Bible Readings And Prayers

October 1-31, 2008

Wednesday, October 1

Read Job 9:1-16, meditating upon the dilemma in which Job found himself.  He could find no human reason for his trouble, and yet God’s ways are unassailable.  Hear the cry of Job’s heart, and identify some area of your life that seems this way.

Read Psalm 88:1-18, considering the writer’s desperate faith that calls out to God as his only hope even when it seems that God does not intend to answer.  Follow this example in your own situation, and seek God’s face.

Read Luke 9:57-62, seeing that Jesus calls us to an exclusive relationship with himself that takes priority over every other thing.  It is only after we become fully his that other relationships can be restored to what God intends them to be.

Thursday, October 2

Read Job 19:21-27, considering how even in his place of difficulty, Job speaks the truth about God,  trusting in his goodness.  Set your heart in agreement with what God says about himself in his Word, that he is good, and give him thanks.

Read Psalm 27:7-14, settling your heart on the fact that God is there for those who call upon him, and that he does not forsake us, no matter what.  Give thanks to him for that.

Read Luke 10:1-12, seeing the simple message and method with which Jesus sent out the disciples:  They brought peace, announced the Kingdom of God, and served people in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can do that today, wherever we are!

Friday, October 3

Read Job 38:1,12-21; 40:3-5, considering that the revelation of God’s greatness put the suffering of Job in clear perspective.  Ask the Father to give you such insight into his character and nature that you would trust him and come to rest.

Read Psalm 138:1-14, meditating on God’s greatness and giving thanks that you are firmly established in his loving care.

Read Luke 10:13-16, , considering the authority Jesus has given to those who go in his Name, representing him.  Rejoice that he takes your obedience seriously, and identifies with you in that obedience.

Saturday, October 4

Read Job 42:1-16, giving thanks for this humble perspective of God’s majesty and power.  Ask the Lord to strengthen your heart with this kind of insight, that you may see things as they really are.

Read the following from Psalm 119, setting your heart to give thanks for the difficult times and for the good things that come in your life through such situations:

Read Luke 10:17-24, and consider that having your name written in heaven is even more important that spiritual power and authority.  Notice that it is to those with childlike hearts that God reveals the power of his kingdom.

Sunday, October 5

Read Isaiah 5:1-7, seeing that God is willing to bring judgment upon his people when the fruit of his kingdom is not forthcoming.  Pray that Christ’s Body in our day would produce the fruit that he desires, that we might be pleasing to him.

Read Psalm 80:8-19, calling upon the Lord to restore his vineyard, the Body of Christ, so that his name may be honored, and that we might know the joy of the Lord among us.

Read Philippians 4:6-9, settling your mind on the truths that God has given us about himself, that you might come to rest in him.

Read Matthew 21:33-43, considering soberly that God will deal with those who misuse his people, and lead them wrongly.  Pray for your leaders, that the Spirit of Christ would have his way in his church.

Monday, October 6

Read Galatians 1:6-12, determining in your heart to accept the reality of the Gospel as presented in the Bible.  There is no other way to God than through Jesus Christ.  Give thanks for him, and pray that God would vindicate his own name in this day.

Read Psalm 111:1-10, allowing your heart and mind to come to agreement with the Holy Spirit on the nature and character of God.  Give thanks to him for his goodness in your life.

Read Luke 10:25-37, and consider that the greatest commandment is to love, first God and then our neighbor with everything that is in us.  Pray for understanding on how to express that love today.

Tuesday, October 7

Read Galatians 1:13-24, giving thanks that God chooses us and reveals himself to us in the proper time, according to his purposes.  Pray that he would show himself to many in this time, that all who would respond would be saved.

Read Psalm 139:1-15, worshipping God for his greatness, that he knew you before you were formed.  Give thanks for his greatness and loving care for you through your life.

Read Luke 10:38-42, considering the place that Jesus gives to those who simply wait upon him, listening for his voice and expecting to be instructed.  This is pleasing to the Lord.

Wednesday, October 8

Read Galatians 2:1-14, thanking God for the wisdom of his Spirit through the years to keep the Gospel uncluttered with the religious ideas of man.  

Read Psalm 117:1-2, letting your heart be filled with joy in the amazing truth of this simple song.

Read Luke 11:1-4, considering the simplicity of the prayer Jesus modeled for the disciples.  Ask the Lord to teach you to pray with the same consistent obedience that Jesus demonstrated.

Thursday, October 9

Read Galatians 3:1-5, considering the tendency among Christians to assume the responsibility of growth in Christ after beginning in the power of the Spirit.  Turn to the Lord again today, and trust him even as you did at the beginning.

Read Luke 1:69-75, giving thanks for the wonderful salvation that God has given us through Jesus that delivers us from all our enemies as we trust in him.

Read Luke 11:5-13, and consider that if a human friend will eventually give in to an inconvenient request because of persistence, how much more will your heavenly Father, Who loves you and Who is always with you, answer your prayers for the power and purposes of the Kingdom to come in your life.

Friday, October 10

Read Galatians 3:7-14, giving thanks for the Holy Spirit, whose presence frees us from the curse of the law, and who empowers us from the inside out to live according to the character of God.

Read Psalm 111:1-10, giving thanks that the Lord our God is the same today as he always has been.  Notice especially that his compassion is directly expressed in feeding those who fear him, and trust him for the needs of your life.

Read Luke 11:15-26, and consider the importance of filling your heart and mind with the Word of God through the Holy Spirit, especially after times of healing and deliverance, when the power of the enemy has been broken in your life.  This filling prevents the enemy from taking back old territory with even greater control than he had before.

Saturday, October 11

Read Galatians 3:22-29, seeing that through faith the commands of God are internalized, so that we do by nature the will of God.  Give thanks that this mercy of God extends to all people, with no prejudice at all.

Read Psalm 105:1-7, considering that telling the stories of God’s faithfulness through the years releases faith to believe that he will continue to work powerfully for those who fear him.

Read Luke 11:27-28, and consider the importance of obedience to God.  Jesus claimed that obedience to the Word of God was more important to relationship with him than being his very mother.  How would he have you obey today?

Sunday, October 12

Read Isaiah 25:6-10, allowing the hope of the Kingdom of God to strengthen your heart.  Ask God for ways to bring Kingdom reality to those around you today, especially those who are poor.

Read Psalm 23:1-6, giving thanks for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who gives all good things to those who trust and follow him.

Read Philippians 4:12-20, giving God permission to teach you how to live fully contented no matter what your circumstances may look like.

Read Matthew 22:1-10, giving thanks that our Father God insists on having the poor come to his feasts.  Ask how you are to be involved in bringing “the whosoevers” from the streets into his party.

Monday, October 13

Read Galatians 4:22-5:1, giving thanks that Jesus has delivered us from religious performance, and given us his own power to live a life that is pleasing to God.  Give thanks, and follow him with all your heart.

Read Psalm 113:1-7, giving thanks to our Lord whose character is expressed in his love for and ministry to the poor.  Consider how you may extend help to one of his poor ones today.

Read Luke 11:29-32, considering that the coming of Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection, is the greatest miracle or sign we could hope for.  Give thanks for the miracle of new life in Christ.

Tuesday, October 14

Read Galatians 5:1-6, setting your heart to resist the temptations of religious living.  Rather, determine to live by faith, trusting God to do with you what he has always done, and expressing your faith through loving acts to those around you.

Read Psalm 119:41-48, see how liberty comes to those who love, trust, and hope in the Word of God.  Give your heart to his Word today, that you might walk in his freedom.

Read Luke 11:37-41, seeing that giving to the poor is a central way that our lives are cleansed from the inside out, that we might follow Jesus in a full way.

Wednesday, October 15

Read Galatians 5:18-25, seeing that being filled with the Holy Spirit always leads to living in a Christ-like manner.  Put away the old ways today, and give yourself to Jesus so that his life might be formed in you.

Read Psalm 1:1-6, understanding the key place of the Word of God in establishing us in right ways of living.  Set your heart to meditate upon God’s Word, so that your life might look like his.

Read Luke 11:42-46, considering that by obedience Jesus did not mean legalism.  He spoke of relationship, and of following him by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Thank Him for his Presence with you today, and for the grace he has given to help you obey.

Thursday, October 16

Read Ephesians 1:3-10, giving thanks that you have been included in God’s plan to bring all things under Christ’s lordship.  Worship God for his mercy in your life.

Read Psalm 98:1-9, joining with all creation to praise the Lord for his wonderful mercy to us.

Read Luke 11:47-54, seeing that sometimes the conviction of God brings bitterness and hatred to the ones exposed.  Set your heart to respond with humility and repentance when the Lord brings attention to your sin.

Friday, October 17

Read Ephesians 1:11-14, giving thanks that God has determined that by his power you will be made fully able to praise him, and to give evidence of his glory.  Let your life be a song of praise today.

Read Psalm 33:1-12, worshipping God with all your heart for his wonderful acts in creating and sustaining all things.

Read Luke 12:1-7, and consider how the fear of the Lord eliminates the fear of man.  Give thanks that his knowledge of you and his love for you is so great that he even knows how many hairs you have on your head.

Saturday, October 18

Read Ephesians 1:15-23, joining your heart with Paul’s prayer that our hearts would be enlightened to know the greatness of our hope in his love and mercy.

Read Psalm 8:1-9, giving thanks that God is mindful of you in the midst of his wonderful creation, and that he has revealed to his child-like people the realities of his nature and character.

Read Luke 12:8-12, seeing that God intends for us to publicly claim relationship with Jesus, since he publicly claimed relationship with us.  Let your life and your speech reflect this today, in honor of his love for you.

Sunday, October 19

Read Isaiah 45:1-6, considering with hope the reality that God directs the affairs of kings and nations for his own purposes.  Rejoice that our Father is King of kings, and that his will is being done in the earth.

Read Psalm 96:1-13, rejoicing in the might of our Father, the Lord God, whose rule and reign is established and unquestioned in all creation.  Praise him in anticipation of his coming Kingdom.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, seeing how the people of this city responded to the Gospel with faith, hope, and love.  Ask the Lord for his help in receiving his Word in power as did the Thessalonians.

Read Matthew 22:15-21, giving thanks for God’s wisdom that helps us in the midst of every confrontation.  Wait on the Lord today, and allow his wisdom to come to you as you need it.

Monday, October 20

Read Ephesians 2:1-10, considering that your salvation is a pure gift of grace that does not result in a debt to God.  Since you owe him nothing but thanksgiving, live your life in gratitude today, simply enjoying his salvation to the full measure.

Read Psalm 100:1-5, allowing thankfulness to fill your heart as you come into his presence to worship today.

Read Luke 12:13-21, considering how the man’s cry for justice was really rooted in greed.  Ask God to show you how to grow rich in his sight, storing up reward in the Kingdom of heaven.

Tuesday, October 21

Read Ephesians 2:12-22, considering the wonderful components of your salvation in Christ.  Give thanks to him that he included you, and follow him with gladness today.

Read Psalm 85:1-13, identifying with the intercession of the first seven verses, and giving thanks for the wonderful answer given in the remaining section.  How blessed we are that this God is our God and Father through his Son Jesus Christ!

Read Luke 12:35-38, and consider what it is to be ready for the Lord’s return at any moment.  Take seriously the call to healed relationships in the light of the Lord’s imminent return.

Wednesday, October 22

Read Ephesians 3:1-12, giving thanks that God has included all people groups in his salvation, and that through the power of the Gospel declares to all creation that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Read Isaiah 12:1-6, giving thanks to the Lord for his salvation, and for the joy of declaring to all creatures that he has accomplished his purposes for the earth.

Read Luke 12:39-48, and reflect on the sober reality of being about the Lord’s business, that we might be ready for his return.  Remember, the Lord’s business is to share his love with those around you by loving them as Jesus loves you.

Thursday, October 23

Read Ephesians 3:14-21, giving thanks for the foundation of love upon which God builds our lives as his children.  Receive his love afresh today, that you may grow in your understanding of his care for you.

Read Psalm 33:1-22, allowing your heart and mind to come to rest in the greatness of God, and giving thanks that this mighty God is your loving Father.

Read Luke 12:49-53, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you what it is to be ignited with the purposes of Christ that are so consuming that nothing else seems significant.

Friday, October 24

Read Ephesians 4:1-6, receiving Paul’s admonition to continue in Christ as we began, filled with his character and love for the whole Body of Christ.

Read Psalm 24:1-10, allowing the presence of the Holy Spirit to fill you again, that the character of God might be formed in your life, and so that you may dwell continuously in his presence.

Read Luke 12:54-59, considering that the Lord would rather have simple righteousness from his people than all sorts of mystical revelations and understanding.  Pray that God would give you understanding of simple, Godly living for this day.

Saturday, October 25

Read Ephesians 4:7-16, seeing again that through Christ God has given to the Church every gift we need to become fully formed in his likeness.  Receive his gifts today, and stand firmly in the truths of his Word.

Read Psalm 122:1-9, giving thanks for the beauty of the dwelling place of God.  This is a picture of the Body of Christ, made beautiful by his grace and power.

Read Luke 13:1-9, realizing the sober truth that failure to repent from sin has deadly consequences.  Let the true fear of the Lord that leads to repentance and obedience fill your heart, that you might serve him today.

Sunday, October 26

Read Exodus 22:20-26, considering how full of compassion God is for the poor.  Seek to receive his heart for the needy, that you might know him more fully as your loving Father.

Read the following from Psalm 18, giving thanks that God is filled with mercy and compassion for the needy:

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, seeing how the life of Christ is modeled through Christian leaders, and then through us to the world.  Pray for your leaders, that Christ’s life would be thoroughly formed in them for your sake.

Read Matthew 22:34-40, seeing with gladness that the essence of God’s law is to love him with all your heart, and then to love those around you.  Live in love today, filled with the Spirit of Christ who empowers you to do so.

Monday, October 27

Read Ephesians 4:32-5:8, seeing that because of the power of his grace, God fully intends his character to be formed in us.  Set your whole heart and mind toward becoming like Jesus, that you may know his joy.

Read Psalm 1:1-6, seeing that it is the entrance of God’s Word into your heart that releases grace to accomplish his purposes.  Give yourself to God’s Word again today.

Read Luke 13:10-17, meditating on the fact that God prefers compassion and mercy over the performance of man-made religious details.  Give thanks to God for his mercy, and ask him for help in any area of need in which you need his touch.

Tuesday, October 28

Read Ephesians 5:21-33, giving thanks for the selfless quality of the love of Christ for his Church.  Pray for the marriages in your fellowship, that they might reflect the nature of the love of Jesus.

Read Psalm 128:1-6, rejoicing in the promise of the restoration of healthy, happy families.  Pray for Christian families, that the joy of the Lord would characterize their life together.

Read Luke 13:18-21, meditating on the fact that the Kingdom of God begins small in you, but will grow and produce its fruit until your life is fully conformed to the will of God.  Rejoice in that, and give thanks!

Wednesday, October 29

Read Ephesians 6:1-9, again praying for and blessing the families and other close circles of relationship in the Body of Christ.  Pray that the Lord’s heart of love would fill these essential relationships.

Read Psalm 145:1-21, worshipping the Lord for his goodness and great kindness toward those who love him.  Pray his blessing on his people today.

Read Luke 13:22-30, seeing that relationship with God is more important than religious activity in his name, even if it is done in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Move toward the Lord in intimacy today, allowing him to know you as you are.

Thursday, October 30

Read Ephesians 6:10-20, seeing that prayer and the presence of Jesus (for all God’s armor is present in him!) makes provision for your every need.  Stand firm today in his presence, asking the Father for anything in his name.

Read Psalm 144:1-15, calling upon the Lord who is your defense, and resting in his care for you, certain that he will do what is necessary for your blessing and salvation.

Read Luke 13:31-35, seeing that the purposes of God cannot be thwarted, even by rulers of nations.  Give thanks that our God is compassionate over his wayward people, and that he is willing to take every step to win them back to himself.

Friday, October 31

Read Philippians 1:1-11, asking the Holy Spirit to fill you with the discernment that moves by love. The times that are upon us demand wisdom, and it only comes as we rest in the certainty of the Father’s love and care.

Read Psalm 111:1-6, giving thanks that our Father is a God of justice and great mercy. He will never forget His covenant of love, and will sustain and provide for those who fear Him.

Read Luke 14:1-16, and thank the Father that He is concerned about healing and blessing His people, and not about the protocols of religious activity. Give thanks that Jesus revealed the Father’s heart so beautifully.