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October 1

Spirit of Adoption

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”   Romans 8:15

The spirit of man enslaves with fear but the Spirit of God empowers with an adoption commitment. An adoptee no longer fears being rejected or orphaned once adopted. Likewise, you do not need to fear being abandoned by God because in Jesus you have been adopted by God. Do not fear losing your salvation, because Jesus is your salvation.

In Christ we have a forever family that extends beyond this age and through all eternity. There is no reason to fear rejection or any kind of conditional acceptance when we are part of the family of God.

Let’s pray today in thanksgiving and faith that our God has adopted us and will not orphan us.

 

October 2

Prayer Beyond Words

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”  Romans 8:26

The Spirit of God bridges our prayers with Heaven making our faith known beyond our actual words. Words are limited by our education or experiences but God doesn’t hold those limits against us when we approach Him in prayer. His Spirit communicates our very heart’s desire with clarity when sorrow, grief, or pain prevents utterances.

The Spirit of God knows our sincerity, even if we are unable to voice that into words, and He translates our conviction and beliefs into the incense of prayer that moves the arm of the Omnipotent.

Let’s pray today with the depth of our soul in pleading Christ’s grace for our needs.

 

October 3

Walk with Jesus

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

As a believer in Jesus Christ you will have life stories that will turn out better than you thought possible. When you purpose in your heart to love God and seek to bring glory to Him, there is no circumstance of life that His grace will be unable to work with. The valleys of sorrow can lead to the heights of joy when you walk through it with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Like waking to our old age and realizing that time is gone with all its troubles, we will have a day to praise the Lord for working His glory through circumstances with glorious unexpected outcomes.

Let’s pray today to allow our Lord to mold us and our circumstances to His glory.

 

October 4

It’s God’s Plan

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”  Romans 8:32

Do not error in thinking that God the Father is uninterested in your salvation, because it is His plan. God the Father is the initiator of Jesus’ work of salvation and it’s His will that we are saved. He is not about to forsake you now, He has not lost interest, He has not changed His mind, and He certainly is not going to allow those who trust in His Son to be left behind.

Do not think that the plan of redemption ended with Calvary. The atonement is powerful enough to save. Holy angels are among us, the Holy Spirit is with us, all Heaven is involved in working out our salvation to the Lord’s return.

Let’s pray today that we believe in Jesus even as we are tested by tough times.

 

October 5

No Separation

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

Nothing, not even Satan himself, can separate the Christian from the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ. The weight of wicked one may seem overwhelming to bear. The devil may try his evil best by tempting you, he may assault, accuse, harm, and even kill you, but that will not separate you from the gift of eternal life offered by faith through the grace of Calvary’s cross.

Having moved all Heaven to send the Lamb of God as the sacrifice for man’s sin, just know that our God will not abandon the world now. The Lord Jesus Christ is returning soon and where He is so will we be, forever.

Let’s pray today in assurance of God’s irrevocable and unconditional love.

 

October 6

Faith that Saves

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Romans 10:9

Saving faith goes in your life from hearing the gospel and out to others by confessing the gospel. You can not live as a follower of Jesus Christ by containing any type of private belief no more than one can get legally married and expect to keep it private. It is in confessing Christ as our personal Lord and Savior that we personally partake in a faith that saves.

There can be no denial through conversations or behavior if the Savior is Lord of your life. You can not hide the light from being seen and not be surprised when the lack of oxygen sniffs that hidden light out.

Let’s pray today for opportunities to confess our faith in Jesus before others.

 

October 7

Deserving of Hell

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:13

Man can not be saved by his own character, nor by his devotion to a religion, but only by Jesus Christ. Without confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior we are doomed and deserving of hell. No other name under heaven is capable, qualified, or purposed for redemption from humanity’s eternal separation in hell, but Jesus the Son of God.

We pray in Jesus’ name because we claim His character, not our character, as the righteousness that makes our forgiveness from sins and our eternal salvation even possible. It is only because of Jesus that we escape hell.

Let’s pray today that we may claim the blood of Christ for our sins.

 

October 8

Living God’s Word

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”  Romans 10:17

The message of the saving gospel convicts our sinful hearts to exercise faith in living out God’s word. The testimony of the Bible stands as evidence that Calvary is our only hope of a new life, a new way, and reason to repent and follow Jesus. Like a bride and a groom, we say I do to Jesus and we live that out, through faith, each new day.

Our faith is not built on motivation or on an ability to work up to some level of emotionalism. Instead, our faith is based on the clear written promises of God’s Word, it is dependent on what God says not what we feel.

Let’s pray today that every decision in our life will be one that lives out the teachings of the Bible.

 

October 9

Discerning Truth

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

All you see isn’t real and all you hear isn’t true, which is why all must be checked against the word of God. The Bible gives you the plain reality of the world and it is the standard of everlasting truth. God gave us a brain to discern error and to judge motives, so don’t listen to worldly minded people who have no sense of righteousness.

Keep your mind fixed on the Lord and upon His kingdom so the temptations of this world will lose its appeal to your soul. By beholding what’s good and true the mind will be transformed to follow suit.

Let’s pray today that the Spirit of God may guide us in discerning truth from error.

 

October 10

Prideful Ignorance

“It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” Romans 14:11

Prideful men publicize their ignorance when they openly deny the Bible and reject Jesus as Lord. One day, they’ll change their minds, if they don’t change their belief, when they stand before God in the judgment. It will be a sad day when they realize they’ve resisted too long or waited too long to bow and confess Him as Lord.

Have mercy on those who flaunt what they think is wisdom for without the Lord’s Spirit they are clueless at how absurd their hate for truth sounds. Except for the grace of God and His convicting Spirit, we would be the same.

Let’s pray today for the Spirit of God to breakthrough the hardened heart’s of the lost.

 

October 11

Spirit-Led Life

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” Romans 14:17

Christ-likeness is not achieved in living by religious laws, but by living according to the fruit of the Spirit. A relationship is built by relating, not by enforced adherence to rules. Closeness to our Lord is the result of living a Spirit-led life, by growing in His grace, walking in peace and joy, even in the midst of storms and chaos.

Religious activities and check-lists are not what the Kingdom of God is about. Heaven is not about fitting into a set criteria of do’s and don’ts, but in dying to self and allowing the Spirit of God to live the Kingdom of God within us.

Let’s pray today that we will not put our Old Covenant ways above our New Covenant Spirit-led Kingdom life.

 

October 12

Calvary’s Grace

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

The message of Calvary is scoffed at by those who know they can’t refute its power in a believer’s lives. The transformation that the gospel brings to a sinner seeking forgiveness is too often an affront to those seeking affirmation for their own sinful choices. Seeing changes in another is undeniable evidence that the message of Calvary’s cross is true and its grace is able to save.

If we are free with communicating our praise of the Lord’s mercy and blessings in our lives, those who hunger for Christ will be attracted to our testimony. Those who are uninterested in things of God will turn from us just as they have turned from Christ.

Let’s pray today that our testimony for our Lord will bring conviction that Calvary’s grace is true.

 

October 13

Overcoming Trials

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

My trials are not yours and yours are not mine, but neither of us can be overwhelmed beyond Christ’s overcoming grace. Satan can not and will not single you out with any type of newly devised trial or super temptation that is unmatched by the thoroughness of the Savior’s grace. Whatever circumstances you face, Jesus is always your Way to cope and to escape.

The Lord Jesus Christ is not unfamiliar with the trials and temptations that assail our humanity by the Enemy of our souls. Thankfully, our very Savior has victoriously withstood the same kinds of sins we face and His grace is freely ours.

Let’s pray today for those bearing overwhelming burdens to turn to the Savior.

 

October 14

Salvation in Eden

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

If it weren’t for Adam you wouldn’t have to die, but if it weren’t for Jesus you wouldn’t have life, now and forever. So don’t lament that Adam and Eve sinned, but rejoice that Jesus stepped into human history as our Savior!  When Adam yielded to Satan’s temptation and brought the separation of sin into our world, you and I were not without hope because of Jesus Christ.

The signs of these times are not meant to tell us that things are falling apart, but they are telling us that things are falling into place. Take comfort in knowing that the plan of redemption from the creation of the world is in full forward motion.

Let’s pray today that unbelievers will consider that God planned for their salvation back in Eden.

 

October 15

Glorified Body

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”  1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Enoch walked so close with God that he strolled into Heaven without dying, and some of us may too, soon! When our Lord returns for His church we who have not died will be as Enoch and Elijah and bypass the experience of death. Above ground or not, we who believe will be translated from mortal to immortality and then we’ll have our glorified body.

At the resurrection of the saved our earthly bodies will be left behind as we rise to eternity with our Lord and our saved loved-ones. It’s a mystery until we know what it fully means on the day of that change, but we can look forward to it.

Let’s pray today for those distraught with the difficulties of life in mortal body to look toward the glorious day!

 

October 16

Victory by Christ

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

The greatest enemy we all face is death, but even in that we who die in Christ will victoriously live again. What can possibly defeat the believer who trusts in Jesus Christ? Nothing can have victory over the simple faith of the follower of the Lord Jesus Christ because His victory over all sin, even death, is our victory.

We fall, we fail, we sin, but the victory that saves us is not by us, it’s by Christ. When we know that our righteousness is unacceptable but the righteousness of our Savior is a free gift of faith, it’s easier to rise from our failures for forgiveness.

Let’s pray today for those who are discouraged by their own shortcomings that they will find hope in Christ’s victories.

 

October 17

Trials No More

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

There is no comparing our earthly trials with the heavenly reward awaiting those who long for Christ’s return. The burden of affliction is not easy for you, but it will not last forever. The scars of sorrow may weigh heavy on your heart, but it will soon be forgotten. Jesus is coming for His church, for you who believe, and until then you can find comfort in longing for the glories of Heaven.

Sometimes it is good to pause and remind ourselves that our trials are only temporary and they can not subdue us forever. Each day we age, and each day we are drawing closer to the time when Jesus returns and trials will be no more.

Let’s pray today for those struggling with trials, that they may find comfort in their coming Lord.

 

October 18

Rewards for Believers

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

Believers will stand before Christ for the rewards that He will graciously give according to the life lived for Him. This is the promised crowns, the promised recognition, the moment when you and I are thankful for standing firm for the name of Jesus and the rejection of self for the glory of God’s Kingdom. We live today in the constant light of our future rewards.

It is easier to be faithful to God and to stand firm for the truths of Scripture in opposition, threats, and persecution when we keep in mind that we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Let’s pray today that we may be faithful giving honor and glory to our Lord in all we say and do.

 

October 19

Changed Lives

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Every follower of Christ has a “before” and “after” picture of their character, and that is a continual growing gap. Christianity is a born again experience that transforms our attitudes, interests, and behaviors. There is an exchange of our human spirit with His Holy Spirit as we feed on the Word and grow in Christlikeness, sometimes slowly but always certainly.

Progress in the Christian life is not measured by the frequency of time spent on church pews but by the changes in our life, like being slower to express offensive language and being quicker to pray.

Let’s pray today that those who claim to be Christians will also live a changed life in Christ.

 

October 20

Sufficient Grace

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

The power of the gospel is experienced through Christ’s grace when we are weakest, not when we are strongest. It’s OK to not be OK. We are not divine angelic beings but we are fallen humans in need of a Savior. The church is where we can be authentic with our confession, but too many have an appearance of holiness without the power of grace and in that we reject Christ by pretending we have no need of His forgiveness.

Religion calls us to adopt a form of godliness acceptable to the church we attend, but the gospel calls us to follow the Savior because we have been adopted into His family, His righteousness, and His grace.

Let’s pray today that we who have made the choice to follow Jesus will continue to welcome His glorious grace.

 

October 21

Justified by Grace

“Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’” Galatians 3:11

Biblical faith is so simple that some people complicate Christ’s grace with religious activity. If we walk by sight, seeing our own compliance to works, then we selfishly deny Christ’s grace by not exercising faith in God’s ability to save us from our sin. When we walk by faith, we may fall, but by His grace we are encouraged to keep walking forward trusting in Christ’s control of our lives not ours.

God does not acknowledge our ceremonial compliments through prayers and deeds that lack actual living faith. It is by trusting in the atonement of Jesus that we give up our attainments by works.

Let’s pray today for those who find it hard to trust in Christ’s grace and relinquish control to Him.

 

October 22

Character of Christ

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

There is a harvest to reap from your biblical faith and it is the fruit of His Spirit, not the wages of your works. When we are led by God’s Spirit, because we are feeding on God’s Word, we will produce God’s fruit. Like a tree whose fruit is easily seen and readily available to those near, so is our Christian character exposed to others for the purpose of refreshing.

Investing in our own religious works for character growth leaves us short of the prize and un-lasting. However, when we invest in learning from the Lord by keeping our focus on Him, we become changed into His character.

Let’s pray today that we may be so led by God’s Spirit that others will see the character of Christ when around us.

 

October 23

Reaping God’s Rewards

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Eternal rewards come from God so doing the right thing in His eyes, not for man’s approval, is our motivation. It’s easy to think no one notices or no one cares, but it is the very persistence of commitment to biblical faith that witnesses to the glory of God. So don’t let discouragement stop you. Know that your faithfulness in righteousness will be rewarded.

Keep in mind that doing good is laying up for yourselves treasure in Heaven. Our time on earth is fleeting, but it is easier to do what is right and what is best for others when you know that time is short.

Let’s pray today for those who are weary in doing good to stay faithful to God in these trying times.

 

October 24

Sealing of His Spirit

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14

The Holy Spirit seals the freshness of our assurance of salvation in and keeps the contamination of doubt out. Do not fear the loss of your salvation. Keep believing in Calvary, keep walking in the Word, and keep living the sealed life of the Spirit. The sealing of the Spirit is a picture of how we live the sanctified life in the full security of His protection of salvation.

The indwelling Holy Spirit transforms our character, strengthens our faith, and seals our inheritance of eternal life in Heaven. It marks us as a child of God and a citizen of the returning King Jesus.

Let’s pray today for those who doubt their salvation and who need the convicted power of eternal assurance.

 

October 25

Grace at Calvary

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation is not a paycheck, a contract, a dividend, a reward for anything you’ve done – it’s the free grace of Calvary. Grace is a new birth through faith, not by returning to the womb, but because Christ Jesus left the tomb. We are forgiven by His grace and we are saved by faith, and we accept that just as we receive a gift from a friend, a name from our family, life from our father, and birthing from our mother.

The praise we offer and the testimony we share is about what the Lord has done for us and despite us. We glorify Him because He has given grace to us.

Let’s pray today that we may all accept the grace of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

October 26

Christian Maturity

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

In our Christian maturity it’s easier to recognize a younger version of ourselves in others, and extend mercy to them. Non-believers tend to be very critical of others who possess the same unlikeable character traits, as if they can abolish from other’s what they can’t in themselves. As followers of the Lord we want to grow closer to Him in His likeness.

We search our motives, actions, and reactions to life around us but one we sin we should be quick to seek forgiveness. As forgiven believers we have every reason to be grateful for our Lord’s mercy and quick to extend that to others.

Let’s pray today that we may extend grace and kindness to others just as Christ has and does for us.

 

October 27

Strong in Christ

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

Don’t evaluate your spiritual stamina before deciding to follow Jesus because you’re weak, but He is strong for you. You are a fallen sinful human being and your success in following Jesus Christ is not up to your strength but His. You claim His strength through faith, and when you take your eyes off Him and sink, you claim His redemption and refocus again on His strength, not yours.

Spiritual strength is spiritual. Your fuel is simply fixing your eyes on Jesus through frequent prayer, reading and meditating on Scripture, and encouraging one another in their journey of staying strong in Christ.

Let’s pray today for the Holy Spirit to help us to find our strength in Him alone.

 

October 28

Fight in Prayer

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Satan makes war against truth by duping the biblical ignorant into advocating for his evil causes. One day they will bow their knee to Jesus Christ and will realize they have recklessly yielded there voice against the righteousness of God’s Kingdom and His saints. Until then, we stand on the God’s Word, we stand for truth in God’s armor, and we fight in prayer.

We do not fight evil with evil or try to scheme against those who hate us in order to hurt them first. We go to prayer for our own protection and ask the Spirit of God to convict their hardened heart and confound their wicked plans.

Let’s pray today that we may fight the battles before us in the unseen realm through prayer.

 

October 29

Fulfilling His Salvation

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Once the Spirit of God begins cleaning your heart, don’t stop Him and think that you can finish the task. Let the Holy Spirit continually work in you, fulfilling His salvation, and He will work even up until the day that Jesus catches you up and out of this world. You did not start your conversion so why do you think you must finish your conversion?

God has promised that He will finish what He has started. Put another way, God has promised that He will not abandon you along the journey of your Christian faith but will lead you through to immortal life in Heaven.

Let’s pray today that all who claim Christ will trust in Him to complete God’s work of salvation in their life.

 

October 30

Eternal Citizenship

“Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”  Philippians 3:19-20

This world is not our home, which is precisely why our hearts are troubled by the decline of our times. We should stand for truth in society and voice our opposition to sin, but our hope is in the return of our Redeemer. Our faith in Christ gives us an eternal perspective, so we hold things here loosely and hold things of eternity firmly.

We should be supportive citizens of our earthly nations and guide them as we can to righteous paths, but ultimately our hope is in our eternal Kingdom where we are already recognized as forever citizens.

Let’s pray today that we may  keep an eternal perspective in our temporary world.

 

October 31

Peace in Jesus

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Peace in a trial is not explainable, but it is experienced when your heart and mind is set on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God directs our paths, and sometimes that leads to decisions that don’t make sense to an observer, but to us who trust in Jesus there is a confident calmness in obeying God.

Sadness may haunt us, grief may bury our laughter, pain may steal our smile, but in Jesus we have peace. We can not explain the peace of Jesus to others, but we know it deep within so we are not frazzled by sorrow that comes from without.

Let’s pray today that those in trials of life may turn their eyes on Jesus and find peace in Him.

 


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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.