September 1: John 16 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (verse 33) Jesus said that life will be challenging. We can’t get away from the troubles. But again, when we are close to Christ he offers us a peace that passes understanding. How is Jesus your peace? What does that mean to you?

September 2: John 17 – “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (verse 23) Unity was important with Jesus. As we are unified others will notice that he is who he said he is. The effect that Jesus has on our relationships with one another will be a reflection to others that he is the Savior of the world. Why is unity important? Are you in harmony with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Why or why not?

September 3: John 18 – “’Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” (vv. 5 & 6) Jesus as the Son of God had power and when he was introduced the people were overwhelmed and fell back. I am drawn to that statement that demonstrates Christ’s power over the enemy. If we resist the devil he will flee from us. If we trust Christ he will be strong enough. What does this scene mean to you? How is Jesus your “I Am?”

September 4: John 19 – “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (verse 30) “It is finished” means literally “paid in full.” It is a market term used when the right price had been paid for what you had received. Jesus was the payment for our sins. He completed his mission. How do you respond?

September 5: John 20 – “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (vv. 27 & 28) Thomas believed even though he had doubts. You may have some doubts about certain things in your life. How are you believing Christ in the midst of your doubts? How is your faith these day?

September 6: John 21 – “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (verse 17) Jesus calls Peter to ministry. He gave him a purpose that would make a difference in many lives. You have a purpose too. What has God called you to do? Could it be summarized with these words, “Feed my sheep.”? What does that mean to you?

Our focus will be on the minor prophets for a couple of weeks because they teach us about prayer. They are either praying to God, or hearing from God. They are praying for people, or challenging people to pray to God. The minor prophets challenge people about their connection to the living God. The most certain way that we connect with God is through prayer. Jonah will be our first minor prophet. He avoided God’s call on his life and ended up experiencing separation. You know the story. The Book of Habakkuk is a conversation with God. Habakkuk has a prayer of complaint and the Lord answers him. The dialogue that is presented in this book is a marvelous picture of how honest prayer can be before God and how the Lord is eager to answer our prayers.

September 7: Jonah 1 – What stands out to you in this first chapter? What does God teach you in this chapter? “But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.” (verse 3) Jonah knew that God had a specific job for him, but he didn’t want to do it. How often have you avoided the direction that God has given? Not every assignment the Lord gives us is an easy one. Where does Jonah end up when he runs from the Lord? Why does running never work? What do you learn from Jonah in this chapter?

September 8: Jonah 2 – This short chapter is a prayer. What do you learn from Jonah’s prayer? “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: ‘In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.’” (vv. 1 & 2) God heard Jonah’s prayer. Jonah’s prayer was obviously sincere. His desperation is easily convey and easily perceived. He was gonna die if God didn’t rescue him. What does this prayer teach you about Jonah? What does this prayer teach you about God?

September 9: Jonah 3 – These short chapters are very helpful so that you can spend more time reflecting and meditating on what is shared from God’s Word. What do you take with you from this chapter? How has the Holy Spirit nudged you concerning the message of this story? “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.” (verse 10) God was ready to be merciful. He knew that the people of Nineveh would soften their heart and turn from their wicked ways. Jonah did not know that. Jonah was not ready to minister compassion to these sinful people but God did. What does this chapter teach you about Jonah? What does this teach you about God? Why are you grateful for God’s compassion?

September 10: Jonah 4 – These short chapters are so meaningful because we can spend more time in prayer over the truth of what is presented than having to read many verses. What is God saying to you through this chapter? What might you write down in your journal that would reflect God’s message to you? “But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (verse 11) In this book we see that God spared the sailors when they pleaded for mercy. We also see that God saved Jonah when he prayed from inside the fish. And in this chapter we read that God saved the people of Nineveh when they responded to Jonah’s preaching. God answers the prayers of those who call upon him. God is ready and willing to respond to your sincere prayer. How will you begin to seek God through prayer that you might receive his answers?

September 11: Habakkuk 1 – This is a marvelous book for us to study. You see the incredible honesty of Habakkuk as he boldly asks God many perplexing questions. Listen to God’s answers. His answers are timeless. What stands out to you in chapter 1? “How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” (verse 2) Habakkuk poured out his heart to God. It is so interesting to realize that God delights in such honesty. God gave Habakkuk an answer that was consistent with his long-range plans and purposes. Habakkuk could not understand that completely. What does this say about God’s oversight of everything; that he is in control? What is the difference between Habakkuk’s complaint and the Lord’s answer? What do you learn from the Lord’s answer?

September 12: Habakkuk 2 – The Lord speaks to Habakkuk for most of this chapter. What does the Lord answer? What do you learn from his answers? “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (verse 20) Most of the time we do not have a big enough picture of God. Habakkuk spoke to God as his father but was weak in his understanding of God’s greatness. We are called to approach God reverently and wait silently to hear what he has to say. God is always right. What does this teach you about the Lord? What stands out to you from his message to Habakkuk?

September 13: Habakkuk 3 – The closing prayer of Habakkuk is a powerful one, ending with some of the most significant words of prayer in the Bible. What stands out to you from this prayer? “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. (verse 19) Habakkuk affirmed that even in the times of starvation and loss he would still rejoice in the Lord. Even when nothing makes sense he would still turn to God in hope and trust. God will ultimately give his followers surefooted confidence in difficult times. The Lord is the One who will strengthen you no matter what kind of difficulty or adversity comes your way. What does this chapter teach you about God? What does it mean to be enabled to go to the heights? What does prayer have to do with the message of this book from Habakkuk?

Last week we read from Jonah and Habakkuk of the minor prophets. I would like us to do the same, picking up with Joel and Zephaniah, and one chapter in Psalms. These chapters often call us to return to the Lord. When we coast with our relationship with God we usually go backwards, not forwards. These prophets will challenge us in our walk with God.

September 14: Joel 1 – What stands out to you in this chapter? What verse gets your attention? “Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.” (verse 13) This is a call to the leadership of God’s people. It is also a call to all of those who have a relationship with God. If the people of God do not repent, how can we expect those that do not know him to repent? If we don’t return to him in brokenness and honesty, how could we ever expect the lost to do so? The health of our relationship with God will be a reflection to the world that he is real. Our lives are God’s vehicle to show the world he is. How would you define repentance? What does sackcloth stand for? Have you ever experienced a time of deep sorrow over sin? Why or why not?

September 15: Joel 2 – What stands out to you in this chapter? How is it similar to the previous chapter? What is God saying to you through these words? “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (verse 28) This verse is quoted in the New Testament more than once. In Acts 2 it is seen as a prediction of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came in a powerful way to save and fill God’s people. How active is the Holy Spirit in your life? What would it mean to you to have him fill you in the way that the Spirit is described in these verses? How would that change you?

September 16: Joel 3 – What stands out to you in this closing chapter? What gives you hope? “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias.” (verse 18) This is a picture of a restored land where there will be blessing for all those who call on the name of the Lord. God’s house will be a place of prosperity and blessing. This points to a hopeful time that Jesus will initiate, and it will be culminated when Christ returns for a second time. Why are you sure that God has in mind a hopeful future, both now and forever? Why does the prophet Joel point to a future that is full of God’s blessing? How does that help you?

September 17: Zephaniah 1 – How does this begin in a similar way to the Book of Joel? What stands out to you? “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests.” (verse 4) God had commanded them to rid the land of pagan idols. The Israelites failed to do so and they were lured into worshiping Canaanite gods. The system of the world in that day became their focus. God was angry and jealous for they had turned to the influence of the culture around them. How are you affected by our culture? Does the culture weaken your love for God? What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?

September 18: Zephaniah 2 – What stands out to you? Why?“It will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The LORD their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes.” (verse 7) Even while the prophet is prophesying destruction he speaks to the remnant who are faithful unto the Lord. He will always protect the remnant. There will always be the select few that stay devoted to God. God will be faithful to his promises to all those who are wholeheartedly committed to him. (II Chronicles 16:9) Would you say you are a part of the remnant? What are the spiritual distinctives on those the Bible refers to as the remnant of Judah? How does that make you feel?

September 19: Zephaniah 3 – What words of hope were given? What does this tell you about God? “The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.” (verse 15) We sin when we pursue happiness by cutting ourselves off from fellowship with God. Zephaniah points out that gladness results when we allow God to be with us. We do that by faithfully following him and obeying his principles. There is a marvelous verse that this book ends with: “He will rejoice over you with singing.” (verse 17) What does that verse mean to you? Why is true happiness found in a close relationship with God? What does prayer have to do with that?

September 20: Psalm 51 – What verse stands out to you in this Psalm? What is the powerful message of this Psalm? “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (verse 17) This is one of my favorite Psalms where David is honest about his sin. He realizes that he has sinned against God more than anything else. His sin has hurt other people as well; but in brokenness the Lord will restore; in humility and confession God will forgive. Is there an area of sin in your life that you need to confess? What does it mean to walk humbly with your God? How do humility and prayer go together?

It is time to shift gears to the New Testament and look at the Book of Acts. It has been two years since we read the Book of Acts, so this is the ideal time for us to revisit the marvelous story of the beginning of the church. A theme verse for us is presented in Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” I want you to notice how often prayer is a part of what God does in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is moving in a powerful way and the kingdom of God is advancing. May the Lord use the Book of Acts to inspire us toward what he wants to do in us and through us as his church.

September 21: Acts 1 – What stands out to you? What gets your attention? Why? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (verse 8 ) These words are attributed to Jesus. Jesus had instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations in Matthew 28:19 & 20. He now tells them about the power that they would receive and the result would be effective witnessing to a world that needs Christ. What does it mean to be Christ’s witness? How is the Book of Acts about a witnessing people? How is your witness?

September 22: Acts 2 – What stands out to you from this chapter? What might God be saying to you through it? “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (verse 38) The word repent means to turn from sin, changing the direction of your life as you move toward God. This is essentially receiving forgiveness and salvation in the name of Christ. Baptism then takes it a step further by identifying yourself with a community of believers as a follower of Jesus Christ. We want to be a church where both salvation and the demonstration of salvation through baptism are emphasized to the glory of God. This year we have experienced 28 professions of faith and a similar number of baptisms. Thank God for that. What do you appreciate about salvation? Why is faith in Christ so important in a world where anything goes? How are you sharing that message?

September 23: Acts 3 – What impresses you about this chapter? How might you apply it to your life? “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” (verse 6) I like this message because it shows that there is something more important than money, that is our spiritual well-being. He was healed in his body and made well in his soul. The statement is that he was walking and praising God. Others would see the awesome power of God through his life. There is a statement that I like so much, “We are saved to show his glory.” How grateful are you to be saved? How are you showing that to the world?

September 24: Acts 4 – What verse does God draw to your attention? How might you apply it to your life? “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” (vv. 31 & 32) You notice clearly the importance of prayer in the early church. Peter and John are released and the response is thanksgiving and prayer. The result of their prayer was boldness. The Holy Spirit brings a boldness to our lives that is generous, full of love and reaches out. How are you doing in your boldness? In what way do you need to be more bold?

September 25: Acts 5 – Are you enjoying reading the Book of Acts? Isn’t it marvelous to see how God began his wonderful church that is the hope of the world? “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?’” (verse 3) We are not immune to Satan’s temptations. There is great evidence that Ananias and Sapphira were deceived by the enemy and gave way to their own selfish desires. They wanted to look good on the outside but had a different reality on the inside. What did the early church learn from this very difficult situation? What do you learn from this difficult situation? How do you need to resist the devil and realize that he will flee from you?

September 26: Acts 6 – How does the first problem that we read about in the early church get your attention? What is the answer? What do you take from this chapter for your daily living? “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (vv. 3 & 4) The leaders were to give attention to prayer. Prayer seems to be one of the first things that we give up in a busy world? Prayer was the first thing that they did in the early church. How is your prayer life? What do you pray about and how often? Why is prayer so important?

September 27: Acts 7 – This is the speech of Stephen before he was stoned. What part of the speech gets your attention? What is his message to you? “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (vv. 55 & 56) In the Bible it says that Jesus is seated at the right hand, but it was so cool to read that Jesus stood for Stephen as he was ushered into heaven. Stephen gave the ultimate, his own life, for the sake of the Gospel. How does he inspire you? What does it mean to you to know that Jesus will stand for you as you enter eternity? What inspires/challenges you about Stephen and his witness for Christ?

In these chapters from the Book of Acts we will meet a man named Saul. Saul is the main teacher of Christian theology still today. He was converted on the road to Damascus as a bright light knocked him from his horse and Jesus spoke to him. In these chapters we will learn of his conversion and then see how he was commissioned by the church to go with Barnabas as the first missionaries to share the Word with the Gentiles. This is the Book of Acts in action. The Lord intervening in someone’s life like Paul, him receiving the call to share what he has already received from Christ with a world in need. This is the mission of the church. We have been blessed by God with eternal salvation and he has called us to tell others about this wonderful gift. If we hold it to ourselves, the gift will be ineffective and unfruitful in our lives. May these stories about the expansion of the church inspire you to be an instrument in the hands of God to spread his good news.

September 28: Acts 8 – What stands out to you in this chapter? What do you want to apply to your life? The first words of this chapter introduce us to a man named Saul, who would later be named Paul because of the dramatic change in his life. “And Saul was there, giving approval to his (Stephen) death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” (verse 1) Persecution pushed the Christians beyond Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, thus making Acts 1:8 become a reality. Difficulty and opposition have never slowed the church. God would always bring great results from the believer’s suffering as they persevered. The Lord is seen more clearly in you when you are in a challenging situation verses when everything is going your way. How might God want to use the difficult circumstances you are going through to shine his light? How do you relate to the inevitability of hardship and even opposition? How does God want you to respond?

September 29: Acts 9 – What stands out to you about Saul’s conversion? How does this relate to your own personal conversion? What are the similarities; what are the differences? “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’” (vv. 15 & 16) The title “chosen instrument” stands out to me. It is related to the sense of purpose that God gives us as one of his children. You have a purpose and you have been chosen by God to fulfill that purpose. He will give you the strength and power to persevere and even overcome the suffering that you are called to face. What is your purpose? How do you know you have a purpose? How has God empowered you/helped you to fulfill this purpose?

September 30: Acts 10 – What impresses you about this story? What verse stands out to you? Why? “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (vv. 44 & 45) Cornelius and Peter were very different people. Peter was a Jewish fisherman who shared the good news about Jesus Christ. Cornelius was an outsider, someone who is unlikely to respond; someone of high standing. But Cornelius would have not known the wonder of the Gospel if it wasn’t for Peter. The message I receive from this chapter is to realize that God saves the most unlikely people. They are the ones actually that demonstrate the marvel of God’s grace. What were the obstacles that Peter would face in ministering to Cornelius? Why was Cornelius an unlikely recipient of the Gospel? What does this story teach you?