"All Scripture is God-
breathed and is useful
for teaching, rebuking,
correcting, and training
in righteousness,
so that the man of
God may be thoroughly
equipped for every
good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Devotions Online
Penned From the Heart, vol. xii
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November
SPECTATOR CHRISTIANS
Lorena Estep
November 8
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8 niv)
We enjoy the excitement of sitting in the stands to watch a sporting event. When we look around, there are always more spectators than participants. In a track meet, the runners pound down the track, straining to reach the goal of the winner's line at the end of the race. We might be inspired to get more exercise ourselves, then walk away to our busy lives and forget our good intentions.
What about living for the Lord? Are we spectator Christians? We should look around in the churches we attend. Do the same few people do the many necessary jobs? Are we shouldering our share, or staying in our comfort zone on the sidelines, attending the services and nothing more?
Ezra 10:4 (rsv) says: “Arise, for it is your task, ... be strong and do it.”
Let's move from the sidelines of our good intentions, and into the action of keeping the faith and running the race for the reward that awaits us in heaven.
NEVER GIVE UP
Marjorie K. Evans
November 9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
(Galatians 6:9 niv)
Most of the children in my second grade Sunday school class tried to be attentive during our lesson time. But Randy constantly bothered everyone. He wiggled, poked his neighbors, and talked out of turn. He appeared impervious to correction, and I was sure he never heard the lessons. Extremely discouraged, I felt the time spent in preparing the lessons and teaching was wasted and I should quit.
Then, one Sunday, I told the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee. When a storm suddenly arose, the frightened disciples awakened Jesus. He spoke to the wind and the waves and said, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39 niv). And they were still.
“Children,” I asked, “how could Jesus make the wind and the waves be quiet?”
To my utter amazement, Randy's hand shot up. When I called on him, he said, “One Sunday you told us that Jesus made everything—even the wind and waves. So He ought to know how to make them be still.”
Randy had been listening! Suddenly I knew the work of preparing and teaching a lesson each week was worth it!
The Bible tells us not to grow weary in doing good, for there will be a harvest if we don't give up. All we have to do is be faithful, do a good job at whatever God has called us to do, and leave the results to Him.
How grateful I am that the Lord used Randy to teach me never to give up.
BORN TO LIVE AND NOT TO DIE
Joe LoBello
November 10
Conceived by the hand of the Father,
Our lives are each fearfully made.
And as time reveals God’s wonder,
It tells of His infinite Love.
Born to live and not to die is His promise,
A promise that rings so true.
Born to live and abundantly prosper,
That is His desire for me and for you.
Though the flesh may age and alter,
The spirit grows steadily strong,
And as our flame slowly falters,
The gift of His grace goes on.
Born to live and not to die,
It is the foundation of our faith.
Born to live by His side,
The Lord reigning with His bride.
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE
Dan Nicksich
November 11
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
(Romans 13:7 niv)
A teenager was surprised to hear we had once been at war with Japan. “Who won?” he asked.
Each November 11 is set aside as a day in which we honor our veterans, those who served our country to preserve our freedom. We dare not allow the knowledge of their sacrifice to fade. Scripture says that we are to honor those to whom honor is due. Few would seem more deserving than those who stormed the beaches in such famous places as Normandy, Iwo Jima, or Guadalcanal, and those who risked—and gave—their lives in so many nameless places worldwide.
Make today a little brighter for one who deserves our appreciation—friend, relative, coworker, or neighbor. Express your gratitude to a veteran who is close to you. Make a date for lunch, write a note, pick up the phone; make a connection. It's the least you can do in recognition of what he once did for you.
Lord, although we don't glorify war, we thank You for those who served our country to ensure our freedom. Bless those who risked their lives on our behalf. Amen.
WHOSE PROBLEM?
Marcie Banks
November 12
A Christian friend and I took a communications course together at a community college. During the first session, our instructor said we would learn to acquire the courage to express our views when they disagreed with the view of others. During the semester, the atmosphere seemed to change and so did the goal. In the final session we were told to tell our husband firmly, or whoever disagreed with us, “That's your problem, not mine.”
Is it right to snap, “That's your problem, not mine!” then turn again to the computer or television?
Writer Thomas Merton said, “No man is an island.”
The Bible tells us, “None of us lives to himself” (Romans 14:7). “We being many are one bread, for we are all partakers of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17). “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). “Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another” (2 Thessalonians 5:11). “Be all of one mind, having compassion one for another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8). In the words of Jesus, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another” (John 15:12).
The community college should have returned our money; my friend and I learned more from our time-worn Bibles.
FEELING DOWN
Pat Collins
November 13
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
(John 14:18 kjv)
My heart felt so heavy today; I wondered if anything even matters anymore. God, where are You? You seem so far away. Please don't leave me; I really need You.
I felt a tugging at my heart as His words came to me: My child look around you. See that small tender flower that found its way among the weeds? Look at the delicate butterfly land quietly upon the bush. See how the clouds form so many different shapes, and how the sunbeams seem to touch the earth? SEE ME. Listen, do you hear the birds singing? I taught them to sing, to entertain you. The bees and crickets make music of some kind. HEAR ME. Do you feel a slight stirring, when there is no breeze? FEEL MY TOUCH. See, child, I am not far away, I'm closer to you then you think. I am forever near. I live within your heart.
Thank You, dear Lord, for when I become quiet and listen, I do feel Your presence. Help me to be still so You can speak to me. For I am never alone, with You in my heart. Amen.
OH LORD ABOVE
Tune of O Christmas Tree
Glenda Joy Race
November 14
On Lord above, we praise Your Name
For you endure forever.
Oh Lord above, we praise your Name,
For you endure forever.
You made the Heavens and the Earth,
And yet you came through virgin birth.
Oh Lord above, we praise your name,
For you endure forever.
Oh Jesus Christ, Oh Jesus Christ,
Your Priesthood never changes.
Oh Jesus Christ, Oh Jesus Christ,
Your priesthood never changes.
Not only faithful yesterday
But for today and every day.
Oh Jesus Christ, oh Jesus Christ,
Your priesthood never changes.
Oh Lord, Your mercies never cease
Your compassion never fails.
Oh Lord, Your mercies never cease.
Your compassions never fail.
Your faithfulness is good to those
Who trust and wait for You, Oh Lord.
Oh Lord, Your mercies never cease.
Your compassion never fails.
THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER
Judy Barron
November 15
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
(Hebrews 12:2 kjv)
Father God,
You are the instigator and final authority of our faith. Without You in our lives, we could not have faith. We must have faith in You—a belief in You —for anything like grace to come into our lives. And You are the finisher of our faith. You come to take us home at the end of our days here on earth. Without You, and Your promise of salvation, we can never conceive of a “coming home.” Without Your Grace, we would die and be dead—period! You finish our faith so gloriously—by overcoming death and providing an eternal home for us where our faith will let us see You face-to-face. What a glorious future we have to look forward to! In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
LIGHT IN THE WORD
Marion E. Gorman
November 16
Matthew 6:19-34
Driving home from work, my mind relaxed into daydreaming. I thought about people who had won millions in the lottery. What would a person do with all that money? I wondered.
I pondered many things while entertaining this distraction from reality. After tithing at least a tenth, I would buy a lighthouse. They are advertised for sale, very cheap, with the contingency that the buyer have capital to restore and maintain them. I love restoring old things; living on the ocean would be wonderful and surely a lighthouse could bring attention to the Light of the World, Jesus.
Back in real life, the scripture for my devotions that evening read, “You (God) have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased” (Psalm 4:7 nkj). My daydream burst like the bubble it was, and I knew the “gladness in my heart” could come only from the Lord—not material wealth. Later, as if underlining this truth, I read, “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches” (Psalm 119:14 nkj). I celebrated with praise, knowing the riches I have in Christ transcend anything the world has to offer. Daydreams fade when I listen to God’s plan for my life with what He has already given me.
Lord, thank You for shedding Your light on my need to anchor my soul in You.
FOLLOWING OUR GIFTS
Leigh DeLozier
November 17
Each man has his own gift from God.
(1 Corinthians 7:7 niv)
I’ve always loved to write, but several years ago God began planting the seeds of a new dream in my heart—to write for Him.
I soon found that writing was the easy part—sharing the dream with others was much harder because I felt totally unworthy. With all the accomplished writers out there, why would God want to use me to help share His message?
Then one Sunday our preschool son brought home a large, cloud-shaped piece of green construction paper with orange strips poking out in every direction. I couldn’t imagine what it was, so asked what he’d talked about in class that morning. “Moses,” he replied. “This is the bush God used to talk to him.”
The simplicity hit me as if I’d seen the burning bush myself. Moses hadn’t expected to be called either, and had quite a few “reasons” why he wasn’t worthy of the job God gave him. But God had even better reasons for why Moses was the perfect man for the job.
The same holds true today. No matter what God calls us to be, He knows exactly what He’s doing. We just need to swallow our excuses and follow His guidance. It’s not always easy, but little reminders—like a burning bush—can help.
Lord, thank You for the gifts You’ve given me. Give me the faith I need to use them as You want.
JEHOVAH-RAAH: THE LORD MY SHEPHERD
Micki Roberts
November 18
The Lord is my Shepherd. . .He restoreth my soul.
(Psalm 23:1, 3 kjv)
As I traveled along the road in my journey with the Lord, I stumbled and I fell. Huffily, I crawled to the edge of the road. I sat, grumbling and crying over my fall. For quite some time, I refused to get up and continue my journey. I was hurt, and I decided that I would not allow myself to be hurt again. So there I sat, complaining to myself and refusing to spend time with my Heavenly Father.
But God had other plans—He was the One who had allowed me to fall. He allowed me to sit on the sidelines for a time. Now, He was reminding me that my journey was not yet done.
So I stopped whining and began praying. I searched God’s Word for direction in my life. Suddenly, I felt ashamed that I had allowed hurt to keep me from my daily visits with God. But He gently reminded me that nothing can touch my life without first filtering through His Sovereign, loving hands.
Will I stumble again? Probably. Will I fall again? It’s possible. However, my heartfelt prayer is that I will not allow anything to keep me from continuing my journey with Jehovah-raah: The Lord My Shepherd.
The Lord is my Shepherd. . .He restoreth my soul.
A SONG IN MY HEART WAS AN ANSWER TO PRAYER
Delores Hartman
November 19
A Scripture for Uncertainty: Psalm 46:1
I had an assignment to write an article on “uncertainty” for a local periodical. While I prayed for the Lord to give me clues as to what to type, a song interrupted my thoughts. At first I struggled to get my thoughts to return to the article. Then I realized God was telling me to look at the words in that song.
I grabbed a 1956 hymn book, looked in the table of contents, and found the song. As always, God supplied my need, because the words were perfect for thoughts on how to handle “uncertainty.” Paraphrasing the words, this was the message: Don’t fear uncertainty—God’s in control; we will be sheltered under His wings of love as He takes care of us every day of our lives. During troubled times, when we think our spirit can’t take any more and life seems overwhelming, our heavenly Father is right there with us. Even when agonizing danger is around, He is there to provide all we ever need. Nothing we ask will be denied. No matter what test is present, we can lean on Him, forever...For God will take care of us!
This song, “God Will Take Care of You,” was written by W. S. Martin in 1933 and has marvelous meaning. It speaks to us in this world of uncertainty, reminding us of God’s wonderful refuge and care.
GOD’S BLESSINGS
Carol Cleal
November 20
My heart cries out to the Lord, as life continues with its joys and tribulations. He is the One to give peace, hope, and love. How tolerable is our world when God is with me. He knows when I soar with joy and happiness and plunge with sadness and grief. He is my Rock, my Salvation, my God. He fills me with great peace and gives me hope.
A MAGNET FOR THANKS
Shirley S. Stevens
November 21
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
(Psalm 79:13 kjv)
In the 19th century, the preacher Henry Ward Beecher shared a strong image with his congregation. He told them to imagine a dish of sand mixed with iron filings. Looking at the filings with your eyes, you can’t find them. Combing through the sand with your fingers, you still can’t find the filings. But if you take a magnet and draw it through the dish, the magnet will be covered with iron filings.
He suggested that the ungrateful person is like our fingers combing through the sand. That person finds nothing to be thankful for. The grateful person, on the other hand, is like the magnet. That person finds hundreds of things to be thankful for.
Thank You, Lord, for reminding us to give thanks each day for the unmerited good that we experience. Help us to begin each day by thanking You for the comfort, well-being, and health which we have. Amen.
OVERLOOKED BLESSINGS
Jana Carman
November 22
... always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 5:20 niv)
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the everyday things I usually take for granted, such as hot water, warm clothes, enough to eat, a comfortable bed, and an education. I thank You for people who impact my life: school teachers, parents and grandparents, pastors and Sunday School teachers.
How blessed I am to have my own Bible, freedom of worship, aspirin, hospitals, doctors and nurses, cars, mail service, garbage collection, telephones, radios, music.
Thank You, too, for gifted artists and composers, for people of courage and conviction in all generations, and for those who risked or gave their lives so we could have God's Word and freedom. Thank You for men and women of integrity in government, for policemen and firemen.
Thank You for my country, flawed though it is. Thank You for the love and support I have known from family and friends. And Lord, I am learning to be grateful for discipline, training, and hard times that revealed a strength I didn't know I had.
Help me to make every day Thanksgiving Day, and to spread the contagion of appreciation. Amen.
IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS
Joseph Hopkins
November 23
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 nkj)
We had front-row right-field seats in PNC Park for the historic Monday night game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles. We had arrived early, in time for batting practice. I snapped a picture of home-run king Sammy Sosa as he took practice throws a few yards away. Then, as I was leaning over to read the New Castle News—BAM! A line drive off an Oriole bat bounced off my head. At once I was the center of attention as not only family but fans in nearby seats expressed their concern. For me it was no big deal, nothing to be so excited about. Nevertheless, I reluctantly yielded to their insistence and, accompanied by my granddaughter Alex, followed a staff member to the nearest first-aid station. There a superficial scalp wound was examined and an ice pack provided. Then back to my seat to enjoy the game.
“In—not for—everything give thanks.” I wasn't exactly glad I got conked on the noggin by the baseball. But in this incident I found much for which to be thankful.
1. I was wearing a baseball cap, giving my skull a degree of protection.
2. I was looking down, and so was hit on my hard head instead of my soft face.
3. I was the object of friendly concern by dozens of total strangers.
4. I was treated with compassion by the very nice people at the first-aid station.
5. The injury was slight, so I didn't have to be carted off to a hospital and miss the ball game.
Has anything bad happened to you lately? The chances are it could have been worse. Why not make a list of the reasons you have to be grateful to God for sparing you a worse fate—and then thank Him!
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Shirley S. Stevens
November 24
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 kjv)
In her book “The Hiding Place” Corrie ten Boom tells about an incident which taught her the principle of giving thanks in all things. During World War II, Corrie and her sister Betsy were arrested and imprisoned because they had hidden Jewish people in their homes to protect them from the Nazis.
At Ravensbruck Camp, the barracks were infested with fleas. One morning they read in their tattered Bible from 1 Thessalonians the reminder to rejoice in all things. Betsy said, “Corrie, we’ve got to give thanks for this barracks and even for these fleas.”
Corrie replied, “No way am I going to thank God for fleas!”
But Betsy persuaded Corrie to do so.
During the following months they found that the guards left them alone in their barracks where they could study their Bible, talk openly, and even pray. Several months later they learned that the guards didn’t enter the barracks because of the “blasted fleas.”
Lord, help us to develop an attitude of gratitude, giving thanks each day for the good as well as the bad, the moments of annoyance as well as the blessings. Help us to trust that we will see Your guiding hand in all of our lives. Amen.
A PRAYER IN ALZHEIMER’S
Evelyn Minshull
November 25
Lord, only You could bring blessings—even from Alzheimer’s!
When the husband of my youth
became the child of my old age,
my love for him grew more nurturing, more sheltering—
a dim reflection, Lord, of Your love for all Your children.
I thank You that I could release the romantic,
and willingly return to the maternal.
As I bathe and shave him—help him to dress,
remind him that our parents are gone, our children grown—
when I assure him once again that this is where we live,
this house he built—
I thank You, Lord, for patience—
a miniature of Your patience with all Your children.
I praise You for his sweetness, Lord,
his sometimes-expressions of love.
But my greatest praise reverberates for this—
that in his childlikeness, he draws closer to You.
His adult abandonment of all things spiritual
has joined the clutter of other vanished memories.
Did You rejoice, last week—as I did—
when he asked for the Bible?
I think You must have, as You rejoice
when any of Your wandering ones return to You.
And when today, though Tuesday,
he insisted we go to church—
when he walked with me to the lectern,
and together we read the 23rd Psalm—
did Your heart burst with gladness—as mine did?
Lord, through the years,
You have heard my prayers for his turning to You.
Now, I rejoice in Your answer.
Now, I sense Your yearning to embrace this “child” we love.
Amen.
Let the little children come to me ... for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
(Mark 10:14 nrs)
WAY TO THANKSGIVING
Charles A. Waugaman
November 26
Our Father, bless
the persons that I judge, and those I fear,
and add the many that I tend to scorn
scattered beneath Your heavens,
far and near.
I want to come
with gratitude and praise.
Wishing to sing
thanksgiving to Your throne
and gather blessings adequate
for family and friends,
I am reminded,
under the bounty of Your sun
and rain, none are rejected:
all receive the same,
In Your sweet Name. Amen.
HOMELESS MEN
Elizabeth M. Van Hook
November 27
I was a stranger and you invited me in.
(Matthew 25:35 niv)
The bus was late and the queue waiting had swelled into a crowd. It was the only bus available at this time of night to take us to the north side of Pittsburgh. Wearily, I climbed the steps, and searched for an available seat. There was only one, and it was at the back of the bus between two men with soiled clothes. I cringed about having to sit between them. One of the gentlemen had a dirty blanket draped like a cape around his thin hunched shoulders. They had trash bags resting at their feet. Where were they going? I understood from their conversation that their names were Stanley and Moses. They were homeless, and on their way to a church shelter for a shower, and a clean bed for the night.
I listened with interest as they discussed an incident that had happened earlier in the day in their community of homeless men and women who lived under the Duquesne Bridge. They talked about a turquoise ring that Stanley was wearing. His friend had told him that his ring was worthless. Glancing up from the book I was reading, I tried to get a better look at the ring. I asked Stanley if I could examine it more closely. I knew how distrustful homeless people were of anyone, and how afraid they were that their meager possessions would be stolen, so I was surprised when Stanley handed the ring to me.
During a recent vacation in Arizona, I learned about turquoise jewelry. Searching for the markings on the inside of his scratched worn ring for the Indian artist or tribe that crafted it, I could not see any. The inlaid workmanship, I knew, was authentic. It was similar to one I had purchased on my trip. Handing the ring back to Stanley, I reassured him that the value was more than the $2.98 that his friend had said it was worth!
Father, keep reminding me to look for the “pearl of great price,” to search for You as hidden treasure, and I will not be led astray by materialism.
HOMELESS MEN, part 2
Elizabeth M. Van Hook
November 28
Trusting me now, he began to open up about his past. His mother had emigrated to Ohio from war-torn Poland. She worked two jobs to put food on the table, and had sacrificed to send Stanley to college, where he earned an engineering degree. His mother wished for a house of her own with shutters, a fireplace, and a garden of blooming roses. Stanley worked hard to buy his mother her dream house. My heart was going out to this man. What had happened to Stanley, who had had a career, a family, and a beautiful home—to leave him unemployed, estranged from his family, and living under a bridge on the Allegheny River?
As the bus continued to travel through Pittsburgh, we chatted like old friends. Suddenly, Stanley pulled an immaculate white box from his large garbage bag. How could this box stay so pristine when everything about Stanley was so unkempt? He uncovered the box, and took out a shiny harmonica. As he put it to his lips, a soft melancholy melody began to fill the crowded bus. I was so captured by the poignant music and the musician that I nearly passed my stop! I ran down the aisle of the bus, waving good-bye and telling Stanley and Moses what a terrific time I had with them. As I jumped off the bus, I praised God for giving me this unexpected meaningful experience.
Father, I thank You for giving us people in our journey through life who are different from us. Thank You for reminding me that we should not judge a person's character and self-worth by his appearance.
THANKFUL LIVING
Shirley S. Stevens
November 29
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 5:20 kjv)
When I travel, I take time to learn how to say “thank you” in the language of the people whom I visit. Even in The United States, we can make an effort to learn how to say thanks in a Native American language. For example, “Ahéhee'” means “thank you” in Navajo.
When I visited Japan, I learned to say “arigato” and “oishi” to tell my hostess “thank you” and to convey how delicious the food was.
In how many languages can you express your thanks? I have learned the following: “Tack så mycket” in Swedish, “Merci” in French, “Gracias” in Spanish, and “Danke” in German. On the Internet, we can learn how to say thanks in over 465 languages.
Dear Lord, help me to remember to thank others. And please accept my gratitude for all that You do for me.
LOVE IN ANY LANGUAGE
Joan Clayton
November 30
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
(1 John 3:1 niv)
“I called to invite you to my graduation, and I'll be looking for you.” I assured Robert that my husband and I would be there. It had been ten years since I had taught Robert when he was a lovable little second grader.
I looked over the program to discover Robert was the valedictorian. I beamed with pride. After he delivered the wonderful speech he had written, imagine my surprise when I heard Robert say, “I want to recognize a teacher I had in second grade who means a lot to me.” He reached under the podium and held out a great big cuddly teddy bear. I ran to meet him, and we hugged and cried.
Robert's dad hugged me tight, too, as he handed me a bouquet of carnations. He didn't speak English, and his words in Spanish came so fast I couldn't keep up, but the unconditional love came through loud and clear. The tears in his eyes said it all. I felt love coming from a beautiful sincere heart, and where there is love in the heart, any language is understood.
Love is the language of the heart.
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