Devotional for November 3

Daily Remember the Goodness of the Lord

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Let no one deceive himself by saying, “if only I saw a burning bush, or a blinding light brighter than the noonday sun, then I too would be wholly devoted to God.” The Bible record shows otherwise. God led the Israelites out of Egypt by the hand of Moses. They all saw the mighty power of God. They all experienced His presence with them in a cloud by day and a fiery pillar by night. Those who perished in the wilderness heard God speak from a quaking mountain filled with smoke and fire, yet still they were unfaithful to Him. And let us not forget Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12 that lived and walked with Jesus for three years. Judas still betrayed Him even after seeing all the miraculous signs and wonders performed by Jesus. Clearly the decision to believe or not to believe doesn’t depend on seeing miraculous manifestations of the power of God. Those who will not believe the Holy Scriptures are not likely to be persuaded by the manifested power of God either. Choose the fear of the Lord now and be glad at His coming. The day of the Lord draws near. On that day there will no longer be a choice. Every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. On that day the bridge of mercy will be withdrawn just like in the days of Noah. Then it will be too late for the unbelievers. Better to be born with little and choose the fear of the Lord, than to be born with much and live without the fear of God. We must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account for what we have chosen to do with what we are given in this life. Remember Lot’s wife.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 16; Titus 2

Hosea 9; Psalm 126-128

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.