Devotional Readings and Prayers
September 1-30, 2008
Monday, September 1
Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, asking the Lord for the grace to speak in the power of the Holy Spirit today. Give thanks that you don’t have to be smart enough to win those around you, but that God will give you what to speak.
Read Psalm 119:97-102, understanding that the ability to speak with God’s wisdom comes through taking His Word into your heart and mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding, that you might speak His wisdom.
Read Luke 4:16-30, understanding that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the anointed Servant of God. Understand that all who receive Him are His children, and are set free to walk in that same anointing.
Tuesday, September 2
Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, giving thanks that the very mind of God is available to our understanding through the work of the Holy Spirit. Wait in His Presence today, and receive His wisdom for your life and circumstance.
Read Psalm 145:8-14, seeing that it is a natural thing for God’s creatures to speak of the wonderful things He does. Enjoy simply telling your story today, praising the Father for His work in your life.
Read Luke 4:31-37, understanding that in the act of delivering His people from demonic power, Jesus demonstrates that the kingdom of death has been defeated, and that the Kingdom of God has come. Rejoice in this and worship the Lord!
Wednesday, September 3
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, seeing that the presence of jealousy and quarreling in one’s life keeps them from the true knowledge of God. Lay down all your opinions today, that you may humbly receive the wisdom that comes from God.
Read Psalm 33:12-21, allowing your confidence to be established in God’s love and power. Set your heart and mind to trust only in Him, and not in the false hope of human political or military systems.
Read Luke 4:38-44, seeing again the power of God over the works of the evil one, and noticing particularly that even in the midst of successful ministry, Jesus fully depended upon the instructions of the Father for His next step. Listen to the Father today, and do His work with Him.
Thursday, September 4
Read 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, seeing that true wisdom comes to the one who trust in the love of Christ, not to the one who is wise in the understanding of the world’s systems.
Read Psalm 24:1-6, understanding that blessings and rewards come from God to those who seek Him in holiness and humility of mind.
Read Luke 5:1-11, seeing how Jesus took Peter’s area of expertise, demonstrated His Lordship in that arena, and then called Peter to a higher reality. Invite Jesus to be Lord of your strengths today, that they might become His tools of ministry.
Friday, September 5
Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, seeing the value the Lord places upon trustworthy servanthood. Set your heart to serve faithfully today, knowing that your reward from the Father is eternal.
Read Psalm 37:1-40, and meditate upon the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Set your heart to value the things that God values, that you might receive from His hand the fruits of righteousness.
Read Luke 5:33-39, and pray for the soon return of our Bridegroom, trusting the Holy Spirit to keep you soft and pliable as a container for His Presence and activity.
Saturday, September 6
Read 1 Corinthians 4:9-15, seeing that the character of the most gifted and anointed Christians is measured by their humility and the willingness to take the lowest place. Seek to serve today, that you might reflect Christ’s character to those near you.
Read Psalm 145:17-21, letting your heart be settled in the confidence that God hears your prayers, and is responding to you even when you can’t understand your situation.
Read Luke 6:1-5, giving thanks that Jesus fulfilled all the laws and demands, and that by walking close to Him, we will by nature keep the will of God in our central focus.
Sunday, September 7
Read Ezekiel 33:7-9, considering the obedient place that God requires of his prophetic servants. Meditate upon this verse, and set your heart to speak, in the gentleness and humility of Christ, the things God gives you to say.
Read Psalm 95:1-9, worshipping and giving thanks to the Father today, and setting your heart to follow in obedience as he leads his people further on in the Kingdom.
Read Romans 13:8-10, letting your heart receive Christ’s love for you and for those around you. Ask the Lord specifically how you may demonstrate his love today.
Read Matthew 18:15-20, seeing how love is sometimes expressed in difficult ways, such as confrontation over sin. Set your heart to follow this pattern in your life when someone fails to follow the Lord.
Monday, September 8
Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, seeing how serious it is when we misuse and misunderstand the grace of God. He has given power to obey, not license to sin. Come to him and receive power to gain victory over sin in your life today.
Read Psalm 5:1-12, giving thanks that God hears your prayers, and taking note of his character of righteousness and mercy. He does not condemn those who come to him for grace to obey, but rather heals and strengthens them in love.
Read Luke 6:6-11, giving thanks that our Lord Jesus is more concerned about caring for people than about meeting the religious demands of any culture or system. Worship Him for His great mercy!
Tuesday, September 9
Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, seeing how God has made provision within the Body of Christ for all wisdom to be obtained in matters of relationship. Trust the Lord today to work out your situation for your blessing as you rest in him.
Read Psalm 149:1-9, giving thanks to the Lord for the wonderful gift of praise, and that as his people we have amazing authority to deal with things in the realm of the Spirit. Praise him for that!
Read Luke 6:12-19, considering that He called His followers “apostles” while they were still immature, and began to train them in the work of the Kingdom. Pray that this same reality would be among us as we seek to follow Him and do His work in His power.
Wednesday, September 10
Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-31, understanding the call of the Lord to seek him and his purposes beyond anything else. As you seek him with all your heart, you can trust him to bless every relationship and to give you contentment in your current place.
Read Psalm 45:10-17, considering that this is the Lord’s heart towards you as part of his Body, his Bride. Worship the Lord, and give thanks for his great love and mercy toward his people.
Read Luke 6:20-26, and meditate upon these words of Jesus that teach us the kind of lifestyle and attitudes that are pleasing to the Father. Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to live this way today.
Thursday, September 11
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, asking the Lord for humility of heart to receive all things as from him, and for his love in your heart so that your liberty might not offend others around you.
Read Psalm 139:1-24, allowing your heart to be filled with the beauty and majesty of God’s creative plan in your life. Worship him and give thanks for the wonder of his love for and knowledge of you.
Read Luke 6:27-38, especially noticing verse 35. This call to love of our enemies is one of the clearest ways to have our relationship with the Father strengthened and confirmed. Thank Him for the grace to do what He has called us to do!
Friday, September 12
Read 1 Corinthians 9:16-27, seeing that those who have been given assignments from God are called to wholehearted abandonment to his purposes. Give yourself to him unreservedly today, that his purposes might be accomplished through you.
Read Psalm 84:1-12, seeing the favor of the Lord that comes to those who make his dwelling place the desire of their hearts. Seek his face wholeheartedly today, that you might live in the beauty of his presence.
Read Luke 6:39-42, considering the wisdom that before we become involved in the sin of another, that we would bring our own hearts to the Lord and receive cleansing and healing in our lives. Then we may approach others with the same mercy He has given us.
Saturday, September 13
Read 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, seeing the Lord’s call to purity of heart that comes to us through what we desire. Fix your eyes and mind on his presence today, that only Jesus would be your source of refreshment and strength.
Read Psalm 116:12-19, seeing that a life of thanksgiving is the appropriate return for all the Lord has done for you. You owe him nothing but thanks, so live in thankfulness to the Lord today.
Read Luke 6:43-49, seeing that stability of life comes in putting the words of God into practice. Set your heart to do what God has spoken, that you may be settled in His mercy and power.
Sunday, September 14
Read the following from the Book of Sirach, an inter-testamental book of wisdom, and allow the mercy of God toward you to be the standard of your attitude of forgiveness toward others:
Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord?
Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?
If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.
Read Psalm 103:1-12, giving thanks for the great love, mercy, and patience of the Lord, and asking that the Holy Spirit come and work that same attitude in your heart as you seek his face.
Read Romans 14:7-9, seeing that you are the servant of the Lord, and since you are his, he sets the boundaries of your life. Thank him for that.
Read Matthew 18:21-35, and rejoice in the overwhelming riches of God’s grace that allows you to freely forgive, knowing that all your needs will be met by his generous nature.
Monday, September 15
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-33, seeing that the heart attitudes of gentleness and of preferring one another are central to the Lord’s heart, especially in the times where his presence is most intimate and powerful.
Read Psalm 40:6-10, understanding that it is an obedient heart that is precious to the Lord, not religious activity. Ask the Lord today to give you a heart that is passionate to obey and serve him.
Read Luke 7:1-10, seeing how understanding authority releases faith in our hearts to allow the Lord to do His work in our lives and relationships. Ask the Lord to release this same dynamic in your heart, that His purposes might be accomplished.
Tuesday, September 16
Read 1 Corinthians 1:12-27, giving thanks for the wonderful diversity of gifts that are spread through the Body of Christ, and for God’s wisdom in setting us in a place of mutual dependence that all might have a place to serve.
Read Psalm 100:1-5, giving voice to the thanksgiving in your heart to our father who is the Lord.
Read Luke 7:11-17, seeing how the compassion of the Lord works great miracles. Ask the Holy Spirit to release His compassion in your heart today, that you might serve those around you in His power.
Wednesday, September 17
Read 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, meditating on the character of Christ’s love that surpasses all our gifting and ministry. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with this love today, that you might serve in the character of Jesus.
Read Psalm 33:1-22, and worship the Lord your God who is great and merciful, and the one who fills the desire of all creation.
Read Luke 7:31-35, determining to be one who is sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit, even when it is not conventional wisdom to follow His promptings. Set your heart to dance to the Lord’s melodies, so that His ways may be your ways.
Thursday, September 18
Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, giving thanks for the prophetic gifts that are in the Body of Christ, and asking the Lord to release divine wisdom in the governing and exercise of these gifts. Pray that you might prophesy, that the Body might be built up in love.
Read Psalm 118:1-6,14-21, giving thanks for the victory of the Lord over his enemies, and that he is our place of refuge and the theme of our song.
Read Luke 7:36-50, inviting the Holy Spirit to show you the greatness of your salvation. Express your thanksgiving to the Lord, and allow His goodness to fill your heart with love for Jesus.
Friday, September 19
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-20, seeing how the death and resurrection of Jesus is the central reality of our faith, and gives us hope for eternal life. Give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and goodness in giving us his son.
Read Psalm 17:1-15, praying with the writer this prayer of confidence and chosen trust, that your heart may be settled in the power and goodness of the Lord and his love for you.
Read Luke 8:1-3, asking the Holy Spirit how you may be one who follows Jesus today, cooperating with the work that He is doing in those around you. Give thanks that He has included you in His plans.
Saturday, September 20
Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, seeing the principle that “weakness is sown, strength rises up.” Give the weakness of your own life to the Lord today, knowing that he will cause something of eternal value to come forth from your offering.
Read Psalm 56:1-13, meditating upon the grace that the Lord gives to those who are in times of spiritual battle. Entrust yourself to him today, and give him thanks for his goodness.
Read Luke 8:4-15, setting your heart to receive the seed of His Word, and to put it into practice through faith and perseverance. Give thanks for the power of His Spirit that strengthens you to obey Him.
Sunday, September 21
Read Isaiah 55:1-9, giving thanks for the freedom of God’s offer to come to his table, and for the call to forsake any other false way in the light of the Father’s gracious invitation.
Read Psalm 145:1-21, worshipping the Lord and giving thanks for his great mercy and generosity of spirit.
Read Philippians 1:9-30, giving thanks for this model of self-sacrificing service, based in a heart that has been conformed to the heart of Jesus. Let this be the prayer of your life, that God’s son would be glorified through your life, no matter what.
Read Matthew 20:1-16, seeing again the generosity of God to give the same gracious reward to all who come to him.
Monday, September 22
Read Proverbs 3:27-34, considering your life and relationships in the light of the wisdom of God.
Read Psalm 15:1-5, calling upon the Holy Spirit to impart these heart standards to you, that you might stand pure in the presence of the Father.
Read Luke 8:16-18, setting your heart to let the Light of the Lord shine through your life today. Share what He has done for you in the full confidence that He will give you more as you pour out that which you have.
Tuesday, September 23
Read Proverbs 21:1-13, allowing the Holy Spirit to show you one principle that he would help you walk out in your life today. Give thanks for God’s word, that leads us into all truth.
Read the following from Psalm 119, calling upon the Lord to teach your heart the realities of God’s word:
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.
30 I have chosen the way of truth; your judgments I have laid before me.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever. (NKJ)
Read Luke 8:19-21, meditating upon the reality that Jesus considers His family to be the ones who hear His Word and act upon it. Set your heart to do what God has spoken to you, that your sense of intimacy may increase.
Wednesday, September 24
Read Proverbs 30:5-9, seeing how the writer is fully dependent upon the Lord to impart to him the realities of a godly character. Call upon the Lord concerning the things you desire to see in your own life.
Read the following from Psalm 119, asking the Holy Spirit to increase your love for the word of God. Then commit yourself to regular time in the word, so that your passion will increase.
29 Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
89 Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word.
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
163 I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. (NKJ)
Read Luke 9:1-6, considering that it was always Jesus’ intent to empower His followers to do His Work in the power of His Spirit. Determine that today you will follow His leading as the growing disciple that you are.
Thursday, September 25
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, understanding that this book was written by Solomon in a time when he was experiencing the futility of life apart from the character and direction of the Holy Spirit. Take the way of wisdom, and follow the Lord in every area of your life.
Read Psalm 90:1-17, allowing the Holy Spirit to show you how dependent you are on his mercy for your life. Give thanks that God is full of mercy and grace toward you.
Read Luke 9:7-9, considering the fate of this man Herod who killed the prophet of God because the Word of God made him uncomfortable. Set your heart to receive God’s Word today, that you might live in full freedom.
Friday, September 26
Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, asking the Lord to tune your heart to the seasons of life, that you may flow with the way he has designed life to work. Enjoy his seasons, and wait for his good timing to all things.
Read Psalm 144:1-4, giving thanks that in God’s greatness, he cares for and involves himself in your life.
Read Luke 9:18-22, facing this question together with the disciples: “Who do you say Jesus is?” If He is the Christ (and He is!), then settle your heart upon being His servant for the rest of your days.
Saturday, September 27
Read Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8, seeing the truth that it is in the days of youth that patterns are set for life. Ask the Lord to give you a child’s heart, that you may live in the joy of your master for all your days.
Read Psalm 90:1-17 again, asking the Lord for the wisdom that comes from a right perception of your life in the light of eternity.
Read Luke 9:43-45, considering that the ways of God sometimes seem strange to us, and that at times it seems that the exact wrong thing has to happen before any good can come. Praise God for His Wisdom, and set your heart to trust Him again today.
Sunday, September 28
Read Ezekiel 18:25-28, seeing the futility of accusing the Lord of unholy character. Remember, he is always right, and yet he allows us to appeal to him as sons and daughters. Rejoice in the grace of God, and trust his love for you.
Read Psalm 125:1-5, resting in the reality that he has surrounded you with his love, and that you are secure as you walk in obedience to his ways.
Read Philippians 2:1-11, giving thanks for the example of servanthood and humility that Jesus embodied. Ask the Holy Spirit to impart to you this same attitude, that you may be like him.
Read Matthew 21:28-32, seeing that it is those with a “yes” in their hearts who are ultimately counted as the sons and daughters of the Lord. Set your heart to obey his word today, that you may rejoice in him.
Monday, September 29
Read Job 1:6-22, understanding that God allows difficulty in the lives of his servants so that they might exhibit his glory and character, and that they might see and consider their dependency on him for everything.
Read Psalm 17:1-7, joining with the writer in this statement of confidence in him during times of difficulty and testing.
Read Luke 9:46-50, seeing the need to develop true spiritual eyes and discernment, so that we might recognize in the spirit those whom the Lord recognizes and accepts as his own. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in this important area.
Tuesday, September 30
Read Job 3:1-26, considering the surprising truth that God finds it entirely acceptable when we complain about our life circumstances. Trust the Lord enough to speak honestly to the Lord about your life today, calling upon him to intervene in any situation.
Read Psalm 88:1-7, allowing any anguish of soul to be brought before the Lord for his consideration. Trust him to act in the right time for your blessing.
Read Luke 9:51-56, seeing how Jesus demonstrated the Father’s heart of love for those who now reject him. Our Father’s desire is to restore, not destroy, and there is coming a time when those who reject him will call out to him for mercy. Pray for that day.
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