Second Helping
A.F. Branco Cartoon – Voters rejected Democrats’ policies in 2024, only to return to them in the 2024 midterms.
Billy Graham Daily Devotion: Limitless God
The power of God is infinite and greater than we can fathom.
November 8
Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 5
Rich in Good Deeds
Command them to . . . be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.--[1 Timothy 6:18
READ 1 Timothy 6:17... View MoreNovember 8
Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 5
Rich in Good Deeds
Command them to . . . be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.--[1 Timothy 6:18
READ 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Ross-on-Wye is a scenic town in Herefordshire, England. Marked by its high church spire and old market house, a hilltop park provides a stunning view of the nearby River Wye. As you wander Ross’ streets, one name stands out: John Kyrle.
Born in 1637 to a wealthy family, John put his inheritance to good use. He built that hilltop park not for himself but for the community—an uncommon act at the time. He made a promenade along the river for public enjoyment, brought running water to the town, funded schools, sponsored apprenticeships for the unemployed, opened his home to the poor, and distributed bread from the market house.
As a longtime worshiper at Ross’ church, I wonder if today’s Scripture passage had anything to do with Kyrle’s philanthropy so many years ago. In those verses, Paul counsels the well-off in Timothy’s church to avoid taking pride in their wealth but instead to use it to do good (1 Timothy 6:17-18). While other lords built grand manors full of exotic possessions, Kyrle amassed heavenly treasure by investing in others (v. 19).
Each of us has a certain amount of time, talent, and resources at our disposal, which we are called to use well. Whether a little or a lot, John Kyrle can be an example to us as we glorify God by investing in others’ lives.
By Sheridan Voysey
REFLECT & PRAY
What amount of time, talent, and resources do you have right now? Where could you “invest” them in your community to God’s glory?
Dear God, please show me how to steward what I have to bless others. Amen.
"Doubt and Divided Loyalty Hinders Prayer" — Spiritual Warfare for 11/08/2026
But when you pray and ask God, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty i... View More"Doubt and Divided Loyalty Hinders Prayer" — Spiritual Warfare for 11/08/2026
But when you pray and ask God, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. — James 1:6-7 NLT
Today's Prayer
Lord, I confess that MANY times in my past prayer life I have asked for help while I was sure the prayer wouldn’t help at all. I have prayed with doubts for the majority of my life. I have wavered, questioned You, and focused on my fears instead of Your promises, and I now realize that this has negated my prayers and fed my fears. Forgive me. Lead me gently home, Father, and help me to learn again to live a life of faith like a newborn Christian. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Verse of the Day
Joshua 24:15
New American Standard Bible... View MoreVerse of the Day
Joshua 24:15
New American Standard Bible
But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Billy Graham Daily Devotion: Compassion for Others
Our compassion for others is an accurate gauge of our devotion to God.
Billy Graham Daily Devotion: Compassion for Others
Our compassion for others is an accurate gauge of our devotion to God.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
The Myth of an Absent God
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
—Psalm 37:23
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, nat... View MoreSaturday, November 7, 2026
The Myth of an Absent God
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
—Psalm 37:23
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, national or local tragedy, or personal dark night of the soul, these questions often arise: Where was God when this happened? Why does He seem absent?
The problem lies not with God Himself. He is, after all, omnipresent—He exists everywhere, all the time. Nothing will ever change that. The problem lies with our perception of Him—or, more specifically, our expectations of Him. When the Lord isn’t as predictable or as obvious as we want Him to be, we assume the worst.
The Gospel of Luke gives us a snapshot of this phenomenon. After Jesus’ crucifixion, two of His followers were walking the road to Emmaus. Both were devastated because the One to whom they had given their lives was gone, from all earthly appearances. God in human form was absent.
Until He joined them on their journey.
The two followers didn’t recognize Jesus at first. Here’s a loose paraphrase of the encounter.
Jesus asked, “Guys, why the long faces? What’s the problem?”
The two men were stunned by the question. “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days,” they replied.
“What things?”
They explained, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened” (Luke 24:19–21 NKJV).
Jesus said, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” (Luke 24:25–26 NLT). He led the followers “through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27 NLT).
Shortly thereafter, the two followers recognized Jesus (see Luke 24:30–31).
The reality for believers is that there are times when we sense the presence of the Lord. Then there are times when we don’t feel God’s presence and don’t see Him at work. We wonder whether God has abandoned us. The answer is: Absolutely not. He never has and never will. He said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).
The Bible says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37:23 NLT).
There are times in life when God seems absent, but He never is. God is always at work in the life of the believer, every hour of every day.
November 7
Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 40-42; Hebrews 4
What God Requires
What does the Lord require of you? --Micah 6:8
READ Micah 6:6-9
... View MoreNovember 7
Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 40-42; Hebrews 4
What God Requires
What does the Lord require of you? --Micah 6:8
READ Micah 6:6-9
You’ve probably seen the signs: No Shirt. No Shoes. No Service. Or if expressed in the positive: Shirt and Shoes Required. Such signs came to widespread prominence in the West in opposition to the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Business owners were looking for ways to keep long-haired and often shoeless hippies out of their establishments. They were (usually) willing to serve anyone, but there were two absolutes to get in the door: shirt and shoes—required attire.
The words from Micah 6 are well-known: “Act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Much has been written and preached on these points. Yet there’s a tendency to skip past a crucial word that precedes those phrases, a word that sets the tone for all that follows: “What does the Lord require of you?” If you’re serious about living a Christ-honoring life, this is what is essential. Sacrifices may seem impressive, but that’s not what God requires. If there’s no justice, no mercy, and no humility, then God says, “That’s no good.”
This doesn’t mean that the reason God accepts us is based on what we do. He accepts us out of His great love. But it has everything to do with how we live if we’re serious about pleasing Him. We serve and honor Him when we do what He requires.
By John Blase
REFLECT & PRAY
When you hear the word required, what thoughts or emotions come to mind? How have you read Micah 6:8—as suggestions for better living or as required?
Dear Father, I know what’s required. Please give me the courage to do it. Amen.
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