Topic: Compassion Fatigue [Our Daily Bread 1 November 2018 Devotional]

Read: Matthew 9:35–38, Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 24–26; Titus 2

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Anne Frank is well known for her diary describing her family’s years of hiding during World War II. When she was later imprisoned in a Nazi death camp, those with her said “her tears [for them] never ran dry,” making her “a blessed presence for all who knew her.” Because of this, scholar Kenneth Bailey concluded that Anne never displayed “compassion fatigue.”

Compassion fatigue can be one of the results of living in a badly broken world. The sheer volume of human suffering can numb even the best intentioned among us. Compassion fatigue, however, was not in Jesus’s makeup. Matthew 9:35–36 says, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Our world suffers not only from physical needs but also from spiritual brokenness. Jesus came to meet that need and challenged His followers to join Him in this work (vv. 37–38). He prayed that the Father would raise up workers to respond to the needs all around us—people who struggle with loneliness, sin, and illness. May the Father give us a heart for others that mirrors His heart. In the strength of His Spirit, we can express His compassionate concern to those who are suffering.

For more on this topic, see Compassion: Learning to Love Like Jesus at discoveryseries.org/q0208.

In a world filled with heartache, we can model the compassion of Jesus.

INSIGHT:
While contemplating the crowd in Matthew 9, Jesus did three specific things. First, He “saw” the crowds (v. 36) and recognized they were “harassed and helpless.” Second, He felt compassion toward them (v. 36). Finally, our Lord acted by challenging His disciples to pray that the Father would raise up workers to serve in the harvest (v. 38).

We find the same pattern in Acts 17 when Paul entered the city of Athens. He saw (v. 16) that the city was filled with idols, which stirred strong feelings within him (“he was greatly distressed”)—perhaps because of the self-destructive nature of idol worship. Then Paul acted by engaging people with the message of Jesus and His resurrection (vv. 17–18).

This pattern practiced by both Jesus and Paul established a model we can embrace today.

Bill Crowder

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Bill Crowder [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: The Power of Love [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 1 November 2018]

But faith…worketh by love. – Galatians 5:6

I used to wonder why we believers didn’t see more of the power of God operating among us than we do. With what we know about faith and the Word, it seemed to me signs and wonders and miracles should be happening all the time.

So, one day I asked, “Lord, why isn’t the power of God turned up to a higher volume in the Church?”

Do you know what He said? He told me we weren’t walking in enough love yet.

God wants us to have power. But first, He has to be sure we’ll use that power in love. He wants to know that we won’t take it and mix it with judgment and criticism and blast people out of the water.

Kenneth, He said, I can’t afford to back your words with supernatural power in a church service on Sunday morning and then have you get on the freeway that night and lash out at someone because he pulled over into your lane. You’d blow him off the highway. I can’t leave the power of Almighty God at a high volume in the mouth of an unmerciful fool.

Then He reminded me of a time I took my son, John, hunting. He was just a little guy at the time, barely big enough to keep his gun from knocking him on his back every time he’d pull the trigger. I was teaching him how to shoot, and he was coming along pretty well.

That day we were walking along out at Gloria’s grandparents’ farm and John spotted one of the biggest tarantula spiders I’d ever seen. It was clinging to the wall of the barn. When John saw that spider, he took aim. He was going to blow that bug away.

If I hadn’t stopped him, he would have too. And it wouldn’t have dawned on him until it was all over that he was going to blow a hole in the barn at the same time. From my grown-up perspective, I could see that would be foolishness. He couldn’t. He was looking through the eyes of a child.

Do you want God to put a shotgun of spiritual power in your hand, so you can blow the works of the devil to kingdom come? Then focus on love. Pursue it. Practice it. Study it. Grow up in it. Then you’ll see the power of God operating through you.

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8-14

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Topic: His Will Is In The Word [Andrew Wommack Devotional 1 November 2018]

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

In this prayer, Jesus prayed twice that the Father would keep His disciples from evil. Then He reveals the way that God will accomplish this – through His Word, the holy scriptures. Anyone who desires to live for God, reject the devil, and reject the world’s system, must know God’s Word.

We must study the scriptures, for they reveal the will of God for our actions and attitudes. To be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, we must be filled with God’s Word. God’s Word is His will! Those who are ignorant of God’s Word will be ignorant of God’s will.

Knowledge of God’s will is foundational in developing Christian conduct and character. There is no way we can fulfill God’s will if we don’t know what it is. The starting point for any Christian is understanding God’s will for his life. How can a person obtain such knowledge? The first step is to desire it. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” People ask the Lord for knowledge of His will but don’t receive it because they aren’t seeking with ALL THEIR HEART. No one who has ever sought the Lord with all his heart has ever been disappointed.

The Holy Spirit is the dispenser of God’s wisdom. It is through Him that we know the things God has revealed to us. One of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God’s will to us.

There is no way we can walk worthy of the Lord and please Him if we don’t know His will. Furthermore, we can’t be fruitful without the knowledge of His will. God has provided all that we need to be successful and victorious in this life. Believe His Word.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

Topic: Triumph in Affliction [Billy Graham Devotional 1 November 2018 ]

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 most twisted, miserable people I have ever met had no physical handicap. 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.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

Open Heaven 1 November 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – ADONAI

Topic: ADONAI (Open Heaven 1 November 2018)

Memorise: “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”- Psalm 24:1

Read: Job 38:1-11 (KJV)

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 33-34, Luke 14:7-24

Open Heaven 1 November 2018 Thursday MESSAGE:

‘Adonai’ is one of our Heavenly Father’s numerous names, and it means Master and Owner. This Name encapsulates the sovereignty of our God. Indeed, our God is sovereign, because He owns everything and is in absolute control over the entire universe. He holds all the power in heaven and on earth in His hands. He is totally unlimited! Every other thing was created but He alone is self-existing. Because of this, He is not limited by resources, time, space or any other thing; whereas all other things, including the contraptions of men’s heart called gods, are limited by the laws He has installed in His sovereignty to govern the universe. He has the power to do whatever He likes, however He likes and whenever He likes. What a great God He is!

It is easy for man to think that life is all about him, and that God exists for his benefit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everything God has done or has given to you is for His glory alone. For this reason, in Revelation 4:11, the twenty-four elders in heaven adore Him saying:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

He made everything for His pleasure, even you. My advice to you is that you willingly put yourself under His lordship and leadership; if anything at all, learn from Pharaoh. Pharaoh resisted God, and so God decided to use him to show how much of a consuming fire He can be (Exodus 5:2, Exodus 14:4). A Christian is called into submission into our Heavenly Father’s will. When you submit to His will, He will ensure that everything else submits to you.

If the sovereign God is your Friend, you are immensely blessed, because He can overrule sicknesses, debts, curses, negative prophecies and even death! However, when this God is angry with anyone, that person is finished. In Acts 12:23, King Herod was eaten up by worms because God was angry with him. God is angry with the wicked everyday (Psalm 7:11)! The wicked is anyone who continues to live in sin and disobedience. Proverbs 29:1 says that anyone who refuses to change in spite of being corrected over and over again will be destroyed suddenly. If you have never given your life to Jesus or if you claim to have given your life to Him but still live in sin, repent now! When the sovereign God is angry with you, nobody can defend you. Sin makes you an enemy of God (James 4:4). You have to wholly yield yourself to Him by surrendering every single part of your life to Him, inviting Him to take over. He is always ready to take responsibility for your life; all He is waiting for is your invitation. Are you willing to invite Him today?

Open Heaven 1 November 2018 Thursday Action Point:

Ask the Adonai to override every limiting factor in your life by His sovereign power.

Also Read: Open Heaven 31 October 2018 – Relationship with Christ

Open Heaven 1 November 2018 Thursday Hymn 2: I Need Thee Every Hour

1. I Need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

Chorus:
I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee,
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh bless me now, my Saviour;
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour;
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour;
Teach me Thy will,
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfil.

5. I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

Open Heaven 1 November 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 1 November 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional.

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