Apologies. My website has been down for many days. I will begin by saying we survived the floods which attacked us this week. It is amazing the power of flowing water after 22 inches of rain in a day. What a mess. We just today got water (we have to boil it to use it) and our gas was off too. I have kitchen cupboards stacked with dirty dishes I can’t run in the dishwasher, and our lives have been tossed to and fro, I finally got out this morning to do some much-needed shopping. With a hurricane, at least there’s some up-front warning. Not with this storm.
I will post entries for October 23Novwember 8 from Awesome Autumn. I am also announcing publication of my newest book in the series, the one to follow the current one, It is Winter Wisdom, and I think it’s the best one yet!
October 23 Scripture (Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to
wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
This is God’s instruction manual, pure and simple. Wisdom is precious, and seeking it as God’s children, we will grow up with its benefits. This is the basis for discovering the wealth of the Gospel message—that God loves us enough to guide our instruction. Jesus called it the abundant life. That means that we learn from experience, we are comforted and guided by God’s laws and principles which set our boundaries, and that He loved us enough to recognize that Satan will try to undo us and tempt us and even allow struggles to sometimes overwhelm us, but when we turn to the Lord, we will redeem those experiences and live victoriously. And when our life battle is over, God will welcome those who love and follow Jesus into eternal fellowship with Him. That’s what Jesus’ atonement means. While Solomon preceded the life-walk of Jesus, God taught Solomon’s inspired proverbs beginning where we all begin: that the ‘fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how privileged I am to walk in Your way, for I know through You more about the character of God that even Solomon in all His wisdom could fathom. I know that You are the source of my joy, and I know the treasure of worshiping You. Amen.
October 24 Scripture (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make straight your paths.
I remember mother’s joy when my away-at-college son wrote me an email and at the signature place, he quoted this verse. He was asking me some trivial question or reporting on some class he was taking—I don’t remember the content—but at the close, he signed it, Love, Paul with this verse at the bottom.
Solomon taught us all this principle. If we focus on God and not ourselves, we will not stray from His hold on our lives. When we take confidence in our own abilities, if we stray too far, God will bring us back to the truth of this dependence on Him.
We cannot earn our way to salvation; it is solely God’s gift by grace that we follow Him. But once we do, and constantly seek His guidance, we will be on the right pathway, and He will be with us in all our days and through eternity. Solomon continues: My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom He delights.(3:11-12)
Prayer:
Almighty Father, keep me from pride that says I no longer need to seek Your counsel or even ask for forgiveness for my self-centeredness. I commit to pray continuously for Your guidance. Thank You for the hedge of protection You provide so I stay on Your narrow pathway that leads to a life fully committed to You and Your purpose for my life. Humble me so that I depend on You. Amen
October 25 Scripture (Proverbs 3: 13-14)
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
The more we observe our world, the more we explore nature, the more we explore the universe, the more we unlock the secrets of the mind and develop things like AI, the more we celebrate the wisdom of God in creating this magnificent world and all that is in it. We stand amazed.
Can we fathom the act of creation? As we learn more about the synapses and dendrites, the fissures in the earth beneath our feet, the more we debate the age of the earth or how so many varieties of plants exist, the more our faith in our Creator increases. And now, as we seek to use “artificial intelligence” as a tool, can man truly understand mysteries formerly attributed by believers to our Almighty God, creator and sustainer of the universe?
Prayer:
Lord, I pray Psalm 8:3-9 back to You. ‘When I look at your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands. You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the filed, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whether passes along the paths of the seas. seas. O Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth’ Creator, Sustainer, and Abba Father, I praise Your Name and you’re Your praise. Amen and Amen.
October 26 Scripture (Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil
Many people past and present give advice on how to live our lives. Wisdom through the ages is recorded for us to observe: Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar: The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.
When I was growing up, Dear Abby was printed in the newspaper, giving her advice. Commentators on TV, supposed experts, color our “news” broadcasts, and traditional newspaper journalists learned ‘blood sells (papes) papers.’ We are somehow fascinated by “Who dunnits” and now our youth worship online “influencers.” Many read novels filled with intrigue, and this week our children and grandchildren (not mine) will dress as witches, goblins, and gangsters for Halloween.
We Christians long to hear, as we face judgment at the gates of heaven, Well done, good and faithful servant from the lips of our Savior. Although this was given to a faithful servant over a master’s property, we trust it will be the end-story that we have lived this life well.
Prayer:
Lord, keep my eyes straight and my feet on the pathway of righteousness. Humble me to repent when I stray, and may I live today well for You and the sake of Your Kingdom on earth and in heaven. Amen
October 27 Scripture (Proverbs 11:25-28)
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Here’s a basic principle: God will bless those who work diligently, follow His instructions, and trust in the Lord’s guidance. However, those who squander, hoard, charge interest on loans, or withhold riches will not prosper in the end. Those who tithe at least a tenth of their income to the Lord’s work will receive blessings. Does that mean financial ruin never occurs to those who follow the Lord? The prosperity Gospel is false. Charity is respected, and God blesses those who are generous.
Prayer:
Lord, govern my life according to Your will. I thank You for all that I have, for my daily bread, and for all I need. While others in the world satisfy their wants before their needs, let me concentrate on being generous with my resources so that others may be blessed. Let me be the model Proverbs 31 woman, if that’s the role You want me to play, but let me always be wise in the ways of economics to follow Your Biblical principles. In Jesus’ Name and for His honor. Amen.
EACH ONE MUST GIVE AS HE HAS DECIDED IN HIS HEART, NOT RELUCTANTLY OR UNDER COMPULSION, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
October 28 Scripture (Proverbs 15:8-9 ESV)
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
Jesus was schooled well in the Old Testament traditions and scriptures. Think of how He used the truth of these verses in His parables used to teach kingdom principles. He especially called out the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, and the rich young ruler, and others who put themselves in the spotlight instead of understanding their rightful place under God’s leadership and provision.
There were New Testament examples of those who did unacceptable things, even in the young church. I think of the decision of the new band of Christians, followers of The Way who, following Peter’s direction, decided to sell their goods, live together to serve each other. Our churches today have outreach to the poor, following the same principles. There were some who either called attention to themselves and their sacrificial giving, and some, like Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-11 who kept back the proceeds, profits of their property sales. What happened to them? Why was the rich young ruler sent away? (Matthew 16:16).
Prayer:
Lord, I know You see the motives of my heart. You know how I make decisions. Remind me that the great commandment summarizing all the others, is to love others as I love myself. As Jesus taught in the Beatitudes, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ (Matther 5:8) I pray You will keep my motives pure as I serve others. Amen.
October 29 Scripture (Proverbs 16:31)
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
Of course, I had to include this proverb, since, before we know it in this life, time brings us, if God preserves us, to gray hairs. Often people deny the process of aging, seeking all kinds of remedies and artificiality to deny it’s happening. The advertising business would collapse without the drugs, the beauty products, and the advisors who remind us daily that we are not worthy if we show our age. Solomon, who wrote both Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, says all is vanity. Indeed, it is.
However, he also attributes wisdom to those who have lived life well. The Proverbs picture of the righteous woman in chapter 31 says her children rise up and call her blessed.
How well we live our lives, treasuring its good memories and accounting what we have learned through adversities we all face is testimony to God’s provision, if we have dedicated our days to following Him. 2 Corinthians 4:16, Proverbs 20:29, Psalm 71:18, and Psalm 71:9 teach us that we who belong to the Lord are called precious when we die, because we have lived life well. May it be so.
Prayer:
Lord, when I recognize that in view of eternity, I am literally ‘here today and gone tomorrow.’ Let me serve You with diligence, and I thank You for every Godincidence where You have shown me mercy and love along the way. Through the saving work of Jesus, I will spend eternity in Your presence. What a precious gift it is to see the pathway You have provided for me in this life. Gray hairs and all, let me be a witness to Your provision and protection. Amen.
October 30 Scripture (Ephesians 5:8)
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Today and tomorrow, I will try to address Halloween, its history, its glorification of demons, witches, ghosts, occult, etc., and the Christian’s answer to the secular practices and provide healthy spiritual concepts. Go to this website biblepublic.com › bible-and-halloween.
This holiday is controversial for Christians and confusing to children. It is also a time for children to pretend, for churches to hold harvest festivals and Bible character dress up’s, trunk or treat events, and for malls to present safe travels for “trick or treaters.”
Americans spend money on Halloween. Today it is largely social and very commercialized. In 2025, Americans spent $13.1 billion on Halloween festivities. about $114.45, covering: Costumes: $4.3 billion, Decorations: $4.2 billion, and candy: $3.9 billion. I urge parents to help children understand the difference between ancient festivals, the “darkness of the occult,” and the church’s practices of All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints Day. Above all, let wise parents warn against evil practices including warnings about those who might harm children, and supervise their “hauls” especially from strangers or neighbors you don’t know.
Prayer:
Lord God, Almighty, help me remember that evil forces may attempt to persuade me to lose focus on light, peace, goodness, joy, all the fruit of the spirit. Satan is very real and tempt people to give into pride and temptation. Keep me strong. Even Jesus was tempted but He did not give in to sin. May it be so with me. Amen.
October 31 Scripture Matthew 6:13)
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
As part of the Lord’s Prayer, we recite this, but at certain times, we are more vulnerable to the temptation of secular life than usual. Such a day is Halloween.
We can teach our children, and ourselves, that glorifying witches, goblins, and glorifying death are evils we should avoid. The Bible calls it darkness, and indeed it is. On the other hand, children’s expressions of dress up, creativity, sharing candy with friends, and making jack o’ lanterns can be times of family fun.As parents, teachers, and other influencer of children, it is good to look at this topic and make wise choices. Primary concern in our day is keeping children safe. Without a doubt, parental presence is paramount. In this day when many do not know even the names, of our neighbors, horrid experiences of harming children have occurred. Vigilant parents need to know where their children are, who is accompanying them, and when trick or treat bags come home, everything needs a safety inspection. And as a teacher, children do not need to be on “sugar highs” in school. They cannot concentrate on learning.
Prayer:
Lord God, keep our children away from the occult, the negatives of thinking about death as a place of ghosts, goblins, and witches, and fill them with the knowledge of You as we as parents try to counteract culture’s negativity. While we encourage their role-playing in “dressing up” and pretending, let us use Halloween as a time of teaching about Christian values to counteract culture’s evil forces. Amen
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and is place remembers it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all…Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Psalm 103: 15-19, 22.
SECTION 3 NOVEMBER 1-NOVEMBER 30
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3
FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON,
AND A TIME FOR EVERY MATTER UNDER HEAVEN:
a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones
together
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing
A time to seek and a time to lose
A time to keep and a time to cast away
SECTION THREE THEME:
GIVING THANKS FOR THE HARVEST
PRESIDENTIAL THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION 2025
In 1789, just years after America’s triumph over tyranny in the Revolutionary War, President George Washington established the first National Day of Thanksgiving, declaring “the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” Decades later, in the midst of the bloody Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln implored the Nation to join in unity for ‘a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.’ In every generation since, this spirit of reverence, trust, and gratitude has preserved our way of life and made America the strongest, greatest, and most resilient Nation the world has ever known.
From the pilgrims who settled our continent and the patriots who won our independence on the battlefield to the pioneers who tamed the west and the warriors who have preserved our freedom in distant lands, the spirit of gratitude and grit embodied by those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving more than 400 years ago have stood at the very heart of what it means to be an American.
This year, God has bestowed abundant blessings all across our land and indeed the entire world. As we give thanks to
Him, we continue to advance our Nation through strong leadership and commonsense policy. As a result, the
American economy is roaring back, we are making progress on lowering the cost of living, a new era of peace is sweeping around the world, our sovereignty is being swiftly restored, and the American spirit is coming back greater and more powerful than ever before.
As we prepare to celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, this Thanksgiving, we summon the faith, resolve, and unflinching fortitude of the giants of American history who came before us. We vow to build a future that echoes their sacrifice. Above all, we offer our endless gratitude to Almighty God for His love, grace, and infinite blessings.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 27, 2025, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
November 1 Scripture (Philippians 4:21).
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus…
According to the Roman Catholic church, today is All Saints Day. To become a saint in the catholic tradition, one must show beatification by accomplishing miracles.
Protestants look at all the references to saints in the New Testament, which reveal that we who believe in Jesus and follow him are saints. I refer you to this website: https://www.gotquestions.org/saints-Christian.html
In the Apostles Creed, we state that we believe in ‘the communion of saints.’ That means, we are in the company of other believers in this life, or with those who have preceded us in death. ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.’ (Psalm 116:15)
Read Paul’s letter to the Ephesians which uses “saints” to refer to all believers, and passages in John’s Revelation which assures places in heaven for martyred Christins in the throne room in the presence of God, Jesus, and the elders. https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/78676/were-all-1st-century-christians-called-saints-by-saints-paul-jude-john-etc (Ephesians 1:1, 15, 18 & 2:19).
Prayer:
Lord Almighty, while I am still a mortal, still a sinner, You love me as a saint! My life walk toward sanctification depends on Your grace, not my achievements. You love me as I am, and Jesus ‘removes my sins from me as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more.’ (Psalm 103:12. Isaiah 43:25 says: ‘I thank You, Lord, for Your sacrifice and love. Amen.
November 2 Scripture (Genesis 1:11)
Then God said, ‘Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.’ And it was so.
From what we read of the original Garden of Eden, it was magnificent, filled with plants for food, trees filled with fruit in season, and food to provide for animals and people together. I for one marvel at the varieties, the plants that grow in Florida and in the north where I have lived, and the textures, colors, shapes, and adaptability to harsh and ideal growing conditions—each one is a masterpiece of engineering, and a catalog would be enormous.
My second observation is noticing how many times Jesus used plants, growing, seeds, harvesting, and trees, weeds and wheat, etc. in His parables. Of course, he was speaking of things the people knew and understood, but plants became metaphors for those who listened, followed His teaching, and dismay when some were thrown into the fire of eternal damnation. He used common crops and their uses; he used yeast in affecting the loaf of bread, and grapes made into wine. He cursed the fig tree for not having figs, even though it was out of season. He excused his disciples, who were hungry as they walked through a wheat field, and picked kernels on the Sabbath. In the parables, the ultimate harvest is not of crops, but souls for the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer:
Lord, Almighty, Creator of all growing things and sustainer of all that makes my life good, I thank You for the season of harvest which is once more upon us. Make My heart thankful as my stomachs is. Help me to know that Your provision for me is bountiful beyond measure. Amen.
November 3 Scripture (Psalm 95:1-5)
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
The people of our time need to understand that man is not the in all and above all and secular humanism is a sure path to doom without our acknowledgment that God is our Supreme Being, and we owe Him our honor, praise, and worship. Our pride and hubris, our self-centeredness and our predilection to materialism are as rubbish unless we witness that whatever we are, whatever we achieve, and whatever we dedicate our time and energy to are not as important as who we are in our adoration of the Lord who makes all things possible. To Him be the honor and glory.
Prayer:
Lord God, in this month of Thanksgiving, make me even more aware that without You, Lord, I am nothing. My own efforts may lead me to man’s praise, but unless I attribute my achievements to You, and rely on You for my strength, I will fail unless my life shows that You are first because You created me and honored me with Your Presence. May I practice thanksliving in my life accomplishments in Your honor, not mine. For, in the words of John the Baptist, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ (John 3:30) May it be so in thought, word, deed, attitude, all. Amen.
November 4 Scripture (Genesis 1:11)
And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their see, each according to its kind, on the earth.’ And it was so.
Although man thinks that his ingenuity and research and efforts in agricultural research feed the nations of the world, or produce hybrid seeds, or manipulate beauty, it is God who creates and God who controls. We see at the filled harvest bins all year round at fruit stands or our local markets, but ignore the colors, shapes, flavors, and immensity of what is available to us. How often do we thank God for His abundant love? May this harvest season (which now lasts all year with imported produce) remind us of how much God loves us, provides what we need for strength, and then adds variety and goodness as pleasures to our eyes, our taste buds, our health and nutrition, and our holiday feasts. Let us shout with joy at all that He has created and sustained for us.
Prayer:
Lord, as this harvest time yields its fruits in due season, remind me again of Your generosity, Your creativity, Your sustenance, Your care for those who produce and deliver my food to me, and that everything comes from Your creative hand. Help me share with those less fortunate and to pray against the famine which comes in times of poverty, crop failures, and warfare creating food shortages and insufficiency. Give me urgency in providing for others in my community who rely on food banks and generosity of others while I consume far more than necessary. Give me a caring heart as I provide meals for shut-ins or weekend meals for children who rely on school lunches for nutrition. Amen.
November 5 Scripture (Mark 4:14-20)
The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the Word that was sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground, the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while, then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word, immediately they fall away. And the others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the Word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the Word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty-fold and sixty-fold and a hundred-fold.
Jesus taught in parables. Here He tells the disciples why, but in each case, He is talking about the Kingdom, and the seeds are the spreading of God’s principles. There are many reasons for crop failure; He lists some. But some who hear His message about God and the Kingdom of righteousness will be like the last ones listed. They will be fruitful and multiply. They will tell of the abundance of God’s love for them, and they will spread this message to the entire world and countless generations who come after them. That’s the harvest we are seeing in the clouds of witnesses to Jesus’ teaching through the ages.
Prayer:
Lord, may I bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. Because Your loving message fell on my tender soil, l live in You as my Savior and Lord. Amen.
November 6 Scripture (Mark 4: 26-27)
And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.’
This passage, along with the other parables in this chapter of Mark, can be interpreted as our faith walk. We need to nourish it, from its tiniest beginnings to the strengthening through life experiences and circumstances, until our faith journey is ripe and the harvest comes when we are sowing the seeds in others’ lives because we have been blessed with abundance. God grows our reliance on Him even when we sleep. God nourishes us by the means of grace: soaking up His word through scripture, listening to sermons and teachings, fertilizing it all with fellowship of the saints, and calling on God’s wisdom as we face life’s challenges. We are the seeds which present the harvest at completion when God brings us “Home.”
Prayer:
May I indeed grow in the faith, as the little mustard seed did in this same chapter. Thank You for watering my faith, for sowing it in good soil, for preparing me well to understand Your Gospel message, and for nourishing others through my witness to Your sustaining and growing me in Christlikeness. May my celebration of life at the end of my journey produce a worthy harvest which You created through my kingdom walk. In Jesus’ precious Name, may it be so. Amen.
November 7 Scripture (Colossians 2:6-7)
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
The heading in my Bible, right before this verse, says “Alive in Christ.” That’s what I long to be; that’s what Christians are! God calls us, and the early church to which the letter was written, to be vibrant, growing tall and strong as the tallest trees in the forest, reaching deep into the soil which supports us, that of the firm foundation of Jesus as God’s Son who came to show us what God is like and to extol His power. I want to be, not a little vine crawling close to the earth, but a stalwart redwood Sequoia. I love delicate flowers which bring joy to the eye and fragrance to the nose, so I want to be a rose unfurling its petals in deep colors and stand on a strong stem, thorns and all. They just indicate my faith has been tested below, and those moments stand behind the vibrant bloom where I am planted. My writing teachers would call this “purple prose,” but I see the metaphor of growing things as alive, just as God’s Word is in my life and that of fellow believers. Yes, I am alive in Christ!
Prayer:
Lord God, I pray that every Christian is alive because of the faith they find in You. Use me to plant, to fertilize, to prune, to water, to harvest other Christians. Sow Your seeds through me so that the garden around me flourishes and others grow toward You, strong and vibrant. I especially pray this for my precious granddaughters and the generations ahead, should You tarry, so that our fellowship in heaven will be a harvest of complete joy I will know forever. Amen.
November 8 Scripture (Luke 8:15)
As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
I like the last two words of this verse, because God knows that it takes patience for a crop to grow to fruition, just as it take patience for our lives to attain sanctification. Think of the weather a plant must endure. Temperature changes, rainfall—with abundance or missing, the sun’s heat, the chilling winds, the insects that torment, and the pestilence that can attack! Sounds like life for us humans, doesn’t it?
We face poverty, health scares, doubts, scary interviews, fighting off aging, and sure death, stressful employment, heartache, and measured success…all that life throws at us in a fallen world. So, what is the lesson to be learned here?
My answer is complete (hopefully) reliance on God who promises to love me, Jesus who teaches me how to live, and the Holy Spirit giving me the courage to overcome and to put my trust where it belongs. Imagine—He left the wonders of heaven to live a life of poverty on earth—not the luxury of kingship. He never owned a house, He walked miles and miles in harsh conditions, He faced betrayal by those closes to Him, condemnation by religious leaders, the cruelty of government officials, all things which we, to some extent may face in this life as well. Yet, unlike us, He never sinned.
Prayer:
May Paul’s message to the new church fall afresh on me today. My I be good soil, and may I endure to bear fruit. I’m thankful the church grew from tender beginnings. Amen.
November 9 Scripture (Galatians 5:22-23)
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.
The young ruler asked, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’ (Matthew 22: 36-40)
A favorite song I used to teach my junior choir kids was by Avery and Marsh: “They Shall Know We Are Christians by Our Love.’
The fruit of the Spirit is the acme of perfection we all hope to achieve. In our mortal beings, we fail at many (most) of these, but because we love the Lord, we keep on striving toward this high calling. We should fall on our knees (hard for a 86-year-old), in repentance and ask for forgiveness.
Prayer:
Lord God, by Your Holy Spirit’s guidance, help me to achieve some measure of success at attaining these characteristics in my life. I am bold to speak sometimes, not always or even often, in kindness and graciousness, I certainly lack patience, I lose self-control and let my facial expressions show disdain when I am hurt or confronted, and I tolerate, not love others who are disagreeable or who hold attitudes far different from mine. I stand convicted. I long not to be a thorny weed but to bloom where I am planted as one who fulfills Your every expectation. Douse my soul with weed-killer so I can thrive for Your kingdom. Amen.
November 10 Scripture (Philippians 1:6)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Paul had such confidence that the Philippian church would flourish, and I thank God it did. It is part of our rich heritage that the early Christians were blessed in their faith-building so that we can learn of their faithfulness through the rich preaching of Paul and Timothy, Silas, and Epaphroditus , and women like Lydia. Please go to the website cited below to learn about this first church built in Europe.
Don’t you love the confidence God inspired in Paul? Part or all of this letter was written while Paul was imprisoned. Yet he wrote: I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Isn’t that a magnificent statement of faith written when he was in prison? He suffered many hardships, yet thought it was a positive thing because in a way, he suffered as Jesus had. What a faith statement! Map: (www.slidesserve.com)
Prayer:
Lord God, Blessed Jesus, Mighty Holy Spirit, I thank You for the heritage of these first-century Christians who followed Your call to them to establish churches at great physical harm and difficulties so that I can read of their successes and revel in their strength You gave them to overcome difficult circumstances. I can learn of Your power and Your love for us and endeavor to pass on the faith to those around me. Give me strength and courage to boldly present the Gospel to those with whom I have divine appointments. Amen.
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