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Devotion Time:2012 Devotions: Luke 10-12, Reflection Questions Only February 13- February 18, 2012
Monday, february 13
Prayer For Today’s DT
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (Deuteronomy 15:10)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Luke 10:38-40
- Reflect on the scene of Martha, doing so much but feeling bitter and resentful toward everyone. What could Martha have done differently?
- Have I experienced resentment that I am doing some thankless task “by myself?”
- Do I sometimes create with my own actions situations in which I end up casting myself as an unappreciated victim, and the only one who cares?
- Have there been times when I looked to others to fix some kind of unfairness or injustice that was actually in my power to fix?
Luke 10:41
- What does Martha’s bitterness reveal about her priorities?
- What can we learn about the difference between Martha’s and Jesus’ evaluation of Mary’s priorities?
- What is the “one thing” Jesus is referring to?
- What are the “many things” in my life that distract me from focusing on my relationship with God?
PERSONAL PRAYER
Please write out a prayer of commitment or confession either based on today’s text or upon reflection over recent events in your life.
tuesday, february 14
Prayer For Today’s DT
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Luke 11:1-4
- Pray this prayer slowly, reflecting on each phrase.
- How does addressing God as “father” change my view about prayer and how I relate to God?
- What is implied in praying for God’s holiness and His kingdom before other prayer topics?
- What is the significance of forgiving others as we ask for forgiveness?
- “And lead us not into temptation”: “This should not be interpreted that God will lead us into temptation (James 1:13-15)…[rather] God has a power to protect us and keep us from succumbing to temptation.”[1] What does this prayer regarding temptation show about the proper posture Jesus wants his disciples to have toward sin?
- What practical implication would it have if I prayed daily according to the priorities of this prayer?
Luke 11:5-10
- What is the main point of the parable of the friend seeking bread at midnight and what lesson does it teach about prayer?
Luke 11:11-13
- How does one receive the Holy Spirit from God?
- Why is giving of the Holy Spirit by God compared to parents giving good gifts to their children?
PERSONAL PRAYER
Please write out a prayer of commitment or confession either based on today’s text or upon reflection over recent events in your life.
wednesday, february 15
Prayer For Today’s DT
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17-18)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Luke 11:14-15
- Some were “amazed,” but others made some very odd claims about how Jesus healed the mute man. What does this show about human pride? What are some dismissive things that people say regarding God’s work in people’s lives?
Luke 11:16
- Reflect on being put to the test like this, and why this is offensive. Are there some ways in which I keep putting God to the test?
Luke 11:17-22
- How does Jesus point out their faulty logic and what warning does he give through this?
Luke 11:24-26
- What constitutes a house being swept clean and put in order?
- What is the danger of keeping the house empty (i.e., without the “strong man” occupying it)?
Luke 11:27-28
- Who does Jesus consider blessed?
- To what extent do I see the truth of this definition of blessedness?
Luke 11:29-32
- Why does Jesus call the crowd “a wicked generation”?
- What are the characteristics of the Ninevites and the Queen of the South that will condemn the “wicked generation” at the judgment?
- What is implied in Jesus saying that the sign of Jonah is the only sign that will be given?
PERSONAL PRAYER
Please write out a prayer of commitment or confession either based on today’s text or upon reflection over recent events in your life.
thursday, february 16
Prayer FOR TODAY’S DT
As for God, his way is perfect;the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shieldfor all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? (Psalm 18:30-31)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Luke 11:33-36
- Since being filled with darkness or light is dependent on our eyes (v.33), what determines the good or bad condition of our eyesight (perception)?
Luke 11:37-44
- Jesus rebukes the Pharisees with very harsh words. What is it about the Pharisees that Jesus found repugnant?
- What aspects of the Pharisees do I find in myself?
Luke 11:39-41
- What issue does Jesus address by asking, “Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?”
- What are things that God cares about that I am ignoring?
Luke 11:52
- Why couldn’t the Pharisees and teachers of the law accept Jesus’ rightful criticism about their hypocrisy,even though they were highly religious people?
- What are the inconsistencies in my life that I have not been acknowledging?
PERSONAL PRAYER
Please write out a prayer of commitment or confession either based on today’s text or upon reflection over recent events in your life.
FRIDAY, february 17
Prayer FOR TODAY’S DT
For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peacethere will be no end. He will reign on David’s throneand over his kingdom, establishing and upholding itwith justice and righteousnessfrom that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almightywill accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Luke 12:1-5
- According to this passage, why is hypocrisy so foolish?
- How is hypocrisy related to fear of men?
- What is the relationship between fear of “those who kill the body” and fear of the one who “has the power to throw you into hell”?
Luke 12:6-7
- How is God portrayed in this passage?
- How does this portrait of God relate to the power of God to “throw you into hell” (v. 5)?
Luke 12:8-9
- In what ways does fear of men come in conflict with acknowledging God?
- Why is acknowledging God before men so important?
- In what ways, or before whom, have I not acknowledged God?
PERSONAL PRAYER
Please write out a prayer of commitment or confession either based on today’s text or upon reflection over recent events in your life.
saturday, february 18
Prayer FOR TODAY’S DT
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:32-33)
reflection questions
Reread the passages from this week and review your DTs. Consider the themes in the text and what lessons emerged for you and write a personal reflection based on this week’s DT. The questions below are provided as prompts to help you.
Did the text provide:
-a truth, wisdom or lesson I need to affirm or apply?
-some aspect of the Gospel or God’s salvation plan that I learned in a fresh way?
-a biblical norm, standard or value? How do I measure up to it or what is my response to it?
-a picture of God’s heart that I need to appreciate or more deeply embrace?
-a description of folly, sin, or a relational problem that I need to address?
-a mirror that shows me an aspect of my life that is contrary to God’s word?
-a promise that I can claim and place my trust in?
-a corrective to ideas or tendencies in today’s culture?
-a course of action I need to commit to?
PERSONAL PRAYER
Please write out a prayer of commitment or confession either based on today’s text or upon reflection over recent events in your life.
[1] Darrell L. Bock, Luke, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series, (InterVarsity Press, 1994) 205.