SCRIPTURE. OBSERVATION. APPLICATION. PRAYER.
Scripture. Observation. Application. Prayer.
September 13th
Scripture - Hebrews 11
Observation - The forerunners lived by faith, trusting in God, the one who made us, who saved us, who has called us to live for him. Some of them never even saw the results of God’s work through them this side of heaven.
Application - What does it look like for you to respond to God with faith? What does it look like for you to respond to God, trusting him with your entire life, not just the good results, but to trust him and live in obedient faith, regardless of the results you get to see this side of heaven?
Prayer - God, help me to live a life of faith, trusting in you with every aspect of my life. I choose to live for you- allowing you into every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
September 12th
Scripture - Hebrews 10
Observation - Hold firmly to the faith- this chapter invites us to cling faithfully to our God, not wavering.
Application - What does it look like for you to respond to what this chapter has to say? What does it look like to be unwavering? Take a few minutes to invite God to give you courage and endurance in your faith.
Prayer - God, thank you for inviting me into a deeper faith in you. Would you give me courage and endurance as I live this life for you? In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
September 11th
Scripture - Hebrews 9
Observation - Only Christ’s blood can truly cleanse us from our sins, only his work on the cross can bring true salvation.
Application - Do you sometimes feel like you need to earn God’s grace and forgiveness? Do you confuse your response of right Living for God as a way to earn his love and salvation? Allow yourself to realize that NOTHING you do can earn forgiveness or salvation. Trust Christ’s work to be our salvation. Live according to his word simply as a response of love towards our savior. He has given his grace so freely to us.
Prayer - God, I know that I am a sinner and have no potential of earning salvation. Instead, I surrender my life and attempts to you- I look to you alone for forgiveness and salvation. Thank you God for making a way for me to be saved. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
September 10th
Scripture - Hebrews 8
Observation - Jesus is our new high priest. He makes it possible for us to be made truly whole through the sacrifice he made for us on the cross. “I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Christ has paid the price for our salvation and is our Savior, our God.
Application - Sometimes we think that through our actions and even through our religious practices that we can save ourselves, or make a ourselves whole. Thankfully, Christ has made it possible for us to be made whole instead. No amount of good works or worship could ever make us whole. Instead, we get to worship him in response to the work that he has done for us.
Prayer - God, thank you for making me whole through the work of your son, Jesus Christ. I put my trust in You, knowing that You have made a way for me to be saved, rather than anything that I could accomplish on my own. Help me to learn to continuously trust you to be my savior, responding with a life of worship because of who you are. In Jesus name, Amen.
September 7th
Scripture - Hebrews 5
Observation - Jesus was called by God to be our High Priest, to stand on behalf of humanity once and for all. God invites us to follow him with maturity, learning what it really means to follow him with complete and total surrender.
Application - What areas of my life is God inviting me to spiritually grow up in? What does it mean for me to take another step in this faith today?
Prayer - God, Would you help me to discover what it means to follow you more completely surrendered to ALL that you call me to. Help me to follow you, able to live the spiritual life of a mature believer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
September 5th
Scripture - Hebrews 3
Observation - Hebrews 3 talks about trusting God til the very end. Not just at the beginning of your faith, but through every season, ‘so that we can enter into his rest’.
Application - It is easy to start things, but usually more challenging to finish strong. God invites us to trust him in all seasons. ‘But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.’ Cling to HOPE in Christ, rather than the distractions, fears, and even hopelessness that this life often offers us.
Prayer - God, Will you help me to Cling to HOPE in you, rather than being distracted by what the world offers me? I want to live a life of TRUSTING and HOPING in you, rather than what life and this world offers. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name, amen.
September 4th
Scripture - Hebrews 2
Observation - Jesus himself understands suffering and testing. In fact, he has made the sacrifice that covers our sins.
Application - When we face challenges, we can look to God, knowing that he stands by us in even the darkest of times. He has endured suffering and testing and will gives us HOPE that we can endure the trials we face.
Prayer - Thank you God for giving me freedom from sin, and HOPE to make it through the trials I face. I will rely on You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
August 30th
Scripture - Acts 25
Observation - Paul was on trial for accusations that the religious leaders of the day had made about him. However, Paul knew and understood the culture and legalities of his day and respectfully requested that the government follow the law.
Application - Sometimes we can get quite defensive for our rights. What if we always decided to engaged the culture and society that God has placed us in with respect, even as we ask for rights to be maintained? Even when false accusations are made towards us, we have the opportunity to be the Light that God has placed us here to be.
Prayer - God, help me to to be a light for you, even in the most challenging of times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
August 27th
Scripture - Acts 22
Observation - Paul had only been in Jerusalem for a few days and already the prophecies about the difficulties he would face we’re coming true. He was seized by the crowd, and the uproar was so great, and the people so inflamed that Paul had to be carried away by Roman soldiers for his own safety. Paul wished to stop and speak to this violent group. Rather than only defending himself, he took this opportunity to share his own conversion story and share the truth of the gospel.
Application - Many times in our lives we find that we are faced with an opportunity to share Jesus with others. How do you feel in those moments? Do you step out boldly in love and faith? Or, do you kind of hang back and blend in, too scared to share Jesus with others? If sharing the gospel is intimidating to you pray and ask God for boldness and to put someone in your life that needs to hear who Jesus is.
Prayer - Jesus, there are times that I've known that I should have shared you with someone but for whatever reason I held back and didn’t say anything. You could be mad and upset with me, but instead you choose to extend your grace and love to me. Give me boldness to share. In your name I pray, Amen.
August 26th
Scripture - Acts 21
Observation - When we read of Paul’s profound awareness of the risks ahead, we might wonder why he presses forward. The signs are posted: Danger ahead! Yet Paul continues on his chosen way. Agabus, a Judean prophet, makes Paul’s future painfully clear. He will be bound hand and foot by the Jews in Jerusalem and given to the Gentiles.
Application - Because Paul stuck with his destination, knowing he was going to die, we today can build from his boldness and courage when we face discouragement, persecution, and even death.
Prayer - Father God, you have my destination planned out. Sometimes it seems scary and unknown. Some days I want to redirect my path and take a different way. But I know that if I don’t have you in it, then I am lost and left to wander alone. Keep me strong on those days. In your name I pray, amen.
August 24th
Scripture - Acts 19
Observation - Seven men were using the name of Jesus like it was some kind of lucky charm. They even threw in Paul’s name for good measure. They did not realize or even know what it meant to speak out the name of Jesus. These seven men did not know Jesus and were not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The demons just looked at these men who were trying to cast them out and said that they did not know who they were. This event caused many to turn to and trust in Christ, realizing that HE has the power to bring freedom.
Application - Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit and called to operate in the name of Jesus. When we speak in Jesus’ name and the power of his shed blood, the demons must obey because Jesus is present! As you continue to invite Jesus into your life, allow Him to be the source of your power and life.
Prayer - Jesus, I thank you for coming and shedding your blood on the cross for me. You give me strength each day to conquer those things that try to bring me down. You are worthy Lord of all my praise and worship. I thank you Savior. In your name I pray, Amen.