Daily Devotions for November 2023

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

Wednesday November 1, 2023

Psalm 131:1

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

When John had started out, all his superiors told him that he was destined to go far in the firm.

Now they all shook their heads in wonder that he had never climbed the corporate ladder. John just smiled to himself.

Dog-eat-dog was fine for some, but John was content to just do the work he loved. He didn't care what anyone else thought, he was happy, and that was worth more than all the prestige in the world.

Grow where you're planted, the saying goes. When you find a place of contentment, guard it. Don't be ready to throw it away for what may or may not be better.

Too often we get into situations over our heads, and then it is too late to go back.

God will not be impressed by your fame or wealth.

What pleases the Lord is someone who uses his talents and makes peace for himself in the work that he does.

Prayer: Make my aspiratio ns for myself realistic and worthwhile. Help me to keep my wits about me, to do the things I like rather than those things that are done merely to
impress others. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 3, 2023

Psalm 132:4, 5

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, and habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

Rachel closed the door and hung her head. Three o'clock in the morning. She wondered whether the project was ever going to get done. All she wanted to do was collapse in bed, but first there was something she had to do.

She dressed for bed, then took the Bible from her dresser and went to the kitchen table to read and to pray.

In all of her adult life, she had never gone to sleep without first spending time with God.

She was determined that nothing would ever come between her and this special time.

It made no difference how tired she was, God came before sleep.

When days become hectic and full, it is easy to allow God to be pushed aside.

We need to protect our time with the Lord and give it top priority.

If we will keep the Lord close to us, he will sustain us and give us strength in tough times.

Without Him, we can never hope to be our best.

Prayer: Convict my heart with the determination to spend time with You. Let nothing come between us, Lord. When other things demand my time, remind me that I gave myself to You first. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom From the Psalms

Saturday

November 4 2023
 
Psalm 132:9

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
 
Reverend Fields felt very strongly about the matter. If a person was going to be a representative of the church, he needed to live a clean and upright life.

Leaders need to lead by example, therefore church leaders ministered to others by the way they lived their lives.

If a person wasn't ready to steer clear of questionable activities, then maybe he wasn't ready to step into a key role in the church.
 
All Christians assume the responsibility of being an example of nonbelievers. It is an awesome task, but one we must assume.

Christ call us to a life of perfection. Each day we should strive harder to be more perfect than we were the day before.

With God's help, we can clothe ourselves in righteousness, thus sending the message that to be Christian means to be different from the rest of the world. In Christ we are made new.

Our newness is a light for all the world to see.
 
Prayer: Clothe me in Your righteousness, Lord, and make me an example of a new life in Christ. Let me serve You through my actions. Move me onward toward perfection. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

Sunday November 5, 2023

Psalm 132:14

This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

The climb was steep and treacherous, and there were no level places to stop. The sun was beating down, and the two climbers were exhausted. Both were beginning to question the wisdom of the climb.

Just as they began to despair of ever making it alive, a ledge jutted into the cliff, and both climbers pulled themselves up onto it.

There, in the cool shade cast by the rock, the climbers were renewed and strengthened, enabled to finish their ascent.

The Lord provides us with a place to rest in this climb of ours through life. He welcomes us, shades us, protects us, and enables us to go forth strengthened and renewed.

We are never far from this rest. All we need do is turn to the Lord, and He will grant us respite.

Prayer: Lord, take me into Your loving arms to comfort and energize me. I get so tired sometimes, and I need a place to escape. Help me to turn inward, to dwell with Christ, and to draw upon His power. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 6, 2023

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Rob had been through the death of one congregation; he didn't want to see it happen again. There really weren't any problems that couldn't be worked out in Christian love.

This church had been through a lot, and there was no reason to believe that it couldn't weather a lot more storms.

If everyone would just remember that they were there to serve Christ, then everything would work out fine. If Christ could calm the Sea of Galilee, He should have no trouble with the First Church.

Christ built His church as a place for harmony and unity. It is a place for people to come together in celebration and love.

Christ rejoices when His family lives together in peace.

We, too, can rejoice, for there is nothing better than being able to dwell together in His love.

Prayer: The best friends in the world to have are those who are bonded together with me through my faith. Bring joy to my relationships, Lord, and bless me with harmony and unity. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 8, 2023

Psalm 135:5

For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Brooke had tried everything. She had started in business, done quite well, then the bottom dropped out.

Broke and disillusioned, she moved home with her parents. There she began attending church and studying the Word.

Then she was offered a job with a large corporation, and she jumped at the chance. It didn't work out the way she expected, nor did the relationship she got involved in with one of her co-workers.

Disillusioned once more, she returned to her hometown. Once more she involved herself with the church, and she was amazed to realize who much she had missed it. The problems she'd been having didn't seem so great anymore.

Without even realizing it, Brooke had been developing a faith that helped her through. While everything else in her life changed, mostly for the worse, God stayed the same, and He was waiting to embrace His prodigal daughter the minute she returned.

Our Lord is great, and His love is far beyond our comprehension. No earthly temptation that we try to elevate to the status of a god can ever compare with the one true God. He alone can make our lives worthwhile.

Prayer: You have changed my life for the better, Father, and I will never again turn from the blessings You alone can supply. Please let nothing ever come between me and Your love. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 9, 2023

Psalms 135:6

Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Imagine the fun the Lord had creating all the animals of this world. With the power to do whatever he pleased, He concocted a menagerie of some wonderful creatures.

Consider the giraffe, or the baboon, or the frog. What a host of funny-looking creatures.

Think of the splendor of the eagle, the grace of the gazelle, the power of the tiger.

God put so much into making His creation a good one. The same is true of His children.

God went to great lengths to make sure His children were good. He even imparted in each and every one of them His own image.

He offered them free will and all the blessings because they pleased Him. Our

God is a God of love, and nothing pleases Him more than to be able to share that love.

Indeed, we may be God's funniest creatures, but that only makes Him love us all the more.

Prayer: Father, You must have a wonderful sense of humor to put up with children like me. Forgive me for being less than You created me to be. Help me to grow and mature and develop into Your image. Amen.

Healthyme7410

I agree with this. Nature is so amazing especially when you look at variety, colors, ability to communicate with each other, etc. The human body has so many working parts but it all works together. Doc tors still do not know all there is to know.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 10, 2023

Psalm 136:2, 7

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. . . .To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Griffin had gone through college as an atheist. No one could get him to believe that there was a God out there somewhere who made everything go.

That was before he began working with the space program. The more he saw the scope and majesty of the cosmos, the more convinced he was that there had to be someone out there who authored all the miracles he saw.

To see the power of a billion suns shining through millions of miles of space boggled the mind. They couldn't have just happened. Some great mind had to have a part in bringing it all about. Griffin had come far.

His briefcase was always packed with pictures and books, but no book was more important than the Bible that never left his side.

People who don't believe in God reject Him, not because they know so much, but because they just haven't learned enough.

Even in the most scientific and complex equation, God can be found.

Wisdom comes not when we say we know all we need to, but when we admit there is much left to learn.

Open your heart and mind to God, and watch the universe unfold.

Prayer: A billion stars pierce the infinite darkness of space. Surely Your light can break through the darkness of my ignorance. Shine the light of true wisdom through me, Lord, and let me share in Your glory. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 12

Psalms 137:1-2

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

Why fight it? The committee had tried to get more funds to help the aged for three years, and nothing ever got done.

Almost everyone on the committee was so discouraged that they wanted to quit. What good did it do to keep hitting your head against a brick wall? No one was willing to listen to their proposals.

We all come up against situations where there just doesn't seem to be any good solution.

The Hebrew people grew discouraged in their trek to the promised land. They hung up their harps and stopped singing, for the joy and enthusiasm had left them.

Their answer was God. He lifted their spirits and filled their hearts with joy. He became their reason for going on, and He can become our reason, too.

When we are discouraged, we need to turn to God. He will lift us up and give us the courage we need to continue.

Prayer: Lord, there are times when I just want to sit down and cry. Sustain me through those different times and fill me with enthusiasm and energy to face new challenges. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 13, 2023

Psalms 137:4

How shall we sign the Lord's song in a strange land?

College was a foreign land for Diane. Even after three years, she felt alienated and alone.

Her values just didn't mesh with the values of the people she went to class with.

Sometimes she wondered why she even bothered having morals, with all the immorality rampant on campus.

She was thankful that she was a Christian, but there were times when even that was small consolation.

God was hard to find in a strange place that obviously didn't know Him very well. Face it, Jesus Christ was not big man on campus.

It was hard, but down deep inside Diane knew things would get better. She just hoped it would be soon.

It is hard to be in a strange land. That is what we become when we ask Christ into our lives. He transforms us into Kingdom people while we are yet in our earthly existence. What that does is make us homesick for the one true home above.

Thankfully, God is ever with His children, and He will hear our cries. In our times of silence we will hear His song, and we will be able t o sing forth ourselves, no matter how strange the land.

Prayer: Lord, hear my prayers. Let me know that I am not alone; that You are truly close to me. When I feel most lonesome, fill me with Your presence. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 15, 2023

Psalm 137:8

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou served us.

"Doesn't God care? Why do evil people get away with all the things they do?"The question is asked almost every day. Evil seems to be having its way all the time.

Don't worry. God sees everything, and He will not forget what evil people have done.

Our God, though a God of love, is a God of justice. He will reward those who honor Him, and he will punish those who have rejected Him and His ways.

We are responsible for the way God will deal with us. If we choose to ignore Him, we cannot hope for good things, but if we pursue God with all our hearts, we will experience blessing and joy beyond measure.

Prayer: I know that You care, and I know that You will do right by all who love You. Give me patience to accept what seems unfair now. Make me deserving Your grace. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 17, 2023

Psalms 138:2

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

"I believe in God, but I have no use for the Bible.

People take it and twist it, and it's no good to anyone. The Bible just gives some people an excuse to feel superior to other people."

The young man who expressed these sentiments is right. . .to some extent.

God's Word has been misused many times throughout history.

It has a destructive component when used by the wrong people for the wrong reasons, but that is no reason to reject it.

What God intends for his Word and what people do with it are two completely different things.

God does reveal Himself through His Word, and it is nearly impossible to come to a deep understanding of Him apart from the Holy Scriptures.

God has magnified Himself through His Word, and enables us to know Him when we read it in a spirit of openness, with a desire for the truth.

Prayer: Illumine the pages of Your Word, Lord. Bless me with understanding of Your Holy Scripture, and help me to keep an open mind as I learn and grow. Amen.

316Judith

Will be back tomorrow with a new Devotion for us all! 📖✝️

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 18, 2023

Psalms 138:4

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the leaders on earth suddenly found their hearts filled with love, and compassion, and justice?

What would happen if they all decided that top priority would be to take care of others first?

Perhaps then we would have a taste of what God originally intended.

We want to believe that our leaders are listening for the voice of God as they make their difficult decisions, but often we can only wonder.

Perhaps one day all the kings of earth will stop their quarreling long enough to hear the gentle urgings of God. Until then, it is the responsibility of every Christian to pray for the leaders and ask God that He might work for good in spite of them, when it is impossible to work with or through them.

Prayer: Amidst the chaos of our world, Lord, You are the center of sanity and reason. Inspire our leaders to work together for the greatest good. Help them to do what is pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 20

Psalms 139:1

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Kent really wanted the new security job. The aeronautics company was one of the largest, and was considered to be the up-and-coming industry leader.

His job could possible become one of the most important around. He sat down at the desk of his interviewer. The man pulled out Kent's file, which appeared to be about three hundred pages thick.

The company had sent a team of investigators to find out everything they could about Kent. Though he knew it was necessary, he couldn't help feeling a little angry and alarmed that they were able to find out so much about him. It was frightening to see someone hold your life's stories and secrets in his hands.

Our Lord holds the complete file on each and every one of us. He knows us much better than we even know ourselves. Yet, that is nothing to be alarmed about. In His infinite love, He has forgiven us for all that we have done wrong, and he is able to help us in our deepest need.

Prayer: It is strange to think that You know me so well, Lord, but I am thankful that You do. Only someone who knows me as You do could possible understand what I go through and what I need. Thank You. Amen.

Healthyme7410

When Do You Thank God?
By: Anne Peterson

Today’s Bible Verse: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God tells us godliness with contentment is great gain, but being content is not always easy to do (1 Timothy 6:6). It’s often difficult because we’re looking around at others, wondering if what we have compares with what they have.

Paul said he learned how to be content in whatever state he found himself (Philippians 4:11). Paul didn’t just talk about it, he showed us. There he was in prison, all shackled up, and what was he doing? Having a pity party? No, he was singing praises to God. Too often we choose to praise God after has answered our prayers. And while there’s nothing wrong with thanking God for answered prayer, we miss out, if that’s the only time we praise him with thanksgiving. God is good. It’s impossible for God to be anything less than good. It’s his character.

I often think of when Jesus visited Mary and Martha after their brother, Lazarus died. Even though Jesus went there after Lazarus was already dead, he still had a plan.

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” - John 11:41-42

I always found it interesting that Jesus thanked God for hearing his prayer before Lazarus took one step. Years ago, I made a mental note of that. God is worthy of praise. We don’t have to wait to see if God delivers on something we ask him before we thank him. And if God chooses to say, “No,” that doesn’t mean God is less worthy of our praise.

God’s Word tells us it’s impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). When we choose to be thankful and praise God at all times, we are exercising faith. We are praising God because we know God is capable of doing everything we ask and then so much more. When we thank God, we are pleasing our heavenly Father.

God is worthy of praise. Just because he’s God. It pleases God when we praise him ahead of time because we’re saying, God, whether or not you choose to answer my prayers, I praise you for who you are. I thank you for all you’ve given me. And Lord, even when you choose to say “no” to my requests, I know you have your reasons. You know the beginning from the end. Your thoughts are much higher than my thoughts and your ways are higher too (Isaiah 55:8-9). And Lord, if you withhold something I’m asking you for, then maybe the thing is not good for me, or the timing is not right. I know it’s not good because you’ve said you will not withhold any good thing from me (Psalm 84:11). God, I trust you.

We can choose to be thankful in all things. Simply because God is all wise and he allows what he does with his wisdom. And when things look like they will never work out, those impossible times are God’s specialty. The things that are impossible with man are possible with God (Luke 18:27). I love it when God does what seems impossible, because there’s no question at all who did it. And when we get discouraged because of our circumstances, God promises that in all things he can work for the good, for us (Romans 8:28).

We can rejoice always because we know the Almighty God, the everlasting Father. We can pray continually, because he invites us to bring our cares to Him, because he cares for us (1Peter 5:7). And we can give thanks in all circumstances because it is God’s will. We also know none of God’s plans can be thwarted (Job 42:2). I’m pretty certain that when Paul sang to the Lord from behind bars, it was one of the most beautiful praises ever heard. And we can do the same.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 24, 2023

Psalms 139:9-10

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

The man sat alone in the prison cell. Seldom did he get to see the light of day. His cell was a cubicle of about five square feet. He could not even stretch out to lie down. He had a straw mat and a can, and that completed the inventory of his possessions.

A window three inches wide and a foot high opened to the outside world, but it was at least five feet above his head.

The man sat and wept, believing that even God would not find him in such a place as this.

Then, as he sat on the floor, he saw a spider in the corner, weaving a delicate web. It peacefully spun, and created an object of beautiful symmetry.

The man watched closely as the hours passed. In his heart, he knew that God would be with him; that He did know where he was.

With nothing more to hold onto, the man was able to wait out his sentence in peace and quiet joy.

Prayer: No matter where I may go, Father, be there with me. Help me to know that You are always near and I have not been abandoned. With You by my side, I can make it through anything. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms

November 25, 2023

Psalms 139:12

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

Sam stuck close to his dad. The old building was dark, and Sam wasn't sure what might be out in that darkness.

All he knew for sure was that his dad was big and brave, and he wasn't afraid of the dark. Sam hoped that one day he would be like his dad: able to walk in darkness just like he would in broad daylight.

Our Lord goes with us into the dark times of our lives. He holds us by the hand and lets us know that we have nothing to fear.

Darkness and light are the same to the Lord. He will lead us through our times of fear and bring us back into the light every time.

Prayer: When I am fearful, Lord, I will reach out to You. Walk with me through the dark times. Fill me with your courage. Teach me to walk in Your light always. Amen.