My recommendation is that you read one day at a time and take a few minutes to reflect on the passage and the question while adding a few of your own to consider using the ENSPEC questions we talked about this past Sunday.  If you missed Sunday June 26 at Grace – I love for you to watch the podcast to get an idea of the reason for asking the ENSPEC questions and to discover some “How To’s” of Engaging God’s Word.

Day 8        June 27

The grass dries up. The flower loses its color. But the Word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 NLV

What’s the wise thing to do in terms of determining a guide to live by?

Day 9        June 28

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.   James 1:21-22 NLT

You should be in places where you can hear God’s Word, but what does James say is most important?   Why do you think he says this?

Day 10      June 29

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.  Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. ¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.   John 17:15-18 NLT

Jesus is praying for His disciples and for us. What does He ask God the Father to do for them/us?   What claim does He make about God’s Word?

Day 11      June 30

Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.  Psalm 119:105 ERV

What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 12      July 1

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NLT

According to Jesus, how can you experience real freedom?

Day 13      July 2

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. I praise the Word of God. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can only a man do to me?   Psalm 56:3-4 NLV

What can the Word of God help you do?

Day 14      July 3

Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man must not live only on bread. He must also live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”  Matthew 4:4 NIrV

What do you think Jesus meant?   What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 15      July 4

Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away.   Matthew 24:35 NIrV

What does Jesus say about the relevance of His Word?

Day 16      July 5

Happy are those whose way is without blame, who walk in the Law of the Lord.  Happy are those who keep His Law and look for Him with all their heart. Psalm 119:1-2 NLV

According to the writing of Psalm 119, what’s a source of happiness in life?   What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 17      July 6

Everything written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us strength to go on. They encourage us and give us hope.   Romans 15:4 NIrV

What purposes of Scripture are revealed in this passage? What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 18      July 7

“So then, everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man. He builds his house on the rock. The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. But it does not fall. It is built on the rock.  But everyone who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. He builds his house on sand.  The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. And it falls with a loud crash.”   Matthew 7;24-27 NIrV

According to Jesus, what’s the way to build a firm foundation for your life? In other words, what’s the wise thing to do?

Day 19      July 8

My son, if you receive my sayings and store up my teachings within you, make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding. If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding; if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom. Much learning and understanding come from His mouth.   Proverbs 2:1-6 NLV

What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 20      July 9

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.  I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.   Psalm 119:97-100 NLT

According to Psalm 119, age doesn’t guarantee wisdom. What makes a person wise? What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 21      July 10

My son, do not forget my teaching. Keep my commands in your heart. They will help you live for many years. They will bring you peace and success. Don’t let love and truth ever leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and a good name in the eyes of God and people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.
In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.   Proverbs 3:1-6 NIrV

What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 22      July 11

Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream— a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall.
Everything they do is successful.   Psalm 1:1-3 ERV

This is sometimes called “The Recipe for Happiness.” Why would someone give this passage that name? How does it relate to you?   What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 23      July 12

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

What specific things can Scripture do for you? What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 24      July 13

How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your word.   Psalm 119:9 ERV 

What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 25      July 14

“I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me.  If you don’t remain joined to me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and dries up. Branches like those are picked up. They are thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain joined to me and my words remain in you, ask for anything you wish. And it will be done for you.  When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are my disciples. John 15:5-8 NIrV

If Jesus’ words become a vital part of your life, what does Jesus say will happen?   What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 26      July 15

If we obey what God has told us to do, then we are sure that we know him. If we say we know God but do not obey his commands, we are lying. The truth is not in us. But when we obey God’s teaching, his love is truly working in us. This is how we know that we are living in him. If we say we live in God, we must live the way Jesus lived.   1 John 2:3-6 ERV

What is the role of God’s Word in experiencing and expressing His love to others?   What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 27      July 16

Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God.   Colossians 3:16 NLV

What can the teachings of Christ – His Words do in you? What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 28      July 17

I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.   Psalm 119:10-11 NLT

What’s the advantage of memorizing God’s Word? What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 29      July 18

Tell this to the brothers and sisters there. This will show that you are a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will show that you are made strong by the words of faith and good teaching you have followed. People tell silly stories that don’t agree with God’s truth. Don’t follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God.  Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotion to God helps you in every way. It brings you blessings in this life and in the future life too.  Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: We hope in the living God, the Savior of all people. In particular, he is the Savior of all those who believe in him. This is why we work and struggle. Command and teach these things.You are young, but don’t let anyone treat you as if you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life. Continue to read the Scriptures to the people, encourage them, and teach them. Do this until I come. Remember to use the gift you have, which was given to you through a prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you.Continue to do these things. Give your life to doing them. Then everyone can see that your work is progressing.   1 Timothy 4:6-15

What’s the wise thing to do?

Day 30      July 19

This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength. Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing. So stand up and do not be moved. Wear a belt of truth around your body. Wear a piece of iron over your chest which is being right with God.  Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace. Most important of all, you need a covering of faith in front of you. This is to put out the fire-arrows of the devil. The covering for your head is that you have been saved from the punishment of sin. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  You must pray at all times as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray. Pray for the things that are needed. You must watch and keep on praying. Remember to pray for all Christians.          Ephesians 6:10-18 NLV

What role does the Word of God play in the spiritual battles we face day after day?   What’s the wise thing to do?