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!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 11

Read Luke 10:30-11:13

Mary and Martha provide two excellent models of worship and service. Instead of valuing one over the other, we should have a balance of both. You simply cannot divorce the two and be an effective follower of Christ.
Many have criticized Martha for failing to sit with Mary at Jesus’ feet. However, churches are full of Christians who “sit and soak” and never prioritize serving and applying what they have learned. Many Christians pride themselves on their faithful attendance, but the statistics have not changed for decades. 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people.
What changes do you need to make to balance worship and service in your life?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 10

Read Luke 10:8-29

Wouldn’t it be easier to follow Jesus’ command to love “your neighbor as yourself” (vs. 27) if we could re-define a few of His words? First, we might change the word love to tolerate. That way, we could even avoid interaction with the guy next door altogether! Second, we could replace the word neighbor with acquaintance. Neighbor sounds too much like friend and requires attention to that person’s needs. Third, we might drop the phrase “as yourself.” There is no way the guy next door should be loved as much as the person we see in the mirror each morning! Finally, we could assume Jesus meant to say we should love our “neighbors” — that is, plural. We could focus on how loving we are to those who are easy to love and let ourselves off the hook for being unloving toward just one guy next door. We’d feel better about our tendency to pick and choose whom we love.
With a few simple changes, Jesus’ command is pretty easy. But obviously, keeping a “version” of His command that we have reformed to our tastes isn’t really obedience. It’s catering to our selfishness — living by the flesh — not following Jesus or pleasing the Father — living by the Spirit. Godly love is sacrificial, seeks the lost, and serves others selflessly.
Aim to build relationships with your neighbors, know their spiritual condition, and meet their needs. We’ll never take strides toward reaching our neighbors for Christ until we let God’s love fill and direct our lives.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 9

Read Luke 9:43b-10:7

Talk about insensitivity! Jesus explained He would be betrayed, and the very next moment the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them! Isn’t that just like human nature? We live in a world that values status and demands we declare our rank. The idea of rank means we compare ourselves to and compete with others. The higher we go, the lower others go. It is our nature to continue overcoming more people so we may achieve an increasingly higher status in this world.
Tragically, the drive for status ultimately leaves us spiritually dry. Jesus provided us with a recipe for greatness in vs. 48: “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me.” The child cannot provide you status nor give you rank. There is only one reason to receive the child: LOVE. In loving unconditionally you begin to see true greatness by following the great example of our Savior.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 8

Read Luke 9:18-43a

In today’s passage we read that Jesus asked the disciples who the crowds said He was. We know from Matthew 16:13 that at this time they were in the region of Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by a culture in which people worshiped various gods at various altars. There was an altar for Pan (the god of nature), a shrine to Baalism, and even an altar to worship the great Caesar of Rome.
It’s easy to repeat what others have said about Jesus, as the disciples did in (Luke 9:19). Jesus, however, always makes it personal. “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said, ‘The Christ of God’” (vs. 20). Our world is filled with altars to other gods today, and our God continues to ask this personal question: “Who do you think I am?” Your answer will reveal the true altar of your worship.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 7

Answer the following questions about your readings this past week:

1.)      Have you allowed God to change the way you think? Describe a thought         process that Christ has completely transformed, and consider what other             thought processes might need His healing touch.

2.)     How has your personal relationship with Christ given to someone else that which Christ has given to you?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

July 6

Read Luke 8:49-9:17

When God created man and woman, He gave them a mandate: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion . . . Over every living thing” (Genesis 1:28). Briefly stated, God said, “Take control.” Today, we are prone to a sinful version of having dominion, one in which we refuse to call Jesus Lord. Each of us spends our days taking control of our lives. In any typical home, the battle over who will hold the TV remote illustrates the ongoing need for control.
Jesus is in control of the entire universe and of every age of history — He most certainly can and should be Lord of our lives! Yet we struggle to relinquish control to Him. You will never find true life until you give total control over to the One who holds all of life. Do not depend solely on your abilities or your plans. Depend on the One who is present, the Lord Jesus Christ. He can call into existence things that are not and lead you into wisdom. He is almighty and good! Praise Him and rely on Him, for He is God!
The only antidote to resisting God’s control is what Jesus seeks from us: TRUST! Focus on His trustworthy character and put your trust in Him.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
July 5
Read Luke 8:22-48

Many people are consumed with anger toward God when they suffer, and they blame Him for things for which He is not responsible. The people Jesus healed in Luke 8 knew He was the answer to their suffering. Pursue Jesus, even when you suffer. Whether He heals you or strengthens you as you struggle, you will be blessed!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
July 4
Read Luke 8:1-21

One of the reasons Jesus spoke in parables was to keep our minds from wandering into foolish speculation. He spoke of things that were easy to understand — common things with heavenly meanings — in order to teach the deep things of God.
Jesus used the parable of the sower to explain unbelief and shallow faith. Jesus used four different kinds of soil to represent four classes of hearers. Those by the wayside are shallow people who live by the easiest path, avoiding the difficult things. Those in the rocky soil represent people who have become hardened to anything that may require them to feel. Because of their pain, they erect a stone wall to the world and to God. Those in the thorny soil are people who are so attached to the wonders of the world that anything less than a thrill is dismissed. Those in the good soil are people who remain sensitive to the still small voice of God.
Jesus admonished, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 8:8). Hear Him today. Trust His wisdom. He hears you, so speak to Him right now — He cares for you!