Daily Reading Week 14
Sunday
Romans 8
According to verse 4, how should the believer walk?
What’s the end result of the mind set on the flesh? What about the mind set on the Spirit? (verses 6-7)
What are the benefits of being a child of God (verses 15-17)?
Why should we be confident that God is not against us, or out to get us (verses 31-34)?
Respond
Within the book of Romans, many scholars agree that Romans 8 may be the “gem” or the greatest chapter. After the internal struggles mentioned in chapter 7, it’s super refreshing and encouraging to read the words of chapter 8. The great Welsh preacher, Martin Lloyd Jones has a well-known preaching series through the book of Romans. His work contains seventy-five sermons on Chapter 8 alone. Jones once said, “Romans is one of the brightest gems of all. Someone has said that in the whole of the Scriptures the brightest and the most lustrous and flashing stone, or collection of stones, is this Epistle to the Romans, and that of these [Chapter 8] is the brightest gem in the cluster.”
This chapter opens with the statement that “there is no condemnation for those in Christ,” and closes with the statement that “nothing is able to separate us from God’s love.” For the believer, these promises are so comforting. Within the words of Romans 8, we see the mercy of God and the grace of God. In addition, it’s hard to miss the idea of the Holy Spirit in this chapter. A quick count shows the word “spirit” is used at least 22 times in the chapter. This is the most the word is used in any other chapter of the Bible. No doubt life throws us some challenges and difficulties. It’s easy during these seasons to lose hope and give up. However, in Romans 8 we’re reminded that we don’t have to give up. We don’t have to lose hope because our seasons of life never overshadow God’s love and compassion towards us. It’s God’s Spirit living in us that reminds us of wonderful truth.
monday
Exodus 33:12-23 Exodus 34:1-7
What 2 great promises are given to Moses in verse 14?
According to verse 17, how personal is our relationship with the Lord?
What did Moses ask for in these verses? (specifically v 18)
In what ways can you be grateful for God’s character as described in 34:6-7?
Respond
Exodus 33 is a record of several prayers offered by Moses to the Lord during a pretty rough season for the Israelites. After making this solemn vow to worship the Lord, they soon break that vow by building and worshiping a golden calf (ch 32). God is so frustrated with His people that He threatens to wipe them out. Moses asked the Lord to spare them so they could fulfill the promises of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob so God did spare them.
When reading through chapter 33 in its entirety you see the phrase, “the Lord said to Moses,” and “Moses said to the Lord.” It’s a chapter about God and Moses communicating with one another. In your discouraging and challenging days, how often do you find yourself talking with God? When was the last time you just paused and poured your heart out to the Lord concerning your current situation?
It’s in the midst of this dialogue between a discouraged Moses and a loving God, that Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory. Charles Haddon Spurgeon calls this the greatest request ever made by man. Moses literally prayed, God show me how heavy or how weighty You are. The idea behind the prayer is God revealing His fullness; the sum total of all that He is. It’s a request that comes from the truth declared earlier in the book by the Lord in Exodus 3:14.
Based on all that has happened up to this point, it’s almost like Moses is at his breaking point. Most of us can handle some adversity and perhaps some of you can handle a lot. However, like Moses, we all have a breaking point. Maybe that’s you right now. While standing on the edge of your breaking point, spend a few minutes asking the Lord to show you His glory!
Tuesday
Luke 18
What does the question in verse 18 reveal about the young man’s understanding of Jesus?
Jesus quotes 5 of the 10 commandments to the young man. Look back at verse 20. Why do you think Jesus chose those 5 and not the other 5?
What is one thing that Jesus said this man lacks? (v 22)
After hearing Jesus’ command (v 22), what was the response of the rich young ruler in verse 23?
Respond
Luke 18:18-30 is a rather sad and painful chapter. This story is actually recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. When we read all three accounts we learn different things, but we see one big conclusion. Here’s a guy who probably has a lot and is living his best life, but there’s still something missing. When confronted with that missing piece, he’s not willing to take the necessary steps to fill that void in his life. After answering the self-penetrating questions asked by Jesus, the young man walked away sad. How often is the pain in our lives a byproduct of our bad choices?
The call that Jesus gives this young man is a call of discipleship and radical obedience (v 22). When it comes to following Jesus there is a cost. Being a disciple of Jesus means so much more than attending a church service, reading the Bible, and/or doing good things. Earlier in the book of Luke Jesus stated the cost of discipleship (Luke 9:23). Later in Luke 14 Jesus uses some pretty strong language when discussing what following Him looks like. Commenting on the rich young ruler Dietrich Bonhoeffer said , “When He was challenged by Jesus to accept a life of voluntary poverty, the rich young man knew he was faced with the simple alternative of obedience or disobedience.” For this young man it was his wealth that was keeping him from wholeheartedly following Jesus. What in your life is hindering you from truly following Jesus? How would you respond if Jesus told you that you had to give that one thing up in order to follow Him?
WEDNESDAY
Psalm 119:65-72
How does the psalmist feel the Lord has dealt with him (v 65)?
What was it that brought the writer into obedience to God’s Word (v 67)?
Based on verse 71, why can affliction be good?
Respond
It’s super common, and easy, for us to view the hardships in life and question the goodness of God. For years people have asked the questions, “if God is good then why is there bad in the world? If God is good then why do we have to experience difficulties and hardships.” As the psalmist is reflecting over his life he doesn’t dismiss the presence of challenges, affliction, and adversity. Yet in all of these moments he chooses to focus on the good that can come in the various seasons of life. While it seems like a foreign concept to us, these verses teache us that affliction can be good. In times of affliction we learn patience, we learn to trust God to a greater extent, and we can gain strength. This is why James teaches us to count it all joy when hard times come our way. For years we’ve used the cliche, “what doesn’t make you bitter has the potential to make you better!” In this portion of Psalm 119 this idea is clearly expressed. We all have trials and sufferings. At times these situations are out of our control. While we can’t always control the situation, we can control how we respond in these moments. The natural default for many of us is to beg God to remove the affliction from life. Perhaps, instead of asking Him to remove it, maybe we should ask Him to teach us and guide us. Warren Wiersbe stated, “The school of suffering never graduates any students, so ask God to teach you the lessons He wants you to learn.”
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Thursday
James 1:1-18
How should we view trials when they come our way? (v 2)
What is a possible outcome for a faith that is tested ? (v 3-4)
How does James describe a person with divided loyalties? (v 6)
In verse 12 God offers a blessing. Who is this blessing promised to? What can this person also expect to receive?
What causes a temptation to become a sin? (v 13-15)
The book of James has been called “Proverbs of the New Testament.” Of the 108 verses, there are 50 imperative or exhortations given to the readers. At the core of each command is the goal of spiritual maturity. Throughout the book James talks about the perfect man or the complete man. The concept behind the title is growing closer to Chrst. This should be the aim for all of us. It’s extremely interesting that James mentions trials and temptations so close to one another.
It’s super important to understand that James does not say “if” you have some bad days, rather “when” you have some bad days. The natural tendency for many is to see the trail as something bad and in turn we’re tempted to view God, others, and circumstances with a distorted view.
In addition, James goes a step further by telling the reader to ask for wisdom. Perhaps you don’t fully get the trial you’re going through. In all honesty maybe you will one day or maybe you won’t. Regardless, take the opportunity to ask God for wisdom in the midst of this affliction.
Pause for a moment and think about some of the trials that you’ve faced over the past few days, weeks, or even months. Write down one way you think God wants you to grow in the midst of this trial.
Friday
Romans 12
Based on verse 9, what are three basic commands in the Christian life?
How should I respond to those who persecute me? (v 14)
According to verse 19, what right do we have to seek vengeance?
What verse(s) really challenged you?
Respond
The opening verses of Romans 12 (verses 1-2), provide the foundation upon which the rest of the chapter will develop. Verses 1-2 state the doctrine and the remaining verses provide the duty for the reader. The practices that are given in the rest of the chapter are fruits of the life that has been transformed by the mercies of God and not influenced by the ways of the world.
The verses in the latter part of chapter 12 offer some guidance for the Christian in the area of love, and even loving those that are not easy to love. In full transparency it is really easy for us to slip into “get even” mode, especially when we’ve been hurt or done wrong. As a believer there’s never a time when I am free to not love someone. The greatest principle in the Christian life is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8 teaches that love never fails. In a list of three strong human attributes, 1 Corinthians 13:14 states that love is the greatest. In Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 22, love is characterized as the greatest commandment. It’s a whole lot easier to love those who love you. But what about the ones who have treated you wrong? What about the ones who are hard to love?
Saturday
Romans 13
According to verse 1, where does all authority come from?
When a person rebels against authority, who else are they rebelling against? (v 2)
How does Paul describe authorities in verse 4?
When we read verses 8-9 we see that the commandments could basically be summed up in one phrase or commandment. What is that commandment?
Which governing authorities or policies do you have a hard time submitting to? How does this passage help you?
Respond
Romans 13 is one of those chapters that really challenges us all. Embedded in this chapter are some pretty tough commands and some hard questions that we’re all forced to answer. It’s super important to stress the original audience of this letter. Context is king! Paul is writing to Christians living under the rule of the Roman Empire. This was a governmental system that persecuted and treated Christians unfairly. This empire prided themselves on making life for the Christian miserable, oppressive, and extremely hard. Also, keep in mind when reading this chapter that Paul is in no way seeking to defend that all governments are good. The passage operates around the opening line, “let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Everything that follows in this chapter is an example of living in obedience to this command. To be subject to someone is an understanding that I might have to surrender my desire, my preference, or my wants because I understand there is a greater cause. What's really interesting is the fact that the idea of “being subject to authorities” is sandwiched between a call for Christians to love (12:9-10 and 13:8). The goal of this chapter is not the actions of the government, but rather the response of the Christian. The Apostle Peter gives some similar instruction in 1 Peter 2:13-17. Spend a few moments today asking the Lord to give you a true understanding of this chapter and a heart of submission to authority.