Day 220 Jesus and Nicodemus John 3: 1-21

Guided reflection:

This is the passage that makes the Gospel in a nutshell!  Nicodemus is not politically correct – he knows he should not be talking to Jesus, but he wants to know who this Jesus really is and how his life can be affected!  Jesus tells him that he must be born again – what does that mean?  Jesus slowly tells him that he was born a natural birth from his mother and that means born into sin… but he can be “born again” by a new beginning through the spirit!   Then Jesus give him the core statement in the scripture “God so loved that world that he gave his Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!”  John 3:16.   Do you have it memorized?   Do you know that the “who so ever” means you?     

Guided prayer:

Just like Nicodemus, I do not understand all about new birth through the spirit, but I can understand love.  You love me!  You love my family!  You love my enemies!  You love the whole world!  WOW!  I am one of the “whosever’s”!!!   You love me!   Thank you for sending your son for me!  Amen” 

Day 219 The first Miracle – at a wedding John 2: 1- 12

Guided reflection:

I get tickled when I read this as a mother… I am not sure if Mary is being a nag or is trying to encourage him to fly.  Somehow she believes it is time for him to start his work, but he thinks not - yet, makes the miracle happen!  Water is turned into wine - and not just plain ole wine – the best stuff any had ever tasted.  Now the cat is out of the bag... Jesus is not your ordinary person!  The last verse tells us that at first his mother and his siblings traveled with him.  Can’t you just imagine how Mary bragged about her boy?  You should see what he can do!

A miracle at an ordinary event – this is how it all began.

Guided prayer:

“Take my ordinary life, O God, and fill me with new wine.  Help me to keep my eyes open at all times for your activity around me.  Amen” 

Day 218 The Calling of the Disciples John 1: 35-51

Guided reflection:

Since John was one of the disciples, he is more personal about how the other disciples were called.   They became his buddies!  I love what he says about Nathaniel in vs 47, “he is one who has a pure heart”.  Make a list of the disciples from this passage.  Now, how did YOU become a disciple?  How would your story go?

Guided prayer:

“You have called me through the words of Jesus, O God.  I have chosen to follow Jesus! I am a part of the story of your love!  Thank you!  (Right now, remember those who helped you find your way to Christ. Consider writing them a note of thanks!)

Day 217 The Word made flesh John 1: 1-18

Guided reflection:

Have you ever had anyone say to you, “I give you my word?”   Well, God has said that to us!  In Genesis, we read that the WORD spoke creation into existence… and now John wants is to know that the creation story takes another step in that the WORD became flesh to dwell with us.  Immanuel – God with us… the LIGHT with us.  You will see, as we go through John, he adds some theology, not just an account of Jesus’ actions. 

Guided prayer:

“Thank you, God, for giving us your Word in sending Jesus.  We have your “word on it” and believe that Jesus is the light, the insight, the key to our understanding.  Open our hearts and minds to this light.  Open our ears to hear your Word.  Amen” 

Day 216 Mark’s addition to the story Mark 16: 9-20

Guided reflection:

The writer of Mark’s Gospel gives credibility to Mary Magdalene and her encounter with Jesus.  Because of this story, we know that Jesus first told a woman to go and tell!    We read that Jesus showed up at other times before being taken up to heaven.   The Great Commission is expanded to say that the disciples would cast out demons, speak in languages they never learned, and would not be hurt by serpents!   This Gospel wants the reader to know that we have been given power – we are not powerless orphans left behind… we are empowered by the spirit to make things happen!

Guided prayer:

“Jesus told us to GO and make disciples.  I want to be the best disciple of Jesus that I can be. Forgive my unbelief and my lack of understanding. Fill me with your power so I can be the person you have dreamed me to be.  Thank you for your Word that has been preserved over the years so that I could know the stories of Jesus.  Amen”

Day 215 The Disciples experience the Risen Christ Luke 24:36-49

Guided reflection:

I love it that Jesus showed up to his disciples and allowed them to acknowledge their doubt and to see his hands and his feet and his side.  He shared with them how it all fit together from the OT prophesies to his resurrection.   He promised that His spirit would be on them… and then took them out to Bethany – outside of town – and blessed them and ascended into heaven.  What joy!  What energy – and the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead was now theirs!  And ours!  WOW!

Guided prayer:

“Open my eyes…empower my spirit with your spirit… and help me see your power instead of my helpless state!  You want to use ME!  Here I am, fill me and use me.  Amen” 

Day 214 The Road To Emmaus Luke 24:13-35

Guided reflection:

WOW!  Can you imagine what it must have been like to be lost in the words of Jesus as he made all the stories and prophecies make sense of the turmoil of their current headlines?  Just think, they had the risen Christ to themselves for all those miles.  It must have felt like a short trip that day… they wanted more, begged him to stay.  He did and then their eyes were opened.  Talk about an epiphany!  The lights came on in their minds and they knew they had walked on holy ground.  Today we have a spiritual weekend, 72 hours, where men or women spend time “walking on holy ground” as the scriptures make sense and you experience God’s love in a personal manner.  If you have not experienced you own Emmaus Walk, please talk someone who has so you might have your own special time with God!

Guided prayer:

“This story gives me hope.  There are times when things do not make sense and I need some insight and wisdom… and along the way, Jesus will come and help me see love, even in the middle of scary times.  Open my eyes that I might see, glimpses of truth you have for me!  Amen” 

Day 213 Jesus Gives the Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20

Guided reflection:

Jesus hands over the reins of God’s love story to his disciples… and thus to us.  He had walked and talked with them; he had preached and taught; he had shared his highest moments and his darkest hours with them… now, the point of all of that is to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to observe what Jesus taught.  This passage is the very reason I did this Bible Study for you – so that you could learn the stories of Jesus so you can grow as a disciple of Jesus.  This is still our mission statement… so therefore, since that has not changed, then neither has the “lo I am with you always” part!  We are not alone.  We have a charge to keep.  Let’s get busy!

Guided Prayer:

“Lord, you give the great commission to heal the sick and preach the word.  Lest the church neglect its mission and the gospel go unheard, help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity.  With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work d of ministry. Amen”

Day 212 Bribing the soldiers Matthew 28:11-15

Guided reflection:

Aha!  The Soldiers did see something…. And it sounds just like a modern day movie filled with intrigue!  The soldiers were bought off to keep their mouths shut about what really happened and all agreed to tell the same story.  The soldiers were promised that their backs would be covered.   And some still believe their story.  Well, to be honest, their story is easier to grasp than the miracle story… but thank God we serve a miracle working God!  The resurrection story is THE story for us as Christians.  If we truly believe, then how is it that it is hard to believe that God is still a God of miracles?

Guided prayer:

“O God, our world is still the same – people force others to take bribes or force themto deny reality… when will we get it?  Help us to open our eyes to truth and may that truth set us free.  Right now I pray for those who are victimized by others who use power games to get what they want.  Help me to never join their ranks!  Amen!”

Day 211 The Empty Tomb Matt 28:1-10; Mark 16: 1-8; Luke 24:1-11

Guided reflection:

Aren’t you excited to get to this passage?  This is it!  This is what sets us apart from any other religion… we believe in a RISEN SAVIOR!!!!   Not just a nice teacher… not just a story of a hero… but a risen Savior… whose life, death, and resurrection had YOU at its center!   Mark tells the details: Mary Magdalene had just had the worst night of her life and now she had to do that one thing she never dreamed possible… and they took his body!  Can’t they just leave well enough alone?  She asks the gardener where they have laid his body… and she gets the surprise of her life!  IT IS JESUS!  HE IS ALIVE!!!!   Why is it we seek the living among the dead?   Notice that Jesus immediately asks them two things – to not be afraid… and to go and tell the others.  Again, try to put yourself into the story… feel the loss and then the hope and then the thrill… and wonder of it all!

Guided prayer:

“O God, I love this part of the Story!    It is such an emotional rollercoaster to go from being smug about being part of the “in crowd”… to being horrified that Jesus is actually dying as a criminal… to the horror of the details… to the despair of the dark night… to the glory of the new morning that brought resurrection.  For ME, yet!   I know that my life is made up of all those emotions and experiences, but thank you for the hope of the resurrection that means I need not even fear death!  That this is not the end of the story – there is hope even beyond the grave!  WOW!  Thank you!  Amen!