Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 29
Read 1 John 3:10-4:16

Love was a central theme of John’s ministry. As an old man, he could undoubtedly be found sitting in the church, whispering to anyone who would listen, “My children, love one another.” By “love” John was not referring to a warm handshake on Sunday morning. He was referring to a God kind of love that jumps out of heaven into a mortal body, hangs out with the marginal, teaches the stubborn, spares the annoying Pharisees (even though He would have been totally justified in destroying them), is beaten into a bloody mess, and hung on a tree. We can love like that only because God showed it to us first, and when we show God’s love, those who are far from Him can see Him. How can you show extravagant love to others today?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 28
Read 1 John 2:15-3:9

Forgiveness is awesome! When God forgives us, He covers, forgets, and removes our sins from us.John reminds us that Christ came in order to “Take away our sins” (3:5). His words echo John the Baptist, who said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). The Old Testament contains similar language in the book of Psalms: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
The language of Scripture concerning forgiveness is powerful. The fact that God has forgiven us and taken away our sin is overwhelming. Think of it this way: every week your garbage is picked up outside your house; not once have they ever brought it back! They took it away! Forgiveness in Jesus is exactly the same. When He forgives us, He takes away the garbage of our lives, and He never brings it back. Thank Him for His amazing forgiveness today!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 27
Read 1 John 1:1-2:14

John used the image of light throughout his writings to communicate multiple ideas: the coming of Jesus, the person of Jesus, the saving knowledge of Jesus, the redemption made possible by Jesus . . . All things Jesus. It is because of Jesus that our sins have been forgiven. It is by Jesus that we have been brought into a relationship with the eternal God of all creation. It is through Jesus that we can have victory over sin and death.
John called believers to walk in these truths. When we do, the world will see a people characterized by an audacious love for one another. It will see people who prize the Word of god and live obediently to the call of God. Live in the light of what Jesus has done, and you will reflect that light in a dark world.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 26
Read 2 Peter 3:1-18

Many of those who read Peter’s letter in the first century were suffering fierce persecution. Some of them were in danger of being ostracized, imprisoned, or even put to death because of their faith. Living in a culture filled with such animosity toward Christianity understandably left some believers struggling with discouragement and disillusionment. Seeking to prevent any further uncertainty, Peter warned believers that “scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’” (2 Peter 3:3-4). Peter knew false teachers would try to persuade discouraged believers that they were sacrificing and enduring persecution for nothing — that the hope of their calling was really a sham.
So with this in mind, Peter sought to encourage those Christians be reminding them of God’s promise that Christ will one day return for His followers. Though there would be some who would dismiss this promise simply because of the apparent delay, Peter called for believers to stand strong in their faith concerning God’s promise. While our Father is not bound by an earthly timetable we understand, He will never go back on His promise to return, for “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise” (3:8-9)!
According to Peter, the reality of Christ’s future coming should motivate believers of all ages to live in a godly way and to have a joyful expectation for what is yet to come (3:14-15). So even though 2000 years have passed, modern believers are to live in faith of this same promise. This faith should be so strong that it actually affects how we behave. To say it another way, our complete trust in God’s promises for the future should result in present obedience. Do God’s promises motivate your present behavior?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 25
Read 2 Peter 2:1-22

The existence of false teachers is not in doubt. Today, you can easily find someone willing to compromise the truth of God in order to draw a crowd. The same was true when Peter wrote this letter, and he did not hold back when he wrote about them. These people are professional con artists. They lack self-control and a spine, and they would rather sell out than proclaim the truth of God. They prefer the immediate, but temporary, perks of money and popularity. Peter made a point of saying that they know the gospel about which they lie. Like any lie, it is not painted scarlet with a flashing sign.
False teachers’ presence is certain, and many people will be enticed into following them. It is not a pretty picture, but God promises to dole out punishment on the unjust and to deliver His people from temptation. You can rest assured that with the firm foundation of God’s unchanging Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God will preserve His people to the end.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 24
Read 2 Peter 1:1-21

When a person comes to faith in Christ, it is only the beginning. Conversion marks the start of spiritual life. Spiritual life, in turn, should mark the beginning of spiritual growth. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” We are to keep moving forward in our spiritual maturity.
For many, the concept of spiritual growth equates only to the gaining of Christian knowledge. This misconception about growth leads people to believe that one’s growth level is tantamount to how much they know. Growth and maturity are then tied to the number of verses memorized, books read, and Bible studies completed.
Peter’s understanding of true spiritual growth was quite different and very simple; it was just becoming more like Jesus. Peter reminds us God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (1:3). To be precise, God has spared nothing as it relates to us progressively becoming more like Christ. What does that mean for us? It means we have no excuse for the absence of spiritual growth in our lives. According to Peter, adding to your faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love is an outline for growth (1:5-7). These qualities are characteristics that make us more like Jesus. That is real spiritual growth!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

February 23

Answer the following questions regarding your readings from this past week:

1.) Give thanks for the prayers God has answered this week. What are you                 trusting God for now in prayer? Do you believe God is working even now?

2.) Trials will come and so will opportunities to share your faith through them.             Who are 10 people with whom you are praying you can share your faith?             How can you begin the process of sharing your faith with them?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 22
Read 1 Peter 4:12-5:14

A woman with severe abdominal pain was taken to the hospital. An X-ray revealed something a cat could identify with — a giant hair ball made mostly of sock fibers. Why would someone eat socks? Her boyfriend said she routinely ate half an athletic sock at night to “relax.” While eating socks to calm down may not be that common, anxiety certainly is. Each day emergency rooms are visited by men and women who think they are having a heart attack or some other physical problem, and then they are diagnosed with an anxiety attack. Anxiety and worry are real problems for everyone, and the Enemy knows it.
Beware of the Adversary. He has many tools to discourage and devour. Worry is just one of them, but it is an effective weapon against us. However, our God is greater than our Enemy and our problems! He wants us to cast all of our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). His care for us is greater than our concern for ourselves.
Your problem may not be what you are eating, but what is eating you! Humble yourself under God’s hand and ask Him for help. He gives grace to the humble, but He stiff-arms the proud. Remember that He cares for you, and put your trust in Him.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 21
Read 1 Peter 3:13-4:11

You probably have never heard of a Sunday School teacher named Edward Kimball. One day he visited a young shoe salesman who had been visiting his class. In the shoe stockroom, Kimball shared the love of Christ with this young man, and D. L. Moody was saved. Moody became the great soul-winning evangelist who reached thousands for Christ. Peter tells us to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. He is calling us to magnify the Lord by submitting our wills to His. Soul winners don’t set out to win souls, but because Christ is so precious to them, they feel they must share Him with everyone — even if it means suffering for Him.
If you sanctify the Lord God in your heart, be ready for the Holy Spirit to prompt you to share your faith. Remember, that Peter said the end is at hand. Jesus is coming and we have been left here, not only to wait for our Lord, but also to help as many people get to heaven as possible. Don’t let the enemy silence you. Don’t let suffering stop you. People want to experience true hope today, and you know the Source. They need to be introduced to the Savior.
You may not be like D. L. Moody, but you are a child of the living God and empowered by the same Spirit. You have a hope in you, and others need to hear about that hope. Share your faith with others today!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 20
Read 1 Peter 2:18-3:12

What exactly is the “good life”? Is it earning enough money to do what you want when you want? Is it getting married and settling down in the suburbs or some uptown apartment? Is it having season tickets or getting the corner office? However people define it, everyone desires the good life. The good life ceases to be good, however, when human relationships are broken. Life is about relationships, and no amount of achievement or material gain can fix broken hearts. Peter said the good life is living at peace with people. If we love life, we will love others and seek to be at peace with them (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11).
Paul said we should do our best to live at peace with one another (Romans 12:18), and Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Living in peace means becoming a bridge-builder. The ultimate reason we are to seek reconciliation with others is that God sought reconciliation with us. By the blood of the cross, God made peace with us, when we were His enemies (Colossians 1:19-20).
Today, seek to be a peacemaker and a reconciler. Be a blessing to as many people as possible, “knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (3:9). Now that sounds like the good life!