Daily Devotion

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November 7, 2026

Bryant Wright, Founder
“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Job 2:9-10
Discouragement is so incredibly powerful.
It’s a tool the enemy loves to use because, very often, it’s discouragement that leads people to turn their backs on God. We see this happening in the book of Job. Hit with one catastrophe after another, there seems to be no hope in sight. Even Job’s closest friend, his wife, urged him to turn on God. Look at her response: “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die!“
Now, before you judge Job’s wife too harshly, understand this: life’s toughest temptations will sometimes come through those who love us the most. It’s these people who genuinely care for us and who don’t want to see us hurt. So, oftentimes, they urge us to take the easy way out – man’s way. The devil knows this and enjoys using those who love us to lead us into temptation and out of God’s will. Jesus Himself experienced this when Peter urged Him not to talk about going to the cross. But Jesus knew the source of Peter’s thinking and responded angrily, “Get out of here, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)
That’s why Christian spouses and friends have an incredibly important responsibility. When we see a brother or sister in Christ facing a crisis or temptation, we must avoid inadvertently becoming a pawn of the evil one. We must fight the temptation to encourage that loved one to simply take the easy way out, to give up, or to give in. Become your loved one’s partner in his or her struggle and encourage them to do things the Lord’s way – even when that’s the hard way. Because God’s way is always the best way in the end.
Are you feeling discouraged?
Don’t give up. Give God your concerns, fears, and anxieties, and reach out to trusted friends and family.
For others, perhaps you know someone who’s struggling. Look for ways to offer encouragement and support. From an unexpected gift to a supportive, listening ear.
Ask God how you can help others fight discouragement today.

 

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November 8, 2026

Jerry Maxfield, Guest Contributor
“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion” Amos 6:1
The prophet Amos’ warning to his friends and neighbors is as relevant today as it was 2750 years ago when this statement was recorded. Amos is challenging God’s people who had relaxed their ways of following the One True God. They were “at ease” in their obedience to God’s instructions. There was peace in the land. False gods and idol worship were on the rise. Sexual immorality was becoming more commonplace. Violence amongst themselves was increasing. There was a sense of apathy in their obedience and dedication to God. Personal pleasure and self-gratification seemed to be the goal of the day. The people were getting more and more comfortable in what seemed good to them at the time. They were at ease in Zion.
This same scenario can be exhibited in our own lives. We may be weary of the pressure of certain responsibilities, whether at home, school, or work. Perhaps we seek relief from our discipline of prayer or Bible study before God. We may even “back off” and coast for a while. If we are not careful, this emotional vacation may allow us to settle into a new way of living. Our drive and ambition begin to wane and become tamped down. We may begin to procrastinate, delaying tasks that should be addressed now. In short, we become complacent.
Trouble often follows complacency. “Woe” in the biblical sense is a great distress or judgment. Amos was one of the prophets warning of God’s impending judgment on His people for these forms of disobedience. In fact, God did soon issue judgment by allowing a great army to conquer them, scattering them indiscriminately into exile.
This spiritual warning applies to you and me as well. Instead of a ho-hum routine of just attending church, get involved! Instead of offering an occasional prayer before a meal, develop the discipline of praying regularly to a waiting God when it’s just you and Him. Embrace the challenge of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 & 10 to “excel still more.”
Don’t settle for what is good and comfortable when God has prompted you toward His best. Persevere in Him. Again, Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:13-14 to “…reach forward to what lies ahead… press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
There is no greater duty than to answer the call of Jesus Christ in your life. Get your second wind in this race called life. Depend on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to “perfect, strengthen, establish, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).
Shake yourself out of the doldrums of complacency. With the Lord, you can do this!
DIG DEEPER
Read “Character is Most Important” by Bryant Wright

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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November 9
Time and Struggles
Bible in a Year :

• Jeremiah 46-47
• Hebrews 6

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife.
Genesis 25:21

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
Genesis 25:19-26
Josephine Cochrane (1839-1913) was tired of having her dishes damaged by handwashing, so she decided to create a dishwasher. Shortly after she began her design, her husband passed away, leaving her in debt. Those circumstances reinforced her need to succeed. In 1886, with a mechanic’s help, she built and then patented the first commercially successful hand-powered dishwasher. At first her dishwasher didn’t sell, but then hotels and restaurants began purchasing them. It wasn’t until the 1950s that dishwashers became popular in homes.
Sometimes it takes time and struggles for plans to come to fruition. The same is also sometimes true of God’s promises. Abraham and his descendants were promised they’d become a great nation, yet Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never saw it happen. Abraham was one hundred years old when Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac (Genesis 21), and Isaac was sixty when Rebekah finally gave birth (25:20-21, 26). When Jacob settled in Egypt during a famine, his family numbered only seventy persons (46:27). It wasn’t until the time of Moses (about 400 years later) that the Israelites became a great nation.
As Isaac waited for a son, he did what we’re all called to do: He “prayed to the Lord” (25:21). Bring your hopes and struggles to God. He’ll bring you comfort, guidance, strength, and blessings as you wait.
By: Alyson Kieda



Reflect & Pray
When have you waited for a desire to be fulfilled? What was the result?
Dear God, please help us to trust You with our dreams as we seek to live for You.

 

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IN YOUR ANGER, DO NOT SIN
November 9, 2026

Bryant Wright, Founder
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” Matthew 5: 21-23
Is anger as bad as murder?
Of course not, right?
Well…Jesus would disagree.
The laws of our world consider murder to be far worse than just being mad at someone. But in the eyes of Jesus, losing your temper and committing murder are sins of equal scale – and they both separate us from Him.
“But Jesus got angry,” you might ask, “so how can anger be a sin if Jesus never sinned?”
It’s a bit complicated – especially when Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin.”
How can we possibly make sense of all this?
Consider these truths:

1. True righteous anger isn’t wrong. Righteous anger is the kind of anger that God and Jesus displayed in the Bible. It’s anger that comes when God is not respected, when our fellow man is taken advantage of, or when injustice is committed against the defenseless. This kind of anger often moves us to action. However, if we lose our temper in the process of defending the defenseless, that righteous anger becomes wrong in God’s eyes; it becomes a sin. And honestly, it’s rare that we can truly claim that our anger is righteous.
2. Losing our temper is a sin. No matter the circumstances, when we lose our temper, it always means we’ve blown it. We’ve all said and done things in a fit of temper that we deeply regret.
3. Contempt for others is a sin. This refers to any feelings of superiority or actions that belittle or insult others. The seriousness of an arrogant, prideful attitude that leads to disrespecting others is no laughing matter.

What can we do?
Well, if we have allowed anger to get in the way of a relationship, if we’ve lost our temper, belittled another, or even called them a “harmless” but derogatory name – we need to stop and make it right.
Confess it to God and ask for the courage to go and make it right with the person you’ve wronged.
DIG DEEPER
Read “What’s at the Root of Your Anger?” by Michael Kelley

 

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Love God. Love Others.


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November 11
Inspired by Bible Stories
Bible in a Year :

• Jeremiah 50
• Hebrews 8

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb.
John 20:1

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Today's Scripture & Insight :
John 20:11-18
While reading a book about World War II, I found the story of the Battle for Hill 609 in Northern Africa, in which my dad was severely wounded. I already knew of the event, but as I read a graphic account of what he had gone through that day, I gained a new understanding of him.
Is this also what can happen when we read about people in the Bible? For instance, we could hear someone say that Mary Magdalene was an example of loyalty to Jesus. But our understanding of her faith grows as we read the story of her dedication to Him on resurrection morning: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb” (John 20:1). Next, we sense her pain and sadness as we read of her bewilderment that the stone had been “removed from the entrance.” Finally, we sense the absolute wonder felt when He called her by name: “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’ ” (v. 16).
Reading true biblical accounts awakens us to the realities of God’s faithfulness. We sense Deborah’s courage (Judges 4-5), Gideon’s bravery (ch. 6), and Paul’s fearlessness (Acts 22) as we immerse ourselves in their stories.
God has provided heroic Bible stories as beacons of hope for us—helping us become people called and equipped by Him and standing for Him.
By: Dave Branon



Reflect & Pray
How has a Bible story inspired you to trust in God’s faithfulness? Why is it vital for us to share stories of His faithfulness with others?
Heavenly Father, the Scriptures are amazing. Please help me read the stories contained within them and learn more about You.

 

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November 11, 2026

Bryant Wright, Founder
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:8-10
Businesses are motivated by profits. Associations and charities are driven by a specific cause.
But what about followers of Jesus? What should be our primary purpose in following Jesus?
The answer is service.
Christians are called to serve God and others. This is to be our driving motivation in fulfilling our life’s purpose. This is why we were created – to glorify God by knowing Jesus. As we get to know Him, we’ll see that Jesus guides and empowers us to serve others as we fulfill our purpose.
The Apostle Peter dissected this idea of service in 1 Peter chapter 4:

1. Motivation: Are you serving out of obligation or to point others to Jesus? Helping others because it’s a “rule” completely misses the spirit and heart of our calling. (1 Peter 4:8)
2. Spirit of Love: No grumbling or complaining. It’s out of a spirit of love that we serve one another and use our gifts in ministry.
   (1 Corinthians 13:1)
3. Fervency: The word fervency could be used to describe an athlete using every last ounce of strength and willpower to cross the finish line. It’s with this amount of passion and zeal that we are to serve others. (1 Peter 4:8)

Let’s face it: some people aren’t easy to love, much less serve. Some people are selfish, judgmental, and downright difficult. What’s amazing about serving others is that when we truly serve out of a heart of love for God, we become more forgiving and caring toward others. Jesus, Himself, said in John 13:34b, 35: “Love one another…By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
Will you step into this calling to serve others out of love?
DIG DEEPER
Read “What Does it Mean to Serve Others Through Love?” at GotQuestions.org