Five-Day Bible Reading Plan and Devotional
Sermon Audio
"When You Show Up for God"
Day 1: Showing Up for God
Reading: Mark 3:1-6
Devotional: Today's passage reminds us that our reasons for coming to God matter less than our openness to being changed by Him. Jesus encountered people with various motives in the synagogue, but only the man with the withered hand left truly transformed. As you begin this week, reflect on your own reasons for seeking God. Are you coming with expectations of being changed, or are you, like the Pharisees, resistant to God's work in your life? Pray for a heart that's open to God's transformative grace, no matter what brought you to Him today.
Day 2: The Power of Divine Presence
Reading: Psalm 46:1-11
Devotional: God's presence is a recurring theme in Scripture, offering comfort and strength in times of trouble. In today's passage, we're reminded that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. This echoes the story of Jesus in the synagogue, where His presence brought healing and hope. Consider the areas in your life where you need to experience God's presence more fully. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of His nearness in your daily life?
Day 3: Encountering Jesus
Reading: Luke 19:1-10
Devotional: The story of Zacchaeus illustrates how an encounter with Jesus can radically change a person's life. Like the man with the withered hand in Mark 3, Zacchaeus was transformed by his interaction with Christ. Today, reflect on your own encounters with Jesus. Have they left you unchanged, like the Pharisees, or transformed, like Zacchaeus? Pray for a heart that's receptive to Christ's presence and power in your life, leading to genuine change and growth.
Day 4: The Sabbath and God's Grace
Reading: Matthew 12:9-14
Devotional: Jesus' healing on the Sabbath reveals God's heart for human flourishing over rigid religious observance. This passage, parallel to our Mark 3 story, emphasizes that doing good and saving lives aligns with God's will, even when it challenges our understanding of religious rules. Today, consider how you might be limiting God's work in your life or the lives of others due to misunderstandings about His nature. Ask God to give you wisdom in discerning His will and the courage to act on it, even when it goes against conventional wisdom.
Day 5: Responding to God's Grace
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional: Paul's words in Ephesians beautifully capture the essence of God's grace – that we are saved not by our own efforts, but by God's gift. This mirrors the healing of the man with the withered hand, who simply had to stretch out his hand in response to Jesus' command. As you conclude this week's devotional, reflect on how you're responding to God's grace in your life. Are you trying to earn His favor, or are you allowing His unmerited love to transform you? Pray for a deeper understanding of grace and the ability to live in grateful response to it.
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