Daily Devotions

Monday, November 23.

The power of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus referred to as “the promise of My Father” (Luke 24:49), is available to everyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. But unfortunately, many believers neglect the Spirit’s power and try to do God’s work in their own human energy. 

Consider the difference between a sedan and a race car. Both vehicles run, but what is under the hood of the race car makes it far more powerful than the sedan. This is similar to the difference between relying on ourselves and relying on the Spirit of God. 

We often think that the power of the Holy Spirit is available only to pastors and missionaries, but this power is available to every believer (Ephesians 1:19). It is easier to access when we are convicted of our inadequacy. This means acknowledging we cannot do anything apart from Jesus (John 15:5). We are repentant. Sin short-circuits the power of the Holy Spirit, but confession and repentance maintain fellowship with God. We prayerful.The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf when we come to God in prayer (Romans 8:26-27).. 

When we trust God to provide the stamina for the work He calls us to do, we are clothed in power. Is your confidence in yourself or in Him?

Memory verse: Ephesians 1:19. 

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are ships without wings.” C. H. Spungeon

Wednesday, November 18.

Wednesday, November 18.

Mankind was created to have a relationship with God, but that connection was broken when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. Now every human being is alienated from the Lord. And yet hope is not lost, because He had a plan of salvation in place even before creation: When the time was right, the Son of God would pay the penalty for mankind’s sin with His substitutionary death, opening the door for our forgiveness and reconciliation. 

Because He is gracious, God saves us on the basis of faith in His Son. Then He gives us a new nature empowered by the Holy Spirit who comes to live within each Christian. The Spirit transforms our character into the image of Christ and enables us to live godly, obedient lives. And one day we will stand before our Father and be welcomed into our heavenly inheritance. 

We need these truths firmly planted in our mind so we can grasp not only our desperate situation but also the goodness and love in God’s amazing rescue plan. He has proven His care for us in our greatest need. Will He not then provide for every other need in our life?

Memory verse: Jeremiah 29:11.

“Faith is trusting God when you don’t understand his plan.” QuoteMaster

Tuesday, November 17.

Sometimes obeying the Lord is difficult and costly. In some areas of the world, Christians are even persecuted for their faith. When Peter and the apostles were ordered to stop teaching about Jesus, they appealed to a higher authority, saying, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). What motivated them to follow the Lord with such conviction? 

God’s Sovereignty. The disciples recognized that God had carried out His divine plan of redemption through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Convinced that salvation was found in Christ alone, they had the courage to speak boldly about their faith. They did exactly what Jesus commissioned them to do and trusted Him to handle the consequences according to His good and perfect will. 

Thankfulness. The apostles’ obedience was also motivated by gratitude to God. Even after being flogged for their faithfulness to Christ, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for His sake and kept right on preaching. 

Since God has rescued us from the bondage of sin, forgiven us, and brought us into His family, grateful obedience should be our response, too. Each day is an opportunity to acknowledge His sovereignty over our life and to trust Him.

Memory verse:Acts 5:9/

“Obedience is the mother of success and it is wedded to safety.” Aeschylus

Friday, November 13.

Spiritual gifts are a tremendous blessing from God. They are given to enable believers to serve for the good of the church, which is the body of Christ. But we are warned not to think more highly of ourselves if we happen to have one of the more “impressive” gifts. In other words, it’s important to remember these abilities were bestowed on us for the benefit of others, so we are never to get puffed up. 

One of the more visible gifts is prophecy, which today can be defined as the ability to speak forth the truth of God’s Word. Believers with this gift typically have a strong biblical perspective and an ability to accurately handle Scripture. They are able to discern false doctrines and warn God’s people about deception. Their desire is to promote obedience to the Word and address heart issues that could lead people into sin.  

Since the gift of prophecy is so influential, it’s essential for those who have it to be humble and motivated by love for God and His people. But this is also true for other spiritual gifts. Whether it is prophecy or something else, your gift must be exercised with godly character. After all, Paul says, “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 13:2.

“The act of prophecy is very dangerous, especially with respect to the future.” Mark Twain