New Testament Reading Plan: Revelations 13-15
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 2:1-2, 5 (NIV); My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding…then you will understand the
fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Wisdom, knowledge and the fear of the Lord are all closely related. In our quest to discover the
truth about grace last month, we touched upon the fear of the Lord. We will never be able to wholly
follow God unless we uphold Him in reverence and awe. The proverbs of Solomon instruct us to
tune our ears to wisdom and apply it to our hearts. Then we will understand the fear of the Lord
and the knowledge of God will be given to the upright. The scripture does not promise just any
knowledge to the one who fears the Lord, but the knowledge of God.
As human beings made in the image of an all-wise and all-knowing Creator, we are born with the
abilities to learn and understand. We acquire knowledge of all kinds; however this base knowledge
does not compare to the knowledge of God – an impartation of knowledge and understanding from
the One who created and sustains all things! Wisdom is given readily to all who desire it, primarily
through the word of God. As we heed this wisdom and seek to understand it, treasuring it in our
hearts, we will grow to fear this awe-inspiring Saviour God and He will reveal to us some of the
very mysteries of His great and awesome mind!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. How have you been growing in the fear of the Lord? How is the fear of the Lord evident in
your life?
2. Have you been trying to get God’s knowledge without giving Him the reverence and awe He
deserves? Or how have you sought to use your own knowledge without seeking the Lord?
Confess any instances that come to mind.
3. Ask God to show you an area where He wants you to seek His knowledge instead of your
own, and spend some time listening to His wisdom.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Foundations July 31, 2011
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
will be exalted
Today we are going to look at some of the characteristics of humility. Humble people:
• Desire to be friends with God, to know Him and take the time to grow in their
relationship with Him. Humble hearts want a friendship with God more than they
want to minister.
• Are willing to acknowledge when they don’t know something
• Are willing to submit to a process
• Are flexible and willing to change
• View their weaknesses as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power
• Desire to spend time in prayer because meeting with Him is seen not only as a
blessing but a desperate need
• Do not exalt themselves above others
• Rely on others without becoming more dependent on them than on God
• Desire to obey God and come into alignment with His plans and purposes
• Are willing to count the cost, even when it is a personal cost to themselves for the
benefit of His Kingdom and of others
Humility is servanthood and obedience to Jesus and to others.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. How do you think the church would be changed if all believers walked out these
characteristics of humility?
2. Ask the Lord to show you a few characteristics that He specifically wants you to focus
praying for, then pray that you would grow in those areas.
3. Pray that God would grow you in servanthood and humility and that through you many
lives would be touched by the goodness of God. Pray that you would keep growing
and not be worried about having it all figured out right now.
Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
will be exalted
Today we are going to look at some of the characteristics of humility. Humble people:
• Desire to be friends with God, to know Him and take the time to grow in their
relationship with Him. Humble hearts want a friendship with God more than they
want to minister.
• Are willing to acknowledge when they don’t know something
• Are willing to submit to a process
• Are flexible and willing to change
• View their weaknesses as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power
• Desire to spend time in prayer because meeting with Him is seen not only as a
blessing but a desperate need
• Do not exalt themselves above others
• Rely on others without becoming more dependent on them than on God
• Desire to obey God and come into alignment with His plans and purposes
• Are willing to count the cost, even when it is a personal cost to themselves for the
benefit of His Kingdom and of others
Humility is servanthood and obedience to Jesus and to others.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. How do you think the church would be changed if all believers walked out these
characteristics of humility?
2. Ask the Lord to show you a few characteristics that He specifically wants you to focus
praying for, then pray that you would grow in those areas.
3. Pray that God would grow you in servanthood and humility and that through you many
lives would be touched by the goodness of God. Pray that you would keep growing
and not be worried about having it all figured out right now.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Foundations July 30, 2011
New Testament Reading Plan: Revelation 10-12
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honour.
Yesterday, we looked at the link between pride and servanthood. Today we are going to look at
how pride manifests itself in our lives. Prideful people:
• struggle with admitting they are wrong
• feel they have achieved their accomplishments on their own “self-made” success
• struggle with self reliance
• tend to boast about their accomplishments either outwardly or inwardly
• think grandiose thoughts about themselves
• feel like they need to know everything
• tend to like to have control over other people
• are inflexible, not wanting to change unless they have initiated it
• want to have their own way
• make assumptions and tend to want to speak first and be heard, struggle with
listening to others
• tend to think they are better than other people
• tend to harbour grudges and don’t easily forgive
• feel self-righteous about their offenses
• struggle with deep surrender to God and others
If we are honest, we will find some sort of pride within ourselves.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Have you ever thought of the above feelings and attitudes as being rooted in pride?
2. Look at the list of prideful attributes listed above. Do you struggle in any of these areas?
Confess each one you are guilty of asking God to forgive you.
3. Pray that God would break strongholds of pride in your life. Ask Him to teach you to put
others before yourself.
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honour.
Yesterday, we looked at the link between pride and servanthood. Today we are going to look at
how pride manifests itself in our lives. Prideful people:
• struggle with admitting they are wrong
• feel they have achieved their accomplishments on their own “self-made” success
• struggle with self reliance
• tend to boast about their accomplishments either outwardly or inwardly
• think grandiose thoughts about themselves
• feel like they need to know everything
• tend to like to have control over other people
• are inflexible, not wanting to change unless they have initiated it
• want to have their own way
• make assumptions and tend to want to speak first and be heard, struggle with
listening to others
• tend to think they are better than other people
• tend to harbour grudges and don’t easily forgive
• feel self-righteous about their offenses
• struggle with deep surrender to God and others
If we are honest, we will find some sort of pride within ourselves.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Have you ever thought of the above feelings and attitudes as being rooted in pride?
2. Look at the list of prideful attributes listed above. Do you struggle in any of these areas?
Confess each one you are guilty of asking God to forgive you.
3. Pray that God would break strongholds of pride in your life. Ask Him to teach you to put
others before yourself.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Foundations July 29, 2011
New Testament Reading Plan: Revelations 7-9
SCRIPTURE READING
Matt 20:26-27 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be
your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave (ESV)
Jesus teachings were often considered to be quite radical for His day and age. Even when
we read them today, we can see how Jesus spoke with spiritual authority, He didn’t beat
around the bush but and got right down to the heart of the matter. Jesus often talked about
servanthood and we can see from today’s passage that Jesus was revealing a new paradigm
for greatness. As Christians, it’s easy to get caught up in doing things the world’s way but
Jesus teaches that it is better to be great in His sight than in the sight of men. The cool thing
about His type of greatness is that it is available to all people however the means to which we
pursue this greatness is foreign to many believers. In today’s passage, Jesus teaches what
greatness really is - it is being a servant. If we want to be great in God’s Kingdom we must
pursue meekness and servanthood. What keeps us from growing in servanthood? Basically,
it’s pride. We think we deserve better, we think certain jobs are beneath us, we think that
others should be serving us. The proud cannot be servants because all forms of pride end up
with one result – self glorification. The sin of pride is poisonous, it is venomous, it’s blinding.
Surrender to Jesus is our antidote to pride, not just as a onetime act but daily surrender.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you where pride has gotten a grip in your life. Confess this as
sin, asking Him to forgive you.
2. Ask the Lord to show you some practical ways to grow in servanthood. What are some
ways that you can be a servant at home, at your job or in the church?
3. Pray that God would grow you in humility and servanthood, that you would pursue
meekness and seek God’s Kingdom first.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matt 20:26-27 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be
your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave (ESV)
Jesus teachings were often considered to be quite radical for His day and age. Even when
we read them today, we can see how Jesus spoke with spiritual authority, He didn’t beat
around the bush but and got right down to the heart of the matter. Jesus often talked about
servanthood and we can see from today’s passage that Jesus was revealing a new paradigm
for greatness. As Christians, it’s easy to get caught up in doing things the world’s way but
Jesus teaches that it is better to be great in His sight than in the sight of men. The cool thing
about His type of greatness is that it is available to all people however the means to which we
pursue this greatness is foreign to many believers. In today’s passage, Jesus teaches what
greatness really is - it is being a servant. If we want to be great in God’s Kingdom we must
pursue meekness and servanthood. What keeps us from growing in servanthood? Basically,
it’s pride. We think we deserve better, we think certain jobs are beneath us, we think that
others should be serving us. The proud cannot be servants because all forms of pride end up
with one result – self glorification. The sin of pride is poisonous, it is venomous, it’s blinding.
Surrender to Jesus is our antidote to pride, not just as a onetime act but daily surrender.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you where pride has gotten a grip in your life. Confess this as
sin, asking Him to forgive you.
2. Ask the Lord to show you some practical ways to grow in servanthood. What are some
ways that you can be a servant at home, at your job or in the church?
3. Pray that God would grow you in humility and servanthood, that you would pursue
meekness and seek God’s Kingdom first.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Foundations July 28, 2011
New Testament Reading Plan: Revelations 4-6
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
For years the church has missed out on a huge aspect of the Great Commission. In these
verses, we are not commanded to go and make converts of all nations but rather go and
make DISCIPLES of all nations. Jesus even tells us what this looks like when He mentions
that we are to teach them to observe all that He has commanded. Jesus is looking for
obedience. As Christians, if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission, we are going to
need to walk with people and teach them how to live for the Lord. This will take work and
time. We can’t merely tell them about Jesus, get them to say the sinner’s prayer and be
done with it. No, God wants us to take the hungry and the thirsty and teach them, lead them
and walk with them. This is no small task, for it can’t be done if we are consumed with the
cares and pleasures of this world. Discipling someone means that you have to give of your
time, it will cost you money, maybe even a business deal or two. It will cut into your down
time, it will require effort, it will require dependence on God because you won’t have all the
answers and you will need to listen in prayer and let Him do the leading. It will require that
you keep growing yourself because you can’t disciple someone if you have become stagnant
in your own walk with God. It doesn’t mean that you have to have everything figured out and
be perfect but rather it means that you are pressing into God and that you desire to take as
many people with you on the journey as possible. That is true discipleship!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the things that are holding you back from discipling others.
Are you willing to count the cost? What does this mean for you?
2. Ask the Lord to grow your dependence on Him, to lead you and be functional Lord of
your life. Commit to taking your decision to Him in prayer. What decisions should you
spend praying about today?
3. Pray that you will be willing to walk with the hungry and thirsty and teach them, lead
them and disciple them.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
For years the church has missed out on a huge aspect of the Great Commission. In these
verses, we are not commanded to go and make converts of all nations but rather go and
make DISCIPLES of all nations. Jesus even tells us what this looks like when He mentions
that we are to teach them to observe all that He has commanded. Jesus is looking for
obedience. As Christians, if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission, we are going to
need to walk with people and teach them how to live for the Lord. This will take work and
time. We can’t merely tell them about Jesus, get them to say the sinner’s prayer and be
done with it. No, God wants us to take the hungry and the thirsty and teach them, lead them
and walk with them. This is no small task, for it can’t be done if we are consumed with the
cares and pleasures of this world. Discipling someone means that you have to give of your
time, it will cost you money, maybe even a business deal or two. It will cut into your down
time, it will require effort, it will require dependence on God because you won’t have all the
answers and you will need to listen in prayer and let Him do the leading. It will require that
you keep growing yourself because you can’t disciple someone if you have become stagnant
in your own walk with God. It doesn’t mean that you have to have everything figured out and
be perfect but rather it means that you are pressing into God and that you desire to take as
many people with you on the journey as possible. That is true discipleship!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the things that are holding you back from discipling others.
Are you willing to count the cost? What does this mean for you?
2. Ask the Lord to grow your dependence on Him, to lead you and be functional Lord of
your life. Commit to taking your decision to Him in prayer. What decisions should you
spend praying about today?
3. Pray that you will be willing to walk with the hungry and thirsty and teach them, lead
them and disciple them.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Foundations July 27, 2011
New Testament Reading Plan: Revelation 1-3
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 25:41-46 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into
the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me
no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome
me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then
they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying,
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)
Often we think of sin only in the terms of bad things that we do, yet there are sins of
omission. There are good things that we are supposed to do and if we don’t do them
then we are sinning. There is a judgement for the work that we do and do not do. When
we are so distracted by our selfish agenda that we don’t even see anyone that’s sick or
needing clothes then we know that we are in serious trouble. If we go to church and don’t
ever recognize that anyone has needs because all we live for is ourselves and our own
comfort then something is seriously wrong. In this passage of scripture Jesus is teaching
that helping others is a natural part of loving Jesus. We should be able to tell the difference
between believers and non believers by how they treat people. Are you indifferent toward
the hurting people around you? What is your attitude towards those who are less fortunate
than you? Do you find it easier to write a cheque to satisfy your conscience or are you
willing to get your hands dirty and get to know the less fortunate?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Re-read the scripture passage for today. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you some
practical things that you can do to tangibly show love to the people around you.
2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you any other sins of omission – that is, things that you should
be doing that you are not doing. Confess these things as sin, and commit to following
through on what God has shown you.
3. Ask the Lord to root selfishness out of your life and grow generosity.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 25:41-46 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into
the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me
no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome
me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then
they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying,
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)
Often we think of sin only in the terms of bad things that we do, yet there are sins of
omission. There are good things that we are supposed to do and if we don’t do them
then we are sinning. There is a judgement for the work that we do and do not do. When
we are so distracted by our selfish agenda that we don’t even see anyone that’s sick or
needing clothes then we know that we are in serious trouble. If we go to church and don’t
ever recognize that anyone has needs because all we live for is ourselves and our own
comfort then something is seriously wrong. In this passage of scripture Jesus is teaching
that helping others is a natural part of loving Jesus. We should be able to tell the difference
between believers and non believers by how they treat people. Are you indifferent toward
the hurting people around you? What is your attitude towards those who are less fortunate
than you? Do you find it easier to write a cheque to satisfy your conscience or are you
willing to get your hands dirty and get to know the less fortunate?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Re-read the scripture passage for today. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you some
practical things that you can do to tangibly show love to the people around you.
2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you any other sins of omission – that is, things that you should
be doing that you are not doing. Confess these things as sin, and commit to following
through on what God has shown you.
3. Ask the Lord to root selfishness out of your life and grow generosity.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Foundations July 26, 2011
New Testament Reading Plan: 2 John; 3 John; Jude
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 9:35-38 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every
affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the
harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (ESV)
Jesus loved people! He loved healing them, talking with them and telling them the
good news of the gospel. Many times throughout the gospels, Jesus is seen as having
“compassion” for people. In this particular passage, Jesus compassion is seen because
the people were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus told the disciples that the
harvest was ripe but that there were few workers. There are many good things that we can
spend time praying for but when we look at this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling us to
pray for workers. There is a lack of good shepherds to guide the sheep. In the Canadian
Church today, many churches are losing ground. The church is losing its voice. We must
pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out more WORKERS! Good shepherds take people
deeper into Jesus; they give of their time and energy to further His Kingdom. God is looking
for workers...will you answer the call?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What is holding you back from rising to become a good shepherd? Are you too busy?
Do you waste a lot of time with recreation, leisure activities, media & entertainment?
Ask the Lord to show you what some of the things are in your life that are preventing
you from being a better labourer.
2. Do you love and have a compassion for people the way that Jesus did? Are you
concerned about the lost ones around you? Pray that God would grow you and the
church in compassion for people.
3. Pray that God would raise up an army of workers to take in the harvest. Pray that these
workers would love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, that they would be
obedient and live holy and righteous lives.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 9:35-38 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every
affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the
harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (ESV)
Jesus loved people! He loved healing them, talking with them and telling them the
good news of the gospel. Many times throughout the gospels, Jesus is seen as having
“compassion” for people. In this particular passage, Jesus compassion is seen because
the people were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus told the disciples that the
harvest was ripe but that there were few workers. There are many good things that we can
spend time praying for but when we look at this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling us to
pray for workers. There is a lack of good shepherds to guide the sheep. In the Canadian
Church today, many churches are losing ground. The church is losing its voice. We must
pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out more WORKERS! Good shepherds take people
deeper into Jesus; they give of their time and energy to further His Kingdom. God is looking
for workers...will you answer the call?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What is holding you back from rising to become a good shepherd? Are you too busy?
Do you waste a lot of time with recreation, leisure activities, media & entertainment?
Ask the Lord to show you what some of the things are in your life that are preventing
you from being a better labourer.
2. Do you love and have a compassion for people the way that Jesus did? Are you
concerned about the lost ones around you? Pray that God would grow you and the
church in compassion for people.
3. Pray that God would raise up an army of workers to take in the harvest. Pray that these
workers would love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, that they would be
obedient and live holy and righteous lives.
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