Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the sermon on Sunday, January 4, 2026:
Day 1: The Prayer of Submission
Reading: Luke 22:39-46
Devotional: Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane reveals the heart of true submission: "Not my will, but yours be done." In His humanity, Jesus desired to avoid suffering, yet He surrendered completely to the Father's plan. This teaches us that prayer isn't about bending God's will to match ours, but aligning our hearts with His purposes. When God says "no" to our requests, He may be saying "yes" to something far greater—just as the Father's "no" to removing the cup led to our salvation. Today, examine your prayer life. Are you truly surrendering to God's will, trusting that His plans are good, pleasing, and perfect? Remember, God's withholding is often better than our receiving. Pray with submission, knowing He sees what you cannot.
Day 2: Following Jesus Closely
Reading: Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 22:54-62
Devotional: Peter's denial began when he "followed at a distance" and sat with the wrong crowd. We cannot effectively follow Jesus from afar or expect His blessing while remaining comfortable with those who reject Him. Peter's failure came from weakness, not wickedness—he genuinely loved Jesus but relied on his own strength instead of God's power. The difference matters: weakness receives grace and restoration, while unrepentant wickedness leads to condemnation. Like Peter, we all fail, but Jesus doesn't give up on us. He looks at us with eyes of love and offers restoration. Today, ask yourself: Am I following Jesus closely or keeping my distance? Who influences my decisions? Draw near to Christ, surround yourself with believers, and find strength in His presence, not your own resolve.
Day 3: When God Says No
Reading: Romans 8:28-39
Devotional: God's "no" to Jesus' request to remove the cup of suffering became our "yes" to salvation. This profound truth reminds us that God's denials are not rejections but redirections toward His perfect plan. When prayers go unanswered as we hoped, we can trust that God is working something greater than we can imagine. The Father never abandoned Jesus in Gethsemane; He sent an angel to strengthen Him. Similarly, God promises never to leave or forsake us, present equally in the "no" as in the "yes." His refusal to spare Jesus from the cross paved the way for eternal life for all who believe. Today, reflect on prayers God hasn't answered as you desired. Can you trust that His plan is better? Surrender your disappointments, knowing God wastes nothing and works all things for good.
Day 4: The Cost of Loyalty
Reading: Matthew 10:32-39; John 21:15-19
Devotional: Judas' betrayal with a kiss—an intimate gesture of friendship—stands as history's ultimate act of disloyalty. Yet Peter's denial, though painful, came from fear rather than calculated wickedness. Both rejected Jesus, but only Peter found restoration because he returned with a repentant heart. In our world where loyalty is undervalued and people quickly turn on one another, Jesus calls us to unwavering faithfulness. We cannot avoid being identified with Christ while expecting His approval. Confession of Christ requires courage, especially when it costs us socially, professionally, or personally. But Jesus promises that those who acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge before the Father. Today, examine your loyalty to Christ. Do you openly identify as His follower? Are there areas where fear silences your witness? Choose courage over comfort, knowing Jesus is worth any cost.
Day 5: Responding to Rejection
Reading: John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:9-13
Devotional: Jesus endured rejection from His Father's silence, Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, soldiers' mockery, and religious leaders' condemnation—all so we could be accepted by God. Every rejection He faced served the greater purpose of our redemption. The question remains: how will you respond to Jesus? The religious leaders had hardened hearts despite witnessing His miracles. They rejected Him not for lack of evidence but because of willful unbelief. John wrote his Gospel so we might believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name. To have Jesus is to have life; without Him, there is no life. Salvation requires repentance—a change of mind leading to changed behavior and changed destiny. Today, if you haven't accepted Jesus, do so now. If you have, recommit to following Him wholeheartedly. Don't let a hard heart stop God's plan for your life.
Day 1: The Prayer of Submission
Reading: Luke 22:39-46
Devotional: Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane reveals the heart of true submission: "Not my will, but yours be done." In His humanity, Jesus desired to avoid suffering, yet He surrendered completely to the Father's plan. This teaches us that prayer isn't about bending God's will to match ours, but aligning our hearts with His purposes. When God says "no" to our requests, He may be saying "yes" to something far greater—just as the Father's "no" to removing the cup led to our salvation. Today, examine your prayer life. Are you truly surrendering to God's will, trusting that His plans are good, pleasing, and perfect? Remember, God's withholding is often better than our receiving. Pray with submission, knowing He sees what you cannot.
Day 2: Following Jesus Closely
Reading: Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 22:54-62
Devotional: Peter's denial began when he "followed at a distance" and sat with the wrong crowd. We cannot effectively follow Jesus from afar or expect His blessing while remaining comfortable with those who reject Him. Peter's failure came from weakness, not wickedness—he genuinely loved Jesus but relied on his own strength instead of God's power. The difference matters: weakness receives grace and restoration, while unrepentant wickedness leads to condemnation. Like Peter, we all fail, but Jesus doesn't give up on us. He looks at us with eyes of love and offers restoration. Today, ask yourself: Am I following Jesus closely or keeping my distance? Who influences my decisions? Draw near to Christ, surround yourself with believers, and find strength in His presence, not your own resolve.
Day 3: When God Says No
Reading: Romans 8:28-39
Devotional: God's "no" to Jesus' request to remove the cup of suffering became our "yes" to salvation. This profound truth reminds us that God's denials are not rejections but redirections toward His perfect plan. When prayers go unanswered as we hoped, we can trust that God is working something greater than we can imagine. The Father never abandoned Jesus in Gethsemane; He sent an angel to strengthen Him. Similarly, God promises never to leave or forsake us, present equally in the "no" as in the "yes." His refusal to spare Jesus from the cross paved the way for eternal life for all who believe. Today, reflect on prayers God hasn't answered as you desired. Can you trust that His plan is better? Surrender your disappointments, knowing God wastes nothing and works all things for good.
Day 4: The Cost of Loyalty
Reading: Matthew 10:32-39; John 21:15-19
Devotional: Judas' betrayal with a kiss—an intimate gesture of friendship—stands as history's ultimate act of disloyalty. Yet Peter's denial, though painful, came from fear rather than calculated wickedness. Both rejected Jesus, but only Peter found restoration because he returned with a repentant heart. In our world where loyalty is undervalued and people quickly turn on one another, Jesus calls us to unwavering faithfulness. We cannot avoid being identified with Christ while expecting His approval. Confession of Christ requires courage, especially when it costs us socially, professionally, or personally. But Jesus promises that those who acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge before the Father. Today, examine your loyalty to Christ. Do you openly identify as His follower? Are there areas where fear silences your witness? Choose courage over comfort, knowing Jesus is worth any cost.
Day 5: Responding to Rejection
Reading: John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:9-13
Devotional: Jesus endured rejection from His Father's silence, Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, soldiers' mockery, and religious leaders' condemnation—all so we could be accepted by God. Every rejection He faced served the greater purpose of our redemption. The question remains: how will you respond to Jesus? The religious leaders had hardened hearts despite witnessing His miracles. They rejected Him not for lack of evidence but because of willful unbelief. John wrote his Gospel so we might believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name. To have Jesus is to have life; without Him, there is no life. Salvation requires repentance—a change of mind leading to changed behavior and changed destiny. Today, if you haven't accepted Jesus, do so now. If you have, recommit to following Him wholeheartedly. Don't let a hard heart stop God's plan for your life.
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