Team Daily Bible Reading for November 2023

316Judith

Bible Reading

Psalm 130

Commentary

PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 130:1–8

Psalm 130 is for people struggling in their souls, perhaps with sin (vv. 1–2).

It is a confession song similar to Psalm 51.

Like David, who prayed Psalm 40, this psalmist had wandered from God and fallen into the depths (v. 1).

From where will help come?

The psalmist called out to God, trusting in His forgiveness (v. 4).

We have a High Priest who forgives our sins and has made a way for us to relate with the Father.

As you pray through this psalm, place your hope in Jesus and wait for Him (vv. 5−8).

316Judith

Bible Reading

Psalm 131

Commentary Thoughts

PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 131:1–2

Those whom God pulls from the pit (Ps 130:1) remember their salvation. They recognize that they would still be stuck in their sin without God.

For this reason, in this psalm, David said he did not have a prideful heart (v. 1).

He did not consume himself with topics that were beyond his understanding.

As David said, the outcome of that humility is inner rest, a calm and quiet soul (v. 2).

Meditate on this psalm, asking God to give you rest in His grace.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Psalm 133

Commentary Thoughts

PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 133:1–3

Psalm 133 is a prayer for unity. Kingdom people are filled with the Holy Spirit. They follow Jesus and seek the glory of the Father. At the heart of this is the pursuit of unity (v. 1).

The psalmist likened unity to anointing oil running down the beard and clothing of a priest and the dew running down a mountain.

Perhaps the psalmist was saying unity is a gift descending from God alone.

Jesus also spoke about the importance of unity among believers as a central element of the gospel message in the world (John 17:20–23).

Pray for the unity of the church.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Psalm 134

Commentary Thoughts

PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Psalm 134:1–3

The final stage of the journey, the last Song of Ascent in the Psalms, the final word that is spoken, is the same for all Zion’s pilgrims: bless.

Pilgrims praise the Lord because they have experienced the Lord’s blessings.

How has the Lord blessed you?

There is no need to wait until the journey’s end to heed your blessings.

Begin your prayer by praising the Lord for who He is and His loyal love.

Bless Him by living a godly life in deep relationship with Him.

Praise Him from your soul (vv. 1–2).

316Judith

Bible Reading

Ephesians 5

Commentary Thoughts

DAY ONE: Why Intimacy With God is Important

Relationship with God is the substance of Christianity. It is the foundation of all spirituality. It is the purpose for Jesus’ sacrifice, the culmination of the gospel, the bedrock of your life.

Everything you do, think, experience, and believe is rooted in the quality of this relationship.

Knowing what kind of relationship God is looking for, understanding what the terms of this relationship are, and knowing what kind of person you are entering a relationship with are essential parts of getting the most out of that relationship.

I have been married for nearly twelve years now, and still my relationship with my wife is an ever-unraveling mystery. Every day I learn more about who she is and how to love her. I still learn how to do life with her, how to connect more with her, and how to build a bright future with her.

The Bible uses the metaphor of marriage on several occasions to draw a picture of the relationship between God and humankind. I love this because it so beautifully captures the intimacy, mystery, and progression of a relationship with God. We are always discovering more of who He is, more of how He loves us, and more of how we can love Him.

316Judith

Bible Reading

1 John 5:14-15
2 Chronicles 6:19-21

Commentary Thoughts

DAY TWO-THREE: Prayer

Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. In communication we can share information, emotions, jokes, insights, thoughts, hopes, dreams, and so much more. With communication we can build true connections between one another.

Prayer is nothing more and nothing less than communication with God. And I, for one, cannot think of a more tangible expression of His love than the idea that God would want to talk with me.

When I was twelve, my parents and I started attending a church that was very active about training its members in the gifts of the Spirit. It was the first time I had ever heard that you could learn to hear God’s voice or that He was still speaking at all. I could ask questions and get questions asked back to me. I could ask about God’s opinion, His thoughts, and His feelings. I could have an actual relationship.

Prayer connects us with the reality of God. It familiarizes us with His character, intentions, and thoughts. It helps us experience His presence during trouble and pain. It builds the foundation of our identity. It is the familiarity with God’s nature that comes from a lifestyle of prayer that makes us indestructible.

316Judith

Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 16:23-31

Commentary Thoughts

DAY FOUR: Worship

Worship is for God, not for us. But it is revealing that God seemingly cannot help but give us something in exchange when we worship Him.

A mind that is fixed on worshipping God is impenetrable to the lies of the enemy. To gaze upon Him is to put all other things in proper perspective.

Worship is, as I am sure you know, much more than singing a song. Worship is a lifestyle; it is a way of experiencing, viewing, and engaging with life.

It is a fire in our hearts that we tend to, recognizing when the flames are getting low and taking the time to add wood to the coals. Its simplicity is both the beauty and the challenge of worship.

Worship is the act of expressing love to God.

There is no trick, no three-step method; it is just an act of love. Most of the time, our worship comes from a place of overflow. It is the impassioned expression of excitement and joy.

If you can cultivate a heart of worship that remains intact whether your life is joyous and overflowing or empty and dry, then you will have the building blocks of a life that is indestructible.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Psalm 63:1-11

Commentary Thoughts

DAY FIVE: Continue to Grow

There are thousands of ways to build a relationship with God. You can go for a walk and talk to Him. You can invite His presence when you go for your morning workout. You can ask His opinion while watching your favorite show. You can ask Him what He’s thinking about while you’re brushing your teeth. The point is that when you invite Him in, any moment can build relationship with Him.

Every encounter with God’s presence makes room for more of His presence, no matter how big or how small. There is no upper limit on knowing God. He is infinite. There is always more of Him to know. Whenever our relationship with Him grows stale, it is not because we have run out of new things to learn about Him; it is because we have lost momentum in our never-ending journey of discovery.

This momentum of continuing to grow our intimacy with Him is the core of becoming indestructible.

We are designed to be hungry for
a growing relationship with God.

We grow starving and desperate without it. But with it, every corner of our lives begins to shine.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 41:10

Commentary Thoughts

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict” (Hebrews 11:23).

Not afraid.

Those two words sum up how Moses grew to express greatness in his life. The parents who gave him life were “not afraid.” They lived with faith over fear. They instilled in their son a commitment to believing God.

But even more than that, Moses’ parents’ lack of fear in the face of an evil culture and evil king spared his life. They chose to hide him so he would not be killed, as the king of Egypt had mandated midwives do away with male Hebrew babies as soon as they were born. Then, when Moses had grown too old to hide, they came up with an elaborate scheme to position him in a safe and secure place. They sought to infiltrate the system that oppressed them through this act of faith, in order to bring about a positive influence for good.

Like Moses, we will never discover what God can do until we trust Him to do it. He can do things that blow our minds. Living by faith means choosing God’s plan over the culture’s plan, then watching Him work it out for your good and others’ benefit.

How can I find the faith to let go of my fears?

316Judith

Bible Reading

Matthew 1:1-25

Commentary Thoughts by Tony Evans

Matthew was a tax collector, which means he was not popular. But he left everything to follow Jesus after he concluded that Jesus was the Messiah. Matthew was authorized to write the Gospel that bears his name, and its subject is very simple: the King and His kingdom.

Matthew was introducing, specifically to the Jews, the message that God was sending His King, His Messiah, who was going to rule as His Regent on earth by offering the kingdom to His people the Jews. In this sense Matthew is the culmination of all the Old Testament’s anticipation of the Messiah who would come.

Matthew’s concern was giving convincing proof that Jesus was the Messianic King whom the Jews were anticipating and whom the world needed so desperately. That’s why Matthew began with Jesus’ genealogy to establish His lineage through David. Matthew also presented Jesus’ kingdom discourses, teaching, and miracles, all proving His Messianic claim.

But the book comes to a disquieting conclusion, the crucifixion. If Jesus is the Messiah, how can He be put to death? This brings in the resurrection and the announcement that the King is alive and is coming back, and that His kingdom is in this world today. The Great Commission means that the book of Matthew is for us as believers today.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Luke chapter 1

Commentary Thoughts:

Luke was written by a medical doctor who says he wrote to provide a well-documented account of the life of Jesus Christ. Luke showed Jesus in His humanity as the Son of Man who, while still being fully God, moved among the people in compassion to free them from the myriad of things that were oppressing them.

Luke did this primarily by telling the story of Jesus’ ministry as He ministered among Gentiles, so that people who were the disregarded, the outcasts, the forgotten, and the marginalized got to see and feel and experience the love of Christ—even if Jesus had to reject the Jewish leaders to do it.

Luke reveals to us that God is no respecter of persons as He opens His heart to the needy through the human ministry of Jesus. But it’s not one or the other, because the Son of Man who heals the sick and raises the dead and calls the prodigal back to the Father is also the transcendent God who calls people to Himself in salvation.

Luke also demonstrates through the genealogy and birth of Jesus that He has the right to claim the title of Son of David, the Messiah and King.

And all through the book, Jesus uses the Word of God to open people’s minds and hearts to who He is, even as He did on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection.

The God of Luke is touchable and knowable.

316Judith

Bible Reading

John chapter 3

Key Verse John 3:16

Commentary Thoughts

John was the beloved disciple of Jesus, with whom he had such an intimate relationship. He wanted his readers in his Gospel to know Jesus Christ and become intimate with Him. To only know Jesus for heaven tomorrow is to miss the joy of heaven on earth in a growing, living relationship with Christ today.

John brings both of these concepts together in his book. He says Jesus is the divine Messiah, God in our midst dwelling with us, then records eight miracles to show that Jesus is no ordinary Man.

He is a Man, to be sure, but He is the God-Man who can hide Himself one moment because it is not time for Him to be revealed, and the next moment turn water into wine. He can weep at a grave one moment, but the next moment raise Lazarus from the dead.

John then recorded seven “I ams” of Jesus that show Him to be the One who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.

Jesus revealed His deity throughout the book of John, so that believing in Him we might have the eternal life He offers.

John is also a book about how to have the exciting, fruitful, fulfilling life that Jesus offers those who follow Him. So the question is, do you want to live this way, and how badly do you want it?

316Judith

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:23-24
James 1:12

Commentary Thoughts

Moses knew the eternal reward that awaited him in the hands of the one, true God would be much more meaningful than anything he might experience on this earth. He understood what truly mattered, which is why he made the choice he did. He picked a side.

The reward of God is greater than the treasures of man. But unless you believe that you won’t make the wise decision like Moses did, you’ll wind up hanging out with the world rather than giving yourself fully to God.

Even if you may be shaky in your faith right now or timid in times of confusion and doubt, God can raise you up and strengthen you to complete great works for Him. You may identify with Moses in his impulsivity during his younger years—or maybe with him in his insecurity in his older years.

Whatever the case, Moses gives all of us an example of what it means to be redeemed from the frailties of our flesh and used by the power of God working in us. His story ought to inspire all of us to dream big as to what God can and will do through us for others.

There really is no end in sight if we commit ourselves to God’s kingdom plan and seek to
serve Him as kingdom heroes.

What positions us to receive our eternal award?

316Judith

Bible Reading

Luke 15:18

Commentary Thoughts by Tozer

"I Will Arise And Go"

When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son, He was giving our lost society a graphic picture of more than a willful son or a backslidden man.

Years ago I spent time alone with God in prayer and supplication, asking the Spirit of God to aid me in the comprehension of the parable of the Prodigal Son. I have relied upon the understanding which I believe God gave me.

I believe the Prodigal Son is God’s clear-cut picture to us of the entire human race that went out to the pigsty in Adam— and came back to the Father in Christ!

The most telling part of the parable is the fact that the errant son “came to himself ”—and that speaks to us of the reality and necessity of repentance. He could repent and turn and seek forgiveness because he knew that his Father had not changed. He knew the character of his Father. Except for that knowledge, he could never have said: “I will arise and go to my Father!”

Brethren, all of us who have come back to God by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ have found, as did the prodigal, that the Father in heaven has not changed at all!


Prayer - "I praise You, Lord, that nothing about You has changed. And nothing that has happened in this world has caught You by surprise. You are our faithful, loving and just Father".

316Judith

Bible Reading

Romans 6:13

Commentary Thoughts

Unwilling To Yield

I know there are people who hear me preach regularly who will never consider changing their way of living. They will go “underground” before they will do that!

Our situation is not an isolated case. There are millions of men and women with an understanding of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who are still not willing to receive and commit themselves to Him whom the very angels and stars and rivers receive.

They hesitate and they delay because they know God is asking the abdication of their own selfish little kingdom and interests.

This is the tragedy of mankind, my brethren! We have rejected Him from our lives because we must have our own way.

But until Jesus Christ is sincerely received, there can be no knowledge of salvation, nor any understanding of the things of God.

The little, selfish, sinful man rejects the Son of God. While he is still enumerating the things he deserves, the Son of God stands outside.

My brethren, I repeat: This is the great tragedy of mankind!

Prayer - "Dear Lord, we all know of some people in our lives who are aware of the truth of the gospel but who choose to live apart from God. I pray that Your Spirit will cause each of these people to feel an overwhelming sense of dread concerning their future destiny".

316Judith

Bible Reading

Hebrews chapter 13

Commentary Thoughts by Tozer

A Christian Virtue

I am being very frank about this and I hope I am being helpful: Do not ever say you are not right with God because you like some people better than others!

I believe you can be right with God and still not like the way some people behave. It is easy to love those who are friendly; others rub us the wrong way or perhaps they cut us down.

The writer to the Hebrews has appealed to us as Christian believers to “let brotherly love continue”—in other words, “never stop loving one another in the Lord.”

Here is what I have found: It is possible to love people in the Lord even though you may not like their boorish or distasteful human traits. We still love them for Jesus’ sake!

Yes, I believe you can be right with God and still not like the way some people behave. Our admonition is to love them in a larger and more comprehensive way because we are all one in Christ Jesus. This kind of love is indeed a Christian virtue!


Prayer - "Father, help me to love people for Jesus’ sake even when they do or say things that annoy or hurt me".

316Judith

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:8-10
James 2:18

Commentary Thoughts

Sometimes we mix up the roles of salvation and faith, so I want to set the record straight. When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior by placing your faith in Him alone for the forgiveness of your sins, you are given eternal life.

But while you trust Christ through faith, you are now supposed to live your life by faith. These are two very different things.

Trusting Christ for salvation is akin to receiving a gift. Living by faith is doing a work.

That’s why James says faith without works is dead (James 2:26). He isn’t talking about getting to heaven; he’s talking about getting heaven down into you.

Accepting Christ as your Savior takes you to heaven; living by faith brings heaven’s power and God’s experiential presence and authority to you on earth. It allows you to see God enter history by showing up in your circumstances.

When you live by faith, God brings the supernatural to bear in the midst of the natural
situations of your existence on earth.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Philippians chapter 1

Commentary Thoughts

The Winsome Saints

Much of Christianity overlooks the fact that if we are led by the Spirit of God and if we show forth the love of God this world needs, we become the “winsome saints.”

The strange and wonderful thing about it is that truly win- some and loving saints do not even know about their attractiveness.

The great saints of the past did not know they were great saints.

If someone had told them, they would not have believed it, but those around them knew that Jesus was living His life in them.

I think we join the winsome saints when God’s purposes in Christ become clear to us.

We join them when we begin to worship God because He is who He is!

Brethren, God is not a charity case—He is not some frustrated foreman who cannot find enough help.

Let us remember that God has never actually needed any of us—not one!

But we pretend that He does, and we make a big thing of it when someone agrees “to work for the Lord.”

God is trying to call us back to that for which He created us—to worship and to enjoy Him forever!

Prayer - "Thank You, Lord, for the faithful men and women who have gone before us. Thank You for the example of their lives that delighted in having close fellowship with You.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Mark 10:27
Jeremiah 32:27

Commentary Thoughts

Unfortunately, people often confuse faith and works. As a result, many Christians don’t live by faith, which has the accompaniment of works.

Rather, they live by sight while calling it faith.

They say they trust God. They wait on Him for every move. They resign themselves to living without movement or momentum, expecting God to do everything for them.

Yet while God did everything for you and me through the gift of salvation,

He expects us to do the work of faith—made manifest by obedience to Him throughout our lives.

Faith is so powerful that it can flip the natural order of things. In Hebrews 11:35 we read that “women received back their dead by resurrection.”

This is referring to those who were brought back to life by Elijah and Elisha. Yet, you and I will never get to see God flip the order of things in our lives if we continue to view life through the lens of this world’s perspective.

Living by faith means acting before you see the result you desire. When you do, you get to experience God reversing things in your life that
are humanly impossible to reverse.

316Judith

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11: 39-40
1 Corinthians 3:11-14

Commentary Thoughts

Sometimes living by faith will make you come across as different. You may even appear weird to other people, just as Noah did. But as Hebrews 11:38 says, those who live by faith are the men and women of whom “the world was not worthy.”

What makes the world not worthy of certain people? It’s when they live so high in the spiritual realm that those around them in the earthly realm often can’t understand what they’re doing or why.

The world thinks they’re odd. They think they’ve lost their minds. They call them fanatics. Freaks. Or any other name people can come up with.

But the author of Hebrews reminds us the world, consisting of those who live according to the precepts of worldliness, is not worthy of those who truly live by faith. It’s not worthy of those who know how to function from a higher vantage point.

Those who live with an eternal perspective outwit, outplay and outlast those who don’t. That doesn’t mean they will always get their rewards while on earth, but in eternity, they will be richly rewarded.

Faith gives us a future to look forward to.

What’s the best way to respond to people who don’t understand how your faith affects your life?