October 31

When you don't understand something in the Bible, don't throw it away, but hang it on the hook for the time being. I read in Ezekiel 38:4 that the enemy will come on horseback, but today the army does not ride horses. Then I read in the newspaper that Russia has bought 70 percent of the world's horses for its army! I had put Ezekiel 38 on the hook, but it came off again. Don't throw away what you do not understand.


"God holds the key of all unknown
and I am glad
If other hands should hold the key
or if He trusted it to me
I might be sad" –Joseph Parker

"Trust in him at all times, O people . . . God is a refuge for us." Psalms 62:8 RSV

It is not for us to understand everything. Our duty is simply to obey, trusting in Your guidance and protection, Lord.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 30

The Lord taught me through my prison experiences that for a child of God, a pit can be very deep, but always deeper are the everlasting arms of our Lord.

"But even if you do not suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled." 1 Peter 3:14 RSV

Thank You, Lord, that no matter how deep our distress, Your comfort is always sufficient for our needs. You have promised to be with us until the end of the world.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 29

Everyday life is our front line in the war against the devil. God Himself must decide where each of us is to fight. We cannot choose the battlefield we prefer. If you conquered a problem today in the strength of Jesus Christ, that was a victory. You are now stronger for the end battle.


"And though this world, with devils filled
should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim
we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure
for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him."
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God –Martin Luther)

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 RSV

Give us the grace to fight wherever You choose to place us, Lord. Only you can see the battlefield completely; we see only one small part of it.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 28

We do not report to any special place for our training in God's army. We train where we are, using all our everyday experiences and our contacts with other people. Training in the field is harder than training in the camp, but it makes better soldiers.

"Soldier, soldier, fighting in the world's great strife
on yourself relying, battling for your life
Trust yourself no longer,
trust in Christ, He's stronger!
You can all things, all things do
through Christ who strengthens you"–R. Hudson Pope

Lord, I enroll in Your service. Make me willing to be made willing to do Your will.

October 27

The world is becoming increasingly uninhabitable, but we have hope for the world's future because of God's promises. Crisis always demands spiritual qualities. None of us can refuse to face the storms. The tree on the mountain takes whatever the weather brings. If it has any choice at all, it is simply in putting down roots as deeply as possible, and getting ready to withstand. Defense is something deep and invisible.

"Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He,
Lord Sabaoth His name,
from age to age the same
and He must win the battle"–Martin Luther

"Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all [you can] to stand." Ephesians 6:13

Our roots are in You Lord. They hold firm in any storm that tears at our bodies, souls, and spirits.

October 26

Divination is fortune-telling. Observers of times are astrologers. An enchanter is a magician. A witch is a sorcerer. A charmer is a hypnotist. Consulters with familiar spirits are mediums. A wizard is a clairvoyant. A necromancer is one who consults with the dead.

To have God's guidance, you need to make a clean break from all other forms of guidance. Guidance is something we must ask for and desire. God wants your submission, and will steadily guide you.

"When he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth ... he will shew you things to come." John 16:13

Keep us faithful through all temptations, Lord. Show us the truth.

October 25

We must watch out for occult sins. Even when you say you do not believe that fortune-teller, and are going just for fun, it is dangerous, and will come between you and the Lord.

"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." Deuteronomy 18:10-12 KJV

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that if we have done these abominations and confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us and to liberate us totally. You will cleanse our bodies, souls, and minds with Your blood. Hallelujah!

October 24

It is only on earth that there are those who do not believe in God. Even though the powers of evil lead men astray and keep them in darkness and unbelief, they themselves believe in God and tremble, for they know that on the Lord's day, judgement awaits them.

"And the devil ... was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are...." Revelation 20:10 KJV

Lord, help us to remember our final triumph with You when we are tormented by the evil one.

October 23

The enemy will try to separate us from God, to destroy our faith, and make us rebel.

"Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world." 1Peter 5:8-9 RSV

We are willing to suffer for You, Lord. Strengthen our faith so that Satan will be foiled in his attempts to come between You and us.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 22

The moment we seek of ourselves to please God, we are placing ourselves under the law, a realm where grace does not operate. Grace implies that God does something for us. Law implies that we do something for God. Deliverance from the law does not mean that we are free from doing the will of God, but that another, the Lord Himself, does it in us and through us.

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14 RSV

Lord, increase my capacity to receive Your grace. I am willing to humble myself.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973

October 21

God's resources are not limited to our natural abilities. We cannot use the excuse that we are not qualified. Remember the parable of the talents.

"It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all." John 15:5 J.B. Phillips

Thank You, Lord, for the unlimited power with which You are at work in us who believe.


 J.B. Phillips New Testament —Copyright © 1962 edition by HarperCollins The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips.

October 20

Rebellion against the Holy Spirit makes a vacuum that the devil likes to fill.

"Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you." Jeremiah 7:23 RSV

Make me content to work where I have been called, Father.

RSV - The Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 and 1973