Foundations: The Gospel of Luke - Day 1

Read Luke 1

It is a few decades after Jesus’ death and news of Him is spreading rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. A well-educated Gentile has devoted himself to discovering as much as possible about this man from Nazareth. The result was the Gospel of Luke. In this account of Jesus’ life we see a great hope for people today. Luke wasn’t Jewish and he didn’t know Jesus personally. Despite this, he wrote with a great intimacy of Jesus. As Luke grew to know more about Jesus, he grew to know Jesus personally. As we study Jesus’ life we too can build a personal intimacy with Him.

In the first chapter we are given a detailed account of the birth of John the Baptist as well as the blessing of Mary as the future mother of Jesus. From the beginning of his Gospel, Luke develops a key theme: people’s responses to God matter. We are given a great amount of detail about how Zacharias (v 12, 18) and Mary (v 29, 34, 38) each responded to the angels’ announcements of their sons (John the Baptist and Jesus). Further, Luke chose to include some of the most beautiful, poetic responses of praise to God found in the Bible. Mary praised God for His mercy and how He acts toward people (v 46-55). Zacharias offered God grateful praises revolving around salvation and the forgiveness of sin (v 68-79).

Journaling and Prayer
1.   Luke earnestly desired to get to know Jesus. Do you have the same desire? Ask God to 
      help you hunger for a deeper intimacy with Jesus as you study the Book of Luke.

2.   We are so blessed to see how people responded to God in Scripture! Look back over Mary’s and Zacharias’ responses to God.  They make some great declarations about God’s character: He is holy, merciful, deliverer, saviour, righteous, and forgiving. Do you believe this? If you have trouble believing any of these confess it to God and ask Him to help you know these areas of His character.

3.   Pray for each member of your family by name. Ask that God would give them a hunger to get to know Him. Ask that He would teach them about Himself and His Word. Ask that He would reveal Himself in the midst of their struggles (for example, if someone struggles with feelings of sadness you can pray that God would reveal His joy to them). 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 31

Read: John 21

This chapter starts with a story about a catch of fish.  Why were they fishing? Do you think this may have something to do with Peter’s painful past of betrayal of His Lord?  They were off on their own, doing the fishing thing and it’s not a surprise that they were unsuccessful (v. 3).  However, when Jesus directs them they netted a remarkable large haul of fish (v. 6) - funny how that works.  It was enough to prompt a recognition and response (v. 7).  They then prepared breakfast and ate with Him (v. 8-14).  Then Jesus has a conversation with Peter.  Corresponding to Peter’s threefold denial (see John 18:15-18; 25-27), Jesus questions Peter three times about his love for Him (v. 15-17).  This hurt Peter, although each time he replied in the affirmative and was installed as a shepherd of Jesus’ flock.  The third invitation to Peter to care for Jesus’ flock was immediately followed by a reference to Peter’s future (v. 18).  John writes that this referred to Peter’s future martyrdom (v. 19).  Obedience for Peter would mean both pastoring and martyrdom, possibly by crucifixion.  There are many ways of following Jesus and each of us need to be careful to follow His path for us and not worry about anyone else’s path.  Jesus taught this using the example of how John would die (v. 22).  We can’t compare our path to anyone else’s path.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus meets people where they are at.  When Jesus originally called Peter into ministry, He was fishing and John 21 tells of another miraculous catch of fish.  Jesus is pursuing Peter; He did not give up on Peter!  Ask the Lord to show you a time in your life where Jesus met you where you were at.  Ask Him to show you how He has drawn you to Him, how He has not given up on you.  Thank and praise Him for this! 

2.   As Christians, often we compare ourselves to each other, yet following God looks different for different people.  Yes, everyone who is a Christian is commanded to flee sin and to obey God’s Word but the individual details of our lives may look very different.  This is often based on God’s calling, purpose and plans for our lives.  We are not to compare with each other in the areas of ministry skill, leadership, spiritual gifting, areas of service or even compare in terms of houses we live in, cars we drive or even physical appearance.  We are only to compare ourselves to the holiness of Christ and we are to seek His will and plan for our lives.  Ask the Lord to show you areas where you struggle with comparing yourself to others.  Ask His to show you why you tend to do this, what are you valuing more than Him?  Repent of these attitudes and pray that you will grow in accepting who He has made you to be and in accepting others too. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 30

Read: John 20

Imagine what has just been experienced by Jesus disciples - their leader, the one who they thought would become King including freeing them from the rule of the Roman’s, has just died and is in the grave.  It was over; they had lost, so they went back to their ordinary lives.  Three years of following Jesus, wasted!  Or was it?  At the beginning of chapter 20 we find Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb and finding the stone rolled away (v. 1).  Imagine the loss that she felt - she not only saw her Lord die; now she couldn’t even mourn at His place of burial!  Yet when she looks into the tomb she sees two angels who  and meets the Lord and her grief turned to joy!  He then tells her to go and tell the others and she went to the disciples with her news!  Next, we find the disciples in a home with the doors locked.  Yet these locked doors were no barrier to the Risen Lord!  Jesus came and stood among them and gave them peace (v. 19).  He showed them His hands and side.  They were overjoyed!  Jesus then gives them instructions and sends them, formally bestowing on them the promised Holy Spirit (v. 22). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Without the resurrection the cross is powerless and meaningless.  Spend some time reflecting on the resurrection of Christ - we serve a Risen Saviour, He is ALIVE, He is real, we can have a relationship with Him and talk to Him, He cares for us, He loves us…etc.  Write a prayer of thanksgiving, worship and praise to Jesus!  Ask Him to show you at least 8-10 things that you can worship Him for today! 

2.   John tells us the account of one woman, Mary Magdalene, who Jesus appeared to after His resurrection.  This was no ordinary person but was a person who had been miraculously transformed by Jesus.  This is the type of witness Jesus is looking for!  Are you that kind of person?  How has your life been utterly transformed by Jesus?  Ask Him to give you a word, thought, picture or verse about how He is transforming you!    

3.   When Jesus met His disciples, He brought peace to them.  This is important because they wree probably feeling a bit sheepish about not being there for Him at His crucifixion.  Yet He doesn`t rebuke them, He restores them.  Yet, He not only forgave and accepted them; He sent them (v. 21).  This is the Jesus that we love and serve!  Take a moment to ask the Lord to bring peace into any circumstance in your life where you may have fear or anxiety.  Ask Him for a comforting word, thought, picture or verse.  Then spend time in worship of Him! 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 29

Read:  John 19:16-42

The crucifixion was designed to inflict as much lingering pain and agony as possible.  Pilate ordered a placard attached to the cross, written in three languages.  The caption said, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (v. 19).  The Jews took offense to this and asked for a change in the wording but Pilate refused (v. 21-22).  John records two events that took place at the foot of the cross.  First, the dividing of Christ`s clothing which is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18.  John next records a compassionate transferal of care for Christ’s mother into the hands of the disciple whom Jesus loved (v. 25-27).   John also records three important events that happened at the cross.  Jesus cry, “I am thirsty” (v. 28) was a fulfillment of Psalm 69:21.  His final cry, “it is finished” (v. 30), was an acknowledgement that He had accomplished His full work, the work He willingly accomplished in obedience to the Father.  Finally, the unbroken bones and the sword thrust into His side were a fulfillments of O.T. prophecy (Ex. 12:46, Num. 9:12, Psalm 34:20, Zech. 12:10).  John then describes a lavish burial by a secret disciple, Joseph of Arimathea, assisted by Nicodemus (see John 3) which was according to Jewish custom.  It is interesting to note that none of Jesus 12 disciples took part in the burial. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Read Isaiah 53 and John 19:16-30.  Take a moment to reflect upon these verses.  What are five things that you can worship Jesus for today, from these verses?  Take a moment to write a prayer of thanksgiving, worship and praise to Jesus for dying for you.  Tell Him that you love Him and commit yourself to following Him wholeheartedly. 

2.   In Jewish law, touching a dead body caused ceremonial uncleanness for seven days.  When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared Jesus for burial they became ceremonially unclean and therefore unable to participate in the Passover (the biggest Jewish festival of the year).  They both had been secret followers of Jesus but this action shows their belief and understanding of the significance of what had just occurred.  They gave up the celebration of the Passover to care for their Lord and honor Him.  Ask the Lord to show you some of the things that you have given up for Him.   Then ask Him to show you what else you can give up for Him, out of love for Him and His Kingdom. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 28

Read: John 19:1-16

At the end of John 18 we found Pilate attempting to release Jesus but the Jews wanting none of it.  John 19 begins with Pilate having Jesus flogged (v. 1).  Pilate probably hoped that this punishment would satisfy the Jews, but he was wrong.  After they mocked Him with a crown of thorns and a purple robe, they beat Him.  Pilate again tells the Jews that he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus (v. 4).  The crowd was not pacified, they cried out even more vehemently for Jesus death, “Crucify! Crucify!” (v. 6). Pilate again replies that He finds no basis for a charge against Christ (v. 6).  Pilate then tried to set Jesus free but the Jews wanted a conviction, threatening Pilate’s political connection with Caesar (v. 12).  Pilate surrendered and condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion, caving in to social and political pressure.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus allowed people to think wrongly of Him.  Take a moment to reflect on your life – who in your life thinks wrongly of you?  Are you willing to let it go?  Does it bother you that they think this way? If so, ask the Lord for insight into why and if you have any selfish attitudes you need to confess today. 

2.   Ask the Lord to show you areas in your life where you cave into social or political pressure?  Confess this of sin and ask the Lord to show you how you can obey Him in these areas.

3.   Thank the Lord for His forgiveness and for restoration!  He loves to restore His sheep back to Him! 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 27

Read: John 18:12-40

Today, we find two things happening as the story goes back and forth between Jesus’ trials and Peter’s denials.  After Jesus was arrested, Peter followed at a distance and three times he denies being a disciple of Jesus (v. 17, 25-27).  It is important to note that Peter does not deny that Jesus is Christ; he only denies any association with Him.  The reference to the rooster’s crow is a reminder that Jesus predicted Peter’s denials (v. 27, see John 13:38).  The trials of Jesus began with Annas who questioned Jesus about His disciples and teaching (v. 19).  Jesus replies that everything Annas wants to know was a matter of public knowledge and could be learned from others.  This was not seen as a favorable response.  Jesus was then sent to Caiaphas (v. 24) and then to Pilate (v. 29).  The Jews wanted a judicial execution (v. 31).  Pilate questioned Jesus about whether or not He was king of the Jews (v. 33-34).  Jesus accepted the title but refused the meaning given it (v. 35-36).  His Kingship was bound to God’s truth, which was beyond Pilate (v. 37).  Pilate judged Jesus innocent of any violation of the law and attempted to free Him (v. 38-39) but the Jews would have none of it (v. 40). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   To deny means to disagree, renounce, decline, contradict, and discard or to refuse to accept or believe something.  A common way Christians deny Christ is by not spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer.  Pray that Christians would desire to spend time with God by reading His Word, and encountering God in the Word.  Pray that you would model a life that is transformed by the Word of God. 

2.   When questioned by Pilate, Jesus neither affirms nor denies His identity as King but responds like a King.  Christ shows that His thinking is much higher than their thinking; He is working on an entirely different level and won’t get caught up in a useless human debate.  Think about how you can apply this strategy to discussions and disagreements in your life. Do you rise above useless debates or do you find yourself ensnared and embittered by this sort of thing.  Ask the Lord to strengthen you to rise above this sort of thing. Pray that you would not waste your time and energy in petty discussions that get nowhere.         

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 26

Read: John 18:1-11

At the beginning of this chapter we find Jesus entering an olive grove (v. 1) with His disciples.  Soon we find Judas leading a group of religious men as well as soldiers and officials to Jesus (v. 3).  They had weapons as they were coming to arrest Jesus.  Jesus knew what was going on (v. 4), in fact, He does not resist them at all.  Christ knew the purpose for which He was sent – this is why He does not resist.  He knew that He was to die.  In fact, Jesus actually says, “I am He” (v. 5, 8).  He went willingly to the cross.  Jesus makes it plainly clear that He was the one they wanted.  He knew the path for Him included suffering and did not resist the path God had for Him.  The “cup” that He was to bear was from the Father, God was in control and He was obedient (v. 11).  John makes it completely clear that Jesus was in authority through this entire scene. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Can you honestly say that you know whether or not you are on the path that God has for you?  Are you willing to seek Him to find what that path is?  Pray that you would grow in Hearing God (listening prayer) and in obedience to the Lord so that you can walk down the path that He has for you! 

2.   Pray that you would be willing to let go of your own dreams and plans in order to fulfill His much better dreams and plans for you. 

3.   Thank God for His authority in the world.  Pray that believers everywhere would give Him full authority over their lives. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 25

Read:  John 17:20-26

The final segment of Christ’s prayer is for the unity of all the future generations of Christians who would come to faith through the testimony of the disciples (v. 20-23).  The same unity that is between the Father and the Son is what Christ desires for all believers.  Why?  The purpose of this unity is so that the world may know that God had sent Jesus and that He loves believers, as God loves Him (v. 23).  Jesus ultimate desire was that believers would be with Him in eternity and see His glory (v. 24).  The last two verses sum up Jesus prayer and His ministry.  The world did not know the Father but Jesus made Him known.  He came to make the Father known – His goal was the salvation of the world (v. 25-26). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.       Think about the unity in the global church today.  Are you involved in petty disagreements with other believers and churches?  Do you put other churches down?  Do you talk negatively about other believers?  These are all sinful attitudes and actions.  Spend some time in personal confession of any of these sins that you have been involved in. 

2.       Pray that you would be filled with God’s love for the church and believers. 

3.       Pray that the church would grow in unity, not fake worldly unity but a true unity that is based on alignment with Christ and His plans and will. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 24

Read: John 17:1-19

In John 17 we get a glimpse of Jesus prayer life as John records Jesus longest and most profound prayer.  Jesus knows the time for His crucifixion is near, in fact, it will occur on the very next day.  What are His final actions?  To pray!  The prayer begins with Jesus praying for Himself (v. 1-5).  His desire is to glorify the Father by His final act of willingly going to the cross.  The next segment of Christ’s prayer was for the disciples.  In this prayer we see that Jesus sees believers as not belonging to Him but to the Father (v. 10).  He prays for the protection of the believers (v. 11).  Why? The purpose for the protection is so that they may be ONE, as He and the Father are One (v. 12).  Unity is critical here.  Jesus is leaving the world, going to the Father and He won’t be around to protect them anymore so He asks the Father to look after them and preserve their unity (v. 11-12).  He wants the Father to protect them, not remove them from the world but to protect them from the evil one (v. 15).  He then prays that the Father will sanctify them (v. 17).  Sanctify means to set apart, to make holy, to purify or free from sin.  He prayed that the Father would sanctify them completely by truth, that is, by His Word (v. 17). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus desire was to glorify the Father, even though it meant that He would suffer and die a brutal death.  Read Phil. 2:5-11.  This passage tells us that He did nothing out of selfish ambition; He was a humble, obedient servant.  We are not to seek glory on earth but to follow Christ’s example of selflessness and servanthood. Ask the Lord to show you how you are doing in the area of selflessness and servanthood.  What selfish attitudes is He asking you to root out of your life (see list on Day 21)?  Confess any areas of sin and pray for Him to strengthen you to obey Him in these areas.

2.   Jesus knew that He was leaving His disciples and so He prayed for their protection (v. 11).  He knew that they would become targets of the world’s hatred (v. 13-14) so He asks that they be protected from the evil one (v. 15).  Parents also want their kids to be protected and safe but can’t be with them all the time.  As they grow up we must release them into a cruel and harsh world that will not always be nice to them.  We can learn from Jesus prayer.  Jesus isn’t manipulating and controlling circumstances to make life easy for His disciples and we aren’t to do that for our kids either. In what ways do you try to make life easier for your kids?  Do you struggle with being a “mother bear” when things don’t go well for your kids?  Ask the Lord to speak to you about these things.  Pray that you will grow in trust in Him and that you would grow in praying for your kids instead of meddling, manipulating and controlling.  If you are not a parent, pray these things for the parents in our church. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 23

Read: John 16

In this passage, Jesus is preparing the disciples for what will happen after His death and they react with grief (v. 6).  The problem is that the disciples are focusing on themselves rather than on Jesus.  Earlier Jesus mentioned that it is a blessing for Him to leave them and return to the Father.  Now He adds that He will send the Holy Spirit. The role of the Spirit is to interpret and bear witness to Jesus and His revelation of the Father (v. 12-15) who will deepen their knowledge of the Father.  The Holy Spirit will convict the world in the area of sin (v. 9), righteousness (v. 10) and judgement (v. 11).  The Holy Spirit will also enable them to grasp the teachings of Christ (v. 13) through guiding them.  The rest of the chapter directs the disciples’ attention towards what they are about to experience as a result of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.  Soon their grief will be turned to joy (v. 16-21) using the illustration of a woman who experiences pain in childbirth.  They will see Him again (v. 22) and enter into a new level of intimacy in their relationships with Him and the Father (v. 23-28).  The disciples respond with an affirmation of faith (v. 29-30) but it is premature for they do not know what lies ahead.  Jesus does not conclude on a down note, but instead assures them of peace because He has conquered the world (v. 33). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Have you acknowledged your need for the Holy Spirit?  Do you ask for Him to help you live out His desires in your life every day? Spend some time thanking God for the gift of the Holy Spirit!  Thank Him for His revelation, guidance and that He speaks to us (v. 13).  Pray that the Spirit will teach you what it means to walk with Him daily, moment by moment. 

2.   In the midst of suffering and hard times, Jesus offers peace.  He doesn’t promise to take all the hard stuff away, but He promises us that we can have peace through the tough times.  Think about a tough circumstance in your life and ask the Lord to grow in you the character required to have peace through that circumstance.  Thank Him for the peace that He offers you, in the midst of your circumstance. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 22

Read: John 15

Chapter fifteen begins with one of the most famous metaphors in all of Scripture and the final “I AM” statement - “I am the True Vine” (v. 1).  Jesus is the vine, the Father is the Gardener and believers are the branches growing from the vine.  The image of the metaphor is clear and shows the intimate union believers need with Christ.  Just as the branch cannot grow apart from the vine, believers cannot grow spiritually when they separate themselves from Christ.  Verses 7-10 show us the relationship between love and obedience in the context of remaining in Christ.  To obey Him is to conform one's life to the very pattern of God's own life, this brings joy!  Jesus loves as the Father loves (v. 9) and He commands His disciples to do the same (v. 12).  Love is not merely a feeling, or it would be impossible to fulfill.  Jesus’ love for His disciples is contrasted with the world’s hatred of Jesus and His disciples (v. 18).  He warns His disciples that their love of Him would alienate them from the world. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER 

1.   Jesus expects that Christians bear fruit (v. 16).  He cuts off branches that don’t bear fruit and He prunes the rest (v. 2) so they can be more fruitful.  Gal. 5:22-23 describes this fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do in order stay more firmly attached to the vine so you can bear good fruit.  .  Spend some time in prayer, committing to following through on what He shows you. 

2.   Christians should not be surprised when unbelievers hate them because they hated Him too.  Some time in prayer for Christians who are being persecuted in the world today.  Pray for their faith in Jesus to remain strong, pray for their families, pray for their health, pray for strength to endure and not give up.  Pray that many will be saved because of their love for Christ and willingness to die for Him.  Ask the Lord to show you other things that you can pray for them. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 21

Read: John 14

Chapter fourteen begins with Christ answering the question that Peter had in John 13:36, “Where are you going?”  Jesus assures His disciples of their future home with Him in Heaven (v. 1-2).  The disciples were confused by this teaching, Thomas and Phillip both questioned Him (v. 5, 8).  Jesus responds with the sixth “I AM” statement, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”.  He tells them that He and the Father are One and teaches them that He would empower His followers to do even greater works (v. 12-14).  Jesus then promises to pray for the Father to send the Holy Spirit (v. 16) who would teach them and equip them to remember and live out His teachings (v. 26).  The chapter ends with Christ warning His followers that He was about to leave the world, but reassuring them that they would see Him again (v. 19, 28).  He also encouraged the disciples to keep His commandments.  Three times He teaches that love equals obedience (v. 15, 21, 23).  In this passage, as throughout Scripture, we see the dependence of the Son upon the Father.  Those who do not love and obey the Son reject the Father (v. 24). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.    “Let not your hearts be troubled” (v. 1).  In what area is your heart troubled today?  Take a moment and talk to Jesus about this area.  Ask Him to comfort you and to show you His plans in this situation.  Ask Him for a word, thought, picture or verse from Him that can bring you peace in this troubled situation. 

2.   Praying in Jesus name means praying in a way that is consistent with His character and His will.  Effective prayer must ask for and desire what the Lord delights in.  Ask the Lord to show you a situation in your life that requires prayer.  Then ask Him to show you what His will is in that situation through a word, thought, picture or verse. 

3.   There is a definite repeat theme in this passage – loving God means keeping the commandments (v. 15, 21, 23) yet most of believers are actually filled with love for self, not love for God.  It shows in our attitudes, this is what self-love looks like: 

• Self-fulfillment (I achieved/accomplished...)                 
• Self-gratification (I deserve...)                        
• Self-pleasure (I need....)                              
• Self-advancement (I must promote myself...) 
• Self-reliance (I have to be strong/I am strong...)
• Self-preservation (I must fight for myself, I must protect myself...)
• Self-hate (I am worthless, stupid, good for nothing...)
• Self-condemnation (I can't do anything right, I don't deserve...)
• Self-criticism (I made a fool of myself, I failed, I suck.....)
• Self-comparison (I did better than ..., I am not as good as ...)

Ask the Lord to show you 2-3 areas of self-love that you struggle with.  Confess these things as sinful attitudes.  Then, ask the Lord to grow in you genuine, real and passionate love for Him.  

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 20

Read: John 13

Chapter thirteen begins a new section of the Gospel of John.  Jesus earthly ministry is ending and He is giving His final teaching to the twelve disciples before His crucifixion.   The timing of it being the Passover is momentous; Jesus knew that the time of His death had arrived (v. 1), and He lovingly prepares His disciples.  He began by washing His disciples’ feet (v. 4-5) in order to show them the full extent of His love (v. 1).  Peter objected to having His feet washed by Jesus (v. 8), he didn’t understand sacrificial love.  This shows pride and selfishness that is at the very heart of sin, as Peter is working from a worldly view.   His desire to have his hands and head washed again shows his religious enthusiasm yet with a strong element of self.  The true measure of a Christian is to be as humble as his/her Lord!  Christians are to serve one another.  During the meal Jesus announces that He would be betrayed by one of the disciples.    The chapter ends with Jesus prediction that Peter would deny Him three times before the night was over (v. 38).  This denial will be pivotal in Peter’s maturity as he finally comes to grip with his pride and selfishness which clears the way for him to be restored into humility and genuine fellowship with Christ (see John 21:15-19). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus washing the disciples feet was more than an act of service, it was an act of love.  It is extremely important to realize that Jesus washed the feet of the one who betrayed Him.  This is what God is like, He loves His enemies.  Ask the Lord to show you a person in your life who is tough to love.  Then ask God to show you how you can pray for this person and to show you something kind that you can do for him/her. 

2.   Read Psalm 41:9, and then read John 13:18.  Jesus was not betrayed by a stranger but by a close friend, a trusted friend.  Have you ever been stabbed in the back by a close friend?  Ask the Lord to show you what your feelings are towards this person and whether or not you have forgiven this person.  Ask Him to show you any areas of your heart that are still wounded by this person and what He is asking you to do about it. 

3.   Peter thought he loved Jesus enough to lay down his life for Him but the fact was that Peter’s love was selfish and immature.  Ask the Lord to show you areas where your love for Him is selfish and immature.  Confess these things and then pray that He will fill you with real, genuine, life-sacrificing love for Him.  

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 19

Read: John 12:20-50

The interest in Jesus by a group of Gentiles who were converting to Judaism demonstrated that the time of Jesus crucifixion was near (v. 20-23).  Christ made it clear that He is not the only one who must live sacrificially.  All His followers are called to do the same (v. 24-26).  Christ is troubled, the hour had come.  He cries out to God and is answered by a voice from Heaven (v. 28).  Jesus foretells His death (v. 29-33) and instructs them to walk in the light (v. 35-36).  Unfortunately, despite everything Jesus said and did, many people did not believe Him (v. 37) fulfilling the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah (v. 40).  Some of the chief rulers believed (v. 42-43) but were afraid to confess their faith.  Finally, Jesus proclaims Himself to be the light of the world and shows the dangers of rejecting His Words (v. 44-50). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Scripture is clear that believers are to die to self, die to fleshy desires and passions and live solely for God.  Ask the Lord to show you two areas in your life where He is calling you to die to self.  This could be in your marriage, in serving, in showing love to someone, in finances, in the area of entertainment, etc. 

2.   Ask the Lord to show you any areas in your life where you may have the tendency to be a secret Christian.  Then ask Him whether or not He wants you to be more public with your faith or whether or not He wants you to just live it out in quietness, waiting for the right opportunity to share it with others.   

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 18

Read: John 12:1-19

This chapter begins the week before Passover, one week before Jesus was to die on the cross.  At first, we see Mary of Bethany (Lazarus’ sister) anointing Jesus feet with perfume (v. 3).  Judas objected that the money should have been given to the poor (v. 4-6) but Jesus responded that it was appropriate because it was preparing Him for His upcoming burial and that such a loving act could not be performed later (v. 7-8).  The Pharisees are still plotting to kill Jesus and now they also want to kill Lazarus, because through him many believed on Jesus (v. 9-11).  The next day, Jesus enters Jerusalem and we read of the Triumphal entry (v. 13-14). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Judas wanted to sell the perfume yet the passage later reveals that Judas was a thief and was in charge of the money, helping himself to what was put into it.  We also know that Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  We can clearly see how a little sin took over his entire life and how his greed and love of money had a foothold in Judas.  It wasn`t that far of a stretch for him to eventually earn a buck off of turning Jesus in to the authorities.  Ask the Lord to show you any areas where greed or money may have a foothold in your life.  Then ask Him to show you what this is doing to your relationships and your future ministry. 

2.   Read Zechariah 9:9.  This passage clearly prophecies the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, yet John 12:16 tells us that Jesus disciples did not understand.  Jesus first coming was clearly prophesied in the Old Testament and all the prophecies were fulfilled yet many people at that time missed it.  It is the same with Jesus Second Coming; there are many Scriptures that prophesy of the End Times, yet many believers do not recognize the signs of the times.  Spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord to open your eyes to the Scriptures so that you can recognize the prophecies and relate them to what is going on in our world today.  Pray that believes would embrace the signs of the times and that they would sense the urgency and importance of repentance and living solely for Him. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 17

Read: John 11:17-57

Jesus finally arrives in Bethany after Lazarus had been dead for four days (v. 17).  He then makes a remarkable statement about Himself, “I am the resurrection and the life”.  This statement is a definite claim to Deity; He is saying that He is God and that He is the source of life.  The death of Lazarus and the pain of Mary and Martha moved Jesus greatly in His Spirit (v. 33).  Jesus wept (v. 35).  Why?  Because He loves (v. 36).  In verse 41, we find Jesus lifting up a prayer to the Father, so that all may know that the power by which He performs this miracle is from God.  Then in a loud voice He cried, “Lazarus, come out.”  Lazarus indeed came out and many believed in Christ (v. 45).  But some of them did not believe, instead they conspired to destroy Jesus.  The Pharisee’s gathered (v. 47).  They knew that that due to this miracle Jesus would be universally acknowledged as the Messiah and that the people would proclaim Him to be their King, which would cause them to lose power therefore they plotted to kill Jesus

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus wept (v. 35).  Jesus, the God-man did not feel it beneath Himself to sympathize with the distressed and weep with those who wept.  Jesus is sympathetic to our needs!  Ask the Lord to show you a time where Christ wept with you, over something that caused you to weep, thank Him for this.

2.   The raising of Lazarus was the final sign that proved who Jesus was but this miracle was also a motivation for those who didn`t believe in Him to put Him to death.  Lazarus would have had no idea that the timing of His illness, death and resurrection would play such a pivotal role in God’s plan to save the world.  Sometimes it may feel like our lives are insignificant – but any life fully surrendered to God’s will is useful to God.  Ask the Lord to reveal to you any areas where you feel insignificant.  Then, ask Him to show you any lies that you have believed about yourself or about Him.  Confess that you have believed those lies.  Finally, ask God to show you the truth about your significance to Him. 

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 16

Read: John 11:1-16

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were siblings (v. 1-2) and intimate friends of Jesus (v. 5).  Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill but He didn’t heal him, instead Jesus let His good friend die.  We already know from the healing of the official’s son in John 4 that Jesus did not have to be present with the ill person in order to heal him/her.  He promised in v. 4 that the illness would not lead to death, yet Lazarus died.  Jesus knew that the “time” was coming for Him to be put to death but first He would perform the pinnacle of all His miracles, the final sign that He was the Messiah.  The disciples showed their lack of understanding on two occasions.  First, they were afraid to return to Judea because of the possibility of being killed there (v. 8, 16) and secondly they thought Jesus reference to Lazarus being asleep meant that he was merely resting, while Jesus meant Lazarus was dead (v. 12-14).  They still lacked understanding! 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   What Jesus is doing here doesn’t make sense.  Mary and Martha knew that Jesus could heal Lazarus, but instead Jesus let Him die.  It is times like these when faith is tested.  Would they still He was the Messiah or would this tough circumstance cause offense?  Have you ever experienced a circumstance when you didn’t understand God?  What was your reaction?  What does this show you about your faith in God?  If you need to confess offense towards God, spend some time doing so. 

2.   Ask the Lord to show you what He wanted to do or wants to do through the circumstance that He revealed in question 1. 

3.   Thank God for His Sovereignty and control and that even though we don`t understand what is going one, He can be trusted 100% of the time!    

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 15

Read: John 10

Chapter ten begins with an illustration of a thief who attempts to gain access to a flock of sheep illegitimately (v. 1) compared to the animal’s true shepherd who enters by the door (v. 2).  The thieves come to steal, kill and destroy while the true shepherd comes to give life (v. 10).  The key point in this section comes in verse 9 when Jesus explains that He alone is the path to salvation.  Jesus then explains that He is also the Good Shepherd (v. 11) who sacrifices Himself for the sheep, laying down His life for them (v. 11).    The Good Shepherd has a relationship with His sheep, He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (v. 14).  Once again we see that the people were divided in their opinions, some received Christ’s teachings, others resisted (v. 19-21).  In verse 22 we find Jesus in the temple.  The people asked Jesus to clearly tell them if He is the promised Messiah (v. 24).  Jesus responded that His works bear witness about Him (v. 25) and that their unbelief came from not being part of His flock.  This upset the Jews and they tried to execute Him (v. 31).  Jesus goes on to deflect their criticism by quoting Psalm 82:6.  He used their adherence to the letter of the law against them and then again stated that His works showed His identity (v. 38-39).  Furthermore, the crowds agreed that all that John the Baptist had prophesied about Jesus was true and many believed in Him (v. 40-42). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus is the only path to salvation and a rich life full of joy and overflowing with meaning and fellowship with God, yet so many Christians are trying to pursue other paths simultaneously.  Many spend way too much time pursuing careers, hobbies, personal fulfillment, material things, success, relationships, etc. instead of fully pursuing God.  Ask the Lord to show you the things that get in the way of you fully pursuing God.  Confess these things as sin. 

2.   Ask Him to show you how you can balance your life in such a way that He is first in all that you do.  Pray that you would follow through on what He shows you. 

3.   Does your lifestyle show that you know Christ?  Ask the Lord to show you areas of your life where you are not reflecting  His Lordship and then ask Him to show you what He is requiring of you in that area.    

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 14

Read: John 9

If you remember back to John 6 you will recall that the people were physically hungry so Jesus performed a miracle and supernaturally provided food for 5000 people.  He then went on to teach them about spiritual hunger.  The same sort of thing happens in John 9.  As a masterful teacher, Jesus uses a miraculous healing to prove a spiritual point.  He heals a blind man and then teaches about spiritual blindness.  It is interesting to note that in many ancient cultures, hardships in life were seen as the result of personal or group failings (v. 2).    Jesus responded that nobody`s sin was responsible for the man’s blindness but that the man’s blindness would be used to reveal the works of God (v. 3-5).  The Pharisses could not believe that Jesus was from God because He healed on the Sabbath (v. 16).  They had to find an explanation for what happened that did not prove that Jesus was from God.  Their first explanation was that the man wasn’t born blind (v. 18) until the parents refuted that (v. 20).  Then they refused to give Jesus credit for the miracle, saying that He was a sinner (v. 25), yet the blind man testified that it was obvious Jesus was from God (v. 32-33) as he believed (v. 38) and worshipped Jesus. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   In this biblical account, the blind man endured hardship even though He was innocent of any sin.  The reason was so that “the works of God might be displayed in him”.  What hardship(s) has God allowed in your life in order to bring Him glory?  Have you been cooperating with God in this situation or have you been grumbling and complaining about it?  Are you sure that this situation isn’t a consequence of a past sin or failure in your life?  Ask the Lord to speak to you about this hardship, ask him to give you a word of encouragement that will help you persevere through it. 

2.   Sometimes when we pray for our unsaved family and friends, we pray for a miracle hoping that it will be the key that unlocks the door of unbelief in their life.  Yet Jesus performed astonishing miracles and the Pharisee’s still did not believe.  The Pharisee’s hardheartedness prevented them from seeing even though the evidence was clear.  Spend some time praying for the people in your life who struggle believing – ask the Lord to remove their hardheartedness so that when the evidence is put before them, they will believe.  Ask the Lord to show you other things that you can pray for these people. 

3.   The climax in this entire encounter comes in v. 38 when the blind man responds saying, ““Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped.”  This response is extremely significant.  Jesus is worthy of our worship.  This is the fullest proof of the sincerity of our faith – to fall down and adore Him, to glorify Him.  We may read a lot about Jesus and talk a lot about Him, we can even believe all sorts of right things about Him but at the end of the day it is all worthless if it doesn’t get us to fall on our knees in complete submission and worship of Him.  Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord to touch your heart so that you can worship Him on a deeper level.  Confess your lack of worship of Him, that we have turned Him into academic study, belief and doctrine.  Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit so that you can worship and glorify Him in a deeper way.  

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 13

Read: John 8:31-59

In verses 31-32 Jesus promises that people who abide in His Word will be true disciples, they will know His truth and will be made free!  Free from what?  Free from being a slave to sin (v. 35)!  Jesus agrees that the people are physical descendants of Abraham (v. 37) but He questions that they are truly Abraham’s children because their behaviour contradicts their claim (v. 39).  This implies that the true children of Abraham are only those who believe in Jesus (Rom. 2:28-29).    Their response to Jesus shows they are not truly God’s children but children of the Devil (v. 44), a scary thought for Christians today as this implies that not all religious people are children of God.  Unfortunately, the people at that time could not accept His truth; instead they actually accused Him of being a demon (v. 48, 52).  Jesus was making some incredible claims about Himself, He was claiming to be alive before Abraham (v. 58), and He is claiming not only to be eternal but also to be God.  The Jews understood this and they picked up stones to execute Him for blasphemy. 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Jesus came to free us from being a slave to sin.  Take a moment and ask the Lord to show you any areas in your life where you are a slave to sin.   

• Check off these areas
• Pray a prayer, confessing your sin and admitting that this is sin.
• Thank the Lord for His forgiveness.
• Ask the Lord to show you what you can do today in order to flee from this sort of behaviour in the future.  For example, are there friends you need to avoid?  What environments do you need to avoid?  Who do you need to apologize to? Etc.   
• Lustful Thoughts
• Suggestive TV/Movies/Books
• Fantasizing
• Dressing Inappropriately (to attract attention)
• Other Sexual Impurity: _____________
• Anger
• Fear/Anxiety
• Judgmental
• Materialism
• Negativity
• People-pleasing
• Perfectionism
• Pride
• Self-pity
• Unforgiveness/Bitterness
• Dirty Language/Swearing
• Gossip/Slander
• Lying/Exaggeration
• Other (s): __________________

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 12

Read: John 8:1-30

The eighth chapter of John starts with a story about a woman caught in adultery.  The Pharisees were using this situation to try to trap Jesus.  The Old Testament laws teach that stoning was the punishment for this type of sin.  Jesus simply told them that any man who had never sinned could enact the legal punishment of executing her, but that He would not condemn the woman but rather told her to “sin no more” (v. 11). Jesus makes an important statement in v. 12: “I am the light of the world”.  This fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy of the coming of the “light” of salvation (Ex. 25:37, Lev. 24:2, Isa. 9:2).  The Pharisees questioned the validity of Jesus testimony about Himself (v. 13).  They misunderstood and doubted Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.  They just didn’t understand where He came from or where He was going (v. 14).  They didn’t know Jesus or His Father (v. 19).  Jesus replies that His testimony is valid because it is supported by two witnesses (Himself and the Father), which meets the requirement of the Old Testament law.  Jesus stresses that the Father is known through the Son (v. 19).  Jesus warning to the Pharisees can be applied to us today – if we do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God then we will die in our sins (v. 24). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   In this passage we see a woman’s sin and moral failure exposed in front of everyone.  Has something like this ever happened to you – where your sin was exposed and you were embarrassed about it?  Are you following His instructions by not committing that sin anymore?  

2.   Jesus is the Light of the world (v. 12) and the only way to Salvation (v. 24).  As society becomes more tolerant we must be clear that Jesus is the only way.  Other faiths and religions do not lead to eternal life.  We must be pure in this area.  We must live as light and have nothing to do with darkness and false religions.  Below you will find a list of things that are not of Christ, they are occult and demonic in nature. 

• Ask the Lord to show you any areas that you have been involved in
• Check off these areas
• Pray a prayer, confessing your involvement, admitting that this is sin.
• Thank the Lord for His forgiveness.
• Ask the Lord to show you what you can do today in order to flee from this sort of behaviour in the future.  For example, what movies do you need to destroy?  What environments do you need to avoid?  What music do you need to destroy? Etc.

• Ouija Board/Magic Eight Ball
• Bloody Mary
• Occult Games
• Spells or Curses
• Superstitions
• Spirit Guides
• Fortune-telling/Tarot Cards/Palm Reading
• Out-of-Body Experience
• Mental Telepathy/Control
• Silva Mind Control
• Automatic Writing
• Jehovah’s Witness
• New Age
• Freemasonry
• Mormonism
• Yoga
• Levitation (floating)
• Witchcraft/Satanism/Wicca
• Hypnosis
• Horoscopes/Astrology
• Blood Pacts
• Trying to contact the dead
• Crystals/Good Luck Charms/artifacts
• Occult Movies / TV
• Satanic Music
• Mysticism
• Transcendental Meditation
• Church of Scientology
• Native American Spirit Worship
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Water Witching
• Other involvement with books or activities associated with other religions/cults