| All devotions are taken from Bible verses. Please read the Bible verse before reading the devotion. |
Daily Family Devotions (Taken from the Experiencing God Collection)
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Concord Missionary
Baptist Church
Baptist Church
Tuesday:
November 4 Let No One Look down on You “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in
spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1Ti 4:12 Timothy was a sincere young man who earnestly desired to serve the Lord. Yet certain weaknesses in Timothy’s
life hindered him from serving God confidently. Timothy was very young to be a religious leader, and apparently some doubted his abilities.
Timothy had a tender nature and was sickly (1Ti 5:23). His was an inauspicious beginning for a young minister of the gospel in an age of
persecution! Paul urged Timothy not to allow his youthful insecurity to blunt his zeal and faithfulness in doing what God had told him. Rather than
arguing with those who criticized Timothy, Paul urged him to live as an example of godliness. Paul advised Timothy to live a life that was so
spotless in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity that his life could serve as a model for others in the church to follow. Timothy’s life was to
be the evidence that God had called him. God looked beyond Timothy’s youth, timidity, and physical weakness and saw his sincere heart. As you
seek to follow God’s will, you may identify with Timothy. Perhaps some things about you seem to disqualify you from serving the Lord effectively.
You may be sensitive because you are a new Christian or because you come from a sinful past. Perhaps you have little education or money or
social status. You may have previously experienced failure in your service for God. Don’t allow this to intimidate you from following God’s will.
Your area of weakness may be God’s means of demonstrating His strength (2Co 12:9). Allow God to demonstrate His call upon you by
transforming your life into a model of godliness.
November 4 Let No One Look down on You “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in
spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1Ti 4:12 Timothy was a sincere young man who earnestly desired to serve the Lord. Yet certain weaknesses in Timothy’s
life hindered him from serving God confidently. Timothy was very young to be a religious leader, and apparently some doubted his abilities.
Timothy had a tender nature and was sickly (1Ti 5:23). His was an inauspicious beginning for a young minister of the gospel in an age of
persecution! Paul urged Timothy not to allow his youthful insecurity to blunt his zeal and faithfulness in doing what God had told him. Rather than
arguing with those who criticized Timothy, Paul urged him to live as an example of godliness. Paul advised Timothy to live a life that was so
spotless in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity that his life could serve as a model for others in the church to follow. Timothy’s life was to
be the evidence that God had called him. God looked beyond Timothy’s youth, timidity, and physical weakness and saw his sincere heart. As you
seek to follow God’s will, you may identify with Timothy. Perhaps some things about you seem to disqualify you from serving the Lord effectively.
You may be sensitive because you are a new Christian or because you come from a sinful past. Perhaps you have little education or money or
social status. You may have previously experienced failure in your service for God. Don’t allow this to intimidate you from following God’s will.
Your area of weakness may be God’s means of demonstrating His strength (2Co 12:9). Allow God to demonstrate His call upon you by
transforming your life into a model of godliness.
Wednesday:
November 5 Wisdom Justified “But wisdom is justified by all her children.” Luke 7:35 The world is full of “experts.” There are people everywhere
who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion. Yet God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or
vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time. Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate. Wisdom is proven over
time. Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best. Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is
the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. When you seek to obey what God has
told you, you will sometimes meet resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of your actions. Your immediate response
may be the urge to vindicate yourself. However, if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could
through argument. Through the ages, the wisdom found in God’s Word has been tested and proven true. It is critical that you measure
everything you hear against the Scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God’s Word is timeless. Whenever you share
an opinion in counseling someone else, make sure that it comes from the Scripture and not merely from your best thinking. As long as you base
your life choices on the Word of God, time will be your defender and will validate the wisdom of your choices. If, over time, you clearly see you
are wrong, ask God’s forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His
wisdom in your life.
November 5 Wisdom Justified “But wisdom is justified by all her children.” Luke 7:35 The world is full of “experts.” There are people everywhere
who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion. Yet God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or
vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time. Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate. Wisdom is proven over
time. Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best. Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is
the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. When you seek to obey what God has
told you, you will sometimes meet resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of your actions. Your immediate response
may be the urge to vindicate yourself. However, if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could
through argument. Through the ages, the wisdom found in God’s Word has been tested and proven true. It is critical that you measure
everything you hear against the Scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God’s Word is timeless. Whenever you share
an opinion in counseling someone else, make sure that it comes from the Scripture and not merely from your best thinking. As long as you base
your life choices on the Word of God, time will be your defender and will validate the wisdom of your choices. If, over time, you clearly see you
are wrong, ask God’s forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His
wisdom in your life.
Thursday:
November 6 Don’t Avoid the Impossible But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Mt 14:16 Jesus
asked His disciples to do something that clearly was impossible. There were five thousand men, along with their families, and they were
famished. There were only five loaves of bread and two small fish— obviously not enough to feed a multitude. The cost of food for even a
portion of the crowd would have far exceeded the disciples’ small budget. It may have seemed absurd to the disciples that Jesus should ask
them to distribute the paltry amount of food to the massive crowd. Yet that is exactly what Jesus asked them to do. Because Jesus had given the
command, the disciples obeyed and witnessed an incredible miracle. Christ will lead you into many situations that will seem impossible, but don’t
try to avoid them. Stay in the middle of them, for that is where you will experience God. The key difference between what appears to be
impossible to us and what is actually possible is a word from our Master! Faith accepts His divine command and steps out in a direction that only
God can complete. If you only attempt things that you know are possible with the visible resources you possess, those around you will not see
God at work. You will be the one who receives the credit for a job well done, but God will have no part in it. Take inventory of your life and the
decisions you are presently facing. Have you received a word from the Master that awaits your next step of faith? If you will proceed with what
He has told you, no matter how incredible it might seem, you will experience the joy of seeing your Lord perform a miracle, and so will those
around you.
November 6 Don’t Avoid the Impossible But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Mt 14:16 Jesus
asked His disciples to do something that clearly was impossible. There were five thousand men, along with their families, and they were
famished. There were only five loaves of bread and two small fish— obviously not enough to feed a multitude. The cost of food for even a
portion of the crowd would have far exceeded the disciples’ small budget. It may have seemed absurd to the disciples that Jesus should ask
them to distribute the paltry amount of food to the massive crowd. Yet that is exactly what Jesus asked them to do. Because Jesus had given the
command, the disciples obeyed and witnessed an incredible miracle. Christ will lead you into many situations that will seem impossible, but don’t
try to avoid them. Stay in the middle of them, for that is where you will experience God. The key difference between what appears to be
impossible to us and what is actually possible is a word from our Master! Faith accepts His divine command and steps out in a direction that only
God can complete. If you only attempt things that you know are possible with the visible resources you possess, those around you will not see
God at work. You will be the one who receives the credit for a job well done, but God will have no part in it. Take inventory of your life and the
decisions you are presently facing. Have you received a word from the Master that awaits your next step of faith? If you will proceed with what
He has told you, no matter how incredible it might seem, you will experience the joy of seeing your Lord perform a miracle, and so will those
around you.
Friday:
November 7 Tempted by Shortcuts Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let
me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!” 1Sa 26:8 You will sometimes be tempted
to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. David faced this temptation numerous times before he finally assumed the throne. Samuel, God’s
prophet, had anointed David and prophesied that he would be the next king of Israel (1Sa 16:12–13). Yet, while David waited on God’s timing, he
watched in frustration as a crazed King Saul brought the kingdom into jeopardy. Saul pursued David to murder him, forcing David to flee for his
life. Then an incredible opportunity presented itself to David. David found Saul in a vulnerable position, sleeping with his army. Abishai, one of
David’s warriors, offered to kill Saul. It seemed to make perfect sense. Saul had tried to kill David on numerous occasions. God had said He
intended for David to be the king. By taking matters into his own hands, David could bring an end to his exile and assume the throne as God’s
anointed servant. Yet he refused to compromise his integrity in order to become king, even though he wanted the position and it was rightfully
his. Accomplishing God’s will in any manner other than the way God prescribed was unthinkable. At times you may face similar temptations. Well-
meaning friends advise you to hasten God’s will for you rather than waiting upon Him. You may be sorely tempted to take control of your
situation, assuming the end will justify the means. These are the times when you must trust God’s perfect timing. God may plan for you to attain a
certain position or take a new direction, but the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don’t allow others to persuade you to
compromise your integrity as you follow God’s will.
November 7 Tempted by Shortcuts Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let
me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!” 1Sa 26:8 You will sometimes be tempted
to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. David faced this temptation numerous times before he finally assumed the throne. Samuel, God’s
prophet, had anointed David and prophesied that he would be the next king of Israel (1Sa 16:12–13). Yet, while David waited on God’s timing, he
watched in frustration as a crazed King Saul brought the kingdom into jeopardy. Saul pursued David to murder him, forcing David to flee for his
life. Then an incredible opportunity presented itself to David. David found Saul in a vulnerable position, sleeping with his army. Abishai, one of
David’s warriors, offered to kill Saul. It seemed to make perfect sense. Saul had tried to kill David on numerous occasions. God had said He
intended for David to be the king. By taking matters into his own hands, David could bring an end to his exile and assume the throne as God’s
anointed servant. Yet he refused to compromise his integrity in order to become king, even though he wanted the position and it was rightfully
his. Accomplishing God’s will in any manner other than the way God prescribed was unthinkable. At times you may face similar temptations. Well-
meaning friends advise you to hasten God’s will for you rather than waiting upon Him. You may be sorely tempted to take control of your
situation, assuming the end will justify the means. These are the times when you must trust God’s perfect timing. God may plan for you to attain a
certain position or take a new direction, but the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don’t allow others to persuade you to
compromise your integrity as you follow God’s will.
Saturday:
November 8 Steadfast in Your Resolve “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to
go to Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 It is easy to become distracted in the Christian life! The moment you understand what God wants you to do, it will seem
as though everyone around you requires your time and attention! When the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, He “set His face” toward
Jerusalem, so that nothing would prevent Him from accomplishing His Father’s will. So obvious was His resolve to go to Jerusalem that the
Samaritans, who hated the Jews, rejected Him because they recognized that He was a Jew traveling through their village to the hated city of
Jerusalem. Jesus determined not to digress from His mission, but He took time to minister to many people along His way. He sent out seventy
disciples into the surrounding towns (Lu 10:1). He healed lepers (Lu 17:11–19). He cured a man of dropsy (Lu 14:1–4). He brought salvation to the
home of Zaccheus (Lu 19:1–10). He continued to teach His disciples (Lu 15:1–32). Jesus did not refuse to minister to others as He went to Calvary,
but ultimately He refused to be deterred from His Father’s will. If you know what God wants you to do, set your sights resolutely toward that goal
with full determination to accomplish it (Pr 4:25). Your resolve to go where God is leading ought to be evident to those around you. Beware of
becoming so sidetracked by the opportunities around you that you lose sight of God’s ultimate goal for you. Do not succumb to the temptation to
delay your obedience or to discard it altogether. Once you have received a clear assignment from God, your response should be unwavering
obedience.
November 8 Steadfast in Your Resolve “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to
go to Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 It is easy to become distracted in the Christian life! The moment you understand what God wants you to do, it will seem
as though everyone around you requires your time and attention! When the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, He “set His face” toward
Jerusalem, so that nothing would prevent Him from accomplishing His Father’s will. So obvious was His resolve to go to Jerusalem that the
Samaritans, who hated the Jews, rejected Him because they recognized that He was a Jew traveling through their village to the hated city of
Jerusalem. Jesus determined not to digress from His mission, but He took time to minister to many people along His way. He sent out seventy
disciples into the surrounding towns (Lu 10:1). He healed lepers (Lu 17:11–19). He cured a man of dropsy (Lu 14:1–4). He brought salvation to the
home of Zaccheus (Lu 19:1–10). He continued to teach His disciples (Lu 15:1–32). Jesus did not refuse to minister to others as He went to Calvary,
but ultimately He refused to be deterred from His Father’s will. If you know what God wants you to do, set your sights resolutely toward that goal
with full determination to accomplish it (Pr 4:25). Your resolve to go where God is leading ought to be evident to those around you. Beware of
becoming so sidetracked by the opportunities around you that you lose sight of God’s ultimate goal for you. Do not succumb to the temptation to
delay your obedience or to discard it altogether. Once you have received a clear assignment from God, your response should be unwavering
obedience.
Sunday:
November 2 Have You Done What You Know to Do? “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Jms 4:17 It is
never a minor thing to know God’s will and not do it. God calls this sin. We can make excuses for our lack of obedience: “I’m just not ready yet” or
“I’ll do it later!” or “I don’t think it will make a difference” or “I can’t afford to!” We rationalize, we procrastinatate; yet, in God’s eyes, rationalization
and procrastination are nothing more than disobedience. At times we deceive ourselves into thinking that good intentions equal obedient actions.
They do not. A good intention without corresponding activity is disobedience. When we encounter God and He gives us a direction, it is not
enough to write down the date in our spiritual journal, or even to tell our friends and church of our “decision.” God’s call is not to “make a
decision” but to obey! Deciding to obey is not equal to obeying! (Mt 21:28–31). Loudly affirming the necessity of obedience is not the same as
obeying (Lu 6:46). Making commitments, even publicly, is not the same as obeying our Lord. Substituting our own good works is not the same as
obeying. God told King Saul to wait until the prophet Samuel arrived. Instead of waiting, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered a
sacrifice. Saul discovered, to his deep dismay, that other acts of supposed piety do not take the place of obeying a clear command from God (1Sa
15:22). As with Saul, God expects you to obey everything exactly as He tells you. Only obedience satisfies God’s desire for obedience!
November 2 Have You Done What You Know to Do? “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Jms 4:17 It is
never a minor thing to know God’s will and not do it. God calls this sin. We can make excuses for our lack of obedience: “I’m just not ready yet” or
“I’ll do it later!” or “I don’t think it will make a difference” or “I can’t afford to!” We rationalize, we procrastinatate; yet, in God’s eyes, rationalization
and procrastination are nothing more than disobedience. At times we deceive ourselves into thinking that good intentions equal obedient actions.
They do not. A good intention without corresponding activity is disobedience. When we encounter God and He gives us a direction, it is not
enough to write down the date in our spiritual journal, or even to tell our friends and church of our “decision.” God’s call is not to “make a
decision” but to obey! Deciding to obey is not equal to obeying! (Mt 21:28–31). Loudly affirming the necessity of obedience is not the same as
obeying (Lu 6:46). Making commitments, even publicly, is not the same as obeying our Lord. Substituting our own good works is not the same as
obeying. God told King Saul to wait until the prophet Samuel arrived. Instead of waiting, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered a
sacrifice. Saul discovered, to his deep dismay, that other acts of supposed piety do not take the place of obeying a clear command from God (1Sa
15:22). As with Saul, God expects you to obey everything exactly as He tells you. Only obedience satisfies God’s desire for obedience!
Monday:
November 3 Counted Faithful “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the
ministry.” 1Ti 1:12 From a human perspective, the apostle Paul’s record as a zealous persecutor of Christians should have precluded him from
being used in God’s service. Paul was known as the “chief of sinners,” a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor (1Ti 1:13–15). Everything
changed when God saved Paul. He embraced the Christian life with the same fervency in which he had opposed it. Paul labored to be faithful in
every assignment, no matter how small or large. Ultimately, because of Paul’s faithfulness, God entrusted him to be one of His foremost promoters
of the gospel. Paul understood that everything he ever accomplished for God’s kingdom was due to the enabling power of God. He was not
deceived into thinking that his own intelligence or personal drive brought about God’s will. Rather, Paul was grateful for the opportunity to be
tested and found faithful in any assignment, regardless of its size. Your ability to serve God is not based on your past, but on your faithfulness
today. If you are faithful with the task God entrusts to you, God will enable you to accomplish it. Don’t distinguish between big and small
assignments from God. Paul saw every one as a privilege he did not deserve. Whether God has asked you to pray for someone, to minister to a
person in need, to lead a Bible study, or to care for those who are sick, strive to be faithful. You will experience His enabling as you serve Him. If
you are faithful in a little, God will entrust you with more. You will be able to join Paul in praising God for having counted you faithful, putting you
into His service (Lu 16:10).
November 3 Counted Faithful “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the
ministry.” 1Ti 1:12 From a human perspective, the apostle Paul’s record as a zealous persecutor of Christians should have precluded him from
being used in God’s service. Paul was known as the “chief of sinners,” a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor (1Ti 1:13–15). Everything
changed when God saved Paul. He embraced the Christian life with the same fervency in which he had opposed it. Paul labored to be faithful in
every assignment, no matter how small or large. Ultimately, because of Paul’s faithfulness, God entrusted him to be one of His foremost promoters
of the gospel. Paul understood that everything he ever accomplished for God’s kingdom was due to the enabling power of God. He was not
deceived into thinking that his own intelligence or personal drive brought about God’s will. Rather, Paul was grateful for the opportunity to be
tested and found faithful in any assignment, regardless of its size. Your ability to serve God is not based on your past, but on your faithfulness
today. If you are faithful with the task God entrusts to you, God will enable you to accomplish it. Don’t distinguish between big and small
assignments from God. Paul saw every one as a privilege he did not deserve. Whether God has asked you to pray for someone, to minister to a
person in need, to lead a Bible study, or to care for those who are sick, strive to be faithful. You will experience His enabling as you serve Him. If
you are faithful in a little, God will entrust you with more. You will be able to join Paul in praising God for having counted you faithful, putting you
into His service (Lu 16:10).