Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 19
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16

There are many churches today that base their operations on human traditions rather than biblical teaching. It’s sad but true that some sermons and ministry programs are most likely not at all what God had in mind for His church. Christians are choosing human wisdom over God’s wisdom, and that is exactly what Paul warned believers about in 1 Corinthians 2. Paul told the Corinthians that when he preached, he did not rely on “persuasive words of human wisdom” (vs. 4). Paul was a very capable individual, and he could have put his trust in his own cleverness and strong communication skills as he served God. Instead, he put his trust in God’s message and God’s power. His confidence was in knowing what message God wanted him to preach: salvation through Jesus Christ. He said his preaching demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit so that people’s faith would be in the power of God (vs. 4-5).
Paul’s preaching penetrated human hearts, causing people to cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Paul’s secret was prayer. Prayerless preaching yields no power. We must rely on the Spirit of God to do the work of God. For your ministry and your daily life, are you trusting in God’s wisdom or in human wisdom? Like Paul, join God’s agenda for His work instead of making your own. Jesus taught His disciples that their first calling was to “be with Him” (Mark 3:14). Simply by being with Him, they would know what to say(1 Corinthians 2:14). Answer Jesus’ call to be with Him, and follow His lead today.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 18
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-25

Godless philosophies and worldly traditions have taken many forms throughout the ages. What people consider to be true one year is invariably refuted and rejected the next. But the eternal God and His truth do not change like the philosophies and theories of humans. Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” Do you know why that is such a powerful statement? Because His attributes do not change. The same God who loved you enough to put His Son on the cross 2000 years ago still loves you with that same love today!
When you are troubled and facing difficulties in life, turn to God. You don’t have to worry about catching God in a bad mood or about whether He will respond to you in anger or disgust. No, the God of love does not change. You can count on Him to be the one constant in your life. You can always rely on His powerful presence. He will help you, heal you, and deliver you through the problems of life. God’s wisdom and strength is beyond human comprehension (1:25)! Only when you come to the end of yourself and turn to God will you experience the power of God to save & deliver you.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 17

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

1.)     How can you let the love of Jesus Christ shine forth in your life among                 those you see and come in contact with each day?

2.)     What things in your life hinder you from knowing and doing God’s will?

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 16
Read Romans 15:30-16:27

Paul closed the book of Romans by giving special mention to those believers who had faithfully served the Lord Jesus. Effective Christianity is never the work of just one person or just one church. We are all in this together!
He also gave a word of warning concerning false prophets. They are motivated by selfish ambitions. They divide the body of Christ and dishonor the Lord Himself. They substitute vain philosophy for doctrinal truth.
Work together with your fellow believers, and be swift to hear, but be sure you are listening to the right voices!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 15
Read Romans 15:4-29

There is more to the Christian life than fun, food, and fellowship. There is a message to proclaim and a ministry to perform. There are lost people to be won and saved people to be discipled. This is the work of the church, and it is the work of every believer.
However, we do not do God’s work in the power of the flesh. We do the work of the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes the emphasis away from us and puts it all on Christ. He turns confusion into purpose and frustration into victory. Allow Him to be your source of strength, and your life and ministry will be affirmed with joy, peace, and hope.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

November 14

Read Romans 14:1-15:3

Life would be much simpler if everyone believed the same things, thought the same thoughts, and acted in the same ways. It would also be much duller.
Every person who has truly been saved is a member of the family of God. All Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. However, not all Christians live at the same  spiritual maturity level. Some Christians still struggle with legalism, while others are still seeking the full meaning of the grace-filled life.
Paul said, “We then who are storing ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). Many believers don’t know whether they belong in the weak or the strong category. Many forget there is a difference between personal preference, personal conviction, and absolute truth. Too many Christians argue about things that have nothing to do with biblical truth. They fuss about things that are only preferences or personal convictions. Satan loves it when we do that.
As brothers and sisters in God’s family, our chief aim should be to live in a way that brings honor to Him. We must not waste our lives criticizing others. Let us determine to please the Lord in all we do and leave the judging to Him.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

November 13

Read Romans 12:9-13:14

The word love is such an overused word in our culture. We say we love the Lord, we love our families, we love football, we love our dogs and cats, we love to go fishing with worms, and we love pizza. We use the same word to describe our affection for God, our affection for sports, and our affection for food.
Real love is not a superficial emotion; it is an act of the will. We love those whom we choose to love. It is often sacrificial and is always Christlike. You are never more like Jesus than when you are loving.
Christian love is never passive, but active. It is not just something we say; it is something we do! It involves giving, praying, respecting, obeying, serving, and forgiving.
We are to manifest Christian love to our families, our neighbors, our leaders, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Through love we keep the commandments, we honor the Lord, we bless the lives of others, and we even make life better for ourselves.
Love someone today in Jesus’ name!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 12
Read Romans 11:22-12:8

What a mighty God we serve! He knows the end from the beginning. In fact, He has determined the end from the beginning! The destiny of this world is not in the hands of any human government, but in the hands of god. No earthly king, president, prime minister, or emperor will be in charge at the end. Jesus Christ will return from heaven some day, and He will be in charge. He will rule as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess Him as Lord.
Our future is not hidden; it has been clearly revealed. “The Deliverer will come” (Romans 11:26). One day He’s coming. O glorious day! Until He returns, those of us who know Him are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices. That is really an oxymoron. A sacrifice is something that has been slain as an offering to God. As living sacrifices we are dead and alive at the same time. We are dead to the world, the flesh, and the devil, but we are alive to Jesus Christ and His will for us.
Finding God’s will is life’s highest accomplishment; following God’s will is life’s highest fulfillment. His will is not a miserable, meaningless existence. His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. It is the place where we experience His provision and protection. Seek to know and do His will.

Daily Walk Through the New Testament
November 11
Read Romans 11:1-21

God chose the nation of Israel to be a visible manifestation of His mercy and kindness. They were to be a light to the nations of the world. God loved the people of Israel and blessed them in many ways. Yet, as a nation, Israel turned away from God. We see this over and over in the Old Testament. They often forsook the Lord and worshiped pagan gods. They rejected the warnings of God’s prophets and profaned God’s name. The ultimate sin of Israel was the rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
Amazingly, God never turned away from Israel. There has always been a remnant of Jews who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and God has welcomed them into His family. There are more Jews coming to Christ today than at any other time in history. When Israel turned away from God, He stretched His hand out to the Gentile world. They were not the original vine, but in His great love, He grafted them in. Those of us who are Gentile believers in Jesus must never give way to a spirit of pride. Our being in the family of God has nothing to do with who or what we are; it is all because of His mercy and kindness.
Today, all Christians, whether Jewish of Gentile, are to be His light in a dark world. With great humility, our lives should show forth His mercy and kindness to a world that so desperately needs to know Jesus. Let your light shine for His glory!

Daily Walk Through the New Testament

November 10

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

1.)     What are some areas of your life you need to surrender to Jesus Christ?

2.)     Are your expectations and disappointments distracting you from God’s                 perfect plan for your life? If so, make a list of things that are                     distracting you and place them under God’s authority in prayer.