July 1: Matthew 6:1-18 – “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (verse 9) I am obviously attracted to the Lord’s Prayer. I have used the Lord’s Prayer as a model for praying in my daily life. I do not pray it by memory, but use its outline to help me focus in my prayers in the same way that Jesus taught. Jesus said that we are to first praise God and then he made his requests. Praising God puts you and me in the right frame of mind so that we might be more inclined to pray prayers consistent with the will of God. Worship and praise in prayer is a very important dimension of prayer. Do you praise God in your prayers? How and why?

July 2: Matthew 6:19-34 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (vv. 19-21) This principle is so significant. We can be so focused on earth and what we are getting and what we possess and how much money we have that we forget that this life is very short. Jesus challenges us to use the resources of this earth for heavenly purposes. And when we do, we store up for ourselves even a greater treasure in heaven. The Bible calls this eternal rewards. How do you understand eternal rewards? How are you living today that will ensure eternal rewards?

July 3: Matthew 7:1-12 – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (verse 12) This is commonly known as the Golden Rule. Jesus made this a significant framework for how to live. Simply put: Think of what you would want to do to bless others that you know would also bless you as well. How will you do good to others today? Why is that important? What does that have to do with eternal rewards?

July 4: Matthew 7:13-29 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (verse 24) A disciple who is responding to the teaching of the Lord and asking him to help you live in obedience, the bibles says you are building your life on a rock. Jesus is often described as a rock. In the Old Testament we read several times that God is our rock. Why is living for Christ the most stable way to live? What does it mean to have Christ as your foundation? Read James 1:22-27 for more teaching on putting into practice what we hear?

The record of Jesus’ life is the most significant story in the whole Bible. Jesus is the centerpiece of what God would want to do in this life and in your life. The more you know about Jesus, the more you are ready to live out your Christian faith. You might think you are very familiar with Christ, but I would challenge you to look deeper as you read about his ministry and the marvelous works that he does, showing that he is the Son of God. We are still in the beginning season of his ministry on earth as we read these Gospel accounts. The readings bring both miracles and teaching through parables for us to understand the life of Christ better. The Christian faith is summarized in this way – God’s desire is for you to become more like Christ every day. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, but you must also have a vision for who Jesus is before you are able to see him become more influential in your life. Jesus is the key.

July 5: Luke 7:1-17 – “Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (vv. 14 & 15) I am inspired by this story for two reasons: You see the compassion of Jesus, but you also understand his power. Jesus is both soft and strong at the same time. That characteristic is something that I want to have as well. The people thought that Jesus was a prophet like Elijah or Elisha because they also were known to have raised the dead. But Jesus was more than a prophet. This story is to reveal the heart of God, who is both the God of compassion, and a God who can do the impossible. How does this story draw you closer to the Lord? What do you appreciate about this story on how Jesus responds to the grieving woman?

July 6: Matthew 11:1-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (verse 28) This is one of my favorite invitations from Jesus. The stress of our lives does not repel Jesus, but rather shows that he wants to help you in your time of need. In the most challenging seasons of my life, I have found that Jesus does give rest and peace. Life could be hard, and it will be difficult, but Jesus wants to help you through it. The invitation is to take his yoke, which is a two-person yoke. Jesus wants to be your partner as you draw near to him. How does this initiation make you feel? What do you appreciate about the partnership that Jesus offers?

July 7: Luke 7:36 – 8:3 – “And also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (vv. 2 & 3) Obviously the theme of our reading today is about Jesus’ heart for women. He valued women and brought them into the ministry as partners. In that culture, women were degraded and nothing less than servants of men. Why is this reading so important to church life? If you would follow Christ’s example, what would that mean for you? If you are a man, how do you think God wants you to treat women?

July 8: Matthew 12:22-50 – “But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (verse 28) Jesus didn’t avoid the challenging subjects of spiritual life. Here he addresses the influence of the devil through the invisible work of demons. Jesus knew that the battle was against the devil and he came to defeat Satan and his cohorts. At the resurrection he defeated Satan’s ultimate weapon, death. And as the Bible predicts, Satan will one day be constrained forever (Revelation 20:10). What is Jesus saying about his power over Satan? How do you understand the spiritual warfare that is real for you as a believer? Read Ephesians 6:10-18 for encouragement and direction in the spiritual battle that we all face.

July 9: Mark 4:1-29 – “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” (verse 8 ) This parable is presented as the first parable that Jesus shared with his disciples and the crowd that gathered to hear him teach. Jesus was presented as the teacher who would use parables. I do believe that this is the first parable that he presented and is foundational to the sense of harvest in our world. The message goes forth and there will be various responses. Obviously I want to be the kind of person that has the good soil, that my heart is responsive to the Lord and his work multiplies in me many times. How about you? Is your heart receptive to Christ and growing in him? What impresses you about this parable? What do you think is the main point? How is the soil of your heart?

July 10: Matthew 13:24-43 – “So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.’” (verse 35) This is a reference to Psalm 78:2. We are reading parables in this chapter. Matthew affirms the fact that Jesus would teach in parables, as I mentioned yesterday. Which of these parables gets your attention? What is the common theme? Why would Jesus speak in parables?

July 11: Matthew 13:44-52 – “He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.’” (verse 52) Anyone who understands God’s real purpose in the law as revealed in the Old Testament has the real treasure. The Old Testament points the way to Jesus the Messiah. Jesus always upheld the authority and relevance of Scripture. But there was a new treasure that Jesus was revealing. The religious leaders were looking for a physical and temporal kingdom of military rule or physical power. They were blind to the spiritual significance of the kingdom that Christ came to bring. That is the new treasure and it is received in Christ. Do you have the new treasure? Are you building up treasures in heaven? How is God speaking to you these days?

We will read from all four Gospels this week as we learn more about Jesus. Jesus is making a significant impression on the people, and at the same time, teaching his disciples about ministry and mission. Jesus was preparing those closest to him so that they could do what he was doing in sharing the message of the good news. Our theme verses for the birthing of New Harvest will be read on Tuesday, when Jesus said to the disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37 & 38) That verse inspired us to name the church. We are people who are called to make a difference. As in Jesus’ day, so even now the workers are few but the harvest is great. The Lord is giving us more opportunities all the time at New Harvest to make a difference in the lives of people who need him. We have seen many new teenagers gather at New Harvest. We have ministered through the food bank, helping people in need. There is a significant group of volunteers at Hallman Elementary sharing the love of Christ. We have had 14 professions of faith this year as we continue to invite people to come to personal faith in Jesus Christ. These readings this week will inspire you to do the same. Let’s keep moving forward in our mission for Jesus Christ.

July 12: Luke 8:22-56 – “But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’” (verse 46) There are several stories in this reading that bring inspiration, showing what Jesus can do in our lives. This woman exemplified a faith in Jesus’ ability to do the miraculous. Faith is key to the work of the Lord in your life and mine. I hope that her faith inspires you to trust in Jesus, because he can do anything; he can do what you need most. Which story in our reading today inspires you the most? Why? What do you learn from the woman and her response to Jesus? How is your faith quotient these days?

July 13: Matthew 9:27-38 – “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (verse 36) I already quoted verses (37 & 38) for you in my introduction, but this verse is also very significant. You can’t miss the word “compassion.” Jesus’ response to people was one of compassion. When he saw a need he cared. That is still the way with Jesus. In fact, we call him the Good Shepherd. A shepherd cares for his sheep. If you have the heart of Jesus, you will care about the needs of others. You might not be able to meet every need, but you will be able to respond as God empowers you with compassion. Do you have compassion for those that are going through hard times? What does it mean when Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.”? Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for those that you meet today.

July 14: Mark 6:1-13 – “These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.’” (vv. 8-10) The message here was that the disciples were to trust God with the opportunities that will come their way. There was not a need for extensive preparation. They could be assured that God would take care of them. When God calls us to do something, he will supply the need. There is a sense of instruction about what to do and how to reach out, but the Lord would take care of the rest. This shows you that the Lord is intending to send us out into this world to represent him. What does it mean to be a “sent one?” How does that affect your thinking about your purpose in life? Are you ready to go? Why or why not?

July 15: Matthew 10:16-42 – “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (verse 16) It may seem exciting to be on a mission for Jesus Christ, but it won’t be without opposition. Jesus makes it clear to his disciples that there will be challenges. Not everyone would respond in a favorable manner, but the message is that God will watch over you. We are to be wise and humble at the same time. We must find a balance between wisdom and vulnerability to accomplish God’s work. What does this chapter teach you about being sent? What verse stands out to you? Why? How might you apply the message that Jesus gave his disciples in the first century to your life today?

July 16: Mark 6:14-29 – “The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison.” (vv. 26 & 27) This is one of the more discouraging stories in the Bible for me. John was called by God to do something very significant as the announcer of the Messiah. His role was predicted in the Old Testament and he fulfilled it in a few short years. When his purpose was accomplished his life then concluded in a very abrupt and tragic way. I think that life will go on until I am 80 years old, and then I will be ready to go to heaven. John the Baptist was probably in his 30’s and his purpose had been accomplished. What do you think about this story? What might God be saying to you about life and ministry through John the Baptist’s experience?

July 17: Matthew 14:13-36 – “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” (verse 27) Recently I did a whole series on fear between May 2 and June 6. This is one of the 21 times that Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” It is the most prevalent commandment that he announced. This story shares about Peter walking on water. Peter overcame fear by faith. That message applies to all of life. If you have 100% faith you will have no fear. If you have 100% fear you will have no faith. How strong is your faith? What are you afraid of? What might Jesus say to you about your fears?

July 18: John 6:22-40 – “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’ (verse 35) Jesus often used “I am” statements in the Gospel of John. This is the first one of many. When Jesus says “I am” he is pointing to the fact that he is the Son of God. He also says that “he who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,” in verse 40. Jesus is the Savior and he is also the one who sustains your spiritual life. Getting closer to Jesus will make you stronger in your walk with God. I encourage you to find nourishment in Christ as you spend time with him. How are you nourished in your relationships with Jesus? What does it mean that he is the bread of life? How strong is your daily commitment to Christ and spending time with him?

I’ve read several books on the life of Jesus. One of the more impressive books was written by Philip Yancey entitled, The Jesus I Never Knew. He separated the message of Jesus and his miracles in the book, but we have been reading them side by side. Early on I made an interesting observation about the Gospel of Luke. In the Gospel of Luke, the beginning of the book has a lot of stories about Jesus’ life and what he did. When you get to the second half of the book, then there are a lot of read letters highlighting Jesus’ teaching. I think you can know that Jesus’ miracles were a forerunner to his message. His teaching about the kingdom of God was the most essential, but he also came with the power of God to demonstrate that his message was from God. In the Gospel of John we read that he is the great “I Am” so many different times. I hope you are enjoying the opportunity to learn more about Jesus. I would pray that you would actually learn something about Jesus that you never knew. I don’t know what that might be, but knowing Jesus better is the key to your spiritual journey as a follower of Christ.

July 19: John 6:41-71 – “At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They said, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I came down from heaven?”’” (vv. 41 & 42) These statements verify what I was saying in the introduction. People in Jesus’ day questioned whether he was actually from God. Jesus said that he had come down from heaven. Many people did not believe him. He did many marvelous things to show that he was from God, but still, not all people believed. This is still true today. Jesus is the biggest stumbling block in our faith. He came as a human being, but we know him as the sinless one. As the Messiah of the world he was the perfect Savior. What do you read in this teaching today that encourages you about Jesus? How is your relationship with Christ? Are you walking closely with him? Why or why not?

July 20: Mark 7:1-37 – “He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.’” (vv. 6 & 7) This chapter begins with Jesus’ teaching and then concludes with more miracles. I mentioned to you that the message and miracles of Jesus are intertwined in our readings this week. This is an example of that truth. These verses from Isaiah have always challenged me. What I say on the outside is not the most important to God. He cares about my heart. In fact, if I say something on the outside that is not true on the inside, that means I am a hypocrite. The word hypocrite in the Greek language refers to an actor – someone who is playing a role but isn’t really that person. Another word used for this is integrity. To have an integrated faith is to be the same on the inside and the outside. In fact, what is true on the inside is meant to motivate how you live on the outside. How is your heart? What is Jesus saying in his teaching in these first 23 verses? Why are they so challenging?

July 21: Matthew 15:32-16:12 – “’A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:4) This is not uncommon. People want to experience a miracle from Jesus so that they would believe. But Jesus knew that miracles never convinced a skeptic. Jesus had already been healing people and feeding thousands, and still people wanted him to prove himself. In John 20:29 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” With all the evidence Jesus gives, those that won’t believe are either too proud or too stubborn. What does this say to you? Do you know people like this? Why is God so pleased with simple faith?

July 22: Mark 8:22 – 9:1 – “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ.’” (verse 29) I guess I have to say that I prefer the recording from Matthew found in Matthew 16:13-20. You might enjoy reading that also. It gives a fuller account of Peter’s profession. I like the words, “And the gates of Hades will not overcome it . . .” “it” being the church. The church is built on the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Peter announces that by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in that Matthew records that this was revealed to him by the Father. Everything we are reading is pointing to the fact that Jesus is the Christ. I hope that this is building your faith. What does it mean that Jesus is the Christ? What other names does the Bible give Jesus? Why is significant that Jesus would then tell his disciples about his upcoming death and also powerful resurrection?

July 23: Luke 9:28-45 – “While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’” (vv. 34 & 35) What do you call this? This is evidence that Jesus is exactly who he says he is. As God’s Son, Jesus has both God’s power and authority. His words demand our response. If you believe Jesus is God’s Son then you will want to do what he says. What has Jesus been saying? What have you noticed about his teaching? What does it mean when he says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”? (Luke 9:23) How do you apply that to your life?

July 24: Matthew 17:24-18:6 – “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’” (18:1) We have always been prone to comparisons. It is difficult for us to be content in who we are and where we are in life. Jesus looks at the heart and he wants a response of faith and humility. A child believes freely and is not troubled by being dependent on others. Jesus wants that kind of response to him. He called that the greatest in the kingdom. How great are you? How do you understand the statement, “The greatest in the kingdom will be the servant of all?” What do you think of this statement, “. . . unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (18:3) What do these statements teach us about our response to Jesus?

July 25: Mark 9:38-50 – “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.” (verse 47) This is one of the many statements that are often referred to as the hard statements of Jesus. I was an assistant to a professor in seminary who wrote a book on the difficult teachings of Jesus. This is obviously one of them. The emphasis here is on the destruction of sin. If we ignore sin or make light of it, it will have devastating consequences. Jesus came to remove sin. Without Jesus the best thing to do would be to pluck out your eye, or to cut off your foot. But Jesus came to cleanses us from sin and to set us right. Forgiveness is about being made new. If this is a true picture of sin, what does it say to you? How should you and I respond to sin? How important is His cleansing work in your life and mine?

I remember reading a message about Jesus entitled, “One Solitary Life.” I feel led to share it with you as a part of this reading schedule:
“Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then three years later He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself . . . While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Twenty long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary life.”

July 26: Matthew 18:10-22 – “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” (verse 12) It was only a month ago that I was preaching on these verses, along with “speaking the truth in love.” If you know someone in your life that is wandering in their relationship with God, the message is to do all that you can to bring them back. The statement is summarized in that “you have won your brother over.” Our Lord cares about those that are lost and apart from him, but he also cares about those who have called out to him and are saved, but yet are drifting away. You know people in your life who have professed Christ and are drifting away. May God empower you to do whatever you can to help them. Why do people drift away? Why is it so challenging to confront people who are wandering? What do you learn from these verses that will help you to speak the truth in love?

July 27: John 7:1-31 – “Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, ‘He is a good man.’ Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people.’” (verse 12) This chapter shows the many reactions people have towards Jesus. In our verse here they call him a “good man,” but they also suggest that he is a deceiver. Some say that he has an evil spirit and others believe him to be the Christ. But Jesus asked this question of Peter in the Gospel of Matthew, “Who do you say that I am?” That is a good question for you. Who is Jesus to you? What does that mean to your everyday life?

July 28: John 7:32-53 – “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (vv. 37 & 38) This has always been one of my favorite verses. It talks about the way the Holy Spirit would affect your life and my life. Living water is a marvelous term and it means to be refreshed and empowered. God’s Spirit would do both. He would come as a comforter, but he would also bring God’s power from on high. How is the Holy Spirit a companion in your life? How is the Holy Spirit one who empowers you? How important is your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

July 29: John 8:1-20 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (verse 12) In Matthew we are called “the light of the world.” Jesus is already the light and he has shined his light into our hearts. We are now to do what Jesus did in this world . . . shine the light of life to a dark world. How are you shining God’s light? How has Jesus changed your life? Who might you tell the story of how Jesus changed your life?

July 30: John 8:21-59 – “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (vv. 31 & 32) He also mentions this same truth in verse 36. A strong relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for his Word will set you free. You will be freed from sin and the power of Satan. You will be free from worry and doubt because you will know what is true and what the Bible says about you as a follower of Christ. What is true about you as a Christian? Why does that set you free?

July 31: Luke 10:1-24 – “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.’” (verse 21) Recently I spoke on the principle that the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Jesus is alluding to the fact that the smart, the rich and the powerful often miss God’s marvelous grace. They think they are sufficient in and of themselves. Jesus always opposes the spiritually proud. But you can also know from Scripture that he esteems those who are humble and contrite in spirit. What does it mean to you that the last will be first? Why does it make Jesus happy that the Father takes good pleasure in those that are humble? What does that say to you?