Day 5: God is WITH Us in Our Failures

READING:

    1 PETER 4:1-19

Who is the hero of the story of Peter? What passages in this story lead you to this conclusion?

In just one sentence, write out the one thing you learned from the story of Peter.

Then write out how you will respond to God as a result.

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Ruth 3 & 4

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

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     Day 4: Go, and Be Like Me

Have you ever given much thought to what you would say to your children, parents, siblings, and/or friends if you knew you would never see them again? Chances are you would tell them how much you love and care for them, and all of the hopes and dreams you have for them. Right?

A similar scene unfolds at the end of Jesus’ time here on Earth. He’s not on his deathbed (He had already defeated death!), but He is, in a way, leaving. What does He decide to share? He looks to His friends and says, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

There are at least two things to note about this passage. First, Jesus encourages His disciples to be like Him. He encourages them to do for others what He did for them. He encourages them to make disciples. And second, even though He is leaving, Jesus says He will be with them always.

As you read today, consider this: How did Peter respond to the challenges he experienced, and to Jesus’ final command?

READING:

    ACTS 2:14-41

Think back through all of the readings from this week: How did Peter respond to the challenges he experienced? How did he respond to Jesus’ final command to go and make disciples?

Would you have responded any differently a year ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

Would you respond any differently today?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Ruth 1 & 2

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I realize that all of Scripture may be summarized in two simple commands: “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself; Go and make disciples of all nations.” As this week comes to a close, I pray that You will continually reveal to me the ways in which I can sacrificially love others, and tell others of the sacrificial love You have for them. These truths are life changing, and I want them to continually help me grow into the person You have made me to be. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 3: You Will Deny Me

Take just a minute to think about a time in your childhood when you broke a rule at home or at school and got caught. What was your first reaction? Did you try to hide, or perhaps play innocent? When the accusation was made against you, did you deny that you had anything to do with it?

Denial is often the first response we have to any serious problem or concern we’re facing. Those who wrestle with addiction of any kind often need to first admit that there’s a struggle, and then the real work of healing can begin.

In the life of Peter, Jesus had made a huge impression on him. Peter witnessed Jesus perform dozens of miracles. He heard Jesus teach with power and authority like no other before Him. He saw Jesus for who He was, God in the flesh. As such, Peter became a close companion, friend, and confidant of Jesus.

But right before Jesus was arrested, He told Peter, “…you will deny three times that you know Me.” Peter was aghast. He was in denial about the mere possibility he would ever deny Jesus.

As you read today, consider this: What do you think Peter ultimately learned from his denial of knowing Jesus?

READING:

    MARK 8:34, LUKE 22:31-34

What problems was Peter facing?

How do you think Peter felt throughout these experiences?

What do you think Peter ultimately learned from his denial of knowing Jesus?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Judges 15 & 16

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, as much as I don’t want to admit it, there are times when I’m tempted to deny You. Whether it’s not accepting opportunities to share about who You are, or even denying that I personally know You, I realize that I have more in common with Peter than I may have initially thought.

Today, I commit to not being ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Let this power work within me, and through me, in all things. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 2: Come & Follow Me

Have you ever been traveling long distance in a caravan of vehicles with other family or friends? If so, you’ve probably experienced some good caravan leaders, who drive in such a way that it’s easy to follow them. You’ve also likely experienced some poor caravan leaders, who go too fast, too slow, or weave in and out of traffic making it nearly impossible to keep up.

When it comes to following somebody else’s lead, there’s no better to guide us than Jesus. By our own standards, He may not initially fit into the category of a good leader. He will most certainly lead you into places you may not want to go. He will sometimes lead you at a pace that seems too slow, and other times at a pace that seems too fast.
But there will be other times when you think to yourself, “I just can’t keep up.” And as you look around for your Leader, you’ll discover that He’s no longer in front of you, but is instead beside you, encouraging you every step of the way.

In the life of Peter, one of the first things and last things Jesus said to him was, “Follow Me.” But every step of the way, God was with Peter.

As you read today, consider this: What aspects of Peter’s story resonate with your own life experiences?

READING:

    MATTHEW 14:22-36

What aspects of Peter’s story resonate with your own life experiences? (Consider his family upbringing, his culture, those he interacted with, etc.)

What kinds of ambitions or hopes could Peter have had through his life experiences? In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Peter?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Judges 13 & 14

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess there are moments when I’m afraid to follow You. I have sometimes been afraid to follow You because doing so requires that I give up control. At other times, I have been afraid to follow You because I don’t always know where You are going. These fears, Father, are unhealthy. I know that You will not lead me into harm, and that You are with me through every situation. Help me grow in being with others in the same way You are with me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 1: Come & See

If you read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John closely you may notice a pattern in how Jesus communicated to His disciples. This pattern may be summarized in three statements: (1) Come and see, (2) Come and follow Me, (3) Go and be like Me.

At first, Jesus encouraged his disciples to ‘come and see’ where God was already at work. After seeing and hearing Jesus’ teachings and miracles, Jesus raised the stakes by saying, “Come and follow Me.” After following Him for approximately three years, Jesus said, “Go, and be like Me.”

One of Jesus’ disciples, Peter (also known as Simon), accepted each of these challenges. Peter was a simple fisherman, but he would not have been wholly uneducated. When Jesus first introduces Himself to Peter, He asks Peter to take his fishing boat out into the sea and cast the nets. Peter likely thinks to himself, “You’re a teacher, not a fisherman. You don’t know my trade like I do. But if You say so, I’ll let down the nets.” Peter discovers that Jesus knows more about fishing than he realized. Jesus, then, encourages Peter to follow Him, and become a fisher of people.

As you read today, consider this: What does this passage about Peter tell you about reality? About humanity?

READING:

    LUKE 5:1-11

What does this passage about Peter tell you about reality? About humanity?

In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Peter?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Judges 6 & 7

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, like the disciples, I’m honored that Jesus is regularly inviting me to come and see where You are already at work. There are many moments in my life in which I have already seen where You are at work. Some of these include, (______), (______), and (______).

As I begin this new week, I pray that my eyes will once again be opened to see where You are working within my own life. Reveal to me the ways in which I may be denying Your presence, and forgive me for the times I trust more in myself than in You. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 5: God is WITH Us in Our Running

READING:

    JONAH 1- 4 (if possible, read through Jonah in one sitting)

Who is the hero of the story of Jonah? What passages in this story lead you to this conclusion?

In just one sentence, write out the one thing You learned from the story of Jonah.

Then write out how You will respond to God as a result.

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Judges 4

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

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     Day 4: Jonah’s Anger

If you’ve ever read through a good novel, you know that authors often use a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter so that you’ll want to turn the page and keep reading. There’s this thought of, “I’ve just got to find out what happens!” Oddly, the book of Jonah ends in a similar manner. It isn’t a cliffhanger per se, but it ends with God asking a question that is left unresolved.

Jonah is the only prophet in the Old Testament whom God commanded to provide a message to people who were not the people of Israel. In his displeasure with God’s request, Jonah runs, and runs, and runs some more. He eventually answers God’s call and goes to Nineveh, only for these ungodly, unholy people to agree to turn from their wicked ways. It’s strange to think about: Jonah speaks God’s message; the people of Nineveh hear this message; turn to God; and Jonah is angry with God about it! He’s angry that God offered mercy to the Ninevites. Even after everything he had experienced, he still wanted a God of his own making.

As you read today, consider this: Think back through all of the readings from this week:

How did Jonah respond to the challenges he experienced? Would you respond any differently today?

READING:

    JONAH 4

Think back through all of the readings from this week:

How did Jonah respond to the challenges he experienced?

Would you have responded any differently a year ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

Would you respond any differently today?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Judges 2 & 3

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, having read through the story of Jonah, while I would like to say that I would never respond in the same way Jonah responded, I know the opposite to be true. There are times when I question Your grace or mercy for others. But the story of Jonah is an excellent reminder that the grace and mercy You showed the Ninevites is the same grace and mercy You have shown me. It’s also the same grace and mercy You invite me to show others. Today, I simply pray for wisdom in how I can better reveal Your love, grace, and mercy to others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 3: Jonah Goes to Nineveh

Admittedly, the story of Jonah is one of the more bizarre stories in the Bible. Is it to be taken literally? Was there really a giant fish that swallowed Jonah? How did he stay alive for three days? What, exactly, is the book communicating to us? What are the main lessons in the story?

These are all good questions, and not all can be answered in full in this week’s readings. But it’s important to remember that if you believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the story of Jonah is far less of a miracle.
After crying out to God in Chapter 2, God commands the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. Doesn’t that sound pleasant? The HCSB Study Bible notes that this event may symbolize God’s disgust at Jonah’s prior disobedience or even his continued bad attitude.

From here, Jonah’s trip to Nineveh probably took about a month. And the city was so large, it takes Jonah 3 days to travel through it. During this time, Jonah would have needed to communicate God’s message at every major gate and temple throughout the city.

As you read today, consider this: How do you think Jonah felt throughout these experiences?

READING:

    JONAH 3

What problems was Jonah facing?

How do you think Jonah felt throughout these experiences?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 23 & 24

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, the story of Jonah is an excellent reminder that I am not alone in feeling confused, depressed, and even frustrated by the challenges that come my way. It’s also an excellent reminder that the things You are inviting me to be part of are not simple, will take time, and may have results that aren’t what I hope or plan for. Nevertheless, I know that whatever circumstances may come my way, You are with me. If You invite me to share Your message with a family member, colleague, or friend, You will be with me. If, like Jonah, You invite me to share Your message with people who think and act completely different than everybody else I know, even then You will be with me. Today I simply want to rejoice in the reminder that no matter what, You are with me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 2: Jonah Prays

Back in World World II, Louie Zamperini and a number of other soldiers lost their plane in the Pacific Ocean. Many of the crew were killed. Louie and his best friend, Phil, however, survived. Louie, an ex-Olympic Athlete, had struggled with belief in God. But while stranded somewhere in the Pacific Ocean aboard a life raft in a terrible storm, Louie prayed.

In her best-selling book, Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand writes, “he prayed for himself and Phil, vowing that if God would save them, he would serve heaven forever.”

The timing of Louie’s prayer isn’t unusual. We all know it’s when we’re at our lowest low, when our fears are most heightened, when we feel completely and utterly incapable, these are the moments in which we cry out to God.
In Chapter 2 Jonah finds himself in the same situation. He has gone down, down, down, and now at his lowest low, he cries out to God.

As you read today, consider this: What parts of Jonah’s prayer stick out to you the most? Why do you think that is?

READING:

    JONAH 2

What aspects of Jonah’s story resonate with your own life experience? (Consider the decisions he made, those he interacted with, etc.)

What kinds of ambitions or hopes could Jonah have had through his life experiences? In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Jonah?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 7 & 8

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, even if I’m not currently at my lowest low, I recognize that I’m more prone to reach out to You when I feel that I am in need of something. Today, I’m simply grateful for the reminder that You and You alone have fulfilled my greatest needs. Specifically, I want to thank You for fulfilling my needs of (______), (______), and (______). May my gratitude of who You are and all You have done for me and within me be ever-present in my thoughts throughout this day. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 1: Jonah Runs

The Book of Jonah is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, but it reveals a lot about the nature of God, and how we sometimes choose to respond to Him. We see very early that Jonah mostly desires a God of his own making.
In his book titled The Prodigal Prophet, Timothy Keller writes, “Jonah…wants a God who simply smites the bad people, for instance, the wicked Ninevites, and blesses the good people, for instance, Jonah and his countrymen.” When God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh, he runs.

In fact, if you pay close attention to Jonah Chapter 1, you’ll see that Jonah does everything to run away from what God has asked him to do. Perhaps he wasn’t just running away from what God had asked him to do, but was running away from God Himself.

For example, Jonah went down to Joppa (v. 3). Jonah had gone (down) below deck (v. 5). Jonah said, “Throw me (down) into the sea” (v. 12). In his running, Jonah continued going down. But at his lowest low the true God was about to reveal more about His nature than Jonah had ever known.

As you read today, consider this: What does this passage about Jonah tell you about reality? About humanity?

READING:

    JONAH 1

What does this passage about Jonah tell you about reality? About humanity?

In what ways does this help you to identify with the story of Jonah?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Joshua 5:10-15 & 6

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess there are times in my life in which, like Jonah, I desire to have a God of my own making. Sometimes my prayers are more about me and my desires, and less about who You are, and how I can come to know You better.

This week, as I read through the book of Jonah, I pray that You will reveal to me the ways I may think, respond, or even run in the same ways Jonah reacted to You and Your desires for his life. I pray also that You will continue to reveal to me the purpose You have for my life and remind me that You have given me this purpose because You know that, with Your help and guidance, it can be fulfilled. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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