Devotional Readings and Prayers
November, 2008
Saturday, November 1 ALL SAINTS DAY
Read Revelation 7:2-14, and consider with joy that you are part of the whole Body of Christ, worshipping the Father this day together with all the saints. Give thanks for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that made this possible.
Read Psalm 24:1-6, letting your mind be settled in the fact that God is in control of the whole earth, and that our energy can be spent worshipping and obeying Him, rather than worrying about things that seem out of control.
Read 1 John 3:1-3, and meditate on the truth that our time has not yet come, but that when Jesus is revealed, we shall be like Him. Ask for strength to keep yourself pure in the anticipation of that day.
Read Matthew 5:1-12, and consider this description of those who are led by the Spirit of Christ. Confess your need for the Lord today, for only by His strength can we live pleasing to Him.
Sunday, November 2
Read Malachi 1:14-2:10, considering the importance of God’s Name, and that we honor His Name through living in honorable relationship with one another.
Read Psalm 131, allowing your heart to come to the peace of a well-nurtured child, placing your hope and confidence in the goodness and power of the Lord.
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13, giving thanks for those who have been spiritual fathers and mothers in your life.
Read Matthew 23:1-12, asking the Holy Spirit to enable you to live in the true greatness of servanthood.
Monday, November 3
Read Philippians 2:1-4, considering the selflessness that is to exemplify followers of Jesus. Confess areas where you fall short of this reality, and pray for the Spirit of Christ to help you to live by His Spirit today.
Read Psalm 131:1-3, and meditate upon the importance of intimacy and contentment in the Presence of the Lord. Be still before Him, releasing the cares of this day into His hand, and let His peace come upon you.
Read Luke 14:12-14, and consider the blessing of being personally involved in the care of the poor. Ask the Lord about some practical way to demonstrate this care this week.
Tuesday, November 4
Read Philippians 2:5-11, focusing on the steps of humiliation that Jesus embraced, and how He trusted the Father to exalt Him at the proper time. Ask the Holy Spirit to form this attitude in you today.
Read Psalm 22:25-31, and let your heart be strengthened by the knowledge of our Father’s power and authority over all the earth. Give thanks for His justice and mercy, and let the praise of the Father fill your heart. Speak of this to someone today.
Read Luke 14:15-24, considering the importance of accepting the Lord’s invitations. Let your heart be touched by His compassion for the poor, and His delight in their presence at His table.
Wednesday, November 5
Read Philippians 2:12-18, and realize the importance of living out your relationship with Jesus. Consider how you may obey Him today, according to the direction you receive from His Word.
Read Psalm 27:1-4,13-14, and consider the importance of simply being in the Lord’s Presence, beholding His beauty, and being filled with His love.
Read Luke 14:25-33, reflecting on the cost of the commitment to follow Jesus. Remember His level of commitment to you, and in thanksgiving offer your life to Him for today.
Thursday, November 6
Read Philippians 3:1-8, understanding that external qualifications mean nothing before the Father. Only the work of Christ means anything, and we give thanks that we have been included in that work by faith.
Read Psalm 105:1-7, and let your heart be filled with thanksgiving for what God has done for you. Ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as to how you may obey and serve Him today.
Read Luke 15:1-10, and consider the joy that is in the Father’s heart when one person responds to His desire for relationship. Pray for any unsaved friends or family members, that they might respond to the searching Father.
Friday, November 7
Read Philippians 3:17-4:1, and meditate upon the importance of serving the will of God, rather than serving our own desires and appetites. Pray for the soon return of Jesus, that we may receive our true lives and real bodies.
Read Psalm 122:1-5, and let the anticipation of going to the Lord’s house for corporate worship fill your heart.
Read Luke 16:1-8, considering the importance of faithfulness to the Lord now, so that you will be at peace when the day of accounting comes to pass.
Saturday, November 8
Read Philippians 4:10-19, considering the blessing of ministering financially to the Lord’s servants. Pray for wisdom and the grace of generosity, so that you may know this joy, even when times are tight.
Read Psalm 112:1-9, again realizing the importance God places on generosity and lavish giving. Let this truth change your view from the self-centered reality of contemporary society.
Read Luke 16:9-15, understanding that God has given you a measure of wealth to manage. Though it may seem small, it is faithfulness in small things that demonstrates our readiness to be given large responsibilities to manage.
Sunday, November 9
Consider this reading from the ancient Book of Wisdom (an Inter-Testamental devotional book), and set your heart and will to heed the counsel:
Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men’s desire;
he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence,
and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care;
Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.
Read Psalm 63:1-8, and joyfully meditate upon His beauty and grace.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, giving thanks for the certainty of our life with the Lord Jesus after death.
Monday, November 10
Read Titus 1:1-9, and reflect on the character requirements of those who would be considered “elders”, or pastors of the Lord’s people. Pray for the pastors of our city, that the character of Christ would be formed in them.
Read Psalm 24:1-6, and again consider the character of those who would stand before the Lord. Pray for these things to be formed in your life through obedience and service to the Father.
Read Luke 17:1-6, and reflect upon the impact that the life of a believer has, as well as our responsibility to help those who fail to live up to their commitment to follow Jesus. Pray for wisdom in this exercise of Christian love.
Tuesday, November 11
Read Titus 2:1-14, and again consider the kind of lives those who are mature in the faith are to live. Realize this is not by one’s own effort, but is the result of the long-term influence of the Spirit of Christ in the believer. Draw near to the Father, that His love may be formed in you, resulting in holiness.
Read these verses from Psalm 37, and see how delighting in the Lord forms His character in you over time, that your life may be pleasing to Him.
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.
23 If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;
27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. (NIV)
Read Luke 17:7-10, and consider the life of servanthood that forms humility and Godly character in His people. Ask the Lord to show you ways and times to serve Him as He desires.
Wednesday, November 12
Read Titus 3:1-7, receiving through Paul’s writing the Lord’s desire for the behavior of His people. Give thanks for the new birth, the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit that makes Godly living possible.
Read Psalm 23:1-6, and allow the rich Presence of the Lord to fill you as you reflect on these beautiful words. Give thanks to the Lord for His kind, wise, and persistent leadership in your life.
Read Luke 17:11-19, and consider the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for what He has done in your life. Take time now to remember His love for you, and to give Him thanks.
Thursday, November 13
Read Philemon, verses 7-20, considering how Paul appealed to the readers’ love instead of duty to receive Onesimus as a full brother instead of as a slave. Ask the Lord for the grace to do things from love instead of duty.
Read Psalm 146:5-10, and reflect on the reality that God gives priority in His heart to the unfortunate. Pray about ways to serve God by serving the needs of the kind of people mentioned in this passage.
Read Luke 17:20-25, and consider that the Kingdom of God is already released in the midst of those who do His will, serving the Father from a heart of love. Rejoice that the fullness of His Kingdom is coming at the return of Jesus, and pray that it comes soon.
Friday, November 14
Read 2 John, verses 4-9, realizing that living in love is equal to living in obedience to the commands of God’s Word. The teachings of Christ are the basis, not only of what we believe in our minds, but how we live our lives from day to day.
Read these verses from Psalm 119, reflecting on these meditations about the value of the Word of God. Pray that your love for the Word increases as you read and obey it.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (NIV)
Read Luke 17:26-37, allowing the sober reality of the sudden coming of Jesus to spur you to obedience and faithfulness. Learn to live in appropriate fear of the Lord, that you might grow in faithfulness to Him.
Saturday, November 15
Read 3 John, verses 5-8, considering the important place of supporting those who have been sent out as evangelists and missionaries. This is a good thing, so ask the Lord for wisdom in how to do this.
Read Psalm 112:1-6, and consider the blessings that come to the one who fears the Lord, and lives out that reverence in obedience and faithfulness.
Read Luke 18:1-8, reflecting on the importance of persistent prayer in the life of the believer. Persistent prayer is equated with faith in this passage, and it is valued highly by the Lord.
Sunday, November 16
Read Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31, giving thanks to the Lord for this perfect model of womanhood that speaks to Godly women, as well as to the Church about what it means to be the Bride of Christ.
Read Psalm 128:1-5, seeing the blessings of those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, receiving the admonition to be watchful as children of light, concerning the times and seasons of the Lord.
Read Matthew 25:14-30, reflecting on the importance of faithfulness in small things, specifically money matters, as preparation for receiving true riches.
Monday, November 17
Read Revelation 1:1-4,2:1-5, and consider what it means to return to your first love of Jesus and His ways. Seek the Lord in prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to again show you the beauty of Christ, that your love for Him might be refreshed.
Read Psalm 1:1-6, realizing again the importance of meditating on the Scriptures, and on Jesus about Whom the Scriptures speak. Thank the Father for His Word which brings us life.
Read Luke 18:35-43, allowing your heart to be touched by the simplicity of the man’s cry for mercy from Jesus. Have confidence that the Lord hears you when you cry from your heart for His mercy in your life.
Tuesday, November 18
Read Revelation 3:1-6,14-22, focusing on how important it is to allow the Holy Spirit to show us our true condition as the people of God. Pray for Christ’s Church, and for your own life, that we would again give Jesus the high place of worship and obedience.
Read Psalm 15:1-5, considering the things that describe someone who spends time in the presence of Jesus and His Word. Set your heart to obey the Holy Spirit today, that these things will be formed in your life, resulting in stability and security.
Read Luke 19:1-10, understanding the central emphasis Jesus placed on winning people to Himself and bringing salvation. Also consider how salvation affected the lifestyle of Zacchaeus.
Wednesday, November 19
Read Revelation 4:1-11, and let your spirit be lifted into the Presence of our Father, the King. Join in the heavenly worship that continues day and night, and be strengthened by it.
Read Psalm 150:1-6, and again join the saints and angels in praising our Father, Who deserves the praise of our voices, hearts, and lives.
Read Luke 19:11-28, considering the story and especially its moral: Faithfully use what has been given you in the Father’s business, and His pleasure and reward will be with you. How can you use your time, energy, and money today for His glory?
Thursday, November 20
Read Revelation 5:1-10, giving thanks to the Father and His Son Jesus, Who was found worthy to open the book of salvation, that we might be included in His family and His marvelous Kingdom.
Read Psalm 149:1-9, letting your heart be filled with the generosity and goodness of God, Who loves and blesses His people. Give thanks that His love includes, and even focuses on the lowly, and give Him praise and thanks.
Read Luke 19:41-44, and let the compassionate heart of Jesus touch your heart as He weeps over His people and over the cities today. Set your heart to respond to Him, that He might lead you into the pathway of peace.
Friday, November 21
Read Revelation 10:8-11, considering how the Word of the Lord is sweet to the taste, and yet it can be bitter medicine for those who do not want to hear and receive it. Pray for those you love who need to hear God’s Word and receive it.
Read the following from Psalm 119, letting the heart of the writer minister to you, and asking the Holy Spirit to increase your love for the Word of God. Realize that obedience to the Word is what increases your appetite for it, as you reap the benefits of obeying the Father.
Psalms 119:14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. (NIV)
Read Luke 19:45-48, considering that Jesus’ priority for His “house” is prayer. We, as His people, are His house, His dwelling place by the Holy Spirit, and His desire is that prayer be the main factor in our lives.
Saturday, November 22
Read Revelation 11:4-12, considering the warfare that is inevitable for those who are determined to live by the Word of God and declare it. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to help you be a person of “The Book” today.
Read Psalm 144:1-10, and consider the place of refuge we have in Christ our Rock, and rest in the knowledge that He will fight for you today as you obey Him.
Read Luke 20:27-40, giving thanks for the reality of the resurrection life. Understand how foolish the Sadducees were for speculating on things of which they had no understanding, and give thanks that Jesus knows all that we need to know.
Sunday, November 23 CHRIST THE KING
Read 2 Samuel 5:1-3, and let the Holy Spirit show you the picture of reign of Christ in the establishing of David’s Kingdom. Pray for the coming of the rule of Christ in your life today.
Read Psalm 122:1-5, giving thanks for the reality of worshipping with the people of God. Give thanks to His Name for His rule and reign in the church.
Read Colossians 1:12-20, giving thanks that you have been included in His Kingdom of light. Meditate on the majesty of Jesus, Who established His rule by His own sacrifice, purchasing mankind for the Father.
Read Luke 23:35-43, understanding that Jesus’ Kingdom was established on the cross, that by His death and resurrection He received the Kingdom given into His hands by His Father.
Monday, November 24
Read Revelation 14:1-5, and rejoice that you are part of the holy company of saints who praise the Name of the Lord, having been made perfect by His blood sacrifice.
Read Psalm 24:1-6, considering the character that is established in the ones who wait upon the Lord, serving and obeying Him. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit today, and set your heart to obey His leading.
Read Luke 21:1-4, understanding the value the Lord places on the commitment of the heart. The principle is giving everything you have to the Lord, no matter how much or little it is.
Tuesday, November 25
Read Revelation 14:14-19, considering the harvest that will be taken at the end of the age. We live in the time of the end, a time in which Jesus said to pray for workers, that the harvest might be gathered into His Kingdom. Pray for workers, realizing that God intends you to be a harvester as well.
Read Psalm 96:10-13, and let your heart be settled in the sure rule of Jesus as Lord of all the earth.
Read Luke 21:5-11, understanding that we perhaps live in the time of the very end of things. Pray for wisdom to hear God’s Word and obey it.
Wednesday, November 26
Read Revelation 15:1-4, giving thanks to the Lord Jesus for His victory over the power of the evil one. Realize that you too have been given victory, and rejoice and praise the Lord Jesus!
Read Psalm 98:1-9, giving thanks for the rule and reign of Jesus Christ. Let your heart be settled in His majesty and power, and in the truth that His Kingdom is permanent and present.
Read Luke 21:12-19, accepting the fact that difficulties you may face are part of God’s plan to share His Word with powers and authorities. Pray for strength to speak God’s truth in love today, that His Kingdom may come through you.
Thursday, November 27
Read the following from the Book of Revelation, and consider the judgment that comes upon the wicked, and the blessing that comes upon God’s chosen ones. Choose to live today as one who has considered the end of all things, and has made decisions that are eternal.
Revelation 18:1-2 (1) After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. (2) With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
Revelation 18:21-23 (21) Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. (22) The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. (23) The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
Revelation 19:1-3 (1) After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, (2) for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (3) And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: `Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (NIV)
Read Psalm 100:1-5, giving thanks that you belong to God and to His people. Praise Him and give thanks for His mercy and love.
Read Luke 21:20-28, realizing that the upheaval that is in the earth today simply shows us that the coming of Jesus is near. Pray for His return, and pray that the harvest of souls might be brought in that Jesus’ return may come quickly.
Friday, November 28
Read Revelation 20:1-4,11-22, considering the end of Satan and those who follow him, and the end of those who love and follow Jesus. Pray for the establishment of His Kingdom in your heart today, and in the earth for eternity.
Read Psalm 84:1-7, giving thanks that God, Who cares even for the sparrow, has provided a safe home for you to live and praise His Name.
Read Luke 21:29-33, giving thanks for the eternal certainty of God’s Word and His promises, all of which have been answered in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Saturday, November 29
Read Revelation 22:1-7, considering the beauty, power, and peacefulness of God’s Kingdom. Pray for that day to come quickly. Pray for the church, that God’s people would be obedient and hasten the day of His coming.
Read Psalm 95:1-7, and again join in the worship and praise of the Lord Who is worthy to be praised. Welcome Him as Lord of your life today.
Read Luke 21:34-36, considering the importance of being alert in the spirit for the signs of the coming of the Lord. Live today in the expectation that Jesus will be active in your life.
Sunday, November 30 ADVENT SUNDAY
Read Isaiah 2:1-5, giving thanks for the coming of the Kingdom of God that is manifested in the coming of Jesus to the earth.
Read Psalm 122:1-9, rejoicing in the anticipation of coming together with the people of God at the establishment of His Kingdom on the earth.
Read Romans 13:11-14, and prepare your heart for His coming by clothing yourself in the character of Jesus Christ.
Read Matthew 24:37-44, again hearing the voice of the Lord calling His people to prepare their hearts for His coming.
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