Below are “starters” for anyone journaling from the First Steps Reading Plan, intended for those days when you need help thinking about the biblical text you’ve read.  Choose a verse that touches your heart and respond to God.

10/04 - #1 - One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.”          “Even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed,” the Lord answered, “you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May God uproot you and throw you into the sea,’ and it would obey you!  Luke 17:5-6

Jesus seems to be saying that it’s not the size of our faith, it’s the strength that matters – and our willingness  to use it, and by using it make it even stronger.  Faith gets stronger as we act in trust and loyalty to God and as we remember that what makes an impact and a difference is not the size of our faith, but the size of our awesome God.  Where do you need to act in faith today, based on trust in God and loyalty to doing God’s will?

10/04 - # 2 - One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God, I’m healed!”  He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done.  Luke 17:15-16a

Sometimes we are so busy we miss all that God is doing in our lives.  What do you need to stop and than Jesus for today?  What do you need to praise God for and celebrate?

 10/05 - #1 - ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ Luke 18:13b

Sometimes a sense of pride or our self-righteous can get in the way of us seeing our need for a saving God.  We list our accomplishments or our worldly esteem, and we forget how far we are from whom God created us to be, and thus we prevent ourselves from learning anything from God.

Am I still open to God’s teachings and do I remember to thank God for strengthening my weaknesses and forgiving my failures as He grows me?

 10/05 - #2 - The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a child.”  “There is still one thing you lack,” Jesus said. “Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this, he became sad because he was very rich.

No matter where we are in our obedience to God’s will, there are things that are keeping us from full obedience and devotion.  What are those things in your life that allow you to keep your identity and security within your control?  Is it time to give one of them up to grow closer to God?

 10/06 - #1 - Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”  Luke 19:9-10

When Jesus has transformed our lives, it shows!  We live differently, and it affects others.  How are you different because of Jesus?  How do people see these differences in you?

 10/06 - #2 - After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples.   Luke 19:28

Jesus leads, his disciples follow.  They go where he goes, does what he asks of them.  How are you doing at following Jesus right now?  Are you responding to his leadings?

 10/07 - #1 - “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to those farmers?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill them all and lease the vineyard to others.”  “But God forbid that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested.  Luke 20:16

We want to believe that God will forgive anything, but Jesus makes it clear that without true repentance God will allow us to endure the consequences of our actions.  When we put our faith in Jesus’ saving actions, we also need to live as devoted and obedient disciples if we want to experience the abundant life he offers us.  What recurring sin keeps you from fully experiencing God’s grace and the new life it brings?

 10/07 - #2 - “Our God protects all those who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.  Ezra 8:22b-23

To live under God’s grace and blessing, we need to live in the covenant under God’s rule and plan.  And we need to learn everyday to live more fully under God’s care. Express your needs to God and praise God for caring for each of your concerns.

 10/08 - #1 - “I assure you,” he said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:3-4

When we give willingly, generously, and sacrificially, we declare our trust in God to the whole world.  It is an act of obedience, faith, and trust in our God to provide what we will need to accomplish the divine plan for our lives. Turning our possessions and our security over to God grows us and gives God room in our lives to act in mighty ways.  How does your giving to Jesus mission through the church deepen your faith, and expand your impact?

 10/08 - #2 - O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—now and always. Psalm 131:3

There is so much in the world that we can be discouraged or overwhelmed by – depression, despair, fear of the future can take away our joy in life.  The psalmist reminds us that when we put our hope in God the possibilities become endless and the future is filled with potential. Even the darkest day is a day that can be transformed by a single spark of God’s presence.  Write out your hopes and dreams for your future and entrust them to God’s care.

10/09 - #1 - O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success now as I go to ask the king for a great favor. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.”  Nehemiah 11a

Our God wants to hear our prayers and wants to bless us for success when it is for our good and for His will in the world.  Pour out all of your plans and ask for to work through you so that you can be a blessing in the world.

10/09 - #2 - In those days, I was the king’s cupbearer.  Nehemiah 1:11c

At times in our lives we are in important, trusted, or seemingly insignificant positions.  Yet we are called to be effective for accomplishing God’s will wherever we are.  How can God use you today wherever you serve in the world?  Ask for God’s blessings today on all your efforts.