Daily Devotion
November 10, 2025
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
If you’re anything like me, you know how stubborn our minds can be. It races, wanders, and grabs hold of worries, headlines, irritations, and half-formed fears with surprising speed. Maybe it’s the pace of the world we’re living in, the speed of our technology, or simply the way our minds tend to latch onto what feels urgent. But whatever the reason, getting our thoughts under control is tough. That’s why this verse is challenging. It lifts our gaze from the anxious mess of daily life and points us toward the character of God. The world bombards us with a steady stream of negativity, but the Lord calls us to intentionally dwell on what aligns with His nature. And He never commands what He does not empower. Just one verse earlier, we’re promised that “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (v. 7). Paul echoes this in Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The battle for peace is fought largely in the mind. The heart eventually follows what our thoughts feed on. When we continually take in the world’s frustrations, its fears become ours. But when we dwell on the truth of God’s Word, His peace begins to fill us in ways that simply defy explanation. Scripture gives us examples of this disciplined, God-anchored thinking. David battled discouragement yet turned and said, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?… hope thou in God” (Psalm 42:5). Isaiah assures us that the one whose mind is stayed on the Lord is kept in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Even Jesus, when tempted in the wilderness, responded not with emotion but with Scripture—anchoring His thoughts in what was true rather than what was felt or suggested. Is this kind of Christ-shaped thinking possible in an age filled with anger, anxiety, and constant distraction? If it weren’t, the Lord would not call us to it. But it is not automatic. It requires trust in God’s Word, the power of the Holy Spirit, and a willing heart that says, “Lord, teach me to think Your thoughts.” Little by little, as we practice turning our minds toward the things of God, His peace begins to guard our hearts and minds like a strong, faithful shield. Our thoughts rarely drift toward Christ on their own; they must be guided. Philippians 4:8 is a map for mental peace. As we think on what is true, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, God’s peace settles in and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
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November 9, 2025
Matthew 21:28-29 “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.”
Jesus gave this parable to show the contrast between two groups standing before Him. On one side were the publicans and prostitutes—men and women with reputations so stained that the religious crowd considered them unreachable. On the other side were the religious leaders, polished on the outside and proud of it, certain they represented God because of their position and ritual obedience. Jesus’ parable turned it all around. The ones who claimed to honor God refused His invitation; the ones who had openly lived in sin heard His call, repented, and followed Him with humble hearts. The first son represents those who once lived far from God. He said no to the father at first. Yet something turned inside him. He reconsidered his father’s command, changed his mind, and went. Jesus used this picture to show that the door of grace stays open to anyone willing to turn. Faith and repentance aren’t complicated or wrapped in religious ceremony—it’s simply a heart-changing course toward God. The second son represents those who speak spiritual words but lack obedience. He said all the right things. He sounded agreeable. But when his father’s will required action, he refused. His profession had no life behind it. Jesus’ audience would have understood the point clearly: God looks not at the words we say about Him, but at the trust we place in Him. Empty professions have never saved a soul. For us, this parable is both a warning and a hope. It reminds us that obedience begins with the heart, not the lips. And it comforts us with this truth: as long as life remains, there is room to turn back to God. We think of our loved ones—those who seem uninterested, those who have wandered far, those we pray for with quiet tears. The story of the first son assures us it is not too late. Hearts can still soften. Minds can still change. The Spirit of God continues His quiet, persistent work, urging souls toward faith in Christ. Each Sunday, when the pastor preaches the gospel and pleads for anyone who has never trusted Christ to do so, I often wonder who might be wrestling with that inward pull. I remember my own moment well—the Spirit’s unmistakable tug, the conviction of sin, the sweet relief of calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture still holds out the same invitation today: “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). And again, “now is the accepted time… now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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November 8, 2025
1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
The “natural man” Paul describes is who every one of us was before salvation—before the Holy Spirit opened our eyes to the things of God and took up residence inside us. Once we’ve walked with the Lord for a while—surrounded by Scripture, by worship, by fellowship, by the quiet daily work of grace—it becomes easy to forget that unbelievers simply cannot see what we see. Their understanding is darkened, not because they are willfully dense, but because spiritual truth requires spiritual sight. Without the Spirit, the gospel with its call to repentance and salvation and true worship of the Holy One seems strange, unnecessary, or even foolish. Paul’s words here can be restated this way: Those without the Holy Spirit cannot hear, receive, or recognize spiritual truth. They dismiss it because it lies outside of what the natural mind can grasp. Only the Spirit gives such sight. This is why Jesus’ statement in John 6:44 is so vital: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” The drawing of the Father is carried out through the Spirit, who awakens, convicts, and brings life where there was none. We sometimes assume that if we simply walk someone through the familiar ABCs of salvation—admit, believe, confess—and help them repeat a prayer, that the mechanics alone will save them. But salvation is not produced by formulas or words. Unless the Spirit illumines the mind and draws the heart to Christ, the message will fall on ears that cannot hear and soil that cannot yet receive seed. Jude 1:19 describes those who are “sensual, having not the Spirit”—people who process life only through human reasoning or emotion, not through spiritual understanding. Jesus reaffirmed this truth when He said, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth (brings to life); the flesh profiteth nothing” (John 6:63). The Word of God is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and it is the Spirit who gives it power in the human heart. Salvation itself—why some respond and others do not, why certain words pierce one soul and pass by another—remains a holy mystery known fully only to God. But Scripture leaves no doubt: the new birth is entirely a work of the Spirit. And this is our hope. For those in Christ, Romans 8:9 declares, “Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” The Spirit within us lifts us out of what we once were—bound to natural sight—and gives us light, life, and the ability to understand the things of God. Spiritual truth is never grasped by natural wisdom or human effort. Only the Holy Spirit can open the heart to Christ and make God’s Word living and clear. This truth keeps us humble in our witnessing, patient with unbelievers, and grateful for the grace that awakened us. As the Spirit draws, convicts, and illumines, He leads us out of the natural man and into the life and freedom found in Christ alone.
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November 7, 2025
2 Chronicles 20:15 “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
A vast army of the combined forces of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir was marching toward Jerusalem with one goal: to destroy God’s people. Jehoshaphat could have panicked, or scrambled to form alliances, or thrown together a last-minute battle plan. But he didn’t. He was a godly king, and in a moment of impending danger he did the wisest thing any leader can do—he sought the Lord. He called the people of Judah together at the temple. Men, women, and even the children gathered as one. There Jehoshaphat prayed one of the most honest and humble prayers in Scripture. He rehearsed God’s power, remembered God’s promises, and then admitted the truth every one of us eventually faces: “We have no might against this great company… neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (vv. 6–12). The scene that follows is incredibly moving. “And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children” (v. 13). They stood still: waiting, watching, listening. And into that quietness the Spirit of God moved upon a man named Jahaziel, who spoke the words of today’s verse: “Be not afraid… for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Jehoshaphat didn’t know what to do, but God did. God always does. There will be moments in our own lives when the odds seem just as impossible. We face things we can’t reason our way through, fight our way out of, or even understand. Troubles come that don’t respond to our usual fixes. Pressures mount, fears whisper, and strength fades. And like Jehoshaphat, we finally pray, “Lord, I have no power against this situation. I don’t know what to do. But my eyes are on You.” That’s not a weak surrender to some inevitable end we’re ill-prepared to face, that’s faith. Scripture repeatedly tells us that God fights for His people. Exodus 14:14, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace,” and Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When we stop trying to be our own savior, we make room for the Savior to step in. The battle was never ours to begin with. It has always belonged to God. When Jehoshaphat lifted his eyes to the Lord, God lifted the burden off his shoulders. The same God who fought for Judah fights for His people today. Turn your eyes upon Jesus; The battle is His.
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November 6, 2025
Daniel 3:15 “Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?”
Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king, ruling over one of the greatest empires in world history. He was a ruthless conqueror, a man whose word meant life or death for anyone under his rule. He worshiped many pagan gods, believing they had granted him the strength to wage war and to build his mighty empire. But when he came up against Jehovah—the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth—everything changed. Today’s verse shows us the arrogance that filled his heart. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden image he had erected, Nebuchadnezzar threatened, “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” His words echo those of Pilate when Jesus stood before him in John 19:10: “Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” Jesus responded, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.” The rulers of this world often believe they answer to no one. Pride blinds them into thinking their power is self-made and their authority untouchable. But as Nebuchadnezzar learned, the hand that gives power can also take it away. Before his downfall, he boasted in Daniel 4:30, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built… by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” Yet, while the words were still in his mouth, a voice from Heaven declared, “O king Nebuchadnezzar… The kingdom is departed from thee.” Scripture warns that a day is coming when all human pride will crumble. Isaiah 2:11 says, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.” Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way that any power he held was given from God. Pilate thought he held Jesus’ fate in his hands, but the One he condemned rose from the dead in great power and victory. The world’s rulers rise and fall, but only one Kingdom endures forever—the Kingdom of God. Like Nebuchadnezzar, men still boast of their strength, wealth, or authority, forgetting that every breath they take is a gift from the One who formed them. As believers, we are not to fear the arrogance of this age, for the same power that raised Jesus from the tomb lives within us. When we face fiery trials, we do not stand in our own strength, but in the power of the risen Christ who delivers, sustains, and reigns forever.
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November 5, 2025
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”
Paul wrote this epistle to the church at Thessalonica, reminding them that he had taught, comforted, and cared for them like a father does his children. It’s the shepherd’s heart within him—the same spirit of compassion reflected in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. When love motivates God’s servants, and not the pursuit of ministry as a career or a way to pay the bills, blessings always follow. The lives they touch are changed in ways that dead religion or human talent can never produce. Paul also wrote about certain individuals posing as spiritual leaders but filled with arrogance and pride. In 1 Corinthians 4:19-20, he warned, “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” The “word” he refers to here isn’t the Word of God, but unanointed human speech— lacking the Holy Spirit’s presence. In this Laodicean age, we’ve grown so accustomed to lukewarm religion that many have forgotten what it’s like to taste hot, holy bread fresh from heaven’s oven. When we do, it crushes our pride, pierces our hearts, and draws us to God in holy conviction. It produces what David described in Psalm 51:17: “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” The encouragement in today’s passage is that we “walk worthy of God.” That means living as true representatives of the One who delivered us from the kingdom of darkness and placed us into the Kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). He rescued us from death, saved us from hell, and made us His own children. Therefore, we are to live separated from the sin of this world and fully identified with His goodness and grace. We stand tall for His glory, unashamed of our testimony, just as the psalmist declared in Psalm 40:2-3: “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” God is worthy—and by His blood, He has made us worthy. The calling to “walk worthy of God” is not about perfection but direction—our daily steps reflecting the One who redeemed us.
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November 4, 2025
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
The “yoke of bondage” in this verse refers to any attempt to approach God—or stay in relationship with Him—through our own deeds. Some have mistakenly taught that it speaks mainly of sin, but the context makes it clear that Paul is warning against something else. The believers in Galatia had accepted Christ for salvation, yet some were drifting back into old doctrines that taught a person had to keep parts of the Law of Moses to remain right with God. Peter addressed this same issue in Acts 15:10 when he said, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” He was confronting those who insisted that Gentile believers must follow certain Jewish traditions in addition to faith in Christ. When Paul says “stand fast,” he’s calling us to plant our feet firmly, to resist anything that tries to shake us from the truth of grace. It’s the picture of a soldier holding his ground when an opposing force presses in. We’re up against powerful ideas that challenge the sufficiency of salvation through faith alone. It’s not only the danger of mixing Old Testament law with New Testament grace; it’s also the everyday belief many people hold—that if they’re good enough, kind enough, or at least better than most, God will accept them. But Jesus set us free from that exhausting burden. In Him, we don’t have to prove our worth; we simply rest in what He’s already done. Notice that Paul calls it the liberty, not just liberty in general. There are many promises of freedom in the world, but they all come with hidden conditions or temporary relief. Only in Christ do we find the freedom that God promised long before Jesus’ birth. Isaiah 61:1 foretold it: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me… to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Salvation isn’t earned by our efforts, nor is it sustained by them. Christ purchased our freedom with His precious blood. And as Hebrews 10:14 declares, “By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Christ’s liberty is not partial or conditional—it’s complete. The law could never save; it only revealed sin, and our efforts can never save us or keep us saved. Today, stand firm in the freedom Jesus won for you. Rest in His finished work, and don’t let anything convince you that His grace needs your help.
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November 3, 2025
Psalm 62:5 “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”
David wrote this psalm during a time when he was being harassed by enemies. He says in verse 4, “They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” Most of us have had moments like that—times when someone didn’t like us, spoke against us, or made life harder than it needed to be. And if it wasn’t people, it might have been circumstances or trials that seemed to block every path forward. Today’s verse gives us Holy Spirit–inspired advice: Look to the Lord in those times. The words, “wait thou only upon God,” in Hebrew, carry the sense of silently and patiently trusting Him alone to act. It means waiting—not in worry, not in frustration—but with quiet confidence that God will come through. Why can we wait like that? Because we can expect Him to help us, answer our prayers, and show Himself strong on our behalf. Three times in this psalm, David calls the Lord his rock, and that title runs throughout Scripture. In that region, rocks offered rest, shelter, shade, and protection from enemies. It’s no wonder the old hymn says, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.” Modern worship songs echo the same truth: The Lord is my rock. We expect God to be unshakable, faithful, and eternally strong. We expect Him to hear and answer prayer. We expect Him to keep His promises and never change. David also calls the Lord his refuge, his salvation, and his defense. So, he speaks to his own soul—to his deepest self—and says, “Be still. Wait quietly for God to move.” Sometimes we’re like the woman in the Gospels who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had tried everything, spent all her money, and still had no cure. But when she reached out in faith and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, He told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole” (Mark 5:34). She had reached the point where her expectation was from Him alone—and that’s when her healing came. David understood that same truth. When everything else failed, his hope and expectation were still in the Lord. And ours should be too. When we face opposition, discouragement, or delay, God calls us to wait quietly and expectantly for Him. When we find ourselves confronted by people who are determined to be our enemies, He is our Rock—faithful, strong, and never late. Waiting on Him isn’t wasted time; it’s faith in motion, trusting that He will act when the moment is right.
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November 2, 2025
Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
The words we speak, and how and when we speak them, can be a wonderful and beautiful thing. That’s the picture given in today’s verse. Golden apples displayed in a setting of silver brings to mind a work of art, designed to be both attractive and meaningful. God isn’t telling us to use flattery or clever manipulation, but rather the opposite: He calls us to use wisdom—to speak the right words, in the right way, at the right time. When we use our words to encourage those who are struggling, sincerely thank those who’ve helped us, or offer the consolation of friendship to the weary, we don’t need to speak too much; just the right words at the right time. Even kind and reconciling words spoken to our enemies are a biblical prescription for peace. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The world often thinks that saying more gets results; think politicians! But Scripture teaches otherwise. Proverbs 10:19 warns that when we talk too much, we can easily slip into speaking wrongly. We might exaggerate, gossip, insult, or let pride taint what should have been wholesome conversation. But when we choose our words carefully, guided by the Holy Spirit, our speech can bless others and reflect the heart of Christ within us. When someone is hurting, we can ask God for wisdom to speak words that lift their spirits and remind them that He is with them in their troubles. Not as a sermon or a lecture, but as words flowing from genuine compassion. And when we notice someone quietly doing good for the Lord—serving faithfully without recognition—we can speak words of appreciation and encouragement. Those small, sincere comments can mean more than we realize. One study found that the average person speaks about 16,000 words a day (Dr. Matthias Mehl, University of Arizona). What if we asked the Lord for wisdom and self-control to use that astounding number of words for good? What if, as believers, we took seriously that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21) and made conscious choices to speak life, restoration, and blessing? It would be just as Scripture describes, like apples of gold in settings of silver. Our words have power. If we use them carelessly, they wound and cause harm; spoken wisely, they bless and heal. Today, let’s ask God to help us speak with grace, truth, and compassion. People are God’s creation, and just as He uses His Word to draw them to Himself, we can use our words to reflect His goodness and grace.
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November 1, 2025
Revelation 22:17
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
From the beginning of the Bible in Genesis—with its picture of a perfect garden followed by humanity’s tragic fall into sin—through its pages filled with the rise and fall of nations, the failures of God’s people, and the triumphs of the faithful, the Word of God ends with a gracious invitation for all people to come to the Lord. The Old Testament closes in Malachi 4:6 with a warning: “Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” In contrast, the New Testament ends in Revelation 22:21 with a blessing: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” Between those two bookends—curse and grace—runs the story of redemption. Though Scripture warns of sin’s destructive power and its eternal consequences, it also reveals the unbroken thread of God’s mercy woven through every book. From beginning to end, God calls mankind to look to Him, trust in Him, and walk in His ways. Notice in today’s verse that the invitation to come is extended to “whosoever will.” This echoes 1 Timothy 2:4: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” and 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord… is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” The message is unmistakable—salvation is available to all who will come. This call is especially directed toward those who are spiritually thirsty. It echoes Isaiah 55:1: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.” Our Lord Jesus also spoke to this same thirst, saying in John 7:37: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” The thirst He spoke of is not physical but spiritual—a deep longing within every soul for peace, forgiveness, and fulfillment that only Christ can provide. Through the centuries, some have wrongly taught that salvation is reserved only for a chosen few. Yet the Word of God consistently declares otherwise: “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The Savior’s invitation has no boundaries of race, background, or past sin—it is open to all. The only condition is willingness. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells one story—God’s invitation to come. The Spirit still calls, the Church still echoes that call, and the promise still stands: whoever is thirsty may come and freely drink of the water of life. The door of grace remains open until the Lord Himself closes it. Have you heard His call today? If so, don’t delay—come.
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