Writing the Word

Theme: Finding God’s Will Moses

Monday June 1—Exodus 3:1-9 (Write out 3:7-9)

3:1 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the

priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and

came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

3:2 The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst

of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet

the bush was not consumed.

3:3 So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight,

why the bush is not burned up.”

3:4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him

from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I

am.”

3:5 Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your

feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

3:6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the

God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he

was afraid to look at God.

3:7 The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are

in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for

I am aware of their sufferings.

3:8 So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians,

and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land

flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite

and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.

3:9 Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore,

I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.

Tuesday June 2—Exodus 3:10-12 3:10 Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 3:12 And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”

Wednesday June 3—Exodus 3:13-14

3:13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Thursday June 4—Exodus 4:1-3

4:1 Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’” 4:2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” 4:3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Friday June 5—Exodus 4:4-5

4:4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 4:5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Saturday June 6—Exodus 4:8-9

4:8 “If they will not believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of the last sign. 4:9 But if they will not believe even these two signs or heed what you say, then you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

Sunday June 7—Exodus 4:10-13

4:10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 4:11 The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 4:12 Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” 4:13 But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”

Theme: Finding God’s Will Isaiah

Monday June 8—Isaiah 6:1

6:1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

Tuesday June 9—Isaiah 6:2-3

6:2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 6:3 And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”

Wednesday June 10—Isaiah 6:4

6:4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

Thursday June 11—Isaiah 6:5

6:5 Then I said,

“Woe is me, for I am ruined!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I live among a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

Friday June 12—Isaiah 6:6-7

6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 6:7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

Saturday June 13—Isaiah 6:8

6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Sunday June 14—Isaiah 6:9-10

6:9 He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’

6:10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

Theme: Sin—a three-letter word

Monday June 15—Isaiah 1:1

1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Tuesday June 16—Isaiah 1:2-3

1:2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the Lord speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me.

1:3 “An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”

Wednesday June 17—Isaiah 1:10-11

1:10 Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah.

1:11 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

Thursday June 18—Isaiah 1:12-13

1:12 “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

1:13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

Friday June 19—Isaiah 1:14-15

1:14 “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

1:15 “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Saturday June 20—Isaiah 1:16-17

1:16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,

1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Sunday June 21—Isaiah 1:18-20

1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

1:19 “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;

1:20 “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Theme: Lost and Found People Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son

Monday June 22—Luke 15:1-7 (Write out 15:3-5)

15:1 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 15:2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

15:3 So He told them this parable, saying, 15:4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 15:5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 15:7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Tuesday June 23—Luke 15:8-10

15:8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 15:9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Wednesday June 24—Luke 15:11-16 (Write out 15:14-16)

15:11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 15:12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 15:13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 15:14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 15:16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

Thursday June 25—Luke 15:17-19

15:17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 15:18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’

Friday June 26—Luke 15:20-24 (Write out 15:21-24)

15:20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 15:21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 15:22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 15:23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 15:24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Saturday June 27—Luke 15:25-28

15:25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 15:26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 15:27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 15:28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

Sunday June 28—Luke 15:29-32 (Write out 31-32)

15:29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 15:30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 15:31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Theme: Using Time Wisely All in a Week’s Work

How does one conclude these passages that constitute the first week in Jesus’ ministry?

John 1:19-28 records John’s testimony. This is day 1. 1:29 states the “next day” or day 2. 1:35 states the “next day” or day 3. 1:43 states the “next day” or day 4. 2:1 states “on the third day there was a wedding . . .” The most logical interpretation is this refers to three days after the day mentioned in 1:43, hence, day 7 of the first week of Jesus’ ministry. The above scenario may seem confusing but offers the best explanation of the chronology found in 1:19-2:11.

Monday June 29—John 1:19-28 Day 1

1:19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 1:20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 1:21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 1:22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 1:23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

1:24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 1:25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 1:26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you

stands One whom you do not know. 1:27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 1:28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Tuesday June 30—John 1:29-34 Day 2

1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 1:30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 1:31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 1:32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 1:33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 1:34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Wednesday July 1—John 1:35-42 Day 3

1:35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 1:36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

1:37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 1:38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 1:39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 1:40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 1:41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 1:42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Thursday July 2—John 1:43-46 Day 4

1:43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Friday July 3—John 1:47-51 Day 4 continued

1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 1:48 Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 1:49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 1:50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 1:51 And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Saturday July 4—John 2:1-5 Day 7

2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2:2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 2:3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 2:4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Sunday July 5—John 2:6-11 Day 7 continued

2:6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. 2:7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 2:8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 2:9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 2:10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 2:11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Theme: Love for all People Pride and Prejudice

Monday July 6—Acts 10:9-16

10:9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10:10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; 10:11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 10:12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 10:13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” 10:14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” 10:15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” 10:16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.

Tuesday July 7—Acts 10:17-23 (Write out 10:19-20)

10:17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 10:18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 10:19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 10:20 But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 10:21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 10:22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” 10:23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Wednesday July 8—Acts 10:24-29 (Write out 10:24-26)

10:24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 10:25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 10:26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.”

10:27 As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. 10:28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. 10:29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”

Thursday July 9—Acts 10:30-33

10:30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 10:31 and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 10:32 Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 10:33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Friday July 10—Acts 10:34-39 (Write out 10:38-39)

10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 10:35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.

10:36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)— 10:37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 10:38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 10:39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.

Saturday July 11—Acts 10:40-43

10:40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 10:42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 10:43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

Sunday July 12—Acts 10:44-48

10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 10:45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 10:47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 10:48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.