Daily Devotional – November 6-12
November 6 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Romans 5:1-5, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Prayer: “Father, thank You for putting Your plan into action so that I might be made right with You by trusting in Jesus’ gracious act. As a result, I am at peace with You through Jesus. I have gained full access by faith into Your grace in which I joyfully stand. I’m glad to tell others of the hope I’ve found in Your great glory, the salvation story. I can also find glory in my sufferings because they produce deeper character and hope within. This hope won’t ever disappoint because I’m confident that Your love has been generously poured into my heart through Your Spirit which You have given to every believer. Thank You for this incredible wealth! Amen.”
November 7 – Meditating on God’s Word
Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“Therefore, since we’ve been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
Paul had previously discussed the need for all people to be redeemed, and the provision has been made through Jesus Christ. Our response is faith. We’re to trust that God’s plan to make us right with Him through Jesus is the way of life. As soon as we fully and honestly believe this to be true, we have peace with God. This is important because we were once enemies of God by the nature of sin that separates us from His perfect purity. However, now that we’re right with God, we’re at peace. There’s no more separation. No more condemnation. No more fear.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
By faith in Jesus Christ, I stand peacefully in the presence of God.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Father, thank You for the gift of peace that causes me to be free from fear. My status has changed with You. I’m Your child. I’m Your friend. I’m Yours! Praise be to Your name. Amen.”
November 8 – Meditating on God’s Word
Romans 5:2, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Write out the Scripture.
“through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
Observe what it is saying.
From yesterday’s Scripture, we know Jesus is the one through whom we have the full access pass into the concert of God’s grace. We stand by faith. We walk by faith. We speak by faith and joyfully tell of the hope we have in God’s magnificent glory that is presented to us in the free gift that makes us right and at peace with God. This is the good news of the gospel!
Relate it to your life.
If I really believe this, then I can’t but help tell others the wonderful news!
Do something.
“Father, I’m overwhelmed with your generosity. I believe! I’m putting all my trust in You. Amen.”
November 9 – Meditating on God’s Word
Romans 5:3, Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Write out the Scripture.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;”
Observe what it is saying.
Paul had just said that we boast in the hope of God’s glory. He continues that thought and adds that we can also glory in our sufferings. Because we have real hope in God’s glory, then it’s possible to rejoice in the midst of our sufferings because there’s more to come. Paul had such a deep and rich understanding of Christian faith that he understands God uses suffering for the development of a persevering spirit.
Relate it to your life.
If I hope in God’s glory then I can trust God uses my suffering to do something good within me.
Do something.
“Father, I trust You to work for good in the midst of the most difficult situations in my life. Amen.”
November 10 – Meditating on God’s Word
Romans 5:4, perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Write out the Scripture.
“perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Observe what it is saying.
This continues yesterday’s thought that we can glory in our sufferings because we know suffering produces perseverance. When perseverance is faithfully lived out, then we can expect that our character will show positive results of growth and development. This circles back around to hope. It began with having hope in the glory of God and that hope only deepens as we discover the faithfulness of God in the midst of our suffering.
Relate it to your life.
God is faithful to bring my faith to full bloom if I stick with Him through the most difficult times.
Do something.
“Father, I refuse to stop believing and following You in the darkest days of my life. Amen.”
November 11 – Meditating on God’s Word
Romans 5:5, And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Write out the Scripture.
“And hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Observe what it is saying.
Hope has been described as the oxygen of the soul. Without hope, we lose our spiritual breath.
However, we’ve already discovered that we are to boast in the hope of God’s glory and in God’s work through our suffering which leads to greater hope. And now we find this hope is fueled by God’s love that’s lavishly poured into our lives through the Holy Spirit’s presence. One of the great gifts of being made right with God is this everlasting hope that keeps us breathing and going forward with confidence because we’re walking in the power of Christ’s love.
Relate it to your life.
Christian hope keeps me breathing and moving in the midst of all life’s great challenges.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for filling me full of hope that keeps me strong as I face the future. Amen.”