Daily Reading Week 22
Sunday
Nehemiah 3
Discover
Nehemiah chapter 3 is more than just a list of names and tasks—it’s a beautiful tapestry of unity, faith, and purpose. As we read through the chapter, we see a diverse group of people coming together to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. There were priests and Levites, rulers and craftsmen, men and women, families working side by side. Some repaired the wall right outside their homes, while others traveled from distant towns to lend a hand. Everyone had a role, and everyone gave their best.
This is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Just like those ancient builders, we’re called to work together—each of us bringing our unique gifts, our time, and our hearts—to build something greater than ourselves. When we serve with humility and unity, we reflect God’s design for His people.
This unity didn’t come without challenges, however. The people faced threats from enemies who didn’t want to see Jerusalem thrive. They had to navigate political red tape and even deal with internal strife—God’s people hurting one another instead of helping. Nehemiah himself was the target of schemes meant to discourage and distract him.
And yet, the work continued.
This chapter reminds us that doing God’s work often means facing both opposition from the outside and struggles within. But it also shows us what’s possible when we stay focused on the mission and support one another in love. When we each do our part—no matter how big or small—we become a living testimony to God’s glory.
Respond:
1. What role do you see yourself playing in your community or church?
2. How can you contribute to a common vision in your current environment?
3. Reflect on a time when you worked as part of a team. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?
Monday
John 17 (Scripture focus John 17:20-26)
Discover:
In John 17, often called the High Priestly Prayer, we get a glimpse into the heart of our Savior just before His journey to the cross. He lifts His eyes to heaven and begins to pray—not only for Himself, not only for His disciples—but for all who would one day believe in Him through their message. That includes us.
The prayer unfolds in three beautiful movements. First, Jesus prays for Himself (vv. 1–5), asking the Father to glorify Him so that He might glorify the Father. Then, He prays for His first disciples (vv. 6–19), those who walked with Him, heard His voice, and would soon carry His message into the world. Finally, in verses 20–26, He turns His attention to future believers—those who would come to faith through the testimony of the Apostles. That’s where we come in.
And what does Jesus pray for us? Unity. Not a shallow unity that ignores truth, but a deep, spiritual unity modeled after the relationship between the Father and the Son—distinct, yet one. This unity is rooted in truth, not compromise. Jesus prays that we would be sanctified by the truth and sent into the world with it. When we live in this kind of unity, the world sees something unmistakable: that Jesus truly came from the Father.
Respond:
1. How can you promote unity within your community or church?
2. What challenges do you face in maintaining unity with others?
3. How does Jesus' prayer for unity inspire you in your personal walk with God?
Tuesday
Matthew 28 (Scripture focus Matthew 28:18-20)
Discover:
After Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t immediately ascend to heaven. Instead, He spent forty precious days with His disciples—teaching, encouraging, and preparing them for the mission ahead. While the Gospels each highlight different moments from this time, Matthew focuses on one scene: Jesus meeting His disciples on a mountain in Galilee.
We don’t know exactly when this meeting happened during those forty days, but the timing isn’t the point. What matters is that Jesus had told His followers to meet Him there—and they did. When they saw Him, some worshiped immediately, while others hesitated. That hesitation wasn’t rejection; the Greek word used here suggests a kind of awe-filled uncertainty. Imagine standing face to face with the risen Lord—it’s no wonder some were unsure how to respond.
Then Jesus spoke words that still echo through the ages: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” In that moment, He declared what His resurrection had proven—He is the victorious, risen King. The spotless Lamb of God, who bore our sins, had been vindicated by the Father. Now, seated at God’s right hand, Jesus reigns with power and glory, His kingdom stretching across the earth through the preaching of the gospel.
John Calvin once said that only divine authority could empower us to proclaim eternal life in Jesus’ name, to call the world to surrender, and to teach a message that humbles every human heart. And that’s exactly what Jesus gave us—the authority and the calling to go and make disciples of all nations.
This is the Great Commission. It’s not a suggestion or a hopeful idea—it’s a promise-backed mission. Jesus didn’t send us out wondering if it would work. He sent us out knowing that His gospel would reach the ends of the earth. And He promised to be with us every step of the way.
Respond:
1. What steps can you take to actively participate in the Great Commission?
2. How can you use your unique gifts and talents to make disciples?
3. Reflect on a time when you shared your faith with someone. What was the experience like, and what did you learn?
Wednesday
Luke 8 (Sctipture Focus Luke 8:1-3)
Discover:
Jesus, our Savior and King, walked this earth without a home of His own. As He once said, “The Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). He didn’t own property or have a steady income, yet His ministry still required practical resources—food, clothing, and the means to travel from town to town.
That’s where today’s passage gives us a beautiful glimpse into the quiet, powerful faith of several women who followed Jesus. Luke 8:1–3 tells us that these women not only traveled with Him but also supported His ministry financially. Their generosity helped make His mission possible.
This was remarkable for many reasons. In a time when most rabbis wouldn’t even teach women, Jesus welcomed them as His disciples. He invited them to learn at His feet, and they responded with love, devotion, and sacrificial giving.
Among them was Mary Magdalene, a woman once tormented by seven demons, now set free and faithfully following her Redeemer. Contrary to popular myths, Scripture never calls her a former prostitute. What it does show is a woman transformed by grace, honored with the first appearance of the risen Christ.
Then there’s Joanna, the wife of Chuza, who managed the household of Herod Antipas—the same Herod who opposed Jesus and had John the Baptist killed. How amazing is it that money from Herod’s palace helped support the ministry of the very Messiah he rejected?
And though we know little about Susanna, we know this: she, too, had been changed by Jesus. Like Mary and Joanna, she gave out of gratitude, joining in the work of the kingdom.
These women remind us that no act of faith is too small, and no background too broken, to be used by God. They gave what they had—resources, time, and trust—because they had been redeemed. And their legacy still inspires us today.
Respond:
1. In what ways can you stretch yourself to serve God and others?
2. How can you support your church or community with your resources?
3. What societal norms or expectations might you need to challenge to follow God's calling?
Thursday
2 Kings 2 (scripture focus 2 Kings 2 4:1-7)
Discover:
It’s hard to imagine the depth of desperation that widow must have felt. Not only was she grieving the loss of her husband, but she was also facing the harsh reality of financial ruin without his income. Many of us have known someone who’s gone through the pain of losing a spouse, and while women today often have more opportunities to support themselves, that wasn’t always the case.
In her sorrow, the widow turned to Elisha. Her husband had served alongside him, so Elisha likely knew him well. And when she came to him, Elisha didn’t hesitate—he offered a solution straight from God. I imagine Elisha felt deeply honored to be used by God in such a personal and powerful way.
His question to her might have seemed strange at first: “What do you have in your house?” A small flask of olive oil didn’t seem like much. But in those days, olive oil was incredibly valuable—it was used for cooking, lighting lamps, and even as fuel. Still, despite any doubts she may have had, the widow obeyed.
Scripture is full of stories where God cares for widows, and this one is no exception. I can’t help but wonder—if she had gathered more jars, would the oil have kept flowing? It seems like the number of jars might have reflected the measure of her faith.
That’s a good reminder for us today. God is ready to pour out His blessings, but we need to come to Him with open, expectant hearts. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask boldly. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God “is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” What if we dared to think bigger? What if we brought more “jars”? There’s no limit to what God can do.
Respond:
1. What "empty jars" in your life need to be filled by God's provision?
2. How can you demonstrate faith and obedience in your current circumstances?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision. How did it impact your faith?
Friday
Acts 2 (scripture focus Acts 2:42-47)
Discover:
Acts 2:42–47 gives us a glimpse into what happens when God transforms hearts through the Gospel. When people put their trust in Jesus, are forgiven of their sins, and filled with the Holy Spirit, something amazing happens—they become part of a vibrant, Spirit-filled community.
This passage shows us that salvation isn’t just about a personal relationship with God—it’s also about being brought into a shared life with others. The early believers didn’t just worship together; they shared meals, supported one another, and lived life side by side. Their spiritual unity in Christ naturally overflowed into everyday fellowship.
It’s important to notice the order here: their shared faith in Jesus created their shared life. Fellowship with God came first, and from that flowed fellowship with one another. Their community wasn’t forced or manufactured—it was the natural result of God’s saving work.
It’s easy to misread Acts 2 as a checklist for building the “perfect church.” But Luke isn’t giving us a formula or a tool for critiquing others. He’s describing what God did—how He formed a new kind of community through the power of the Gospel and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Luke’s deeper purpose is to show that God’s promises were being fulfilled. At Pentecost, God began something new: He made His dwelling not in a building, but among His people. First in Jesus, and now through the Spirit in the church, God is present with us. The local church becomes the visible expression of the invisible God.
And here’s the invitation: God wants you to be part of that. He wants you to experience the joy of life in Christ with others. While the details of our communities today may look different from the early church in Jerusalem, the heart of it remains the same—shared faith, shared life, and shared joy.
Respond:
1. How can you cultivate authentic relationships within your community or church?
2. In what ways can you demonstrate generosity and support to those around you?
3. Reflect on the importance of community in your spiritual journey. How has it shaped your faith?
Saturday
Romans 12 (Scipture focus Romans 12:1-8)
Discover:
Throughout our lives, we all receive compliments—on how we look, how we work, how we treat others. Some of those compliments fade from memory, but others stick with us, especially when they come from people we deeply respect. On the other hand, we tend to forget the ones that feel hollow or come from people who don’t really know us. Why? Because we can often sense when a compliment isn’t sincere.
If we, as imperfect people, can recognize and dismiss insincerity, how much more must God, who sees the heart, turn away from false praise? Scripture tells us that God doesn’t just ignore insincere worship—He actually hates it. He desires worship that is genuine, from hearts that truly love and honor Him. As Jesus said in John 4:23, the Father is seeking those who will worship Him “in spirit and truth.” Isaiah 29:13–14 echoes this, warning against honoring God with lips while hearts are far from Him.
Jesus gives us the perfect example of sincere worship. He lived every moment to please His Father, without sin or selfishness. While we’ll never match His perfection, God is gracious. He forgives those who come to Him with repentant hearts and trust in Christ. And when we rest in Christ, worship naturally flows from that place of grace. It’s the only fitting response to the mercy we’ve received.
Romans 12:1 captures this beautifully. After laying out the incredible truths of the gospel in chapters 1–11, Paul begins chapter 12 with “therefore”—a word that signals a response. Because of all God has done, the most logical and heartfelt response is to worship Him. But this isn’t just about singing songs or attending church. Paul calls it “spiritual worship,” which means offering our whole selves—our thoughts, actions, and daily lives—as living sacrifices to God.
Worship starts in the heart, but it doesn’t stay there. It shows up in how we live, how we serve, and how we love. We no longer bring animal sacrifices, but we bring ourselves—fully and freely—as an offering of gratitude and praise. And when we do, we bring joy to the heart of our Creator.
Respond:
1. What gifts or talents do you believe God has given you to serve others?
2. How can you present yourself as a living sacrifice in your daily life?
3. Reflect on a time when you used your gifts to serve others. What impact did it have on you and those around you?