Fall Devotional 8

Passage: Philippians 4:5-8

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection:

With all that is going on in the world, stress creeps in and steals our joy. Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed and unable to function to our full capacity. Thankfully, Christ knew this would happen to us and has given us an incredible gift. PEACE. When we feel anxiety creep in, we can turn to God and ask for help. He hears us, gives us peace, and guards us in Christ Jesus. Remember that stress does not have power over you. You are made strong and whole in Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does this passage teach us about anxiety?

2. How can you stand strong amidst stressful situations?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?

Fall Devotional 7

Passage: Isaiah 1:16-17

“Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;

cease to do evil,

learn to do good;

seek justice,

correct oppression;

bring justice to the fatherless,

plead the widow’s cause.”

Reflection:

Last week we read about righteousness and one aspect is acting justly. This passage in Isaiah explains what that looks like. It means fighting oppression, caring for the fatherless, and supporting the widow. In our world we have so many children and women in need of support, love, and prayer. Today we are contemplating how we can pursue justice and care for those around us.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does this passage teach us about justice?

2. How can you follow what this passage describes?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?

Fall Devotional 6

Passage: Micah 6:6-8

“With what shall I come before the Lord,

    and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

    with calves a year old?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection:

We have seen in past devotionals a lot of references to righteous people. This passage helps guide us towards abiding in righteousness. Righteousness is less about doing good works and more about loving the Lord. Good works will come as an outflow of your heart. Righteousness, as Micah shares, comes from acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. All three things develop from a heart turned toward Him. To be righteous, you must strive to love God with your whole heart.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does this passage teach us about righteousness?

2. How can you pursue justice, kindness, and humility?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?

Fall Devotional 5

Passage: Psalm 34:17-22

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    He delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 He protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue His servants;
    no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

Reflection:

We will face trials in our lives. Some may present physical danger, some emotional, and some spiritual. No matter the challenges you are facing you can turn to the Lord to find protection and deliverance. He always answers. Sometimes His deliverance may look different than we want or come in a delayed time frame. However, as seen in this Psalm we can trust that when we cry to the Lord, He hears us. When we turn to Him for refuge, He rescues us. Strive for righteousness, pursue a life centered on Jesus, and look to Him in every moment.

Reflection Questions:

1. What trial are you facing that you need to surrender to God?
2. How has He shown His faithfulness to you in hard circumstances?
3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?
4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?

Fall Devotional 4

Passage: Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Reflection:

It is normal to look out and wonder, “what next?” “Where do I go from here?” “Who will help me?” King David expressed those concerns in this Psalm. However, he soon remembered the answers to his heavy questions. His help, protection, and refuge could all be found in the Lord. One specific part that really shows God’s faithfulness is in verse 4 that says, He “will neither slumber nor sleep.” God is with you and never leaves you or wavers. Not even for sleep. While you rest, He fights. He will keep you all your days and love you perfectly.

Reflection Questions: 

1. In what part of your life do you need to look to God for help?

2. How have you seen this Psalm play out in your life?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?

Fall Devotional 3

Passage: Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.

106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

that I will follow your righteous laws.

107 I have suffered much;

preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,

and teach me your laws.

109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,

I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me,

but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;

they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees

to the very end.

Reflection:

God’s Word is true. Perfect, absolute, never-changing truth. This Psalm reminds us that simple, pure refreshment comes from the Word of God. His Word will bring us life and hope. It will sweeten our days and direct our steps. It will bring blessings when obeyed and restore us to the Lord when we falter. When life confuses us and sin comes knocking, turn to the Word of God. It will be your cleansing light. Following God’s Word will be a worthy cause that in the end always brings a great reward.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does this Scripture counter what the world calls “truth”?

2. Is there a step you can take to grow in God’s Word and know His commands better?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow god?

Fall Devotional 2

Passage: Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the Lord is perfect,[a]

    reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

    making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

    rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

    enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,

    enduring forever;

the rules[b] of the Lord are true,

    and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

    even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

    and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.

Reflection:

God’s Word is true. Perfect, absolute, never-changing truth. This Psalm reminds us that simple, pure refreshment comes from the Word of God. His Word will bring us life and hope. It will sweeten our days and direct our steps. It will bring blessings when obeyed and restore us to the Lord when we falter. When life confuses us and sin comes knocking, turn to the Word of God. It will be your cleansing light. Following God’s Word will be a worthy cause that in the end always brings a great reward.

Reflection Questions: 

1. How does this Scripture counter what the world calls “truth”?

2. Is there a step you can take to grow in God’s Word and know His commands better?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?

Fall Devotional 1

Passage: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Reflection:

Every day we face a battle. The enemy seeks to destroy us and make us move far from God. However, we have Jesus on our side, and He has given us a great tool to fight this battle. We are to take every thought captive to Christ. When we feel sinful thoughts start to take over, turn to God in prayer. He will help you and sustain you.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is spiritual war versus physical war?

2. How will you take every thought captive to Christ?

3. What characteristic of God do you see in this passage?

4. What does this teach you about how to follow God?