November 1

Secret of Success

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Whatever God puts on your heart, know that the secret of success is His Spirit blessing your efforts. Start doing something and stop wrestling with your doubts and trust in God to lead you in your steps. Put plans behind your hope and leave the results to God. The Holy Spirit will strengthen you, guide you, and affirm you, but only as you willingly move forward believing in His strength.

Show some faith in God and move forward with action claiming His promise for the hope that is on your heart. If it is of the Lord it can not be stopped and even if doors close, you will not be any worse by following where the Lord leads.

Let’s pray today for those wrestling to be used by God through word or deed for the cause of Christ.

 

November 2

God our Provider

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

The only person without a need is the one who has passed onto glory, and until then we must depend on Jesus. Emotional, financial, or whatever that need is we must all learn to allow our Heavenly Father to help, not to place expectations on others to do what God is there to do on our behalf. It’s the needs of life, not the wants of our humanity that our God will satisfy.

God will not withhold blessings for His children because they fall out of the category of necessity. He is the Lord Savior and the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He is the Divine Gift-Giver, and as we stay close to Him through prayer and walk with Him through faith, He provides.

Let’s pray today for those who have needs in their life, that they will depend on their Lord to provide.

 

November 3

Steps of Faith

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” Colossians 2:6

The Christian life is a walk of faith in Jesus Christ, because He is truly the only reason for each step we take. It’s called a walk because it is not a race we run in competition with others, but simply a walk that takes us through our own personal and unique circumstances of life. The goal is to ever and consistently draw closer to our Lord as we daily step in faith.

You may have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior on a particular date, but that was just the beginning. It is with the same faith that the moment in time of believing in Jesus becomes a continuous life of believing in Jesus.

Let’s pray today that we may not rush or get weary in our Christian walk, but that we would remain faithful step by step.

 

November 4

Belonging to Heaven

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3

In Christ we have moved on to eternity and our lives are no longer affiliated with the ways of this world. So much so, that our very thoughts should be fixed in the context of belonging to God in Heaven. We think in terms of Heaven, not earth. We may live here, but we know it is only temporal and soon and very soon we will go to see our Lord.

When this world disappoints you, when wickedness oppresses you, when circumstances make day to day life difficult for you, take heart that you belong to the coming Kingdom of Heaven where King Jesus makes all things new.

Let’s pray today that we may be conscious of the fact this world is not our home.

 

November 5

Glory to Christ

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

In all things we claim the name of Jesus because we stand by His character not ours and all we do is to His glory. There is no secular or religious for the follower of Christ, because our life is always His. There is no task at home or at work or in the marketplace that is beyond the ability to show glory to Him, even in loss or failure we testify to Calvary’s grace.

Don’t try to put on a perfect front before others but rather be authentic in your struggles and grappling for truth. Allow others to see that they can come to Christ as they are and find answers for themselves just as they see you doing.

Let’s pray today that we will consider whatever we do as an opportunity to give glory to Christ.

 

November 6

Death is Not the End

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Death is grievous but it is not the end for the believer in Christ who dies or for the believer left in loss. To know that we will see our loved ones again, to know that death is not permanent, and to know that our own Lord conquered death through His own resurrection, is to grieve with a sense that death is not the end.

Remember that life on this side of the resurrection is a vapor and a short span of time, and just as assuredly as we have arrived to this day, shall we arrive at resurrection morning when this mortal shall put on immortality.

Let’s pray today that all who grieve from loss will look to Jesus and know that death is not the end.

 

November 7

Forever with Jesus

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:17

When the church is raptured, it will not be for a short retreat, but we will forever and always be with our Lord. God the Father has been on the edge of His throne longing for the day when His Son Jesus will come take us to our forever home. We do not worry that we won’t be ready because each day we fix our eyes toward this Blessed Hope.

There will be a translation for living saints on the day Jesus returns and catches us up with Him and the resurrected saints, but the point of encouragement for us is that this grand climax of history will never be undone.

Let’s pray today that we may each long even more for our Lord’s return and rejoice that it will be forevermore.

 

November 8

Tribulation Wrath

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

The judgment of God’s tribulation wrath is not for us but those who resolutely hate Him and His people. God’s saints may face their persecution before we ascend with our Lord into eternity, but we will not face their intended wrath from God’s judgment. The evil bullies of the church and the nation of Israel will not escape the holy judgment of a jealous Parent God.

“Holy and True” is the cry of the angelic host as the merciful patience of Heaven’s Throne dispenses His judgment upon those who have relentlessly and cruelly brought unjust harm to the saints of God.

Let’s pray that those who reject biblical truth will open their ears and hearts to the convicting power of the Spirit and be saved.

 

November 9

Sustaining Faith

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

We have not been called to follow Christ without an assurance of His faithfulness for a sustainable faith. Do not error in thinking you must have an undefeated season to win Heaven. We are called to follow Him, not to turn back or fear for our steps or focus on our faults, but to trust in the grace of Christ for forgiveness of our sins and in the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain our faith.

We are God’s own, His children, and He has not left us to journey toward our eternal home alone. Faith is a work of a lifetime, a daily reliance on the Lord and we  have His promise to sustain us as we walk closer to Him moment by moment.

Let’s pray today to grow in trust of Christ’s faithfulness to save and sustain our faith.

 

November 10

Believe in the Savior

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15

The Son of God entered human history to save you and every fallen son of Adam who would believe in Him. There is no exception to His goal, He came to save the most wicked of men and the most pious of men. He came to bring salvation to everyone who would accept Him, believe in Him, and trust in Him as their personal Savior, Lord, and God.

No man is beyond hope or too far off the mark for the grace of Christ to transform from death to life. He exchanges every willing sinner’s heart of stone with one of flesh that is pliable in His hands and enabled to pump life giving blood.

Let’s pray today that our loved ones would see Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

 

November 11

God of the Bible

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Don’t buy into Satan’s narrative that God must be convinced or appeased before He helps or saves us. False religions perpetuate this devilish lie, but the God of the Bible is carefully and passionately working against those claims in order that you, me, and all who would call upon the name of His Son Jesus Christ, would be saved with God throughout eternity.

The God of the Christian faith is not shared by other religions and is distinct in that He is Love. The Bible God loves those whom He created, those who worship Him, and unlike other gods His character is not merciless toward us.

Let’s pray today that we may help others know the true character of the God we serve.

 

November 12

Only One Way

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus“ 1 Timothy 2:5

Many roads do not lead to one heaven and salvation is not in many gods, but the only way is in Jesus Christ. The only way, the only means, the only name under heaven by which anyone may be saved is through Jesus Christ. No other god and no other religion, regardless of whatever name man may claim, is able to save and stand between the gap of sinful earth and a holy heaven.

The simple gift of salvation is being complicated by man’s philosophical inventions of multiple gods with multiple avenues to Heaven, but it is only in One Way to eternity that those in Heaven will have harmony forever.

Let’s pray today for a focus on the only mediator between us and God, the Savior Jesus Christ.

 

November 13

Stand for Truth

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12-13

With an increase of wickedness among society’s leaders comes bigotry against Bible believing Christians. To live a godly life, to claim the name of Christ, or to protest sin in the public square is to set ourselves up as targets of persecution. As light in a dark world, there can be no hiding, yet like our Lord we shall be used by the Holy Spirit to bid the lost to accept the Savior.

Persecution is Satan’s attack against the saints, but in the end-times God’s wrath will not fall against the saints but against those who have rejected Christ and have actively persecuted the saints of God.

Let’s pray today that we will not fear when called to stand for truth, but will trust our Lord to use that for His glory.

 

November 14

Written of God

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”  2 Timothy 3:16

The Spirit of God has given us the written words of God so fallen man will always know right from wrong. From ancient generations to modern generations, humanity has not been without understanding. Every verse from Genesis to Revelation collectively speaks the authoritative directives of our Creator for His creation that we may live profitable lives.

Man is without excuse and without argument for not knowing God’s commands, especially in the Western world. Even the heathen on secluded islands are without doubt of God with the beauty and power of nature.

Let’s pray today that we may look consistently to the Bible for direction in our lives.

 

November 15

Gospel of Grace

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age”  Titus 2:11-12

The undeserved grace of Calvary does not encourage more sin because it is the power of the life-changing gospel! Don’t even think that the Old Testament laws are superior to the free gift of forgiveness, because the laws can only bring damnation, but the grace of God brings the convicting Spirit of Love with its deep, true, lasting, empowering transformation.

When we admit our propensity to evil and shortcomings to do right, and realize that the punishment for our sinfulness was willingly borne by the innocent Lamb of God, we can do nothing but humble ourselves under that grace.

Let’s pray today for faith to trust in God’s grace for free forgiveness, salvation, and change.

 

November 16

Testimony for Christ

“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” Philemon 6

It is in sharing our testimony of what Christ has done and is doing in our lives that we most grow into His likeness. Just as love that remains unexpressed is of no value to the one who hides it from the object of their love, so not sharing our faith is of no value to us and to others. By sharing with others why we believe, we are actually preaching the gospel as it was meant to be shared.

We can’t hide God’s mercy to us under a bushel and expect others to see how our life is helped through His providence. We also shouldn’t hide the tough times or sad times in our life because others need to see how we walk with the Lord and how we witness to His glory in bringing us through.

Let’s pray today that we may faithfully share what our Lord has done and is doing in our lives.

 

November 17

Only the Bible

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

The greatest evidence that the Bible is God’s word is the change it makes in our hearts and minds. No other book can move a man to shun sin and seek the Savior, like the Bible does. No other book offers repeated fresh insights and perspectives, like the Bible does. No other book was written by the very breath of God except for the Bible.

The Bible does not dress-up man’s problems or seek to hide our fallen character because the God of its pages has grace sufficient for every condition of sin. Its power of conviction is undeniable, it leaves no guilt unaddressed, one must callously reject the God of its words and willfully turn to damnation to not be saved through it.

Let’s pray today that lost men may drop their preconceived ideas and find God in the study of the Bible.

 

November 18

Throne of Grace

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

The grace of God is not hidden to anyone, but it’s not forced upon anyone either, instead it is freely available. Like a child who is hurt and immediately turns toward mom or dad for love and help, so should we immediately turn confidently toward the God who sent His Son to redeem us and we will freely find grace in our time of need.

None should feel that they have fallen so deep into sin that they are beyond the effectual grace of God to be redeemed. No man should ever talk himself into believing he can not approach the throne of grace, because God’s Word says approach confidently.

Let’s pray today that we may run to the throne of grace, first and confidently when we have needs.

 

November 19

Church in Fellowship

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

There is no solo Christian because we find faith and courage to face tomorrow as we fellowship together. There is a Holy Spirit felt power in sharing with, being with, and seeing that our Christian journey is not one we must walk alone. As the end of time delivers on its promise of hate, violence, and persecution we will only find the love of God as the church together.

The mark of sin is separation, because it separates people from each other in distance and in one-anotherness. Satan seeks to separate us but as we continue to fellowship together we find encouragement and strength in our Christian walk.

Let’s pray today that we may all be convicted to stand together with other believers in fellowship.

 

November 20

Faith in the Bible

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Our trust is not in man, but in the word of God and its promises of eternal life and an earth made new. As Christians we believe in the Bible, not the opinions and plans of the fallen men in a fallen world. We see the issues of our day and do our human best, but our faith is in the return and redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We live by a faith whose foundation is the promises of God’s Word. The very basis of our convictions is the clear writ of Scripture. The Bible stands alone as the test of philosophy and the standard of beliefs.

Let’s pray today to live our lives in faith, not based on the substance of things seen.

 

November 21

Only Jesus

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Our faith is not in religion, tradition, denomination, but in the Son of God, the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no faith before Jesus and there will be no faith after Him, for He is the Alpha and Omega. You will find no person better, for Jesus alone is our righteous, Redeemer, and returning King.

Only Jesus and Jesus alone. You can not add to Jesus and you can not take away from Jesus, for in Him and because of Him we are complete. We have no life without Jesus for in Jesus alone is life.

Let’s pray today that we may fix our eyes of hope, truth, and faith, fully and only on Jesus.

 

November 22

Jesus in our Trials

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.“ James 1:2-3

We may have the right to pursue happiness but we have no promise of such – that is why we have Jesus. We all seem to struggle, at some point in our lives, with heartaches from illnesses, broken relationships, injustices, and financial hardship. Let’s be thankful that we serve a risen Lord who understands and helps us through trials.

We don’t have to shrink back when we see tough times headed our way, because we can confidently know that the Lord will see us through. We can face the trials before us knowing that the Lord will walk with us and carry us if He needs too.

Let’s pray today for His strength to get through the trials we have now and the ones we will yet face.

 

November 23

Prayer is the Answer

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

If you don’t know what to do about a problem, prayer is the answer because our God hears and cares. The challenge we face is not the difficulty, but our own unwillingness to ask God to intervene and bring His divine solution to our human problem. Don’t keep rehearsing your problems when you can keep sending them to God in prayer.

The unasked prayer is the one that we can expect to never be answered, but when we pray in faith, believing in God to act according to His will, God responds with the needed answer for ourselves and for His glory.

Let’s pray today that we run to the throne of grace in prayer for answers to our problems.

 

November 24

Praise the Lord

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Every truly good thing that happens to us is a gift from God that deserves our acknowledgement and praise. When a righteous blessing comes our way, whether as an answer to prayer or an unexpected present, let that be a call to give our Lord thanks. As followers of the Lord we ought to be looking for reasons to publicly praise His goodness toward us.

Everything that works out for our good, all things that bless us, and each time we have the mercy of the Lord it is a gift from God. Let us look for God’s goodness in our lives and let us count His blessings one by one so that we have reason to praise the Lord!

Let’s pray today that we may be quicker to acknowledge our God before others in our words.

 

November 25

Believing the Bible

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

If a doubter will pick up the Bible with an intention to listen to its Author speak through it, they will believe. If they merely read without listening they will likely still discredit it, distort it, and disparage it because its truth can only be grasped by one who is willing to cusp its living water and drink. Living by God’s Word is the way we believe in God’s Word.

The Bible is not a religious artifact that is meant for our admiration as it sits upon a shelf. We may think very highly of the Bible but that alone will not transfer any blessing to us. Like nutrients within food, we must take and eat, digest and feed on its content.

Let’s pray today that we and our loved ones will partake and do the things of Scripture.

 

November 26

God Answers Prayer

“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” James 4:2

The sad thing about unanswered prayer is that it is too often unasked prayer. Prayer is God’s chosen means of communication with fallen man and His entrance into our daily lives. He does not force His solutions upon us, but by prayer we allow His answers to solve our problems. He is called our Father in Heaven because He wants to be our provider, sustainer, and the God who answers our prayers.

We serve a living Lord who is in the Heavenly’s as our High Priest forever making intercession for us. Why would we hold back the burdens of our lives when the God who died for our sins lives again to answer our prayers?

Let’s pray today that we may not hold back on daily prayer with our Lord in Heaven.

 

November 27

Life in Christ

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Satan had no authority over Adam and Eve until they allowed him and it is no different with you and I. We may have a human nature with a propensity to sin, but we are not puppets whose strings are held by a devil. We are children of God whose minds and hearts have been born again at the cross of Christ. Temptation is part of our nature but not our life in Christ.

We submit our life to the Lord because He keeps us close by His side and away from the Enemy’s reach. Jesus has already won the victory over the Tempter at the garden, in the palace, and on the cross.

Let’s pray today that we may stop entertaining temptations and start fleeing to the cross of Christ.

 

November 28

Longing for Jesus

“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8

We have been given this time of waiting before our Lord’s return so our hearts may grow stronger toward Him. Our Christian faith is not just an intellectual agreement of spiritually siding with biblical explanation. Our faith is not only a head knowledge, but a heart that unquestionably longs to see our Savior face to face.

There is no greater hope for us in following the Lord Jesus than the Blessed Hope of His soon return. We watch patiently for His appearing and we pray with all our heart in anticipation for that day of deliverance.

Let’s pray today that our hearts may reach out for the day our Jesus returns for us.

 

November 29

Believe the Bible

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” 1 Peter 1:23

A Christian is not one by name only but by a new birth through faith that comes by believing the Bible as truth. You can not believe in Jesus Christ and at the same time disbelieve the Bible. All Scripture is light that shines on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came to earth to save fallen man and is returning to establish His Kingdom.

All Scripture points to the Savior as the Son of God who became the sacrifice for our sin and the redemption of our planet. Every verse is to be understood in the light that shines forth from Calvary cross and His promised return.

Let’s pray today that we may not trust on feelings or opinions but the truth of the Bible.

 

November 30

Growing Deeper

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3

To experience Christ’s grace in our life is to spark a desire to grow even deeper in the things of God. When we realize how much Christ has forgiven us we tend to long to invest more time with Him, we miss time away from fellowship with His people, and we cherish the opportunity to meditate upon the words of Scripture and the unending study of Jesus as our Savior.

There is no mediocre in Christian growth because there is no limit to the transformation of Christ’s grace upon the life of a feeble sinner. We serve the Lord who brought the dead back to life, who healed the leper and lame, how much more will He save you?

Let’s pray today for a longing to grow deeper in the grace of Christ and the things of God.

 


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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.