Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 21

Answer the following questions regarding your readings this past week:

1.) Recall times in your life when God has demonstrated remarkable love to you in     response to your humble repentance.

2.) What things in your life could be distracting you from having a close, personal             relationship with the Lord?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 20

Read Luke 15:11-16:8

The tragic descent of the lost son began with a bad attitude. He had gotten it in his head that his dad was unfair, strict, and difficult to please. This part of the story can hit close to home. Within our broken natures is a pre-disposition to react to God the same way. Just as with the young man, the moment we question God’s goodness, the bottom can drop out of our lives. So what then? Does God give up on us?
In the hog pen, the son probably thought there was no chance his father would ever love him again. When he humbly returned home, he discovered what he failed to recognize in the first place — his dad was filled with GRACE. The father hadn’t changed, but the boy’s heart had.
Today, thank God that He is such a good Father and that He never gives up on you!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 19

Read Luke 14:15-15:10

In the age of information overload, perhaps the commodity in shortest supply is personal focus. Most people know how it feels to be with someone who’s constantly checking and sending messages. They’re there, but not really there!
In Luke 14, Jesus conveyed how deeply God cares about the quality of attention we give Him. The master in the story, who represents God, invites guests to enjoy his grace. He’s not asking for the guests to contribute in any way, but he does expect them to take him seriously and give him their wholehearted attention. Their thinly veiled excuses prove their focus is elsewhere.
Where is your focus? Remember how amazing it is that the God of the universe desires your complete focus today. Give it to Him — He is worthy to receive it!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 18

Read Luke 13:22-14:14

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are beyond ours (Isaiah 55:8). This means that we may think we understand how life works, but we get it backward. In no area is this more true than our quest for personal importance. It’s part of human nature to try to impress others to gain approval, status, and favor. Unfortunately, these attempts often result in embarrassing mistakes, as with the Pharisee’s houseguests who sat in the best seats (Luke 14:7-14). What Jesus wants us to grasp is that this is more than just human clumsiness. God actually sabotages our prideful grabs for the spotlight. He loves us too much to let us be unlike Jesus. When we put Him and others first, He loves to give us surprising favor. How can you make serving God and others a priority today?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 17
Read Luke 12:57-13:21

Jesus wants us to understand that while God is patient, He holds everyone accountable to His standard of holiness. When some self-righteous people hinted that certain Galileans were murdered by Pilate because of their sinfulness, Jesus confronted them with their own personal need for repentance and salvation. No one should assume that bad things happen to people because they deserve it. Every human being is a sinner who needs to turn to Christ to receive redemption and forgiveness.
The story of the fig tree reminds us that God is not eager to bring judgment on the unsaved, or chastening in the life of a wayward child. He has repeatedly proved Himself to be long-suffering (patient) throughout the history of the world. But no one should respond to His kindness with rebellious presumption. Let your heart turn fully toward Him today in complete surrender. If you do, you’ll find His patient grace.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 16
Read Luke 12:35-56

The scenario of a servant waiting for his master’s return is a frequent theme in Jesus’ teaching. This particular teaching in Luke 12 portrays the servants in a household waiting for their newlywed master to return from the wedding. It was expected in such situations for the servants to be waiting at attention for the unscheduled, unannounced arrival, poised and ready to spring into action to minister to their master in any way he required.
Jesus’ story depicts the master returning in the middle of the night. He’s immediately greeted at the door by his servants. They expect him to be hungry, and are ready to serve him dinner. But the master, delighted to see such loyalty and devotion, does the unthinkable — he takes on the role of the domestic help and serves his faithful servants dinner!
When we, who represent the waiting servants, grasp the impact of what Jesus was saying, we are faced with a serious reality: it is very important to Jesus that we obediently anticipate His arrival with joy. It is that very anticipation that keeps us from forgetting who we’ve been called to be. Remember, the unfaithful servants in Jesus’ parable became cruel, self-indulgent, and careless. May we guard ourselves from developing harmful habits that would disappoint our Master and live in eager readiness for His return.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 15

Read Luke 12:8-34

It’s natural to be concerned about finances, especially when it comes to personal security. Who doesn’t spend time thinking about things like upcoming bills, college tuition, and retirement down the road? While there’s nothing wrong with prudent preparation, something goes wrong when we begin to stress out over these things. After all, in the context of a discussion on relying on God to meet our needs, Jesus said, “Do not . . . Have an anxious mind” (Luke 12:29). That is stressing out!
Jesus challenged His followers to think about ravens and lilies (vs. 24, 27). Though they are incapable of our kind of thought processes, they depend on their Creator to supply their needs. Jesus’ point is simple. If a bird and a flower can depend on God, how much more can we who are His children? He is our loving Father. He is good and He is able.
Whenever you find yourself stressed about money issues, meditate on a couple of things Jesus said in this chapter. First, look at vs. 30: “Your Father knows that you need these things.” Let that sink in. Then turn your focus to vs. 31:”Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 14

Answer the following questions regarding your readings this past week:

1.) How have you connected to a neighbor in a way that reveals you are a follower     of Christ? Is there a neighbor in your circle of influence who has a need you     can meet and, in doing so, bring honor to Christ and His Kingdom?

2.) Consider your motivation for serving Christ. If your motivation is anything             other than to bring honor and glory to His name as you continue to be a             faithful follower of Christ, then your spiritual life will never be satisfying or             productive for eternity. What has God taught you about serving Him this             week?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 13
Read Luke 11:37-12:7

Secrets are things we know and most other people do not know. But nothing is secret when it comes to the Lord. Jesus said, “Whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light” (Luke 12:3).
Hypocrisy is just another secret. It is the secret that results from the fear of people. We think, “in order to be accepted, I must live a secret life. I will put on display a life that appears to be one thing while truth is hidden within.” When we live for the approval of people, we will do whatever it takes to maintain that approval. We will lie, cheat, and steal.
The story is told of a faithful pastor who once came to a breaking point in ministry. He was trying so hard to please others that he was failing in his objective and calling. One morning he read Galatians 1:10 which says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” A powerful reality dawned on him. He thought, “I am a servant of God, not people. If I live to please people, I cannot serve God.” God’s Word reminded him to avoid the hypocrisy of trying to be something he was not and to be who God called hm to be.
Today, which is stronger in your heart: the fear of people or the fear of God? Whom are you serving, and what is your motivation?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 12
Read Luke 11:14-36

Many Faithful Christians stay committed to reading God’s Word first thing every morning. It is a holy habit that transforms their spiritual lives as much as any other discipline. They will complete their morning devotional reading, take a moment to jot a few notes in a journal, and move on to their day’s work. However, if they are not careful, the Spirit of the Lord will stop them with one simple statement: “You are more proud of your daily discipline than you are of your practical devotion!”
It is easy — and worthwhile — to develop a habit of reading God’s Word. The great difficulty we have is not in reading God’s Word but in HEARING God’s Word (Luke 11:28). During your quiet time of reading and prayer, ask yourself, “What is the Spirit of God saying to me this morning as I open the Sc ruptures? What does He want me to do as I leave this place of quiet solitude to go through my day?”
Commit to reading God’s Word daily. Draw close to the Father and listen for His voice. Remember, it s by sight we read and by sound we receive. Don’t walk away from reading His Word without also hearing His Word!