He Said What?

AUG 28 / Sunday – Read 1 Peter 5:5

Overview: Peter wrote some things in the bible that are shocking to the modern ear. Things we don’t like to hear and are hard to understand..

29 / Mon – God, you want me to do what?!  |  Read 1 Peter 2:13-22 / 3:1-6 / 5:5

No one will deny that there are difficult teachings or instructions in the Bible. One such example, that does not sit well with current culture, is the instruction Peter gave in the verses above. At face value, you might think them irrelevant in today’s world. But take a closer look. Why would God have these included in the Bible? Behind the word submit is the idea of humbling yourself. So why should we want to do that? The key is found in Matthew 20:28. How will you walk this out today?

30 / Tue – Oh, no, anything but that!  |  Read Mark 10:17-22

This man was an honest seeker. It seems he had been diligently keeping the law of Moses but looked for something more. When Jesus said these audacious words in v. 21, his reaction revealed what was most important to this man, even more important than following Jesus. You might not be asked to give all your money away, but is there anything in your life that would be difficult to give up if you knew that God wanted you to do so? What might be the reason?

31 / Wed – He said I had to do what?!  |  Read 2 Kings 5:1-14

When Naaman heard Elisha’s words delivered to him through a servant, no less, he was incensed. First, the prophet had not even deigned to speak to him in person and Naaman was an important person! Then Elisha’s instructions were just plain stupid. And embarrassing. If that was all it took, then Naaman would go home and dip in a cleaner river. His servant’s wise words made him see his own pride. Do you trust God enough to do something that seems ‘beneath’ you when he asks?

01 / Thu – That’s kind of a dumb question  |  Read John 5:1-7

Here this man had been an invilad for 38 years. Jesus asked him a startling question in v. 6. What was the man’s reply? He didn’t really answer Jesus’ question. Instead the man told him why he couldn’t be healed. Jesus got to the heart of the matter – do you want to be healed? That seems like a dumb question but there is value in considering it. Facing long-standing problems, a person might look at their own abilities instead of God’s. The important question is…do you want the change?

02 / Fri – Really?  |  Read John 11:1-14 / Luke 8:49-56 / Acts 7:60

Words are important. So why did Jesus tell the disciples Lazarus was just sleeping instead of the truth that he had died? And why did he tell the mourners at Jairus’ house to stop because the girl was only asleep? Was it because Jesus had the right perspective about death, that it’s temporary like falling asleep? In Acts, his disciples continued to describe the death of Jesus’ followers, that they fell asleep. How does this idea affect you? Does it give a hope you can share?

03 / Sat – An audacious claim  |  Read John 14:6 / 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

In John 4:16, Jesus made one of his most controversial claims. This statement was rejected by many people who knew him, listened to him, and saw what he did. Even today, those who believe this truth and speak about it are considered intolerant. Was his claim judgemental or egotistical? Or was it good news that God made a way for us to be reconciled to him? There is only one way into this world (birth) and there is only one way to find God our Father. It is through Jesus.