Today’s Devotional:
Day One: Sunday, July 26th
Unhindered Sight
Before you start reading God’s Word, take some time in prayer to prepare your heart. Ask the Spirit to invade your thoughts so that you might enter God’s Word with a desire for wisdom and understanding...
Read John 9: 1-17.
What question did the disciples ask of Jesus?
How did Jesus refute this idea (v. 3)?
Put yourself in the events of the story. What words or actions of Jesus would strike you as uncomfortable? What if you were the blind man? the other people listening? the disciples?
How did the man’s neighbors react to his healing?
The Pharisees (the religious leaders) were said to be “divided” over an issue- what was that issue?
Why would they think this question was such a big deal?
Read John 9: 18-38.
What emotions do you think the man was feeling as the Pharisees interrogated him for the second time?
Why do you think the Pharisees got so angry with the man?
Why would Jesus seek out the man after he had been kicked out of the synagogue?
Read 1 John 3: 13-21.
How did the blind man experience world hating him for confidence in Christ?
How did he exhibit his boldness in Christ?
Read Romans 6: 11-23.
This is a complex set of verses for us. What could Paul mean by asking us to “present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness?” (v. 13)
What does Paul suggest we become in order to do that?
What emotions would the Romans experience once hearing Paul’s words?
Why do you think Paul chose such strong wording?
Paul also writes that the advantage of being enslaved to God is “sanctification.” What does that look like for us?
There are some strong words for today’s study. Take some time to sit and think about what they mean for your walk with Christ. As you do so, use these additional questions as you journal your thoughts on the next page.
· Do you think the blind man or Paul was more effective in showing the love of God in truth and action? Why? How could the other one have done a better job?
· How does sin enslave us?
· Why would people choose to remain in a life filled with sin?
· What problems would our culture have with the description of “slaves for God?”
· How could that be a helpful term for us?
· Looking forward into this week, what are some elements of your life that you are willing to let die away in order to live a life filled with God? What are some things that are holding you back?
As you close this devotional time, spend the remainder of the time reflecting on your mind and heart at this moment. Are you in a place where you are open to living a life that others see as serving God? Maybe you want to get better at showing God in your life. Maybe you want to spend the time figuring out if God is really something for you. Maybe there are some things that you and God need to work through. Maybe there are some things that you need to work through with someone on this trip. Do not fail o understand that God put you here, this week, to make an impact on your life. How will you choose to respond? Will you simply go through the motions or will you take advantage and experience what freedom in Christ truly means..?
