Day 5/260: Read Luke 5

Our attitude in obeying the Lord is important. Peter obeyed, but not without voicing his complaint in the process. In essence, he said, “I’ll do it, but I don’t see the point!”

He changed his attitude when he saw the miraculous catch. Peter recognized not only the power of Christ, but his own sinful condition, and acknowledged that he was truly not worthy to even be in the Lord’s presence.

Should we not also pay attention to our attitude as we serve the Master? We should be joyful as we do the things God has commanded, exhibiting a cheerful attitude that will cause others to desire to serve Him. If God’s children all had the attitude of Peter, grumbling that we don’t see the point, it would be difficult to influence those outside of Christ to obey Him.

It is also interesting to see what the early disciples did: “they forsook all and followed Him.” Can we say the same today? Or are we hanging on to something that prevents us from full and complete service? Christianity is not a hobby; it is full-time way of life meant to affect everything else we do.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for a better attitude in your service to the Almighty. Pray for joy in worship and delight in the duties expected of God’s children. Pray that your cheerfulness will be contagious to your brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Day 4/260: Read Luke 4

Why was Jesus sent to earth? In the prophecy of Isaiah that Jesus read, we see an outline of His ministry here.

“To preach the gospel to the poor.” People who are caught up in the physical treasures of this life are often spiritually bankrupt. Jesus encourages us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21) because if our treasure is there, our focus will be there.

“To heal the brokenhearted.” Jesus offers comfort and rest to those who are weary (Matthew 11:28-30).

“To proclaim liberty to the captives.” The opportunity to be freed from slavery to sin is found in Christ (Romans 6:16-23).

“And recovery of sight to the blind.” Those who reject God and ignore Jesus are in darkness; those who accept the truth found in Scriptures see that Jesus is the light that drives away darkness (John 8:12).

“To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” No longer do we have to be held down by Satan; no longer do we have to be under his control. Jesus gives us the liberty to live in righteousness through faithful obedience to His Word (James 1:21-25).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no ______________ of a ______________, but those who are sick. I have not come to ______________ the righteous, but sinners, to ______________.”

Pray

Pray for your spiritual life, that you may seek the riches of the Scripture, in which you may discover the healing from sin and liberty from evil. Pray for the sight offered by Christ.

Day 3/260: Read Luke 3

John the Baptist’s public ministry began before Jesus’; he was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, sent to “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.” John preached “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

In his preaching on repentance, he gave some specific instructions to his audience. He told the general population to share with those in need; he told the tax collectors to treat others fairly; he told the soldiers to stop being bullies and be content with their financial state. Are these not needed reminders for us today?

Everyone has committed sin, but because of God’s grace and mercy, we can be forgiven. We need to repent and obey and commit ourselves to a life of faithfulness. While Jesus did not need baptism for the remission of His sins (since He had no sins), He still needed to obey the command of God.

What commands of God have you disobeyed? Are you greedy with your possessions? Do you cheat others out of what is theirs? Do you bully those around you? Have you repented and been baptized to have those sins washed away? Are you now living righteously in God’s sight?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are ______________ have no need of a physician, but those who are ______________. I have not come to call the _______________, but ______________, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for forgiveness, recognizing the need for repentance and faithfulness. Pray for strength to be a good example to others. 

Day 2/260: Read Luke 2

We have very little information about Jesus’ life before His public ministry. Luke relates one incident that occurred when Jesus was just twelve years old.

Joseph and Mary were faithful in their attendance of the Passover Feast in Jerusalem, traveling there each year. They journeyed with a large group of family and friends, and when they began their trip home after the feast, they did not realize that the pre-teen Jesus had been left behind in the city.

It isn’t difficult to imagine Joseph and Mary’s fear. They had been entrusted with the Son of God, and they lost Him! It took them three days to find Him; He was in the temple, “in the midst of the teachers.” At just twelve years of age, Jesus’ priorities were in order. He asked Mary, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Do we ever lose sight of our Father’s business? We develop a routine of going to school or work, but do we lose sight of what is truly important? Where are our priorities? Do we go about our daily activities without any thought to how those activities can be used to accomplish God’s will in our life and the lives of those around us?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for opportunities to be about the Father’s business. Pray that He may use you to accomplish His will. Pray for those around you that you can influence in a positive way.

Day 1/260: Read Luke 1

For the first time in hundreds of years, God spoke to one of His children. The person who received the message was Zacharias, a priest. While many priests were denounced throughout the Scriptures for various sins, Zacharias is called “righteous” and “blameless.” This does not mean he was perfect or sinless, but that he sought to serve God in his life.

If you died tomorrow, how would your obituary read? Could the preacher at your funeral say, with all sincerity, that you were “righteous” and “blameless” in your life? What changes do you need to make in your life to make those adjectives fit your description?

It is never too late to make a commitment to serve the Lord. We read of many servants throughout both the Old and New Testaments who overcame their weaknesses and by the grace of God were used for His purpose.

Paul reminded the saints in Corinth of what they “were” before coming to know Christ: unrighteous sinners who could not inherit the kingdom of God. Because of Christ, though, they changed their lives and “are washed…sanctified…justified.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for the wisdom to recognize your weaknesses and seek guidance in the Scriptures on how to become righteous and blameless in God’s sight.