November 1

Attitude of Gratitude–Day 1 by SGLY Ministry

I AM GRATEFUL FOR….ANSWERS TO PRAYERS
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.
Among the gods, there is none like You, O Lord, nor are there any works like Your works.” Psalm 86:7-8[NKJV]

An Attitude of Gratitude Thought & Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am so thankful that I can call on You in prayer, anytime, anywhere, day or night, I can call and You will answer me.
Who can compare to You! No-one! For You are my Father and my Friend, My Hope and my Help, My Provider and my Protector.
Thank You, Lord, for always being there to listen, care and answer me in my day of trouble.
I give You thanks and praise for who You are and all that You do!

Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:2

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Today’s Scripture: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24, AMP)

Pleasant Words

Do you need healing in your body—physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? Your words can bring that healing. Start speaking pleasant words—words of life, encouragement and thanksgiving. Guard your heart by making sure you are only listening to pleasant, life-giving words. If there’s something on the TV or radio that isn’t bringing life to your soul, turn it off. If someone’s having a conversation that’s not uplifting or productive, don’t be a part of it.

Choose to meditate on God’s Word which is living and active and full of life. Let His strength and peace rise in your soul. Keep your heart and mind focused on Him and always choose pleasant words!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for Your Word which is truth that sets me free. I repent today for any words that have brought destruction into my life or the lives of those around me. I ask that You uproot every negative seed and help me to always choose words of life in Jesus’ name! Amen.”

Joel Osteen

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Triumph In Affliction

SCRIPTURE: “You don’t understand now why I am doing it; some day you will.” —John 13:7 (TLB)

May I remind you that physical illness is not the worst thing that can happen to you? Some of the world’s greatest and most useful people have been handicapped. “The Messiah” was composed by Handel, who was suffering from a paralyzed right side and arm. Catherine Booth, in the last year of her life, said that she could not remember one day free from pain.

Helen Keller has written, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and God.” Some of the most radiant Christians I have ever met were “wheelchair” saints. May God give you grace to “triumph in affliction.”

Prayer For The Day: When physical afflictions come into my life, may they draw me closer to You, my beloved Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your time in reading Today’s Billy Graham Devotion

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God is Our Refuge

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

God is our refuge: a place to run to when life becomes overwhelming. He is there with outstretched arms, ready to comfort His child. It is there in those arms that we will find solace to all of life’s hurts. Enfolded in God’s arms, we will find security when our life seems to be falling apart and everything around us is unsettled. It is in the arms of our Heavenly Father that we will gain strength to go on another day. In His arms, God will hold us close, whispering in our ear, “Let me carry your burden for you, dear child.” When earthly arms fail us, as they often do, we can rest assured that the everlasting arms of our Father will always be faithful and true. They will always be there to give us comfort, strength and love. They will help us to face our disappointments in life; they will help us to face our fears and frustrations. They will even comfort us in our failures; for it is only when we completely yield ourselves to Him that we can feel the tender and loving touch of His healing taking place in our hearts. The Father is waiting for you; He is your refuge and His everlasting arms are always outstretched waiting for you.

Abba, Father, hold me close to You today. I need to feel Your loving arms surrounding me and holding me tight. I need Your reassurance that all will be well: that I am safe and secure in Your love. Help me to yield to Your arms that I might know Your healing touch in my life. Help me to give up my desire for control and run to You for help in all of life’s trials. Hold me tight and never let me go! Amen Quiet Waters

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Penguins and People

Diane was excited! Her family was going on an all-day excursion to the city zoo. "I love watching all the animals, but the penguins are my favorites," she said. "They look so funny strutting around on land, and it's even more fun to watch them swim. They look like they're flying underwater!" Whenever she went swimming herself, Diane would try to imitate the smooth, flowing motions of the funny birds. (See the last page for information on penguins.)

At the zoo, a guide explained how the penguin room was kept cold so the birds would be comfortable. "Otherwise," said the guide, "the birds will get sick and possibly die from the change of climate." Diane listened eagerly as he described a number of other special things that were done to keep the penguins comfortable and healthy.

That evening, Dad turned to Psalm 121 for their family devotions. "Do these verses remind you of those penguins?" he asked after reading the Psalm. "Remember how careful the zoo keepers are in taking care of them?"

Diane nodded. "They make sure they get certain foods, and the right temperature and even special lights!" she replied. "The guys who take care of them-the zoo keepers-know how to keep the conditions just right so the penguins won't get sick."

"Yes, and this Psalm reminds me that God does the same thing for us," said Dad. "Just think of what would happen if it hailed all the time, or if it suddenly got as hot as an oven. God knows the conditions we need in life, and He's the one who controls our environment."

"So we have a 'keeper,' just like the penguins do. God is our keeper, right?" asked Diane. "I think one of the verses in that Psalm says that, doesn't it?"

Dad nodded. "God not only controls our physical environment, but also all the situations and circumstances that affect our lives. He is our keeper, and He does a perfect job, allowing only what is good for us-whether it seems good to us or not."

"Yeah," said Diane thoughtfully. A twinkle came to her eye. "Hey, Dad, I think we should go to the zoo real often, so I'll be reminded of that!"

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you know that it's God who keeps you day by day? He's the one who provides the air you breathe, the food and water you need, and the type of environment in which you can survive. He also provides for your spiritual needs. All the things He allows in your life work together to make you the person you should be. Thank Him for being your keeper.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 121:3-5)
He who keeps you . . . shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper.
Keys For Kids Devotion

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Scripture

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] - Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

How to Think When Life Gets Difficult by Joyce Meyer

Every single day, we have thousands of opportunities to decide how we are going to think about what is happening to us and around us. It’s safe to say there are many times we respond out of habit—without thinking.

The truth is that getting upset about our problems never changes them. However, choosing to adopt a positive attitude can. No doubt, when bad things happen, it’s even tougher to think and say things that are positive. But it’s helpful to remember that things will change...a new season is always right around the corner.

During tough times, it’s easy to think, I can’t do this—it’s just too hard. Watch for that type of thinking and when you recognize it, remember that it’s a lie. Then replace it with a God-inspired thought like: I can do whatever I need to do because God is with me.

Tip from Joyce

“Regardless of our natural disposition, we all have the ability to choose how we’re going to think when life 'happens.'” —Joyce

Study Suggestion

Which “I can’t” belief in your life do you need to exchange for an “I can”? Look up scriptures that encourage you to believe you can and then write down some things you are going to put into practice to help you make the exchange.

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Bible Verses

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. – Phil 4:6

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” - 2 Timothy 3:16

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Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. — James 1:17

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Psalm 23:4 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

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Proverbs 30:5 5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

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Prayers

Prayer at Daybreak (by Archimandrite Sophronios)

O Lord Eternal and Creator of all things, who with your unknowable goodness called me to this life; I have no life, no light, no joy or wisdom, no strength except in you, O God. I entreat you, teach me to pray aright. Purify me from all taint of flesh and spirit. Bless this day which you give to me, your unworthy servant.

By the power of your blessing enable me, throughout this day, to speak and act to your glory with a pure spirit, with humility, patience, love, gentleness, peace, courage and wisdom. Let me be always aware of your presence. By the power of your love, grant me to hold fast to that which is good. Preserve me from every word or deed that corrupts the soul; from every impulse unpleasing in your sight and hurtful to my fellow man, my brothers and sisters. This in Christ's name, I pray, Amen.

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Prayer for Family and Friends

Blessed are you, loving Father, for all your gifts to me and those close to me. Blessed are you for giving me family and friends to be with me in times of joy and sorrow, to help me in days of need, and to rejoice with me in moments of celebration.

Father, I praise you for your son Jesus, who knew the happiness of family and friends, and in the love of your Holy Spirit. Blessed are you for ever and ever. Amen.

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When I think of the greatness of God’s plan, I fall on my knees before God the Father. From his great wealth may he give us power through his Spirit that we may grow strong within. Through faith, may we discover that Christ has made his home within each of us. Then, with our roots and foundations firmly built on God’s love, may we, with all of his saints, grasp just how wide and long and high and deep is Christ’s love. Yes, may we come to experience for ourselves the love of Christ so that we may be filled completely with God himself. This prayer we ask of God who can accomplish far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. Amen. (based on Eph 31 - 14-21)

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Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16, NIV

Dear Father in heaven, we seek you and your kingdom. We gather to hear your Word so that we may receive strength for our own lives and for all our relationships with others. We want to stand firm, believing that in everything great and small your will is being done and that we may yet experience a new coming of your glory on earth. Then earthly concerns will no longer torment us and wear us out, but heavenly things may surround us and everything become new in accordance with your good, merciful, and perfect will. Amen.