Daily Devotion, November 30, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Jude 1:2 (NRSVUE).

With nine simple words, Jude is praying for the best gifts for the recipients of his letter: “Mercy, peace and love in abundance.” 

Jude’s letter concludes with a doxology unto God which attributes the gift of salvation completely to God through Jesus Christ. 

In God’s gift to us in Christ, we are truly given “Mercy, Peace and Love in abundance.” Dr. Duane F. Watson writes in The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, “Mercy and Peace were part of the Jewish blessing, and in the context of Jude their use connotes mercy in Christ and peace with God through Christ.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

God’s mercy is demonstrated in compassion to restore us from our transgressions and to make us whole again. God has made this possible through God’s gift to us in Christ Jesus.

God’s peace, so often referred to in scripture as being different than the kind of peace the world offers, is also a gift to us in Christ Jesus. God’s peace is the reality of God’s presence with us, Immanuel means “God is with us” to carry us through the storms of life.

God’s love is also different than the world’s definition of love. God’s love is sacrificial, unconditional and eternal. Romans 8: 38-39 reminds us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

Why is Jude praying for these gifts for the recipients of the letter? Jude is calling the recipients of this letter to remain faithful in the love of God through their words and actions. Jude knows they are going through difficult times and will need these abundant gifts from God to carry them through to stronger days.

Personal Worship Option:

In this season of Advent, we can rely on God to be forever faithful in offering the gifts of “mercy, peace and love in abundance.” Let us follow in Jude’s example and let this be our prayer for others, too.

Daily Devotion, November 29, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 4:7.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6 not to worry but to pray about everything. The peace of God described in today’s reading is one of the many blessings God promises his people who pray.

If we will present our requests to God, with thanksgiving, then we will experience God's peace that transcends our ability to comprehend it. That is not something we can produce by our own efforts.

Paul is describing the peace that comes from God and that guards troubled hearts. The word translated as “guard” here is a strong military term. It refers to the close supervision a Roman soldier would have over someone entrusted to his care. In fact, in Paul’s day prisoners were often chained to the Roman guards assigned to watch over them. Imagine feeling God’s protection and peace in such a personal way.

Are you filled with worry and anxiety? God wants you to tell him your needs and thank him for all he’s done for you. Then he’ll fill you with peace that goes beyond your understanding.

Personal Worship Option:

So, what are your top worries today? Start there. In those situations, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

Daily Devotion, November 28, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 2:14.

This second week of Advent, our readings will focus on peace. This is the kind of peace that goes beyond the absence of fighting and violence and includes fulfillment. Paul wrote today’s verse to the churches in Ephesus as part of his efforts to bring about reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile Christians in those churches. Can you imagine what divisions their differences would have prompted? Jewish Christians likely continued to eat kosher and follow all the practices of their Jewish heritage. They treasured the Hebrew Scriptures that we know as the Old Testament. Their Gentile sisters and brothers followed none of the food laws and other Jewish practices and were having to be taught about the Old Testament as God’s written Word. The one thing that could bring them together in peace was Jesus Christ, in whom all of them believed and in whom all of them had faith.

There is so much in our churches today that can separate us and even divide us into little groups. Contemporary culture teaches us to emphasize our differences and to go after the “others” in order to prove that we are right, and they are not. Jesus Christ is still the one that can bring us together and enable us to get past our differences that can divide us.

Personal Worship Option:

Think about any differences you see among people in our church. Do you tend to align with one “side” or the other? Now, think about how the love of Jesus Christ and his teachings can help us to celebrate our differences but never let them divide us. No “sides!”

Daily Devotion, November 27, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Isaiah 40:31.

Isaiah 40 is a turning point in the message of this prophet. In the first 39 chapters, the prophet had been warning the people of the coming judgment from God. Then the Babylonians swooped into Jerusalem, tore down the temple and carried many of the people away to exile. The role of the prophet totally changed at that point. Now the Lord inspires him to offer a message of encouragement: “Comfort, comfort my people…” are the opening words of this chapter. Through the chapter, he acknowledges the reality of what the people are dealing with, but then ends it with a word of hope: (vs. 30) “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…” 

The key phrase is “...but those who hope in the Lord…” It begs the question for each of us, “Where do I put my hope?” To place our ultimate hope anywhere else besides God takes us down a path of destruction and despair. We may find temporary hope in the things and ways of this world but know that they are only temporary.

 

Notice also (they) “...will renew their strength.” We all encounter times when we are weakened; we are not at our best. We go through trials and struggles of various kinds. That phrase acknowledges those times, but also assures those who place their hope in God that time for being renewed will come. We will be given new strength, new life.

Just like yesterday, it was a message originally intended for people thousands of years ago. But it is still God’s message for you today.

Personal Worship Option:

We begin the Season of Advent today! Join us for worship as we move through this time of preparing for the coming of the Lord, both historically and personally. We begin by proclaiming this message of good news: “The light of hope shines through the darkness.”

Daily Devotion, November 26, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Jeremiah 29:11.

It is a message first written for God’s people around 2,600 years ago. The Lord inspired the prophet Jeremiah to write a letter to the people of Judah who had been defeated by the Babylonians and carried off to exile in their land. “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce…” the message from God begins (in verse 4). The Lord wanted them to know that this time of exile would end after seventy years, and they would return to Jerusalem. Our focus verse today comes in the midst of this message of encouragement.  

But the message is also one that speaks to God’s people today, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves. It is especially meaningful to those who are struggling in any way. Be assured that God has “plans to give you hope and a future.” When we are going through tough times, it makes all the difference in the world to know that our future will not always be like that. That assurance fills us with one of the most powerful forces in the universe: hope. Be assured today that it is God’s desire to give you hope.

Personal Worship Option:

Where do you see signs of hope in the world around you? How might you offer the hope of God to others? Offer a prayer seeking eyes to see God’s hope and understanding of how to offer it.

Daily Devotion, November 25, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 130.

This Psalm speaks to an assurance of forgiveness from God, focusing on verse 5: “...in his word I put my hope.” The “word” reminds us of both the written words of the Scriptures, but most fully of the living Word who is Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus offers us forgiveness, unfailing love, and redemption. It is in him that we find our hope.

Troubles may come our way and we can be stressed and upset, or we can put our trust and hope in God. Your best thoughts are God-thoughts. Max Lucado said it best: “Pain does not plague God. The economy doesn't faze him. The weather does not disturb him. Elections do not define him. Death cannot claim him. “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Our challenge is to stop allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed and discouraged but to immerse ourselves in the hope of God.

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer for today: Dear LORD, it’s impossible to understand what it meant for you to take on human flesh and live as a man. However, I believe in you. Help me to put my hope in you regardless of circumstances. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Daily Devotion, November 24, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Ephesians 1:15-18.

What a blessing on Thanksgiving to read this prayer of the apostle Paul! He asks that God will open the eyes of our hearts. If our hearts are open, we will listen to God more, be more open to living out his desire for us and know the hope of all that God promises to us. With our hearts open to the wonder of all that God has done, we are able to give thanks for all of our blessings and strive to live faithfully for Him.

A couple of weeks ago at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, our previous Holston Conference Bishop Taylor spoke about having a wise heart. She said a wise heart has faith, hope, and love. With a wise heart we have gratitude and thanksgiving for all that is given to us through the love of Christ.

Thanksgiving is a good day to have hearts open and to be thankful for all that our Lord has done, all that he can do in our lives, and all that we can look forward to in hope. Hope is the catalyst for all things to come. As we approach the season of Advent, let us give thanks and have open and wise hearts. Happy Thanksgiving!

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, teach us to offer you a heart of thanksgiving, praise, and hope in all of our daily experiences of life. Teach us to be generous to others, to be steadfast in our prayer life, and to give thanks in all of our circumstances. Amen

Daily Devotion, November 23, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 15:12-13.

Romans 15:13 in The Message says, “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”

Prior to this verse, the Apostle Paul is quoting from Isaiah 11:10. Jesse was the father of David, Israel's greatest king. God’s promised Messiah, Jesus, who descended from the line of David, would be the one spoken of by Isaiah, of the Root of Jesse.

In The Message, Eugene Peterson selected words in verse 13, “May the God of green hope” to correlate with the image from Isaiah’s writings of Jesse’s family tree. “The God of green hope” is a wonderful description of “HOPE!” 

Friends who have studied and understand trees, plants, and flowers have encouraged me during the darkness of the autumn and winter seasons. They have said, “Even though everything looks as if it is ‘dead’, there is a lot going on within the trees, plants and bulbs which will bring new life in the springtime! Even in the darkness, God is at work, giving new life!”

The new Christians in Rome, from both the Jewish and Gentile traditions were discouraged. There was fear of persecution from the Roman Empire. And within the congregations, there were divisions as each group brought their own traditions and cultures into their new understanding in the ways of following in Christ’s footsteps.

It is important to read Romans 15:1-3 to understand Paul’s purpose in his writings in this part of his letter. Paul is helping these new Christians to understand that they are not to live for themselves only, but to be an encouragement to others. The NIV says, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” And Paul adds that the scriptures were written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope.

Sometimes we can be discouraged too, but perhaps we need to look beyond ourselves and see if there is a neighbor who needs encouragement and hope, particularly in this season.

Personal Worship Option:

“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” ….so that you have hope to share!

Daily Devotion, November 22, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 71:5-14.

In this passage it seems that the psalmist is in his old age and sees his life as a testimony of all God has done for him. He finds himself approaching the last lap of his journey in the service of God, he has run a good race, he has kept the faith, and he pleads with God for strength to finish well.

We learn he has been a faithful follower since childhood and knows that his hope has always been in God. He praises God and calls him his strength and protection. And then the psalmist gives detail of the threatening circumstances of his old age. We learn his strength is failing, his enemies are whispering against him, and there are plots to kill him.

Yet he vows to keep on hoping for God’s help and vows to praise him more and more. What a testimony of faith and hope even in difficult circumstances! As I grow older, it is my desire to be a person who continually praises the Lord for who he is and what he has done in my life and through my life.

With all the despair in the world around us, we can find hope in the God who will never abandon us.

Personal Worship Option:

The lyrics to the song “The Goodness of God” expresses the attitude of the Psalmist and are a good reminder to respond to God’s faithfulness with our praise.

And all my life you have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

Daily Devotion, November 21, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 33:18-22.

We begin the Advent season this week, focusing on hope. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines hope as “to want something to happen or be true, and usually have a good reason to think that it might.” I looked at the definition of hope in a number of sources, and I like this one best! Psalm 33 is a song of joy, reminding us that all we have in life comes from God, who is all-powerful. If we pause and think about our contemporary culture, this teaching goes against the grain. We like to think that we earn all that we have by our ingenuity, resourcefulness, and hard work. The psalmist shakes us with the teaching that this is simply not true. In verses 16 and 17, we are reminded that earthly political and military power fall short in the end. Only God can save us!

Therefore, it is in God that we are to put our trust and our hope. God’s love is sure and unfailing. If our hope means wanting something good to happen or be true and having good reason to think it might, there is no better center for our hope than God. When we trust in God, we have help (strength, gifts, and resources) and the perfect shield (protector and defender). Do not despair; put your hope in God.

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect today on the power of hope. Without hope, we give up, we give in, and draw into ourselves. In what things other than God do you sometimes put your hope? These things are not all bad, but none of them should ever compete or replace our trust and hope in God.

Daily Devotion, November 20, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Corinthians 9:11-12.

There was a terrible famine in Palestine, and Christians in the first church in Jerusalem were being persecuted for their faith. Paul was taking up an offering in his new churches in Asia Minor and Greece to help Christians back in Jerusalem, and here he asked the Corinthians to give generously to that cause. In doing so, he reminded them that their generosity will cause others to thank, not them, but God.

When the offering is taken in churches in South Sudan, someone typically stands up front, holding a basket; and worshipers come forward, dropping their money into the basket. During the time of harvest, it is not unusual to see a woman or two come forward carrying a basket of corn or other vegetables on their heads and place it at the pastor’s feet. Pastors work and grow their own food, so that afternoon the pastor will take the vegetables to a widow or a family in need. The recipients will likely never know the name of the donors but will simply give thanks to God. That practice so underscores to me how our thankfulness can lead to generosity, and how our generosity can lead to someone else giving thanks, not to us, but to God.

Personal Worship Option:

As you reflect today on your blessings, think about what you might give to someone or help someone in a way that they give thanks to God. The church can help you with that. Come join us in worship today!

Daily Devotion, November 19, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Colossians 3:15-17.

Sometimes we see a passage like this lived out before us, and it makes it come to life. Many of you will remember Bob and Jessie Barringer, charter members of Christ Church and a delightful couple. Bob was terminally ill, and I received a call from Jessie that he would like to talk with me. Knowing that Bob was nearing the end of his life, I was surprised to arrive at their home and find the two of them laughing and chatting like always. Jessie would say, “Bob, tell him about…” and Bob’s eyes would twinkle as he shared good stories, like learning to fly and then flying a friend’s plane under the Walnut Street and Market Street bridges. When he finally began to tire, Jessie noticed and excused herself to let Bob and me talk privately.

Bob looked at me and said, “I don’t really have much to talk about, but I do have so much to be thankful for! I have enjoyed a wonderful life, I have the best family, and we love our church. I love a God who loves me and extends grace to me. I have no regrets, and I am at peace.” That attitude of thankfulness is the secret to a happy life, in this one and the next!

Personal Worship Option:

Thanksgiving Day is coming, and it is a huge reminder to us to pause and reflect on our blessings. I invite you to do that now and close your devotional time today giving thanks to God.

Daily Devotion, November 18, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Paul encourages us to give thanks “in all circumstances.” It is easy to give thanks when things are going well, but how do we give thanks in difficult times? God does not expect us to be grateful for difficult things, but to be thankful for God’s presence and the good that God will bring regardless of circumstances. An attitude of gratitude can change perspective on any situation. Which leads us to depend on the One who gives us strength, grace, and endurance.

Personal Worship Option:

Prayer for today: Dear Father, I sit here in awe of all that I should thank you for. You are so much bigger and greater than I could ever understand. Give me reminders to be grateful today. Don't allow me to miss the small - or - big blessings around me. Fill my heart with gratitude. Thank you for loving me and for your gift of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, November 17, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 4:4-7.

The apostle Paul tells us to pray with thankfulness and gratitude rejoicing in the Lord always. But isn’t it hard to give thanks when things are not going well for us? How can you rejoice and be grateful when someone has betrayed you, you have lost a loved one, or financially you are struggling? How can you give thanks when you have been diagnosed with a terminal disease?

Does Paul not know what life is all about? Of course, Paul knows, as he was writing this from a prison in the Roman Empire. Paul had learned from personal experience that joy in the Lord does not depend on having things go our way or having everything we want. It means we really need to trust the Lord. Paul doesn’t tell us to be thankful for tragedies that come our way. He doesn’t tell us to be grateful over the fact that someone we love is gone. He wants us to rejoice in the Lord and believe in God’s love. Paul wants us to rejoice in the God who never changes, who forgives, and who never turns his back on us. The more we pray and stay near to God, the more we will be able to rejoice in him, thank him for all our blessings, and show gratitude for His unending love.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, sometimes it seems almost impossible for us to show gratitude. Help us to understand that only in and through your Holy Spirit can we possibly rejoice and be grateful. Amen.

Daily Devotion, November 16, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Daniel 2:23.

It’s just one verse, but it gives us a glimpse into quite the story of God’s abiding care and Daniel’s abiding faith. Even as an exile in a foreign land, with his life in danger, Daniel gives thanks to God, recognizing that God has answered the prayers from him and his friends.

Living with fear can be an overwhelming experience in anyone’s life. As an exile in a in foreign land, Daniel, no doubt lived with great fear. Even though Daniel had been chosen for the King’s service for his gifts of wisdom and understanding, he knew his life was always in danger.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream. He asks his astrologers to tell him what the dream was and to interpret it. They declare that no one can do that. This made the king so angry that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. At this point, this includes Daniel and his three friends.

Daniel went to his three friends to pray with him that God would have mercy to reveal the mystery of the dream so that Daniel, his friends and all the wise men of Babylon would not be executed. God was faithful and revealed the mystery to Daniel in a vision.

This verse 23 is the concluding part of Daniel’s prayer of praise and thanksgiving for God’s power and faithfulness. Throughout Daniel’s life, he remains faithful through prayer and actions unto God, even when it places his life in danger. When he interprets the dream for the king, the king wants to give credit to Daniel. Daniel gives the credit completely unto God.

Let us allow Daniel’s prayer to inspire us. Even in times when we are afraid, we can remain faithful in praise and thanksgiving unto God. Daniel’s prayer reminds us that God holds all wisdom and power, listens to our prayers and is our refuge and strength.

Personal Worship Option:

Daniel lived a life of thanksgiving with words and with actions. Daniel remained faithful in worshiping and praying unto God even when King Nebuchadnezzar wanted him to worship the golden statue and even when King Darius made the decree that all should worship the king only. How can we remain faithful in thanksgiving unto God with both words and actions?

Daily Devotion, November 15, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 9:1.

Being thankful is a function of our attitude. It’s a choice about how we see life, either through a lens of gratitude or a lens of ingratitude. As we face the circumstances that each day brings, we choose which lens to put on. Wearing Gratitude Glasses makes a big difference in everything we experience.

There will be times when it’s easy to be thankful and pick up those Gratitude Glasses. When our health is good, our relationships are thriving, our finances are strong, and life is good, it’s easy to be thankful. In this Psalm David is in a good season of life and wants to praise God for his wonderful deeds that proclaims in the rest of the chapter.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

It’s good to thank God when we are enjoying our good seasons of life, but are we quick to thank God when we face discouragement and disappointment? Being thankful provides strength to make it through the difficult seasons of life. There are times when our hopes are dashed, people disappoint us, a bad health report arrives, or our body betrays us. There are times when a loved one becomes ill or dies, we are overwhelmed with financial obligations, or we feel we’ve lost our purpose in life. How can we be thankful in the hard times of life?

First, we can thank God for his promise never to leave or forsake us, even in the hard times. Next we can recall the times in the past when God saw us through. Then we can do as the old hymn says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one…. count your many blessings see what God has done.” Counting blessings reminds us to focus on the good we have in our lives.

Being thankful is a discipline, not an emotion. Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. We choose to be grateful even when our emotions and feelings are filled with hurt, sadness, or frustration. The choice of gratitude takes real effort. Instead of focusing on heartache, we focus on blessings. Instead of focusing on illness, we focus on blessings. Instead of focusing on disappointment, we focus on blessings. We can get up each morning and grab our imaginary Gratitude Glasses before we even get out of bed. With each action we take throughout the day, we can find something to be grateful for: clean, safe water, clothes for the day, a roof over our heads, transportation, on and on we can go.

Like David in Psalm 9:1-2, we can give thanks to the Lord wholeheartedly and tell others of all God has done for us. We can be glad, delight in God, and sing the Lord’s praises. Christian writer William Arthur Ward said, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” Being thankful is our choice.

Personal Worship Option:

Choose gratitude today by completing the following statement: Instead of focusing on ______________________, I will focus on these blessings: _____________________.

Dear God, thank you for not only your countless blessings, but also for the challenges that draw me near to you. I give my circumstances to you and trust you to see me through. Thank you for giving me strength to wait out the storms of life. I will choose to live a life of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Daily Devotion, November 14, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 100.

This familiar psalm calls us to worship with joy and singing and to live in a spirit of thankfulness to God. What would it take for you to live in a “spirit of thankfulness” each day? May I suggest that one helpful way to make that happen is to begin each day with a prayer that includes giving thanks to God. Thank God for waking you up that day, for the gift of life. Thank God for what you experienced the day before. Give thanks for the opportunities that will come your way this day. Thank God for family and friends. Give thanks most of all for the gift of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made to provide a personal relationship with God for each and every person. 

 

Then consider how you can continue that “spirit of thankfulness” throughout the rest of your day. Maybe you could place reminders to yourself around where you live, in your car, at your workplace or on your phone. How will you go about developing, or deepening, a “spirit of thankfulness”?

Personal Worship Option:

Offer your own prayer of thankfulness right now. Include a request for God’s guidance on how you can more fully represent this Spirit or gratitude.

Daily Devotion, November 13, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 7:24-27.

In basketball, as well as other team sports, it is vital to follow the instructions of the coach. That is also true as we follow Jesus and learn to live his way. In the sermon today, I will finish up this sermon series on “The Way of Jesus: Sports Edition” with a focus on basketball. The key lesson really does apply to all team sports: if everyone on the team does not follow the instructions of the coach, the team cannot accomplish its goals. If any player is determined to do only what they want to do, the game can easily fall into chaos. But when all are working together and following what the coach has taught them in practice, as well as instructions during the game, the team will flourish.

These verses from “The Gospel According To Matthew” come at the end of what is commonly called the “Sermon On The Mount.” Matthew has gathered some of Jesus’ best and highest teaching in chapters 5-7. Verse 24 sums up our focus for today: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man…” How are you being intentional to not only listen to the instructions of our Coach, but to practice them?

Personal Worship Option:

What spiritual “practices” do you practice each day in order to hear the instructions of your Coach, so that you are better prepared for the “game” of life?

Daily Devotion, November 12, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 25:4-9.

What do you pray for the most? In the portion of your prayer time when you are making requests or asking God for something, what do you ask for the most? I am reminded here of King Solomon. When he first became king at a very young age, he felt inadequate to fulfill this role. When God offered to give him anything he wanted, he asked for wisdom. What would you ask for in that situation? Again, what do you pray for when you do pray?

The Psalmist asks to be taught: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me…” This writer later acknowledges in verse nine that God will guide those who are humble, who realize they have more to learn and want to learn. So, this writer prays for wisdom, God’s wisdom, God’s way. Be assured that if you earnestly seek to learn the way of Christ, the Holy Spirit will teach you that way.

What do you pray for the most?

Personal Worship Option:

Offer your own prayer, seeking to be taught the way of God in Christ.

Daily Devotion, November 11, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read James 1:22-25.

This writer is very clear that we are to do more than just listen to instruction and guidance from God, but that we are to go and do what we have been taught. As Christians we have been saved by God’s grace and salvation frees us from sin’s control. As believers we are free to live as God created us to live. Of course, this does not mean that we are free to do as we please. We are now free to obey God.

It is important to listen to what God’s Word says, but it is much more important to obey - to do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible Study by the effect it has on our behavior and attitude. Do you put into action what you have studied?

Personal Worship Option:

Reflect on the scripture you have heard/read. How is that transforming your thoughts and actions?

Daily Devotion, November 10, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 32:8-10.

Throughout the Bible, God spoke to people in a variety of weird ways. He spoke to Moses through a burning bush, He spoke through a donkey to Balaam, and He gave signs to Gideon through a fleece. Don’t we often ask God to speak to us in a big way, such as a plane pulling a banner telling us what to do or yelling it into our headphones? Through the ages, the prophets said God would speak not through dramatic signs, but in a way that is to each of us internally. Then the Holy Spirit came to believers on Pentecost. God’s spirit now lives in us and should guide our actions.

It’s not God’s plan to drag us around with a bit and bridle as it is described in today’s scripture. That’s how animals with no understanding need to be led. God loves us and desires to instruct, teach, and counsel us from within by His Spirit. We need to develop a practice/habit of sitting in silence and solitude, listening to God for guidance. God will give us gentle nudges and help us think things through.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, teach us to listen for your Spirit speaking within us so that we do your will. Amen.