DEVOTIONS

Pray For Your Meal
November 22 & 23, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Acts 27:35
And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     There is a sort of humorous little standard in our house about praying before you eat. If I catch anyone grabbing a sandwich or something and just sticking it in his or her mouth without praying first, I will ask, “Did you pray over that?” If the answer comes back, “No,” the next words they hear are, “You better pray, or you are going to be sick.” Well, I am pretty sure God will not make you sick for forgetting to pray for a sandwich or something (but please do not tell my children, ok!).

     However, I do know there is a Biblical example of praying before we eat. Jesus gave thanks over the food at the last supper and before he fed the multitudes. He thanked His Father for the food He provided. Paul also gave thanks in front of all the prisoners and guards on the ship before he distributed the food to them.

     Besides the Biblical examples, there are other reasons to give thanks. It shows respect when we thank God for the food He supplied, which we are about to eat. It causes us to pause in our schedule to remember God, who is our provider of everything.

     Stopping to pray is also a powerful testimony in public. It reflects on everyone around your respect for the God you serve. I cannot remember the number of times I have prayed at a restaurant, and someone walking by has said something like, “It was good to see you pray today, we do not see this so much anymore.”

     Giving thanks to God is simply the right thing to do. It is respectful to God. It is placing thanks where thanks are due, and it is a great testimony in your life and this world.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    When you get ready to eat today, take just a moment to thank God for His provision for you. No matter what you are eating, God has somehow provided it. Be a testimony for Christ. You do not need to wear a big banner that says I am a Christian. Just do what is right in the eyes of God.

How else might you be a testimony for God with your daily life?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: November 22, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Ezekiel 26-27 / Psalm 119:17-32
Proverbs 22 / Acts 26-27

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezekiel 24-27  /  James 4

 

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

    There will not be a Daily Devotion sent out on Sundays. Instead, we encourage you to attend your church and listen intently to what God has prepared in the heart of your Pastor. Write down all the scriptures he uses in that message, then, when you get home, re-read those passages for today’s reading. God has given your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

GOD TALKING TO ME: November  23, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

Real AA – Always Available
November 21, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 119:9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Rehabilitation Centers are popping up everywhere today. There are Drug Rehabilitation, Anger Management Centers, Alcohol Rehabilitation, Pornography Treatment Facilities, and on and on the list goes. If you have a problem, someone has gathered a group of people just like you to talk about it. The idea is that, in the midst of all the discussion, you will realize you have a problem. Well duh! We know we have problems in this world. That is a given. We do not need more people to point out the problems. What we need is a real way to deal with those problems. We need a way to help us control the urges that seem to control us.

 

     In the 119th Psalm in verse nine, we have that solution. How can a young man cleanse his way? How can a person get free from addictions? How can a person be free from the plague that has haunted and followed them? How, by taking HEED to the Word of God. Not just reading it. Not just going to church. Not just getting around other good people who want to help. The only true help is found in the pages of the Bible. When you read the truth in the scripture, you must commit to being obedient to it. Then and only then can we shed the baggage which sin has placed upon us.

 

     Please do not misunderstand my comments about these groups. There are many wonderful programs out there that can help you. Some of the Christian-based groups, like Reformers Unanimous, are doing a great job at helping. Support groups are wonderful tools at times. However, if your program or group is not founded on the Word of God, then you are spinning in Satan’s merry-go-round and trapped in his deception.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

   The Bible says you should have an abundant life, and FREE. Free from the penalties and the hold of sin. Take heed according to His Word and be free indeed.

 

Can you see how God’s word may help you have a more abundant life?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  November 21, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Ezekiel 24, 25 / Psalm 119:1-16
Proverbs 21 / Acts 26

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezekiel 21-23  /  James 3

 

Let Your Light So Shine
November 20, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

    Have you ever thought about how much light one little match can give off in a very dark room? On special occasions, our church has had a candlelight service to highlight a special part of the service. Often, we begin with the sanctuary dark and just one person lighting one candle and then passing that flame on to another, then another, and so on until everyone in the room has the candle they are holding burning brightly. However, in a dark room, just one little match seems so very bright. With all the other candles ablaze, that one little match does not seem to carry such a glow. However, let everyone blow out their candles and then strike that match, and it seems to light every inch of the room. The brighter the room, the less the light of the match shows.

 

     So, it is with our lives. If we keep ourselves clean from the sins of this world and watch how we live our lives, the candle of the spirit does not seem to make a glaring show as God searches our hearts. However, let sin come into our lives, and the brightness that has been burning as a candle of God’s character, which He has placed in you, seems dim, or even to have been blown out. It is during those times in our lives that the searching candle of God seems blindingly bright as it searches our hearts and finds darkness there.

 

     Sin blows out the candle of love, as sin only thinks of itself and not others. Sin blows out the candle of peace as it causes uneasiness in our lives. Sin blows out the candle of joy as it robs us of the joy we once had when walking close to God and other believers. Sin causes our lives to be dark, dreary, and lonely. Our verse in Proverbs 20:27 says the spirit of man is the candle that God uses to see into the heart of man and expose the darkness to drive it away. What does God see in you today?

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

   As God searches your heart, will you allow Him once again to light up your life? Doing away with greed and selfishness, and once again lighting the candle of love. Finding the peace and joy you once had and allowing God to light those areas of your life again. Let Jesus be the Light of Your Life.

 

How can the joy of knowing and serving God light up your life once again?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: November 20, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Ezekiel 23 / Psalm 118:15-29
Proverbs 20 / Acts 25

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezekiel 17-20  /  James 2

 

What He Says, He Does
November 19, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 22:14
Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Sometimes what we say we will do and what we do are two completely different things. It is not that we outright decided to lie to someone. We had no idea of the circumstances ahead of us. So, we occasionally make promises that are broken, leaving people discouraged with us. And yes, it happens to everyone. Everyone, that is, except God.

 

     God’s promises are sure. He knows the future completely, so He can make promises and not worry about later circumstances. This is good. Then again, this can be terrifying. If you are today a born-again Christian, then this is wonderful. You are standing in the most secure place of all. All of God’s promises of a blessed home in heaven are sure. No circumstances can ever change it. He will provide for your needs and take care of you as you follow and serve Him. All the promises toward you as a Christian are true, and they will all come true. On the other hand, if you are not saved and standing outside of the will of God, all the promises for you are just as sure.

 

     If God asked you the questions in today’s verse, what would your response be? “Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee?” Do you think you can stand against an almighty God on Judgment Day and somehow win against the clear truths of your life? No friend, when God deals with you, He will deal with justice. You will be judged by your sin and found guilty. How can I say this for sure? God’s Word says so for sure, and as this verse says, if the Lord has spoken it, He will do it.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     There is good news if you do not know Christ as Saviour. You still can. Humble your heart, ask Him to forgive your sin, come into your heart, and be your Saviour. By faith believe on Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation, and mean it, He will save you. Find a local Church and talk with the pastor about your decision. Friend, you just received many new promises that can never be broken. The Lord has spoken them, He will do them.

 

What promises for God’s people have your read in His Word lately?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: November 19, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Ezekiel 22 / Psalm 118:1-14
Proverbs 19 / Acts 24

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezekiel 13-16  /  James 1