one thing he was not afraid to say
is what Jesus did for him.
As
the days roll on, it seems that Christians
are being confronted more and more with
social issues that put us in a position
to potentially be chastised by the masses,
especially if we don’t have a firm footing
on what God’s Word says about these issues.
But where we can absolutely stand firm without
anyone reviling us is how Jesus has changed
our lives. We should be able to pinpoint
at least the one thing He has done to turn
our lives around. Heart Check.
Fill
in the blanks with your personal encounter
with Jesus: I was ___________ but now I _.
TRUE
LEADERSHIP | John 10:1-6
The
word being used here for shepherd is the
same word that translates to pastor. In
these first six verses, Jesus describes
Himself as a shepherd and declares what
authentic leadership looks like under pastoral
care.
So
true leaders are called by God. They gain
their position through proper entry, they
know their fiock, and the fiock knows them.
They gently lead rather than lording over
people, and they go before the fiock, meaning
they will never call their people to do
something or go somewhere that they wouldn’t
do or go to.
On
the fiip side, false teachers or leaders
will gain positions for their own glory
through political means, manipulation, or
even corruption. Because they hold themselves
so “above” others, they won’t be aware of
the condition of their fiock, they won’t
be accessible, and they won’t lead but instead
lord over their people. They will be pushy,
demanding, and sometimes even outright abusive.
Heart Check.
What
kind of leadership are you under? Or what
kind of leader are you?
THE
ABUNDANT LIFE | John 10:11
We
could spend all day talking about the abundant
life. The Greek word for abundant is perissos,
which implies a surplus, meaning you have
more than enough to live out your life here
on earth before it is fully completed in
heaven. The abundant life on earth isn’t
a promise of ease or comfort but a life
of contentment.
It
knows that no matter what, Jesus will meet
your every need, and because so, you will
have a larger view of life and more vision,
the gifts and abilities to carry it out,
and a deep-rooted joy that will bring full
satisfaction.
It’s
the ability to rise above life’s more challenging
circumstances while keeping your eyes focused
on the Shepherd and listening for His voice,
knowing He is guiding and protecting you.
It’s a rested life that has peace that surpasses
all understanding. And the person who lives
the abundant life lives to honor the True
Shepherd. Heart Check.
How
abundant is your life?
Deep
Dive
How
can Jesus turn di£iculties to opportunities
for His glory?
What
caused the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees?
How can this still happen with Christians?
Note
the progression of the blind man’s faith.
Map out your faith progression. How do you
truly view Jesus?
How
can we better recognize the voice of Jesus
in our lives?
How
can we guard against false shepherds?
How
does Jesus’ declaration of being one with
the Father better shape your understanding
of who He is?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for your healing touch.
We
are all here because we were once spiritually
blind but now we can see. We see how you
have redeemed our failures and set us free
from the bondage of sin. We see you power
on display through your Word and in our
lives. Please continue to open our eyes
so that we can see how you are continuing
to pour out your Spirit and do the miraculous
all over the world. Give us faith to believe
in your purpose, especially when it doesn’t
make sense. And I pray that instead of focusing
on what is wrong or what is failing, please
help us to open ourselves up to you so that
you can use those things for your glory.
If
we are blind in any way, please transform
our hearts. Remove anything that is keeping
us from being able to see you clearly or
from being able to understand your will
and purpose. Show us where we may need a
healing touch and I pray that we will be
responsive when you tell us to go and wash.
Thank you for the cleansing and purifying
power of your Holy Spirit.
If
we ever come face to face with criticism
or doubt because of our faith, please give
us the courage to boldly stand firm so that
we can testify of your goodness. We want
to be a living testimony to be able to tell
others that we were once blind but now we
can see! We want the world to see you, so
that your love and grace can grow in exponential
ways. That is what would heal this broken
world.
We
pray for breakthrough today for those who
are waiting on a miracle. Even if they don’t
see a miraculous healing, I pray that there
would be breakthrough in their faith and
ability to see your mighty hand that is
working in and through them. Give us all
patience to endure in the times of waiting,
and in the meantime, may our ears be extra
sensitive to the leading of your voice.
You
are indeed the True and Good Shepherd who
has laid down His life for His fiock. We
are your sheep and we are listening for
your voice. Thank you for calling us distinctly
by name and leading us beside still waters.
You restore our souls!
Thank
you for loving us, protecting us, and guiding
us with so much grace and love. I pray that
we will not be led astray by the deceitful
voice of the those who come to steal and
destroy.
We
surrender every fear and doubt to you today
that says we are doomed for destruction.
We know whose hands we are in and we cannot
be snatched away. So we pray that while
we are here, we will live the abundant life,
knowing that you provide everything that
we need. We desire to live our lives with
purpose, peace, joy, and contentment. Show
us how to do that.
I
pray that our lives will be lived out in
such a way that bears witness to who you
are. I pray that we will honor our identity
in Christ by the way we treat others, and
in doing so, I pray that others will be
led to your throne of grace.
Thank
you for continuing to grow our understanding
of who you are. We worship you, our Lord
Jesus, and pray these things in your name.
In
Luke 10, Jesus appoints and sends out 72
disciples in pairs, instructing them to
prepare people for His arrival by proclaiming
God’s kingdom and healing the sick. He tells
them to travel light, focus on their mission,
and expect both welcoming and rejection.
On their return, the disciples rejoice over
the authority they've experienced, yet Jesus
reminds them to rejoice instead in their
salvation.
Jesus
then praises the Father for revealing spiritual
truths to the "childlike" and
shares the privilege of knowing God’s mysteries
with His disciples. In the parable of the
Good Samaritan, He teaches that true love
for one’s neighbor transcends social boundaries
and is shown through compassion and mercy.
The chapter concludes with Jesus visiting
Mary and Martha, where He commends Mary
for prioritizing spiritual closeness over
busyness, highlighting the value of listening
and being present with God.
PRAY
FOR LABORERS | Luke 10:1-3
Right
here, we have two key points that I want
to bring to your attention. As I was reading
through the commentary in Exalting Jesus
in Luke, they laid out a little instruction
list, so I want to make sure I give them
credit where credit is due—I try to do that
when I can remember. They said that Jesus
gives these 70 or 72 people instructions
throughout these next few chapters, five
to be precise. We’ve just read two of them.
The
first one was to pray earnestly. Yes, He
said, “Pray for the laborers, pray for them,
pray for their work, and pray for them to
come and do the work.” So, heart check:
Are
we preparing the way for Jesus in our own
circles? Are we willing to pray for laborers,
and what if we are the answer to that prayer?
BE
MEEK | Luke 10:1-3
The
second instruction was to go meekly. Did
you catch that? He said He was sending out
“lambs to the wolves.” When I’d read that
before, I didn’t quite understand it. But
now that I’m in this ministry, now that
I’m doing something more in the public eye,
I know that we are lambs, we are part of
His fiock, and He is our Shepherd. And as
we go and present this word—which we’ll
see later in the book of Luke—He didn’t
come for peace; He came for division. And
I won’t explain that yet because we’re getting
to that. But His word is meant for all,
even though not all will receive it. When
that happens, division will occur. Jesus
is that dividing line.
So,
the wolves are going to come out—including
our adversary, the enemy, who’s looking
for us and will attack us viciously sometimes.
We need to prepare our hearts to retaliate
like a lamb. So, heart check:
How
do we respond to opposition when we share
the gospel? Do we face it with the humility
of lambs, trusting in God’s protection?
RECEIVE
OR REJECT | Luke 10:5
Receiving
and Rejecting Peace: Jesus tells them to
o£er peace to every house they enter.
If they are welcomed, the peace will remain.
If they are rejected, they are to move on,
symbolically shaking the dust o£ their
feet. This shows that the message is more
important than forcing it upon others. Heart
Check:
How
do we react when others reject the gospel?
Do we shake off rejection and continue sharing
with others?
REJOICE
RIGHTLY | Luke 10:17-24
Later
on in verses 17–24, the disciples return,
celebrating their success in casting out
demons in Jesus’ name.But Jesus reminds
them not to rejoice in that power, but because
their names are “written in heaven.” It’s
important to keep our focus on what truly
matters. This reminder from Jesus points
us to where our deepest joy should be rooted,
in our salvation and our relationship with
God, rather than in earthly victories or
miracles. So let’s ask ourselves, heart
check:
Are
we fnding joy in the right things? Is our
deepest joy rooted in our salvation and
our relationship with God?
MYSTERY
REVEALED | Luke 10:21-24
Jesus
praises God for revealing His truths to
the childlike and humble, not to the wise
and clever. God delights in using the humble
and the teachable for His purposes. Heart
Check:
Do
we approach God’s Word with a humble, childlike
heart, or do we rely on our own wisdom and
intellect?
MYSTERY
REVEALED | Luke 10:38-42
Finally,
I’ll wrap up with a story from the end of
Luke 10, the story of Mary and Martha. Martha
was distracted by all she felt she needed
to do. While we are called to be good stewards
and serve others, Jesus is clear that our
service should not replace our spiritual
intimacy with Him.
Being
constantly busy can lead to worry and anxiety
if it’s not balanced by time with God. Martha’s
busyness caused her to miss the one necessary
thing—being in Jesus’ presence. And that’s
what Mary chose. So, heart check:
Are
we doing the “Martha” activities with a
“Mary” heart attitude? Are we finding time
to sit at Jesus' feet?
Deep
Dive
What
does it mean to pray for laborers in the
Kingdom of God? How can we be part of that
prayer and action?
Why
does Jesus refer to His disciples as lambs
among wolves? What does this teach us about
the nature of Christian mission and opposition?
Why
does Jesus emphasize peace when His disciples
enter homes? How can we practice bringing
peace into the places we are called to serve?
What
does Jesus’ statement about rejoicing in
our salvation teach us about our priorities
in ministry and life?
How
does Jesus’ thanksgiving for the Father’s
will highlight the importance of humility
and childlike faith in understanding God's
Kingdom?
Heavenly
Father, we
come before You with hearts full of gratitude
for the message of Luke 10.
Thank
You for sending out laborers into Your harvest
field, and for the reminder that we are
all called to share in this mission. Help
us to earnestly pray for more workers in
Your field, and to be willing to go where
You lead us. Lord, we acknowledge the dangers
we may face as lambs among wolves, but we
trust in Your protection and guidance. Strengthen
our hearts to remain humble, gentle, and
meek, knowing that Your power works through
our weakness.
Father,
we ask for peace to dwell in the homes we
enter and the conversations we have. May
we be vessels of Your peace, bringing hope
and light wherever we go. And if we face
rejection, grant us the grace to shake the
dust o£ our feet and continue in the
mission You have set before us.
Lord,
remind us not to find our worth in the works
we do, but in the fact that our names are
written in heaven. Let our greatest joy
be found in the gift of salvation and in
knowing that we are part of Your Kingdom.
Teach us to rejoice in Your will, just as
Jesus rejoiced in Your perfect plan. Thank
You for revealing Your truths to the humble
and the childlike. We ask for hearts that
are open, teachable, and willing to receive
Your Word with joy and simplicity.
As
we go forward, may we walk in the boldness
of Your calling and the assurance of Your
presence. Empower us to proclaim Your truth
boldly, to show compassion to the lost,
and to love our neighbors as You have loved
us. May our lives refiect the compassion
and grace of the Good Samaritan, always
seeing and meeting the needs of those around
us. Thank You, Lord, for Your guidance and
for the great privilege of being part of
Your Kingdom work.
Luke
12, Jesus teaches about priorities, trust
in God, and readiness for His return. He
warns His followers about the "leaven
of the Pharisees," which represents
hypocrisy, urging them to live transparently.
He
emphasizes the importance of fearing God
rather than people and the futility of earthly
anxieties, encouraging trust in God’s provision.
Through parables, Jesus highlights the need
for vigilance and preparedness, likening
His followers to servants awaiting their
master. This chapter concludes with a call
to discern the times and understand that
following Him will bring division, even
among families.
Luke
13,Jesus calls for repentance, using parables
and sudden tragedies to remind people to
turn from their ways. He tells the parable
of the fig tree, symbolizing God's patience
and the urgency of bearing fruit. Jesus
heals a woman on the Sabbath, challenging
the religious leaders’ strict interpretations
of the law. He compares the Kingdom of God
to a mustard seed and leaven, illustrating
its small beginnings but vast growth. The
chapter ends with Jesus lamenting Jerusalem's
resistance to God’s message, expressing
sorrow for those who reject His call.
RIGHTEOUS
LIVING | Luke 12:1-3
The
Pharisees and religious leaders in Jesus'
time often held informal meetings to discuss
and critique His actions.
In
this passage, Jesus warns His disciples
about the "leaven of the Pharisees,"
comparing hypocrisy to leaven. Just like
a small bit of yeast can quickly spread
through dough, a small bit of hypocrisy
can grow and infiuence the heart and mind.
Although I’m no baker, I do understand that
leaven (yeast) is potent even in small amounts,
and it’s what makes bread rise and become
fiu£y. Jesus uses this to illustrate
how even a small seed of hypocrisy or pride
can expand rapidly within someone’s heart.
Jesus
is cautioning His disciples to remain humble
as people start to look to them for advice
and teaching. With infiuence comes the temptation
to inject personal ideas or legalistic rules
that aren’t from God but are rooted in self-promotion.
A heart check for us today is to examine
whether we, too, sometimes drift into hypocrisy
or self-righteousness.
Are
we truly seeking to live righteously, or
are we more focused on appearing righteous
to others?
UNCERTAINTY
| Luke 12:8-12
In
moments when I need to speak, the Holy Spirit
provides what I ought to say. I love this
because there have been moments in my life
where I knew it was my “God moment”—an opportunity
to share the gospel.
But
in those times, I often stumble over my
words and silently pray, “Jesus, please
help me.” Then suddenly, verses I didn’t
even know I had memorized just fiow out.
People will say, “Man, that was amazing
when you said...” and honestly, I often
don’t even remember what I said. I’ll tell
them, “That was the Holy Spirit, not me.
I won’t take credit for that.”
Let
this be an encouragement: the Holy Spirit
has our back. When we need to defend our
faith—especially for those of us who study
apologetics and are called to defend the
gospel—He speaks through us. We don’t need
to have every answer perfectly prepared
because God’s Spirit will guide us in those
critical moments.
So,
here’s a heart check that covers both sections:
Are
we more afraid of human opinion than of
God’s judgment? And do we trust in God's
care for us, even when life feels uncertain?
ANXIETY
| Luke 12:22-34
In
moments when I need to speak, the Holy Spirit
provides what I ought to say. I love this
because there have been moments in my life
where I knew it was my “God moment”—an opportunity
to share the gospel. But in those times,
I often stumble over my words and silently
pray, “Jesus, please help me.” Then suddenly,
verses I didn’t even know I had memorized
just fiow out. People will say, “Man, that
was amazing when you said...” and honestly,
I often don’t even remember what I said.
I’ll tell them, “That was the Holy Spirit,
not me. I won’t take credit for that.”
Let
this be an encouragement: the Holy Spirit
has our back. When we need to defend our
faith—especially for those of us who study
apologetics and are called to defend the
gospel—He speaks through us. We don’t need
to have every answer perfectly prepared
because God’s Spirit will guide us in those
critical moments.
So,
here’s a heart check that covers both sections:
Are
we more afraid of human opinion than of
God’s judgment? And do we trust in God's
care for us, even when life feels uncertain?
RESISTING
THE INVITATION | Luke 12:8-12
In
moments when I need to speak, the Holy Spirit
provides what I ought to say. I love this
because there have been moments in my life
where I knew it was my “God moment”—an opportunity
to share the gospel. But in those times,
I often stumble over my words and silently
pray, “Jesus, please help me.” Then suddenly,
verses I didn’t even know I had memorized
just fiow out. People will say, “Man, that
was amazing when you said...” and honestly,
I often don’t even remember what I said.
I’ll tell them, “That was the Holy Spirit,
not me. I won’t take credit for that.”
Let
this be an encouragement: the Holy Spirit
has our back. When we need to defend our
faith—especially for those of us who study
apologetics and are called to defend the
gospel—He speaks through us. We don’t need
to have every answer perfectly prepared
because God’s Spirit will guide us in those
critical moments.
So,
here’s a heart check that covers both sections:
Are
we resisting God’s invitation to draw near
to Him, despite His persistent love?
Deep
Dive
How
does hypocrisy (the "leaven of the
Pharisees") a£ect our relationship
with God and others?
What
does it mean to “fear” God versus fearing
man? How can this shape our daily decisions?
In
the parable of the rich fool, how does Jesus
redefine what it means to be rich in God's
eyes?
How
does the warning about the narrow door challenge
our assumptions about salvation?
What
lessons can we learn from the parable of
the fig tree about God’s patience and our
responsibility to bear fruit?
Heavenly
Father,we
come to You today with hearts full of both
gratitude and humility as we reflect on
Your Word.
Thank
You for the reminders in Luke 12 and 13
of the urgency of repentance and the depth
of Your love and care for us. Lord, help
us not to be like the Pharisees, focusing
only on outward appearances while our hearts
remain distant from You. Give us the strength
to live with integrity, bearing fruit in
our lives that glorifies You.
Father,
we ask for courage to live without fear
of man, knowing that You hold our lives
and our eternity in Your hands. May we not
be consumed by worries about the future,
but instead trust in Your provision, resting
in the knowledge that You care for us even
more than the sparrows and the lilies of
the field.
As
we walk through our days, help us to remain
ready for Your return, always watching and
waiting with expectant hearts. Let us not
be caught off guard but instead live with
a sense of purpose, preparing our hearts
and our lives for Your kingdom. Lord, we
ask that You reveal any areas in our lives
where we are holding onto the treasures
of this world rather than storing up treasures
in heaven. Help us to let go of what holds
us back and fully surrender to You.
We
pray for the strength to endure the division
that may come as we follow You, knowing
that Your truth sometimes divides families
and friendships. Help us to stand firm in
our faith, showing love and grace even when
others reject us.
Lastly,
we repent of the times we have resisted
Your call and neglected to bear fruit in
our lives. Thank You for Your patience with
us, Lord. We ask that You continue to cultivate
our hearts, that we might bear fruit for
Your kingdom.
Luke
14, In this chapter, Jesus uses a series
of parables and teachings to illustrate
humility, generosity, and the cost of discipleship.
At a banquet, He advises guests to take
the lowest place to avoid embarrassment
and urges hosts to invite the poor and marginalized
rather than those who can repay. In the
Parable of the Great Banquet, He illustrates
the Kingdom’s open invitation and warns
of the consequences for those who reject
it. He then speaks of the demands of discipleship,
calling His followers to "count the
cost" and fully commit, leaving everything
behind for Him.
Luke
15, Through three well-known parables—the
Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal
Son—Jesus highlights God’s immense compassion
and joy over one sinner who repents. Each
parable emphasizes God’s active, persistent
love in seeking the lost. The Lost Sheep
and the Lost Coin illustrate the joy in
finding something precious that was lost,
while the Prodigal Son story adds depth
by showing God’s readiness to forgive and
restore. These parables emphasize that God
values every individual and celebrates each
person’s return to Him.
THE
WINNING CHAIR | Luke 14:7-10
This
made me think about the childhood game Musical
Chairs, where you would fight your way into
a chair to avoid getting kicked out. But
the funny thing is, when it comes down to
the last two kids with one chair, inevitably,
one kid wins, and the other ends up on their
behind.
That’s
what life will do to us if we are constantly
striving for prestige. It’s human nature
to want to win, and the world nurtures this
idea of success and rising to the top. But
Jesus is advising the people not to rush
for that chair. In fact, if He were ever
around when we were playing this game, He
would probably say, “Let them win. Give
them the chair.”
And
while it hurts your ego a little bit to
let others rise above you, you will find
that when you cultivate this kind of humble
servant spirit, it actually brings you joy
when you see others winning around you.
Heart Check.
Are
you fighting for the winning chair in life?
Or are you able to rejoice when others go
before or rise above you?
FALSE
HUMILITY | Luke 14:11
I
heard this phrase in my early 20s, and I’ve
never forgotten it: “Be humble so you don’t
have to be humbled.” That’s basically what
Jesus is saying here.
The
reality is, if we really look at where we
deserve to be as sinners, we should probably
be in a lower position in life anyway. True
humility is recognizing your sin, knowing
your weaknesses, but also recognizing your
gifts and abilities and using them to honor
God.
We
also have to be mindful of false humility,
which is actually a form of pride.
This
is where you will purposely put yourself
in a lowly position or “act humble” while
seething on the inside that you’re in that
place and everyone else is thriving. Or
you will act humble to manipulate others.
Perhaps you may put yourself down in the
name of humility. But true humility doesn’t
cut anyone down, including yourself. Heart
Check.
Is
your humility genuine or do you tend to
display false humility?
LOOKING
OUT | Luke 14:12-14
This
displays the Kingdom of Heaven so beautifully.
Everyone is sent an invitation, no matter
their social status, appearance, or wealth.
Jesus
isn’t saying not to hang out with your friends
and family, but He is saying, don’t be so
exclusive with who you hang out with. My
son did something last year that modeled
this. There was a boy who was sitting alone
every day at lunch, and because my son felt
bad, he ditched the football table to go
and sit with this kid.
And
by the end of the year, the entire football
team was sitting with him too. This is the
kind of heart that Jesus wants us to have.
It’s exactly what He would do. Heart Check.
Are
you looking out for the overlooked? Are
you only hanging out with those who have
clout or have something to offer? Or are
you available to those who can do nothing
for you?
MAKING
EXCUSES | Luke 14:15-24
This
is pointing to the first invitation sent
through Moses and the prophets to the Jews,
and now the second and more pressing invitation
comes through Jesus, who is saying, “Come!
Everything is ready!” But because the Jews
are insulting Him by not “showing up” in
their rejection of Jesus, He is opening
the banquet up to the Gentiles which are
represented here as the crippled, blind,
lame, and from beyond the borders.
Jesus
is calling us today to come to Him because
He has prepared a place for us. But many
of us are making excuses just as these people
were. Many people say, “I just don’t have
the time to sit down everyday and read His
Word.” Or we say, “I’ll do it tomorrow,”
only to find our Bibles with two months
worth of dust on them. And then we wonder
why Jesus seems so far away, when we were
the ones holding everything else at a higher
priority than Him. Heart Check.
Are
you making excuses? Or are you responding
daily to the invitation to come to Him?
TRUE
DISCIPLES | Luke 14:25-33
Not
every follower of Christ is a disciple.
Disciple means “disciplined one,” so these
are people who have counted the cost, given
it all up, and are willing to continue to
sacrifice on the daily to follow Him wherever
He leads. This may even mean following in
His suffering and rejection. It’s an “all
in” mentality.
I
can honestly say that throughout my life,
I have dropped out of disciple school many
times, and it was simply because I wasn’t
willing to give it all up for Him. I didn’t
want to live a “restricted” life—I wanted
to do things my own way.
But
what I realize now is that in doing that,
I imprisoned myself and held myself back
from truly walking in freedom. Heart Check.
Are
you just a follower of Christ or are you
a true disciple? Are you all in or still
holding on to things that are hindering
your discipleship?
THE
LOST | Luke 15:1-10
In
the first two parables, Jesus highlights
God’s unwavering, compassionate pursuit
of each individual. Through the parables
of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, we see
that God’s love doesn’t simply wait for
people to return but actively seeks out
those who are lost.
God’s
Seeking Love
Jesus
shares these parables in defense of His
ministry with sinners, showing that His
interactions with the lost are aligned with
God’s heart. Each story reveals God’s commitment
to reach even one lost individual, illustrating
that no one is beyond His compassionate
pursuit. This “seeking love” is not passive;
it’s diligent, intentional, and relentless.
Diligent
Search and Joyful Rejoicing
In
both parables, there’s a diligent search
for what is lost, followed by a joyous celebration.
When the shepherd finds the lost sheep and
the woman finds her coin, both celebrate
because each had inherent value. In the
same way, God and all of heaven rejoice
over the repentance of just one sinner.
Examples
of Lostness
The
lost sheep represents those who, though
unintentionally, wander from God, much like
sheep wander from the fiock.
The
lost coin symbolizes people who may not
even be aware of their separation from God
or their need for Him. The coin’s lost state
doesn’t lessen its value, and so too with
individuals who don’t yet realize their
need for God’s love.
The
"99 Righteous"
When
Jesus references the “99 righteous” who
need no repentance, He speaks with irony.
The self-righteous Pharisees consider themselves
righteous and above repentance, thus missing
the point of true humility before God. In
reality, their spiritual blindness keeps
them from recognizing their own need for
repentance and grace.
Heart
Check:
Are
we aware of our own need for repentance,
or do we allow self-righteousness to blind
us from it?
LOST
VS SELF-RIGHTEOUS | Luke 15:11-32
The
Parable of the Prodigal Son provides a more
intimate look at God’s mercy and readiness
to forgive when someone truly returns to
Him.
The
Wayward Son
The
younger son’s story is a vivid portrayal
of a sinner who knowingly strays, indulging
in selfish desires. His journey into destitution
brings him to the lowest possible place,
highlighting the ultimate futility of a
life without God. His experience reveals
that only after reaching “rock bottom” does
he come to realize his true need for his
father’s mercy.
Moment
of Realization
The
phrase “when he came to himself” (or "to
the end of himself") refiects a pivotal
moment. Often, hardship and loss lead to
humility and self-awareness, breaking down
pride and making way for surrender. The
prodigal son’s return represents the heart
of repentance—turning away from sin and
back to God, fully reliant on His grace.
God’s
Open Arms
The
father’s response in the parable is one
of profound love and expectancy. He sees
his son coming from a distance, indicating
that he was watching and waiting for his
return. Without hesitation, he embraces
and restores his son, symbolizing God’s
gracious welcome to every repentant sinner.
There is no hesitation in God’s heart; His
forgiveness is immediate and complete.
The
Older Brother’s Attitude
The
parable also contrasts the repentant younger
son with the older brother, who embodies
self-righteousness and entitlement. The
older brother cannot celebrate his brother’s
return, seeing it as undeserved favoritism.
His attitude reveals a lack of understanding
of grace, showing resentment rather than
joy for his brother’s redemption. His reaction
challenges us to consider our own responses
to others’ forgiveness and redemption.
Heart
Check.
Do
we recognize our own lostness and actively
seek God’s love, as the younger son did?
Are we willing to celebrate when the lost
are found, or do we resent grace when it’s
given to others? Will we join the banquet
of celebration for the repentant, or stand
apart, holding onto self-righteousness?
**Luke
15 beautifully depicts God’s heart for every
individual, emphasizing the joy in heaven
over each person who turns to Him. Jesus
shows us that whether we’re like the lost
sheep, the lost coin, or the prodigal son,
God’s love is unyielding. At the same time,
we’re cautioned to examine ourselves for
any self-righteous attitudes that may hinder
us from embracing God’s mercy for others.
This chapter calls us to both humility and
joy, reminding us that God’s grace is abundant
and that He celebrates each and every soul
that comes back to Him.
Deep
Dive
How
do you view the Sabbath? Is it a true rest
day or something that seems legalistic?
What
might God’s invitations look like to us
practically? How can we be intentional in
our response?
What
are some of the “costs” of following Jesus?
What
are practical ways to seek out the lost?
How can we make others feel valued, regardless
of their faith?
What
is something in your life that can be compared
to the lost coin? What can you do to get
it back?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for your Word on compassion, humility,
and total surrender.
I
pray that our eyes will always be open and
ready to help others who are in need. Help
us to move beyond our own convenience and
see others through compassionate lenses.
I pray that we won’t get so caught up in
the legalities of religion that we fail
to meet them where they’re at. Jesus, you
have given us the authority to heal through
the laying on of hands and intercession,
so I pray we will be the ones who people
call when they need healing, and give us
the boldness and courage to lead them to
the throne.
Teach
us what true humility looks like. I pray
that we will be a people who are so secure
in our place in heaven that we don’t need
to fight for the chair here on earth. That
way we can spend our time here serving others
and showing them what living a life surrendered
to Christ looks like. It’s a life that is
filled with pure joy as we see others being
lifted up around us. And help us to have
eyes for the overlooked, and show us how
we can draw them in and help them to feel
less marginalized or rejected. I pray we
will be an inclusive and not an exclusive
people.
Thank
you for the invitations that you send to
us on the daily. I pray that we won’t make
any excuses for why we can’t come, but rather
respond with a grateful and surrendered
heart. Help us to let go of anything that
is hindering us from fully following you.
I pray that when we count the cost of what
it means to be a true disciple, it will
be pennies compared to the eternal gain.
We desire to be your disciples and not just
your followers, so I pray that we will take
up our cross daily with faithfulness and
joy.
We
thank you for your love that knows no bounds.
It is the sweetest of gifts when we finally
grasp what it feels like to be sought after
by you. The way you treasure every lost
soul, pursuing them with fervor, and welcoming
them back when they stray is so beyond our
own ability to love with grace and compassion.
Help
us to know the depth of your love and to
see ourselves and others embraced by it.
I pray that we will be your hands and feet,
seeking out the forgotten or the lost, reaching
out to them and letting them know that they
are seen and are valued. I pray that we
will have a heart for the ones who wander
away and for the ones who outright squander
the life they’ve been given. When someone
comes in true repentance, help us to forgive
just as you have forgiven us.
Thank
you, Jesus, for always welcoming us home
with open arms. We are all contending for
someone today to come to you. If anyone
is afraid to return, remove their fear and
give them the courage to turn around and
come back. If they’ve never known your heart
as home, lead them to you. And I pray that
even in the worst of sins and the harshest
of hurts, we will be the first to show them
compassion and forgiveness just as you always
do. We bind the spirit of jealousy, judgment,
or unforgiveness and we loose hearts full
of gratitude. Make our hearts like yours
and let us be a light to the world.
Luke
16, Jesus tells a story about a dishonest
manager who is commended by his master for
his shrewdness. This story emphasizes the
need for believers to be wise with worldly
wealth and faithful with what they’ve been
given, as this refiects one's faithfulness
in God’s kingdom.
Jesus
stresses the dangers of loving money, reminding
his listeners that one cannot serve God
and money. In the following parable of the
Rich Man and Lazarus, a wealthy man and
a poor man named Lazarus experience very
different afterlives. Jesus emphasizes the
finality of one’s choices, the importance
of compassion, and the reality of eternal
consequences, urging listeners to heed God’s
word now.
Luke
17, Jesus instructs his disciples on the
importance of forgiving others, even repeatedly.
When the disciples ask for increased faith,
he teaches that even a tiny amount of genuine
faith can accomplish great things.
In
the following parable, Jesus highlights
that faithful servants don’t seek special
recognition but perform their duties humbly,
as they have only done what was required.
Healing of the Ten Lepers: Jesus heals ten
men with leprosy, but only one—an outsider,
a Samaritan—returns to thank him. This story
underscores gratitude and recognition of
God's work in our lives.
Jesus
describes the nature of God’s kingdom, explaining
that it won’t arrive with obvious signs
but is already among them. He cautions about
being unprepared for his eventual return,
comparing it to the days of Noah and Lot,
where sudden destruction came upon the unprepared.
FAITHFUL
STEWARDSHIP | Luke 16:10-11
I
grew up watching my Dad buy weekly lottery
tickets. Every week, according to the Powerball
amount, he wrote a detailed ledger for what
he would do with the millions of dollars.
He
would give x amount to the church, each
of his daughters would receive a specific
amount, and he had an allotment for our
new house, new car, and other material things.
He truly believed, up until his dying day,
that winning the lottery was his ticket
to security and happiness. This is the mentality
many of us live under—if we had more, we
could help others. Until we get that raise
or win the lottery, we are strapped and
have nothing else to give.
But
it’s all relative, and money is not the
agent of change in our behavior. If we aren’t
operating in integrity and generosity with
what we have now, what would change if we
got more? That’s what Jesus is saying here.
And just as the steward was expected to
give an account of how he handled what he
was given, so will we one day be at the
bema seat of Christ. Heart Check.
Have
you been faithful in stewarding what God
has given you? How are you spending your
time, talents, treasure, and influence?
SERVING
MONEY | Luke 16:10-13
If
we zoom out a bit and look at the spiritual
implication, Jesus is trying to get them
to look beyond the world's wealth and have
an eternal perspective on what true wealth
is. But if we can’t handle or manage money
here, why would He trust us with even greater
riches?
When
I look back on my life, how I managed and
stewarded my money is directly aligned with
how I lived spiritually. When I was reckless
in my checkbook, I was also reckless in
my behavior.
And
today, I am a lot more responsible with
handling finances, and my spiritual discipline
refiects that. I don’t know which comes
first—the chicken or the egg (the spiritual
discipline vs. financial responsibility)—but
it goes hand in hand. Jesus says so. And
once we truly understand that He owns everything
and we are only managers of it, we will
begin to look at money di£erently
and allow it to serve us rather than us
being a slave to it. And contrary to what
many believe, you don’t have to be rich
to be a slave to money. Heart Check.
Does
money have a hold on you? How much do you
sacrifice to make more money? If you were
faced with serving the Lord or making a
buck, which would you choose?
AFTERLIFE
PAYCHECK | Luke 16:25
This
is a model result of Matt. 7:1 and Luke
6:38 that says, “With the measure you use,
it will be measured back to you.” The rich
man and Lazarus are both receiving their
payment for the way they treated others
while on earth. The rich man had no compassion
and therefore receives none. Lazarus, on
the other hand, is comforted and receives
the kingdom of heaven, for he mourned while
on earth and was poor in spirit. Heart Check.
What
will your paycheck in the afterlife be like?
How much do you consider your daily actions
and their eternal effects?
REBUKE
| Luke 17:1-4
While
Jesus is commanding rebuke here, this is
not for the sake of revealing every record
of wrong or confronting every petty o£ense.
This is seeing a destructive o£ense
and being able to confront it with both
truth and mercy. Jesus links that kind of
rebuke with forgiveness. In other words,
rebuke should always be done with a heart
that is ready to forgive and ready to help
restore that person. If you can’t do that,
and you’re only rebuking or correcting for
the sake of making them feel bad, it is
not being done in the way Jesus says to
and it will be rendered ine£ective.
Heart Check.
How
do you approach rebuke? Do you speak truth
in love? Are you ready to forgive and help
that person find restoration?
UPROOTING
STRONGHOLDS | Luke 17:5-6
Being
able to forgive someone repeatedly seems
a bit radical, which is why the apostles
are asking Jesus to increase their faith.
He uses this illustration of mulberry trees,
which are exceptionally strong and have
deep root systems. Jesus is telling them
that even the smallest amount of faith could
uproot even these. We may have a circuit
of strongholds that have taken root in our
hearts.
Sometimes
we say things like, “That’s just the way
that I am,” to justify certain behaviors.
Or we will pull out the victim card in saying,
“You don’t know what I went through.”
I’m
not dismissing the hardships that people
may have gone through, but we have the authority
to uproot things that have been strangling
our hearts for far too long. Some of us
have roots of bitterness, rejection, abuse,
anger, unforgiveness, and the list goes
on. While we may think we need more faith,
Jesus is saying to unleash the faith that
we already have and rip these issues out
at the root. Heart Check.
Are
there any strongholds in your root system
that need to be uprooted?
LOOKING
FOR REWARD | Luke 17:7-10
I
don’t know how you grew up, but I never
got payed for doing chores. When my parents
told me to clean my room or to dust, I didn’t
get a gold star for doing what I was told
to do. It was expected of me, and therefore
I never expected an additional reward. I
have learned that the reward for doing chores
is that it teaches responsibility and stewardship,
which is far greater than the couple of
dollars we could ever make. It’s the same
way that serving Jesus can be hard work,
and we can easily feel as though we somehow
deserve something when we do what He says
to do. And while He will reward us for the
“chores” we do, it should never be expected
because He’s already done far more for us
than we could ever deserve. He doesn’t owe
us anything, so serving Him is a sacred
honor, not a duty. It’s a chance to share
what He’s done and how great His love is.
Heart Check.
Are
you looking for a reward when you serve
the Lord? Or do you see it as a privilege
or honor?
Deep
Dive
Why
did Jesus preach so much about money?
What
does stewardship of wealth look like in
practical ways? How can we be better stewards?
How
do we reconcile financial responsibility
with trusting in the Lord for provision?
Are they exclusive of one another?
Where
do you see evidence or results of “small
faith”?
How
big of a role does gratitude play in our
faith? How can we be more mindful to express
our gratitude to God and others?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for reminding us of what we should be
valuing while here on this earth.
We
want to look beyond what is here and gain
an eternal perspective so that we do not
get bogged down by trying to “make it.”
But we also want to be faithful in stewarding
the gifts, talents, relationships, and treasures
that you have given to us to manage. Help
us to see how we can intentionally use what
we have to honor you and to be a blessing
to others. May we see beyond earthly wealth,
knowing that our true treasure is found
in you. Keep our hearts far from greed and
distraction, for we know that we cannot
serve both you and money. If money is, in
any way, holding us captive, please break
those chains o£ of us and help us
to trust in you as our provider. I pray
that we will understand our place as managers
so that you can entrust us with spiritual
wealth. May we never think that what we
do is too small, for every deed and thought
is valuable to your heart.
I
pray that we will not be like the rich man,
who lacked compassion and overlooked those
in need. We know that the measure we use
here on earth will be measured back to us,
both in the good and the bad. I pray that
we will be mindful of this in our daily
walk, knowing that our actions will echo
in heaven.
Thank
you for the way you continue to forgive
us over and over. I pray that we will also
be quick to forgive others. Help us to release
petty o£enses or any resentment that
we may have been harboring in our hearts.
Increase our compassion and humility so
that we will first look within and then
be able to approach others who hurt us with
both truth and love. I pray that we will
do so with a heart that seeks to restore
them. We know that in doing this, we will
receive both healing and peace.
Please
strengthen our small seeds of faith. Help
us to trust that even the littlest faith
can accomplish great things and uproot strongholds.
I pray that we will rely on you in all things,
knowing that you are working them for our
good. Thank you for everything that you
have done for us. I pray that we never take
this for granted and that we always have
hearts full of gratitude. May we see this
life in service to you as a sacred honor
and privilege.
You
have done so much for us, and it is more
than we could ever deserve. I pray that
in serving you, it will never feel like
a task to be completed, but rather an opportunity
to partner with you in meaningful ways.
In doing that, we will be drawn closer to
your heart and purpose.
Help
us to walk in faith before the miracle.
Each step we take in obedience to your Word,
we know that our eyes will be opened to
even more of your goodness. As we walk out
this life, please prepare our hearts for
your return and may we be watchful of the
signs so that we are not caught o£
guard. Help us not to fall into complacency
but rather be diligent in seeking you daily
so that we do not miss a single sign. Fill
our hearts with hope as we wait upon you.
We will mount up with wings like eagles,
we will run and not be weary, and we will
walk and not faint.
John
11, Mary and Martha's beloved brother, Lazarus,
is sick, so they ask Jesus to come and heal
him. Lazarus dies before Jesus arrives and
is buried in a tomb. Jesus orders the tomb
to open and raises Lazarus from the dead.
Many
people come to believe and trust in Jesus,
and the Pharisees begin to worry about losing
their place as religious leaders in Israel.
The
high priest, Caiaphas, proclaims a prophecy
that he does not realize has a double meaning.
He begins to plot Jesus' death with the
Pharisees, and word is spread among themselves
to keep watch for Jesus' whereabouts during
the oncoming Passover feast.
DON’T
SWEAT IT | John 11:1-4
This
is bad news that Jesus is receiving, yet
He knows this is an opportunity to glorify
His Father.
We
might think, “Well, He knows the end of
the story, and that’s why He ain’t sweating
it,” but don’t we hold this same knowledge?
We know that He is working all things for
our good and that nothing is impossible
for Him. We know that His timing is perfect.
Heart Check.
When
hard times hit, do you sweat it, or do you
see it as an opportunity to bring glory
to the Lord? How do you respond when Jesus
doesn’t immediately answer you?
LOYALTY
| John 11:16
Most
scholars believe that Thomas is referred
to as Jesus’ twin because he looked a lot
like Him. Many of us know him as “Doubting
Thomas” because of his doubt in Jesus’ resurrection
(John 20:25).
But
I think it’s important for us to see this
incredible devotion that shines right underneath
the gray cloud that hovers over him. He
foresees the death of Jesus should He go
to Jerusalem, and he tells the disciples,
“Let’s go with Him,” while everyone else
is trying to change His mind. What incredible
loyalty! I wonder if we would be the same.
Heart Check.
If
opposition were to grow in your life, would
you remain loyal to Jesus, even to the death?
Deep
Dive
Does
Jesus still perform miracles like this today?
What
needs resurrecting or resuscitation in your
life? Do you believe Jesus can bring new
life to it?
How
can we deepen our trust in times of sorrow?
Why
did Jesus weep? What does this reveal about
His character?
How
does Jesus’ power over death give you hope?
What
does “I am the resurrection and life” mean
to you personally?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for your love, power, and compassion
that is so beautifully on display today.
I
pray that when we face hard times, the first
thing we will do is run to you, knowing
that you will bring peace and comfort to
any situation. Help us to trust in your
perfect timing and increase our patience
so that we do not rely on our
short-sighted
view of what we think needs to happen. We
know and trust that you are working all
things for our good and that your delay
is not a denial to our prayer, so I pray
that we will model that belief in your promise
by waiting without worry. We know that you
are near to the brokenhearted and that you
care about our every need and struggle.
Help
us to cultivate both a Mary and a Martha
heart. We want to be a people who are always
found at your feet in reverence and honor,
but we also want to partner with you in
faith and get things done. I pray that your
promises will fill our hearts so that if
there ever is a question about what is going
on around us, we can turn to the Great I
Am and know that you are there in it. We
declare today that you are the resurrection
and the life, so let this fill us with enough
hope for every di£iculty we may face.
There is nothing that is impossible for
you. Even if we think a dream or possibility
is dead, we know deep down that you have
the power to resurrect anything, so may
we hold on to that today.
I
pray that we will have compassion on those
who are grieving or struggling. Make our
hearts more like yours Jesus. I pray that
you will use us as instruments of comfort
and encouragement, and in showing that,
we will be able to help others see you.
Thank
you for loving us with an unconditional
agape love, but also with a brotherly or
friendly love. What an honor it is to know
you and to be known by you.
Luke
18, Jesus speaks a parable of a widow and
a judge. The meaning encourages one never
to cease praying. He provides another parable
to contrast the self-righteous with the
humble.
A
rich man comes to Jesus inquiring how to
gain eternal life but walks away, distraught
with the answer Jesus provides. Jesus once
more declares His fate by quoting the prophets
of long ago. Another blind man receives
his sight from Jesus and glorifies God.
FOUND
FAITHFUL | Luke 18:1-8
Jesus
ends this section by asking if He will find
faith on earth when He returns. This kind
of faith He refers to is about this parable,
which means He is looking for a people of
persistent prayer. This doesn’t mean we
have heads bowed and eyes closed 24/7, but
it’s a spirit that is constantly aware and
communicates with Him.
It’s
keeping your requests constantly before
Him, knowing and trusting that He will answer.
He is looking for people who come to Him
without losing heart. You see, the devil
hates prayer because he knows the power
it unleashes, and often, that power goes
against what he is trying to accomplish.
He
also knows that prayer changes us as we
become more and more aligned with God and
His character. We, on the other hand, lose
heart and stop praying because we don’t
know the power that our prayers hold. Sometimes,
we stop praying because we don’t get an
answer quickly enough. But we must remember
that God is not delaying because He needs
us to change His mind—He sometimes delays
the answer because He needs something to
change within our hearts. Heart Check.
If
Jesus were to return today, would you be
found faithful? Do you know Him as the righteous
judge, and are you persistently praying?
CHILDLIKE
FAITH | Luke 18:15-17
It
was common for women to bring their children
to receive a rabbi's blessing on their first
birthday. The disciples may have felt that
Jesus was perhaps “too busy” for these children,
but Jesus used their thoughtlessness as
an opportunity to teach them about childlike
faith. Because children are innately trusting,
dependent, innocent, and loving, and this
is how Jesus wants us to approach Him. Typically,
the older we get, the harder it is for faith
to be enacted in our lives because of our
exposure to the social injustices and wickedness
in the world. Heart Check.
How
childlike is your faith? Are there any areas
where you need to trust God more simply
and fully?
FORSAKING
IT ALL | Luke 18:18-25
This
is not a universal commandment for all to
live in poverty. Rather this is Jesus confronting
the thing that is hindering him. Jesus is
not saying that every person must sell everything
and give all their money to the poor if
they want to go to heaven. But Jesus knew
that money had a hold on the ruler, to the
point that it had become his God. And this
is proven when Jesus tells him to forsake
his wealth to follow Him, and he is not
willing to do so. Heart Check.
What
is something you refuse to give up for the
sake of the Kingdom? In practical terms,
what takes priority in your life over prayer,
reading God’s Word, going to church, worshipping,
and fellowshipping? Are you truly willing
to forsake it all, or do you just say you
are?
Deep
Dive
What
does persistent prayer look like? How can
we be more intentional about it?
How
can we cultivate humility and avoid self-righteousness?
What
are practical things we can do to ensure
that money/wealth/success does not have
a hold on us?
What
does this chapter reveal about Jesus’ death
and resurrection? How do you understand
it vs. the disciples’ inability to understand?
How
does the healing of the blind beggar inspire
your faith?
How
do you view wealth? How does it fare against
the backdrop of the Kingdom of Heaven in
your eyes?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for increasing our persistence in coming
to you daily.
It
is only by your Spirit that we can navigate
through this life with unwavering confidence
and trust. I pray that we will never lose
hope, but rather continue to trust in you
and your perfect timing, knowing that you
will answer our prayers. Strengthen our
hearts as we wait upon you, and we will
continue walking one step at a time. For
those who are contending for something today,
align their hearts and will with yours so
that they can begin to see more clearly
the why behind what you are doing.
Keep
us humble before you always. Guard our hearts
against pride or self-righteousness, and
I pray that we will maintain a healthy dependence
on your mercy and grace. Help us to see
our desperate need for forgiveness, looking
within first and foremost, and then looking
for those we can extend that same mercy
to.
Teach
us how to have childlike faith, where we
don’t overcomplicate things, but rather
maintain a simple, trusting, dependent,
and loving heart, so that we will not be
led astray by the distractions of the world.
Keep us focused on your heart and what you
want us to do. I pray that we will never
hinder others from coming to you, especially
if they are overlooked or undervalued in
any way.
Help
us to let go of anything that may be hindering
us from following fully after you. We don’t
want to be a people that simply follow all
the rules—we want to be a people who live
fully surrendered, willing to forsake it
all for your glory. We can all say these
words, but the truth is, this is a tough
thing to truly live out, so I pray that
you will reveal to us anything that we need
to release today so we can fully embrace
your will. Help us to store up treasures
in heaven and seek first the kingdom of
God above all things.
If
there are any areas in our lives that are
spiritually blind, please have mercy on
us. Open our eyes to see your truth and
understand your guidance. Give us the courage
to cry out to you, not just once, but consistently.
I pray that we don’t stop seeking you, for
we know that when we have that kind of faith
that believes that you will answer us, we
can walk with confidence and freedom. Thank
you for that. Without you, Jesus, we would
never have this.
Matthew
19, The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus
when they ask Him a divorce question. Jesus
answers according to the spirit of God's
and Mosaic laws. The disciples inquire about
Jesus' thoughts about celibacy.
Jesus
blesses the little children brought to Him
to receive His laying of hands and prayers.
A man comes to Jesus inquiring how to obtain
eternal life. He claims to have followed
all God's commandments. The man walks away
sad and burdened as Jesus tests him according
to his relationship with God. Peter asks
Jesus what their reward as His disciples
will be in the kingdom of God.
Mark
10, Mark also records the Pharisees' testing
of Jesus regarding divorce. Jesus quotes
from Genesis to remind them of God's original
intent for marriage. The disciples inquired
about the matter further with Jesus after
the multitude had left.
Jesus
blesses the children brought to Him and
uses their faith as an example of the faith
needed to enter the kingdom of God. Mark
provides his account of the rich man who
asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Jesus
expands upon how wealth can become a stumbling
block.
Jesus
confides in His disciples what awaits Him
in Jerusalem. James and John ask for prominent
seats in the kingdom of God. Jesus redirects
their thoughts toward self-sacrifice rather
than glory. Jesus gives sight to a blind
man as they leave Jericho.
PHARISAICAL
HEART | Matthew 19:1-3
During
this time, there were two schools of thought
on divorce. The more unpopular thought was
Rabbi Shammai’s teaching that sexual immorality
was the only ground for divorce. In contrast,
the more popular view was taught by Rabbi
Hillel who said that any displeasure that
a wife caused would grant permission for
divorce.
The
Pharisees knew that if Jesus took either
of these sides, He would lose because He
would appear to go against Mosaic Law or
become unpopular with the masses. This type
of testing was expected with the Pharisees—they
would look to debate, correct, and question.
Even if there were moments for celebrating,
they would ultimately find the one thing
that they could criticize. In cases such
as this one, they would look for loopholes
to live as they pleased. Heart Check.
How
Pharisaical is your heart? Are you able
to celebrate the good without pointing out
the wrong? Or does your heart always look
for the corrections or loopholes?
RELATIONSHIP
| Matthew 19:16-22
This
rich young ruler thought he was one or two
gold stars away from getting into heaven.
He operated on the idea that you can get
into heaven by doing good works. But we
know that Jesus said otherwise. We are only
saved by grace through faith. Yes, works
will follow through obedience in Christ,
but the works alone will not save you, and
this is the point that Jesus was trying
to make. No amount of money, success, or
good deeds will ever replace a real relationship
with Christ.
In
the end, He will not ask how successful
we were, but He will question whether He
knows us or not. Heart Check.
Does
your relationship with Christ take precedence
over all things in your life? What is your
motivation when you wake up each day?
CHILDLIKE
RECEIVERS | Mark 9:13-16
Notice
that Jesus says, “Whoever does not receive
the kingdom of God like a child shall not
enter it.” This implies that He is o£ering
it as a gift to be received and not something
to strive for. He uses a child to illustrate
this because children are so good at receiving
gifts. They don’t self-deprecate and stew
in how unworthy they are, nor do they inherently
think they need to earn gifts. They simply
receive gifts with joy. When we deem ourselves
unworthy, we are setting ourselves up for
the rejection of the gift of grace that
we are freely being o£ered. Heart
Check.
Are
you deeming yourself unworthy of the Kingdom
of Heaven? Or have you received the gifts
of grace and forgiveness with joy like a
child?
SUFFERINGS
OF SERVICE | Mark 9:35-39
The
cup and baptism that Jesus is referring
to here are his su£ering and ultimate
death. He is asking if they are willing
and able to su£er for His sake, and
they immediately give an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
Many of us would do the same if Jesus posed
this question to us, but the reality is
that we do have this opportunity every day
to take part in His su£ering by the
way we sacrifice or give things up so that
we can serve Him. Heart Check.
Are
you truly able to take part in the suffering
of Jesus? How do you fare when there are
minor irritations or inconveniences when
serving Him? Do you persist or do you give
up?
HUMBLE
SERVANT | Mark 9:35-45
This
desire for prestige, position, and honor
proved that James and John did not yet understand
the true character of Jesus and leadership.
Jesus is trying to point out that they should
not model their lives after the world, which
was focused on infiuence, status, money,
and power. Instead, He says that being a
humble servant is the only prerequisite
for greatness. I believe that if we genuinely
desire to live out our lives for the sake
of the Kingdom, we will serve without looking
for a reward in position or payback. Our
desire will be for the people we serve rather
than what we can get from them. Heart Check.
Do
you understand the true character of Jesus?
Have you taken on the humble heart of a
servant?
Deep
Dive
How
does the world’s view of marriage and divorce
compare to the Biblical view? How do you
look upon those who are divorced? Do you
carry the heart of Jesus?
What
does Jesus’ heart toward children say about
how we should mold our faith? What barriers
do we face in having childlike faith?
How
does the desire for security or success
a£ect our commitment to the Kingdom
of God?
What
investments or sacrifices have you made
for the Kingdom? How does the world view
this? How does the promise for reward encourage
your faith?
How
can we cultivate a servant heart? In what
ways are you called to serve others?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for the way you always call us to reevaluate
our thinking.
We
can so easily become conformed to the worldview
of societal norms that we lose sight of
your purpose and the perfect ideals that
you created from the beginning. I pray that
we will view our relationships the way you
do, especially in honoring our marriages
for the sacred vow and commitment that they
are. I pray that you will bless and protect
every marriage, filling their lives with
patience and understanding. We pray for
good communication, quick forgiveness, and
the desire to seek out good. Draw them closer
to you so that when they face challenges,
they will rely on your wisdom and strength
to get them through. I pray they will cherish
one another daily and never take each other
for granted. I pray that we will always
seek unity as we strive to refiect your
love in every relationship.
For
anyone who has been divorced or have had
to deal with any sort of immorality in any
of our relationships, I pray that they will
not live under any sort of condemnation
that others try to place on them. We know
what your Word says.
You
forgive all sin and you can redeem anything.
This doesn’t give us permission to now walk
into it, but if we have come out of it,
I pray that forgiveness will be received
as you have granted it.
Lord,
give us hearts like a child. I pray that
we will be trusting and dependent upon you
and always willing to come to you without
hesitation. May it be our instinct to run
to you in all things, both good and bad.
Keep us from overcomplicating our faith
and may we find joy and wonder in the life
that we live here on earth. Help us to see
the good in all things and cultivate gratitude
on daily basis. I pray that we will be welcoming
to the young and vulnerable, both in age
and in spirit, always encouraging them to
draw closer to you.
Please
give us the courage to have a loose grip
on achievements and success. If there is
anything that we need to release fully to
you, please reveal it to us and give us
the strength to let it go.
We
desire to value our relationship with you
above all things, knowing and trusting that
you provide for our every need. We know
that anything we sacrifice on this earth
will be repaid a hundredfold. Thank you
for that reassurance that we don’t need
to strive to get to heaven. But when we
seek you first, not only will we receive,
but we will also be doers by desire to follow
after you. When the path is challenging,
please give us the strength and courage
we need to endure. Any sacrifice we make
here is a small investment into the wide
open space of eternity. So may we always
have an eternal perspective in all things.
Jesus,
I pray that we will desire to have a heart
like yours—one that is humble and always
postured to serve others. Let us be willing
to give of ourselves in sacrifice as we
follow your example and leading. I pray
that we will not seek out greatness in the
eyes of man but rather take our humble place
here on earth, knowing that any sacrifice
we make is never done in vain if done with
a heart of humility and righteousness.
And
may our hearts be focused on you always
so that we never miss your movement. Let
us hear the wind of your Spirit that is
blowing across the earth and may our eyes
be opened to your truth. I pray that every
revelation we receive will be an opportunity
to declare your truth to the world with
boldness. And as you answer our prayers,
I pray that we will always respond in gratitude
and praise.