January 23 Daily Bible Reading

January 23 Daily Reading Response: Romans 14

To view the JOURNEY TO EASTER READING PLAN, GO TO 
 Cottonwood Creek Scripture Reading Plan


As we read today’s scripture leading us to Easter Sunday,  we find ourselves reading Romans 14.  This chapter is a great reminder against being judgmental.  So often we justify judging others because we think we are better, smarter, or holier than those around us.  However, the truth is that the Bible clearly says DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sistes? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”  12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister ( Romans 14: 10-13).

Remember because we are not omniscient, we do not have the ability to  know the heart, the maturity, or the circumstances of those whom we judge, so like Romans 14 says, let’s leave the judging up to God, and let’s focus on verses 19 & 22:  Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification(Rom 14:19).  And,  “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves (Romans 14:22).

As you read Romans 14 today, What sticks out to you?

What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
What does the passage mean to me?
What verse really stuck out to me?
What changes do I need to make in my life?
What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
What is God’s will for my life?
Is there a verse that I would like to memorize?

 Romans 14 (New International Version)

1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]  12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.  19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[c]

Footnotes:

a.  Romans 14:10 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21.

b.  Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23

c.  Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.

January 17 Daily Bible Reading Plan

January 17 Daily Reading Response: 

Romans 10

To view the JOURNEY TO EASTER READING PLAN, GO TO:   Cottonwood Creek Scripture Reading Plan

Romans 10:
How many body parts does it take to be saved?
So often people try to make salvation complex. However, the concept of salvation is complex, but the act of believing in Christ is simple. In fact, it only takes 2 of our many body parts to follow Christ. Romans 10:9-10 says: with the MOUTH one declares “Jesus is Lord” and professes faith & with the HEART one believes that Christ raised from the dead.
So, don’t wait another minute- settle your salvation today.
9 I fyou declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe an are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10).



What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
What does the passage mean to me?
What verse really stuck out to me?
What changes do I need to make in my life?
What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
What is God’s will for my life?
Is there a verse that I would like to memorize?

Romans 10 (New International Version)

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”[i]
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[l]

Footnotes:

1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
7. Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
8. Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
9. Romans 10:18 Psalm 19:4
10. Romans 10:19 Deut. 32:21
11. Romans 10:20 Isaiah 65:1
12. Romans 10:21 Isaiah 65:2

20/20 Vision

Hello – this is Keith Tyler, Worship Pastor at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church with your inspirational thought of the day:

Let me ask you a question today. Whom or what do you fear? As you walk through your life on a daily basis, what grips you from your inner core and traps you from experiencing a life of freedom…a life that is free in Christ? Is it a relationship? A life-changing decision? Keeping a hidden secret?

The Old Testament has a word for you today. In 2 Kings chapter 6 – Prophet Elisha is being attacked by an army coming against Israel. His servant runs up to him worried about the horses and chariots and the oncoming attack, but Elisha responds, “There is nothing to worry about. Those who are for us are more than who are against us.” Elisha turned to his servant and prayed, “Lord, open their eyes to see what you see,” and when he did, he saw the mountains filled with God’s army.

I pray this same prayer for you today. Lord, open our eyes to see what you see. You are a God who is for us, not against us. Give us the strength and FAITH to stand in times of adversity and fear knowing you are with us.

January 16 Bible Reading

To view the JOURNEY TO EASTER READING PLAN, GO TO: Cottonwood Creek Scripture Reading Plan

January 16, 2014:  Romans 9
Today’s scripture reading passage is tough to swallow.  There is a lot we do not understand, but we trust God’s wisdom and His plan.  The beginning of the chapter made a mark on me this morning.  Verses 1-5.

1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.

Paul struggles over the thought of those (his people, of his own race) who do not know Christ.  You can hear the anguish in his words.  Let us, as believers, have a heavy heart for those in our world, our country, our communities, and our families who do not know the Lord.  Pray for God’s mercy on them.  Pray that those who are lost will come to know Christ as Savior!




What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
What does the passage mean to me?
What verse really stuck out to me?
What changes do I need to make in my life?
What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
What is God’s will for my life?
Is there a verse that I would like to memorize?

Romans 9 (New International Version)
Paul’s Anguish Over Israel
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.
God’s Sovereign Choice
6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[b] 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”[c]
10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[d] 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[e]
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[f]
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[g] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25 As he says in Hosea:
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”[i]
26 and, “In the very place where it was said to them,
‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”[j]
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
only the remnant will be saved.
28   For the Lord will carry out
his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”[k]  29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:  “Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.”[l]
Israel’s Unbelief
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[m]
Footnotes:

1. Romans 9:5 Or Messiah, who is over all. God be forever praised! Or Messiah. God who is over all be forever praised!
2. Romans 9:7 Gen. 21:12
3. Romans 9:9 Gen. 18:10,14
4. Romans 9:12 Gen. 25:23
5. Romans 9:13 Mal. 1:2,3
6. Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19
7. Romans 9:17 Exodus 9:16
8. Romans 9:20 Isaiah 29:16; 45:9
9. Romans 9:25 Hosea 2:23
10. Romans 9:26 Hosea 1:10
11. Romans 9:28 Isaiah 10:22,23 (see Septuagint)
12. Romans 9:29 Isaiah 1:9

What is Worship?

Hello – this is Keith Tyler, Worship Pastor at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church with your inspirational thought of the day: 

 

When you hear the word “worship,” what do you think? Music, church, idols, an event, a place? Personally, I think of worship as an action that connects me to God. Listen to this definition from Louie Giglio, who says, “Worship is OUR RESPONSE to God, for who He is and what He has done.” Listen that again: “Worship is OUR RESPONSE to God, for who He is and what He has done.”

Romans 12:1 clearly describes worship like this. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Did you hear the action in that verse? “Urge you”, “Offer”, Sacrifice” We see that worship is an offering of ourselves to God. We see that by offering our lives to God, it pleases God. And lastly, we see that this is what God requires of us as followers of Christ – to worship God because this is true, authentic and right in His sight.

So today, pause to worship God.  Offer your life to him, and worship Him for who he is and what he has done for you.

Listen Live  - click here: http://johnmarkcaton.com/inspirational-thoughts/2318-2/

January 14 Reading Plan

To find the entire scripture reading plan, visit:  Cottonwood Creek Journey to Easter Reading Plan

Romans 7 can be a bit confusing.   I hope this summary helps explain the text.

After discussing how being baptized into Christ makes us dead to sin and free to present our bodies as instruments of righteousness unto holiness, Paul now carries the concept of death and freedom one step further by explaining to those who know the Law that the Jewish believers become dead to the Law so that they might be joined to Christ. The result of being freed from the Law is the ability to “serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” (1-6)

Paul does not want the Jewish leaders to think that he is saying that the Law was sinful, so he is quick to clarify that notion. The Law, he says, is “holy and just and good.” The problem is that the Law only makes known that which is sinful, but the Law itself could never fully fix the problem of sin (7-12).

To explain his point, Paul describes himself as man under the Law who finds himself in a terrible dilemma. He knows what is good, and he wants to do it. He also knows what is evil, and he wants to avoid that, but he finds a “law” (or principle) in his flesh, which wins over the desire of the mind (13-23). Is there hope? Yes, God provides the solution through His Son Jesus Christ, upon which Paul will elaborate in chapter eight (24-25).

January 7 Daily Bible Reading

By John Mark Caton - Sr. Pastor at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church

As you read the chapter below, think about these questions:

• What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
• What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
• What does it mean to me?
• What verse really stuck out to me?
• What changes do I need to make in my life?
• What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
• What is God’s will for my life?
• Is there a verse I would like to memorize?

Romans 2

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

The Jews and the Law

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b]
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12
2. Romans 2:24 Isaiah 52:5 (see Septuagint); Ezek. 36:20,22
3. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a

January 6 Daily Bible Reading

Romans 1:

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[d] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[f]

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for imagesmade to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 1:3 Or who according to the flesh
2. Romans 1:4 Or was declared with power to be the Son of God
3. Romans 1:5 Or that is
4. Romans 1:13 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 7:1, 4; 8:12, 29; 10:1; 11:25; 12:1; 15:14, 30; 16:14, 17.
5. Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith
6. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4

Here are a few questions that will help you when you read this passage:

• What did I learn from the passage that I didn’t know before?
• What did the passage mean to those first century readers?
• What does it mean to me?
• What verse really stuck out to me?
• What changes do I need to make in my life?
• What verse gives me comfort or wisdom in my trials and difficulties?
• What is God’s will for my life?
• Is there a verse I would like to memorize?
•  
• by John Mark Caton