Ascending Calvary | WEEK FOUR

Day Twenty-One | Tuesday, March 13

Read: Matthew 25:35-40

Write: Matthew 25:40

Ponder: There is always someone in distress around you. Ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to see a person, couple, or family in your community you can bless by meeting a need. It may be by providing food, clothing, or a gift of your time to sit and listen.

Ask: Have you ever been aware of but overwhelmed by the needs of people in crises in the world? Have you ever felt that strong desire that someone make a difference? What held you back?

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Day Twenty-Two | Wednesday, March 14

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Write: 2 Corinthians 5:18

Ponder: Christ’s work on our behalf has reconciled us to God. He also invites us to partner with Him in sharing His forgiveness with the world. This can sound like a daunting task because the world is so big and so lost! So how are you to do this? Ask God to personalize “the world” for you. He will show you those next door, down the street, or maybe at a local store, who have a need. In meeting their need, you enable them to be open to understanding what it means to be made right or reconciled with Christ.

Ask: What does sharing with the world mean for you in your home, subdivision, town or city?

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Day Twenty-Three | Thursday, March 15

Read: Matthew 25:31-36, 40

Write: 2 Corinthians 5:20

Ponder: Taking the Gospel to the world doesn’t just mean addressing spiritual needs. Oftentimes, we have to address and care for physical needs, much like Christ did in His ministry here on earth. God’s ministry of reconciliation is very practical when it comes to these needs like financial crisis, hunger, sickness, etc. We can feel helpless when we begin to think about these needs because it feels like there is no obvious or quick solution.

Ask: How do you think you are doing at ministering to “the least of these”? Who are “the least of these” in your life? God doesn’t expect you to eradicate poverty tomorrow, but He does call us to be obedient in small, day-to-day interactions. It is through your quiet, faithful life as God’s ambassador that He is able to work mightily in this world.

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Day Twenty-Four | Friday, March 16

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Write: Look up the meaning of the words cheerful and generous

Ponder: We can allow selfishness, the cares of this world, and our own personal difficulties to blind us to the opportunities we have throughout our days to minister to the needs of others. Yet Scripture is clear that as we sacrifice for and minister to those in need, God will always provide for our needs and even, in His lovingkindness, bless us for our faithfulness.

Ask: Read verse 8 again and underline what God is able to do so His work may abound, or be plentiful, through you. What does obedience in your own life look like in this area?

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Day Twenty-Five | Saturday, March 17

Read: Proverbs 3:27, Matthew 5:16, Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:13, Philippians 2:4, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 13:16

Write: Galatians 6:2

Ponder: There are many scriptures in God’s Word instructing Christians to be aware of the needs of others and to be His instrument in meeting those needs.

Ask: What is the message these verses teach about being His ambassador to others?

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Day Twenty-Six | Sunday, March 18

Read: Look back on the past week and think about some of the highlights of your time with the Lord.

Write: One thing you learned through the Scriptures you read this week.

Ponder: How have you understood reconciliation in light of the truth of Scripture this week? In light of God’s grace to you, how can you commit your life to honor Him?