We began the book of James, which will only last us five short days. James is packed with truth that would be worth a five week study or more. But in our reading we will continue gleaning from God’s word the truth we need to live for Him. Remember our purpose as a church is to help people become “disciples.” That means to become stronger and stronger in our walk with the Lord. God’s goal for us is that we be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. The study of the book of James will help that process. Let’s also look at a prophet named Malachi this week as he has many practical things to say about how we should live.

June 1: James 3 – What verse stands out to you? What is God saying to you through it? “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” (verse 2) This is obviously emphasizing the power of the tongue. Why are the words we use so important? Where do the words we use in our everyday speech come from? What questions should you ask yourself before saying something that has the potential to do damage? What do you learn from these verses about the tongue?

June 2: James 4 – What verse stands out to you? Why is it important to you? “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (vv. 7 & 8 ) I like this verse because it tells us how to draw near to God. We submit to his authority; we resist the temptations of the devil; we live in the forgiveness that Jesus offers; and we respond to God and others in humility. Humility is a key in the scripture because it promises that God will give us grace. Humility is our dependence on God that he is the one we especially need. How humble are you? What does it mean to humble yourself? How important is humility?

June 3: James 5 – What seems most important to you in this last chapter of this practical book? How would you want to apply it to your life? “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (verse 16) There are so many things that I could highlight in this chapter, but I am drawn to prayer. Prayer has been a renewed discipline in my life these days. I want to be a part of a church community that believes in the power of prayer. I think we underestimate the incredible resource prayer is meant to be for you and me. How is your prayer life? What does it mean to pray in faith? Why is prayer so powerful and effective?

June 4: Malachi 1 – What stands out to you in this first chapter from the prophet Malachi? Why? “’My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (verse 11) In a chapter that confronts the sinful practices of the Israelites, we are reminded that God’s name will be great among all people. God may have chosen the Jews to bring his plan of salvation, but the implication is for all people. That is good news for us, because we Gentiles have been the gracious recipients of God’s provision of life found in Christ. What does it mean that God cares about the world? Why must we remember that Christianity is a world religion, not just an American phenomenon? What does that have to do with the mission of the Christian church?

June 5: Malachi 2 – What stands out to you in this chapter? How do you think God is speaking to you? “‘I hate divorce,’ says the LORD God of Israel, ‘and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.’” (verse 16) The Lord has always cared about the importance of marriage. He instituted marriage and he meant it to be a lifelong commitment. When he says “do not break faith,” he is talking about the covenant nature of marriage. How is your marriage? Is there anything that is tempting you to weaken your sense of commitment to your spouse? Why is marriage so important to God?

June 6: Malachi 3 – What would you highlight in this chapter? Why is it important to you? “‘Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’” (verse 8 -10) God has always reminded us of generosity. A picture of generosity throughout the whole Scripture is releasing a tenth of God’s provision for his work. That’s what the word “tithe” means. When we give, we honor God, and he promises to bless us as well. What does this teach you about giving? Why is it so difficult to honor God with the tithe? What does God promise to those that are generous?

June 7: Malachi 4– What stands out to you in this short chapter? Why? “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (verse 6) I think this refers to the importance of the home life and a parent’s connection to his/her children. We see the practical nature of Malachi’s message. He refers to marriage and now to the family. It is God’s desire that families would be drawn to each other, and that the commandment to honor your father and your mother would be lived out. How is your relationship with your parents? How might you honor them? What is something positive happening and what is something that you want God to change in your family?

There is a New Testament book that we haven’t read yet in the two years we have been reading a chapter a day from God’s Word. 1 & 2 Thessalonians has some marvelous truth given to new believers in a time when the church was being persecuted. I want us to read both of these letters this week. We will begin with the first two chapters of 1 Thessalonians.

June 8: 1 Thessalonians 1 & 2 – What stands out to you from these two chapters? Why do you think God has brought it to your attention? I had us read both of these chapters because obviously the first one is very short. “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (2 verse 8 ) This has always been one of my favorite verses because it talks about sharing not just the message, but your life as well. The Gospel is a marvelous message, but it needs to be backed up with genuine love. As the saying goes, “You might be the only Jesus the world will ever see.” How does your life match your testimony about Jesus? In other words, do you not only talk the talk, but you also walk the walk? As God’s witness, are you holy, righteous and a person of integrity? Why or why not?

June 9: 1 Thessalonians 3 – What verse stands out to you? Why is it important to you? “For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.” (verse 5) Everywhere in the Bible we read about the devilish influence of Satan. He is called the tempter several times in the Bible. How might Satan want to tempt you? What would happen if you give in? Why might your testimony become useless?

June 10: 1 Thessalonians 4 – What catches your attention in this chapter? Why might God be wanting you to focus on this truth? “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (verse 16) This is the announcement of what we call the Rapture. This letter takes place during really intense persecution. The hope of the believer is that Jesus will return one day and take all his followers to be with him forever. Paul comforted the Thessalonians with the promise of Christ’s second coming. How does Christ’s second coming encourage you? Do you think it could be soon? Are you ready for the Rapture?

June 11: 1 Thessalonians 5 – What stirs your heart as you were reading this chapter? Why? “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (vv. 16-18) These summary statements are so important. We are talking about joy, prayer without ceasing, and a thankful heart. How will these spiritual responses help you? Why is it important to be a person of joy? What is the significance of having a constant prayer life? How can you be thankful in all situations? Why is this important?

June 12: 2 Thessalonians 1 – What stands out to you in this chapter? “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (verse 11-12) Prayer is so important to me these days. The main theme of these two verses is about constantly praying and asking God to fulfill his purpose in our lives. How does prayer, and living out our purpose go together? Can there be genuine victory without genuine prayer? How do prayer and faith work side by side?

June 13: 2 Thessalonians 2 – What about the antichrist? What do you read in this chapter? What stands out to you? Why? “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” (verse 3) These verses refer to what is sometimes call the antichrist. He will be Satan’s tool, equipped with Satan’s power. Paul reminds them that there will be very difficult times before Christ returns. If they were experiencing difficulty then, it will only get worse before the coming of Christ. How does that make you feel? What kind of things are happening in our world that get you thinking about Jesus’ return? According to this verse, what must happen first before the Day of the Lord arrives? What gives you hope in the midst of such destruction?

June 14: 2 Thessalonians 3 – What stands out to you in this chapter? Why do you think God has drawn you to focus on that truth? “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” (verse 1) The mission is always before the Apostle Paul. We want to use every opportunity to share the Gospel. During difficult times people are more open to their need for God. How might we use this difficult time in today’s world for the Gospel? How might it help you to live out your purpose rather than worrying about the complexity of our world and all the hard things that are happening? Thessalonians challenges us to persevere and live out your purpose for the sake of Christ.

We have read every chapter in the New Testament over the last two years except for Philemon and Jude. I will include them in the reading schedule this week. Beginning next week we will launch into Exodus, Joshua and Judges for most of the summer, but this week we will look at a short book written by Jeremiah called Lamentations. Lamentations is a book about consequences of sin and a longing for God’s mercy. Could it be that the situation that we find ourselves in today’s 21^st century has to do with disobedience? Lamentations is poetry about the sorrow of a fallen city called Jerusalem. Are you broken over the situation that so many face in our world? Will you cry out like Jeremiah for God’s mercy?

June 15: Lamentations 1 – What catches your eye in this beginning chapter? What is Jeremiah doing? How would you describe his emotions? What truth applies to you? “Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. ‘Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed.’” (verse 9) Romans 6:23 says “The wages of sin is death.” There are consequences to sin. God’s warnings are many for those that disobey his ways. Jerusalem foolishly took a chance, refusing to believe that immoral living would be punished. They were wrong. What does it mean to obey God? Why is obedience a sure sign of your devotion to God?

Prayer: Pray for our church body, that we would honor God and not be swept away by the influence of our society.

June 16: Lamentations 2 – What phrase gets your attention? What do you learn about God? What do you learn about sin? “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” (verse 19) This is the picture of the consequences that Jerusalem was experiencing. It is an invitation to cry out to God in repentance that he would forgive and heal, even in the depth of their despair. God is not deaf to their cry for mercy. Cry out to God in your need and he will hear the sincere prayer. How do you need to cry out to God? What is your greatest need? Where do you specifically need his forgiving touch?

Prayer: Pray for the expanding Youth Ministry under Pastor Chad and for the 18 new believers so that they will follow the ways of the Lord and the seed of God’s Word will take root in their lives.

June 17: Lamentations 3 – What verse specifically gives you hope? What do you learn about God from this chapter? “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (vv. 22 & 23) This is a marvelous promise about God’s faithful forgiveness. It is so great to know that God’s heart is one of compassion. We see this in Jesus when he had compassion for those that didn’t deserve God’s mercy. Are you trusting in God’s faithfulness? What does it mean to trust God in the most difficult times? How will you start this new day devoted to God?

Prayer: Pray the Lord’s mercy on those that are specifically suffering because of the economic crisis we are in. There are many needs within our church body that exist because of the difficulty going on right now. Pray for those situations you know specifically and lift up those that are struggling at New Harvest.

June 18: Lamentations 4 – What gets your attention from this chapter? Why? This chapter warns us about assuming that life will always go well. We must be careful not to glory in our prosperity or we will be susceptible to fall into spiritual poverty. “Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those nurtured in purple now lie on ash heaps.” (verse 5) There is nothing pleasant about that statement. What do you learn about the confrontive love of God? How is it hard to see God’s love in these kind of circumstances? What is this Old Testament book teaching you for your life today?

Prayer: Pray for Rick Downie and Terry Park who are suffering in the hospital with challenging illnesses. Rick Downie’s liver is not functioning properly and Terry Park has many physical problems that have almost taken his life. These men are a part of our fellowship.

June 19: Lamentations 5 – How does this book conclude? What gives you hope? “Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.” (vv. 21 & 22) The deep suffering they had experienced was directly associated with their unabated sinful living. Every material goal they had lived for collapsed. But God would restore them if they returned to him. Hope is found only in the Lord. How does this warning affect your life? In what areas of your life are you living for self rather than surrendered to Christ? What has it meant to you to read the Book of Lamentations?

Prayer: Pray for the lost people you know and those within our city. Pray that they will see the light and turn from darkness.

June 20: Philemon 1 – What stands out to you in this book? What is the message of this short letter? “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” (vv. 10 & 11) Paul led Onesimus to the Lord. Paul is asking Philemon to forgive this runaway slave. As the Scriptures say, “Please forgive him as you are forgiven.” True forgiveness means that we treat the one we have forgiven as we would want to be treated. Is there someone you say you have forgiven, but who still needs your kindness? How should we respond to those that turn to Christ in faith yet have lived in deep sin previously?

Prayer: Pray for the young believers within our church body. There are over 100 professions of faith in the last 2 ½ years and not all of these are following the Lord. Please pray for their spiritual lives to take root in Christ.

June 21: Jude 1 – What do you read in this short letter? What stands out to you? “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (vv. 24 & 25) This is a marvelous doxology – a great way to end our readings in the New Testament. We have read every chapter in the New Testament in the last year and a half. What does this doxology say to you? How does it encourage you?

Prayer: Pray for the fathers you know and the fathers of our church. Being a father is a very important role. He protects the family, he leads children by example. Pray for the spiritual health and strength for your father and the fathers you know.

Are you ready for one of the most exciting Old Testament stories in all of history? Just the word Exodus gets your mind moving toward the ten plagues, God’s deliverance from Egypt, a man named Moses, and the power of God. This is going to be a marvelous opportunity for us to read about the Old Testament redemption of God’s people. Moses, as the deliver, is a forerunner to how Jesus would deliver us from all sin and slavery, giving us the assurance of eternal life. Our story opens up with the circumstances that God’s people are facing in Egypt. Joseph’s life is now just a distant memory and the people of God are subject to forced labor and slavery.

June 22: Exodus 1 – What stands out to you in this chapter? How does the difficulty of what the Israelites are going through affect your life? “Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‘Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.’” (verse 22) The last verse of this chapter culminates the intensity of what was happening in that day. The Egyptians were trying to wear down the Hebrew people so that they would live in complete subjection to the oppressive Egyptians. This is not the way God intends for us to live. Even though the world can be oppressive and the devil can use some deceptive ways that undermine us, God wants us to be free. Exodus is a story about God’s heart for freedom. What does freedom mean to you? How do you deal with difficulty in your life? How does it encourage you to know that God wants to set you free?

June 23: Exodus 2 – What catches your eye in this chapter? What do you learn about Moses? “Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said.’” (vv. 5 & 6) The next statement you would expect is that she would throw him into the Nile and he would be dead. But God moved on her heart that she would have compassion for this baby who would be Moses. It always encourages me to see the hand of God at work, even when all the circumstances say things are getting worse; it will never work out. What encourages you about God’s protection over Moses’ life? Moses had been influenced by his culture and needed 40 years to be refined by God. That’s how I interpret this story. What stands out to you in this story? How have you been protected by God in difficult circumstances? What season of your life are you in: chosen, refined or humble service?

June 24: Exodus 3 – What part of this story catches your attention? How might you apply it to your life? There is no doubt that the burning bush is the most well-know aspect of this story. God spoke to Moses through a burning bush. “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.’” (verse 7) God hears our prayers. He knows our hearts. He understands the misery that we feel at times. He does not want us to suffer. What would you cry out to God about in your life? How does it encourage you to know that he hears you? How might prayer become a stronger aspect of your life?

June 25: Exodus 4 – What about this chapter stands out to you? What do you learn from Moses? “Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.” (vv 29-31) Imagine the excitement of Moses coming to the leaders of the Israelites with the news that the Lord wants to deliver his people. Their response was to bow down and worship. What is your response to the graciousness of God? How are you grateful; in what ways? Why does the Lord deserve our worship?

June 26: Exodus 5 – What caught your attention? What might God be saying to you through this chapter? We all know the saying, “Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.” That would be an appropriate title for this chapter. “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw.” (verse 7) Our first prayer for deliverance may not be answered in the way we had anticipated. We already know that the Lord’s ultimately victorious in this story, but just think of how the people must have felt. What do you do when your prayer isn’t answered in the way you had hoped? What if things get even worse than when you already thought that they were the worst they could be? What might God be doing in this story and in your life?

June 27: Exodus 6 – What impresses you in this chapter? What does Moses do that maybe God is calling you to do? “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.’” (verse 6) Moses goes to the Lord when he is faced with the problem of the people’s discouragement. God would fulfill his promises, as you know, through his deliverance. At that moment it probably didn’t seem like that promise would be fulfilled, but you can count on the promises of God. What promise from the Lord are you counting on? What is the Lord calling you to do right now? What does it mean to wait on the Lord?

June 28: Exodus 7 – The plagues begin. What gets your attention in these verses? Why? “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.’” (verse 1) The Lord doesn’t call us to go alone. He brings a partner for Moses. Moses was concerned by the eloquence of his speech. Aaron was able to speak with and for Moses. Partnerships are incredibly important. Do you feel alone? Are you trying to do your Christianity alone? Do you have someone in your life that is a mentor, or a partner, or someone that holds you accountable? If not, find someone as soon as possible.

You all know about the plagues that were associated with judgment on Egypt. The plagues are listed from chapter 7 through 11 in the Book of Exodus. There are ten plagues, culminating with the death of the first born. Each of these chapters highlights at least one plague, then it culminates with the exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea. We will wrap up this week just before Moses’ song of praise to God for his deliverance. Since I am gone this week I am going to do my reading schedule just a bit different. I am going to ask you to read a chapter a day this week and notice Moses’ perseverance and Pharaoh’s hard-heartedness. Moses felt like giving up, but he didn’t; and Pharaoh felt like giving in, but he didn’t. Pharaoh would try to negotiate with God, but God’s message was clear that he was going to deliver his people from the grip of the Egyptians whether Pharaoh liked it or not. Ask yourself what stands out to you as you read this chapter? What does the judgment cause to the Egyptians, and even to the Israelites? Why does Pharaoh harden his heart?

Several times you will read that Pharaoh admits his sin, but then changes his mind and refuses to let Israel go. It would only culminate with the death of Pharaoh’s first born son. Even then Pharaoh would change his mind and begin to chase after the Israelites.

June 29: Exodus 8

June 30: Exodus 9