May 29 - Colossians 4 - 1 Thessalonians 1-2

Read: Colossians chapter 4 and 1 Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul reminds us to live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.  (Colossians 4:5-6).  Everything we do as believers is to be an example to those who do not believe.  If you were to be graded on your ‘Christian behavior’ for the last week, how would you fare?  What could you do better in this next week?

May 28 - Colossians 2-3

Read: Colossians chapters 2 and 3 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. (Colossians 3:24-25)  Given that humbling ourselves is one of the most difficult things to do, do you personally keep yourself reminded that everything you do is for the Lord?  How?

May 27 - Philippians 4 – Colossians 1

Read: Philippians chapter 4 and Colossians chapter 1 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul urges the people in the church in Colossae to not drift away from the assurance they received when they first heard the Good News.  When we first grasp what Christ has done for us, we tend to be pretty excited and enthusiastic.  What has worked best to keep you bound to Jesus Christ even though you are not new to the Good News?

May 26 - Philippians 2-3

Read: Philippians chapters 2 and 3 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul gives us a prescription for life in this passage: Don’t complain or argue, so that no one can criticize you.  Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.  (Phil 2:14-15) How is your light shining lately?

May 25 - Philippians 1

Read: Philippians chapter 1 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Writing to the church in Philippi, Paul says, "Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ." (Phil 1:27)  Would you say that you are living worthy of the Good News?  How can you live in a way that is more worthy?

May 24 - Ephesians 6

Read: Ephesians chapter 6 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul tells us that we do not fight against flesh and blood enemies. (Eph 6:12) When you think about those people in your life that are especially difficult, how does knowing the fight is against what might be pushing or influencing them help you see the difficulty in a new way? 

May 23 - Ephesians 4-5

Read: Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes, Paul says, in Ephesians 4:23.  What is the best way you have found to do that?  What are some of the suggestions Paul makes in the rest of those two chapters that might be helpful to you, personally?

May 22 - Ephesians 2-3

Read: Ephesians chapters 2 and 3 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Some of the richest words of encouragement are found in Ephesians 3.  Re-read Ephesians 3:14-19.  What are the ways God empowers, loves, and completes you?

May 21 - Galatians 6 - Ephesians 1

Read: Galatians chapter 6 and Ephesians chapter 1 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul writes, "The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people.  He did this so we would praise and glorify him." (Ephesians 1:14) How does your life praise and glorify God? What steps could you take to glorify him even more?

May 20 - Galatians 4-5

Read: Galatians chapters 4 and 5 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: What works best to help you partner with the Spirit of God who lives within you?

May 19 - Galatians 2-3

Read: Galatians chapters 2 and 3 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Some of the most powerfully defining words in the Bible are found in this passage:  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (3:28)  God sees all believers as equal.  What does that mean to you?  How does it affect your behavior as a believer?

May 18 - 2 Corinthians 13-Galatians 1

Read: 2 Corinthians chapter 13 and Galatians chapter  1 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul gives a kind of list of bullet points for Christian maturity at the end of 2 Corinthians that is followed by a blessing: Be joyful. Grow to maturity.  Encourage each other.  Live in harmony and peace.  Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Cor 13:11)  Using each one of those bullet points, do a self-assessment.  Even better, have someone who knows you well do the assessment. 

May 17 - 2 Corinthians 11-12

Read: 2 Corinthians chapters 11 and 12 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit that the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.  (11:4). Can you tell the difference?  What measure do you use to detect falsehood?

May 16 - 2 Corinthians 9-10

Read: 2 Corinthians chapters 9 and 10 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul ends this part of his letter with the words, When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much.  The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. (10:18) When you have received approval from the Lord, how has it come?  How can you keep your need for praise from others in check?

May 15 - 2 Corinthians 7-8

Read: 2 Corinthians chapters 7 and 8 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly.  And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.  Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves.  I only mean that there should be some equality.  (8:12-13)  As you have grown in your faith, has the way you view giving changed, or stayed the same?  In what ways?

May 14 - 2 Corinthians 5-6

Read: 2 Corinthians chapters 5 and 6 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  (5:17)  What evidence of your ‘new personhood’ do you see in yourself?

May 13 - 2 Corinthians 2-4

Read: 2 Corinthians chapters 2 to 4 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: How can we best fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen? (4:18) What are some things we can put in place to help us remember that we are citizens of God’s Kingdom?

May 12 - 1 Corinthians 16 - 2 Corinthians 1

Read: 1 Corinthians chapter 16 and 2 Corinthians chapter 1 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: Paul writes that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Cor 1:4) How have you seen that play out in your own life?

May 11 - 1 Corinthians 15

Read: 1 Corinthians chapter 15

Reflection Question: The New International Version/Translation puts Paul’s words in a most understandable form: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58)  What are some ways you are giving yourself fully to the work of the Lord?

May 10 - 1 Corinthians 14

Read: 1 Corinthians chapter 14 (CEB, NIV, NRSV)

Reflection Question: For God is not a God of disorder but of peace (14:33a).  Think of the last time, you were in a troubling situation and prayed for peace.  Describe what the peace that came was like.  What part did you play in bringing that peace?