TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 11:1-5
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness
the sash around his waist. - Isaiah 11:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Months of promises, posturing, and

political maneuvering come to an end today as another election day goes into the history books

for our country.

The integrity of leaders has been an almost constant debate in America this year.

It reminds us once again how important integrity is in leadership, and the damage that is done when leaders are faithless in their responsibilities.

But no amount of scandal and failure can obscure the fact that we are still called upon to elect faithful and responsible leaders. God's requirement for ""those who have been given a trust"" is that they prove faithful to that trust (1 Cor. 4:2). We can praise God that there are many faithful people serving at all levels of government and public service.

Nevertheless, this Election Day is a good opportunity to step back to get an eternal perspective. God's promise to bring righteousness to the earth will never be fully realized by any human ruler. And although no one executes the responsibilities of leadership perfectly, one day this earth will be ruled by a leader who can perfectly fulfill God's requirements--because He is God Himself.

Isaiah 11 is a picture of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will take His rightful place as Ruler of the earth in His millennial kingdom. This description is both awe-inspiring and encouraging. Finally, all the earth will be ruled in absolute righteousness.

God is a faithful judge who never perverts justice or subverts righteousness. So the Messiah's kingdom reign will be characterized by perfection in these areas. Sin will be judged quickly and decisively by one who is not hampered in His judgment by the limitations that plague all systems of government.

When Jesus takes His throne, God's faithfulness will be as visible as if Christ were wearing it around His waist (v.5). Looking ahead to that glorious day gives us another reason to thank the Lord for His faithfulness. It also keeps us from placing our ultimate hope in the outcome of any election.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
While we listen for the results of today's election, we can praise God that His ""election results"" have been in for all eternity.

In light of all that has happened in government this year, you may be tempted to become despairing or cynical about the entire political process and the institutions of government. But God's requirement of faithfulness applies to us as well. Let's be faithful to pray for the leaders who are elected today, and for their colleagues who will serve alongside them at every level of government.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
Charles Spurgeon once wrote concerning God's promises: ""It is a cause of much weakness to many that they do not treat God's promises as realities. If a friend makes a promise, they regard it as a substantial thing...but the declarations of God are often viewed as words which mean very little....Rest assured [however] that the

Lord never trifles with words.""

We don't want to be guilty of discounting God's promises. He's too faithful for us to take the assurances of His Word lightly. God's dependability is one matter; our faith in His dependability is another. Spiritual benefits come to those who believe God and act on His promises.

Today's reading is a good example of this. The commands listed in verses 16-22 are part of what it means to be sanctified,

to be ""set apart"" from the world and become more like Jesus Christ. Salvation is instantaneous; we are saved the moment we believe. But sanctification,or Christian growth, is a lifelong process.

Paul had already told the Thessalonians, ""It is God's will that you should be sanctified"" (1 Thess. 4:3). Chapters 4 and 5 go on to explain what this means in very practical, everyday terms.

We still struggle, however, to live up to the high calling we have in Christ. We're not talking about trying to keep or earn our salvation; the issue is how we should live as those who already belong to Christ.

Consider verses 16-18. There aren't many words here, but a lifetime of challenges: being joyful at all times, keeping our hearts in a constant attitude of prayer, and giving thanks for whatever comes our way.

Now add to these the following commands concerning the Holy Spirit's ministry and the importance of shunning evil. That's quite a list.

How can we do what God wants us to do--let alone be found faithful at the Lord's coming? The answer is in verses 23-24, and it rests on God's faithfulness. Paul prays for our sanctification--and then reminds us that we can do what God requires because God Himself will enable us! God gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us for holy living, and the promise of His faithful presence to keep us faithful.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Let's discuss the command for us to ""give thanks in all circumstances"" (v. 18).

This is the time of year when many of us play spiritual ""catch up"" on all the reasons we have to be thankful. As you review God's goodness, don't forget to thank Him for the times when being thankful may have been the last thing on your mind. Even in the hardest trials, God gives us reasons to praise Him. Today, why not review His faithfulness in a difficult time and share your praise with family and friends?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. - John 14:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
When World War II newspaper correspondent Ernie Pyle was killed on the island of Okinawa in April 1945, an entire nation mourned. Pyle's articles depicted the reality of war and the lives of soldiers who fought--in a way no other writer had done. President Harry Truman even compared the loss of Pyle to that of Franklin Roosevelt, who had died a few days earlier. Pyle had shown millions of Americans how their sons lived and fought; when he died many felt they had lost a friend.

In a small way, the nation's reaction to the death of Ernie Pyle gives us a sense of the desolation the apostles felt in the Upper Room. Jesus had announced that He was leaving them shortly, and they would not see Him again.

The horrors of the cross still awaited Jesus, and the disciples were devastated by what must have seemed like sudden news--even though Jesus had been prophesying His death for many weeks.

The Lord was sympathetic to the anguish of His closest followers. His words of reassurance in John 14 are another classic example of God's faithfulness to His Word and His people. Far from abandoning His disciples, Jesus promised them a home with Him in heaven, forever, and personally guaranteed His return to take them there.

If we had no other promise of heaven in the Bible but these few verses, we would have enough. Jesus founded the promise of heaven on the character of both His Father and Himself. The disciples had come to trust Jesus, although their faith was still partially formed. They knew every word He had spoken to them was the truth.

So when Jesus said He would come back for His own and take them to be with Him in the Father's house, the disciples had a word of assurance and hope that nothing could shake.

We are holding on to that same promise today. As followers of Jesus Christ, we too can be certain that He is preparing a place where we will be with Him. Joshua could say at the end of his life that not one of God's promises had ever failed (Josh. 23:14). That's a record of faithfulness you can rejoice in this Thanksgiving.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Joshua's statement to Israel, which was part of his farewell address, is worth quoting and remembering today.

This great leader said: ""You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed"" (Josh 23:14). We encourage you to memorize this powerful verse today. If it helps, write it on a card to carry with you for reference.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 3:1-6
[Jesus] was faithful to the one who appointed him. - Hebrews 3:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Reformer John Calvin said: ""Christ was both a sacrifice and a priest. No other satisfaction for sin could be found, and no one else was worthy to offer the only-begotten Son of God. Christ now fills the office of Priest so the Father will look favorably upon us and welcome us into His family.""

The picture of Jesus as the high priest who offered His own blood in sacrifice for sin (Heb. 9:12) reminds us of His uniqueness. No one else could do what He did. Consequently, the fact that Jesus was faithful in every detail of His ministry is a great reason for us to celebrate today.

Remember what it cost Jesus to be faithful to His calling as our high priest. The cross was the price He paid, and paid joyfully (Heb. 12:2), to save us and bring us back to God.

After His resurrection and ascension, Jesus took up His place as high priest in the heavenly temple, where He serves on our behalf today. He is there carrying out the work of a priest--mediating between God and us and offering the sacrifice that will, as Calvin said, cause God to ""look favorably upon us.""

Since there is no other way to God but through Jesus (John 14:6), Jesus' faithfulness in spite of great suffering becomes an even richer source of blessing and encouragement for us. God had no other plan for salvation except the death of His Son, and Jesus' obedience to His appointment was never in doubt. For this, we will be eternally grateful.

The writer of Hebrews told his readers to fix their thoughts on Jesus. One reason for this is because they were slipping from their commitment and needed an anchor. You may not be slipping in your spiritual life right now, but fixing your thoughts and your eyes (Heb. 12:2) on Jesus is wonderful advice.

One benefit we gain because Jesus is our faithful Savior and priest is found in our text today. If we are connected to Christ, we are part of God's house because the Father has appointed Jesus, His faithful Son, as head over His house.

This is a reference to our union with Christ as ""living stones"" in the church, the spiritual house He is building (1 Pet. 2:5). Jesus is not only our Savior, but a high priest we can approach for help, comfort, and strength today (Heb. 4:14-16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Hebrews 4:16 says we can approach God with confidence because Jesus is our sympathetic high priest.

Why not take advantage of that access by bringing to the Lord the praises and concerns of your heart? Spend time worshiping Him for His faithfulness, then share the things that burden you. And don't forget to thank the Lord that because He is faithful, you can be assured that He will work in your circumstances for your good and His glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 32:1-9
He is the Rock.... A faithful God who does no wrong. - Deuteronomy 32:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Colonial leader William Penn was determined to deal with the American Indians in his region as equals, taking no land without their consent. At the treaty ceremony with the Delaware nation on June 23, 1683, Penn said: ""We are met on the path of mutual respect and fair dealing. No advantage will be taken on either side, but there shall be openness and love....We are as if one man's body were divided into two parts.""

The Delaware leaders answered: ""While the sun shines and the river runs, we will keep peace with William Penn and his children.""

It's refreshing to read about a human pact based on honesty, trust, and even love. No wonder the peace that was secured that day lasted seventy-five years! Examples of this kind of faithfulness between individuals and nations are all too rare in history.

But when we consider the way God has dealt with His creation, the record reveals unbroken faithfulness. Near the end of his life, as he spoke to a nation poised on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses had a message he wanted to burn into the Israelites' hearts.

The theme of this address was straightforward. ""God has been faithful to Israel. If we will obey and serve Him, He will continue to bless and protect us. If we disobey and dishonor Him, we will face His judgment.""

Moses put his message in the form of a song (see 31:30) that called on heaven and earth to acknowledge his testimony. Then Israel's liberator gave a stirring tribute to Israel's faithful God.

This is the first of several passages we will encounter this month that either feature someone praising God for His faithfulness, or urge us to do so ourselves. If your heart is so full of gratitude to God that you don't think you can contain it any longer, you don't have to! Share what you know. Introduce someone else to the God who keeps His Word and will ""save completely"" anyone who comes to Him through Christ (Heb. 7:25).

Moses was full of praise to the God who can do no wrong, whose dealings with us are always perfect and just (vv. 3-4). God is faithful to Israel; He will be faithful to you.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Did you notice Moses' word of warning to the people in light of God's faithfulness (vv. 5-6)?

What a timely word to our country, our neighbors, and all the nations of the world. To paraphrase Moses, acting unfaithfully toward God by allowing sin and corruption to flourish is a poor way to repay God for His goodness. Today, let's pray that God will forgive our unfaithfulness and give nations around the world a new reverence for His holiness and a renewed sense of the awfulness of sin.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 89:1-8
You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. - Psalm 89:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
A report earlier this year from the United Bible Societies in England stated that during 1997, at least part of the Bible was made available in thirty new languages worldwide. This work brought the total number of languages that have some portion of God's Word to 2겥--an increase of more than two hundred languages in the past four years!

Ethan the Ezrahite would have been happy to hear this good news from the Bible translation front. The author of Psalm 89 wanted the world to hear the good news of God's faithfulness and love to all generations.

In fact, the verses we read today make it clear that faith-fulness was a mark of God's character long before the earth was ever established. Throughout eternity, the love and grace of God have been on display. In fact, God established His faithfulness ""in heaven itself"" (v. 2).

If we could have stood in a corner of heaven before earth was established--and indeed still today--we would have heard the testimony of ""the holy ones"" (v. 7), saying that no one in heaven could compare to God. These holy beings, including the angels and the living beings and elders described in Revelation, have always had only one item on their agenda for discussion: the awesome nature of the God they worship day and night.

Since God's love and faithfulness are securely established in heaven, do you think we have any real reason to worry about what happens on earth? The writer of Psalm 89 and the angels would answer no.

As a matter of fact, today's reading gives us a great example of God's attention to the earth. To illustrate the Lord's faithfulness, the writer mentioned the eternal covenant God made with David to establish his throne forever.

This is a covenant that reaches out to include all people, because the eternal throne God promised to David's descendants will one day be occupied by Jesus Christ when He comes to rule in His millennial kingdom (see the November 3 study).

Consider the joy and wonder experienced by the people in our opening illustration who have just received God's Word in their language for the first time. Now they can join us in celebrating God's faithfulness, which will stand for eternity!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Many pastors end their Sunday worship services with a benediction that encourages the people to go out and tell someone else about the Lord.

Preparing us to be witnesses is one goal of worship and the ministry of the church. The psalmist was eager to let the world know about his faithful God. You probably know someone who needs to know Jesus Christ. Write this person's name on your calendar for the week, and begin today asking God for a divine appointment to share His love and faithfulness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. - Psalm 23:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Commenting on Psalm 23, Bible teacher Charles Swindoll says sheep need three things before they can be at rest. First, they need to be within sight of the shepherd. If they can't see the shepherd, sheep will stand up looking until they collapse from exhaustion. Second, sheep need the safety of the flock. Even a sheep that is tired and hungry will not stop wandering if it is alone. Third, sheep need freedom from predators. As long as a wolf or a lion is near them, sheep will not lie down or eat.

What a picture of our need for Christ! It's obvious from this list of needs that we, as sheep, can't possibly take care of ourselves. Praise God for a faithful Shepherd who is always there to keep us safe.

The words and images of Psalm 23 have probably been reproduced, represented, and illustrated in more ways than any other passage of Scripture. But if we're not careful, these powerful verses that speak of real life can be sentimentalized until we begin to think that David is talking about a dreamy ""neverland"" where all is peace and light.

Dr. Swindoll's wise insights jar us from that mistaken notion. The landscape of Psalm 23 is not a dreamland, but the reality of a world that can be very hard on defenseless sheep.

The serenity of this psalm is undeniable. But its peace is enhanced, not diminished, when we realize that the Shepherd who provides cool water, green pasture, and safe passage for His sheep does so in spite of many threats.

There is the threat of becoming lost, for instance, which the shepherd deals with by His guiding hand that holds the rod and staff to keep sheep on the right path and lift a lost sheep from a crevice. There is also the danger of infection from injury, which the shepherd treats by anointing the sheep with healing oil.

For us, the ""valley of the shadow of death"" is the ultimate enemy (see 1 Cor. 15:26). But even in the day-to-day experiences of life, we are in the presence of our enemies. Yet God keeps us safe in the face of all these threats. Do you have a new appreciation for God's faithfulness to you today? Tell Him about it!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The opposite of rest and peace is worry and anxiety.

What are you worried about today? It's hard to be at peace when your heart and mind are being tossed around by fear and worry. It usually doesn't help to tell someone, ""Quit worrying."" So we want to suggest the opposite! Go ahead and take five minutes today for some serious worrying. Lay out your fears; name your concerns. But after you have worried about them, take them to your Shepherd. Pray the promises of Psalm 23 back to Him--and see if your worries look as big.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 3:1-4
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. - Psalm 51:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Scientists know that extended space travel has definite effects on the human body. Astronauts aboard the Skylab grew between one and two inches taller while in space due to the lengthening and straightening of the spine in the weightless atmosphere. Their waistlines decreased several inches as their internal organs shifted upward. And their calves became smaller as leg muscles forced blood toward the upper part of the body.

Sin has distorted the human spirit in much the same way that space travel distorts the body. The difference is that the damage caused by sin is infinitely greater, and longer lasting.

It might seem that addressing the problem of sin would spoil our celebration this month. But Paul makes a crucial connection between our failure and God's faithfulness that is good news for those of us whose sins are forgiven.

Paul's point is that the failure of some to believe the Word of God did not nullify God's faithfulness. His Word remains true even if it proves everyone else to be a liar. In other words, human sinfulness did not catch God by surprise and disprove His Word. Nor did it cause God to abandon His revelation. He remains true to His Word.

Today's verses come toward the end of a section in which Paul is indicting the entire human race as guilty before God. Those under indictment at the beginning of Romans 3 are the Jews, to whom God's Word was originally entrusted.

This revelation was a distinct advantage to the Israelites, since God chose them from among all peoples to be the recipients of His covenant and the blessings attached to it.

But some Jews failed to respond in faith to the Messiah, the fulfillment of God's covenant. At the same time, many Gentiles have rejected the message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. But none of this unbelief undermined the truth of God. The gospel is still the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). If our sin had eroded the gospel and caused God to abandon the plan drawn up in eternity, we would have been lost forever with no hope of redemption.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Even though our sin does not diminish God's faithfulness, it can throw us off track, even as believers.

This is why the Word urges us to deal with sin as soon as it occurs. Paul told the Corinthians that if they would judge themselves with regard to sin, they would not fall under God's discipline (1 Cor. 11:31). He will discipline us if necessary, because He is a faithful Father. But God's desire is that we confess and forsake our sin (1 John 1:9) so our fellowship will be restored. Do you have any accounts that need to be settled today?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 20:1-17
I, the Lord your God...[show] love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. - Exodus 20:5-6
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent series of television broadcasts told the story of a generation that, according to one author, says is perhaps the most extraordinary in history. This is the generation that was born in the early part of this century, grew up in the Great Depression, fought in World War II and the Korean War, built this nation, raised families, worshiped God, and left a legacy of faithfulness that their children and grandchildren still enjoy today.

On Veterans Day we pay tribute to these ones who gave so much and worked so hard--a generation that includes part of our Today in the Word family. We have no doubt that if you asked these people how they were able to remain faithful through all of their responsibilities, many would tell you it is because they serve a faithful God.

The blessings that godly parents and grandparents accrue for their descendants are evidence of an ancient promise that God first gave to Israel as part of the Ten Commandments. God has always honored obedience. He made that abundantly clear in the warning and promise attached to the second commandment forbidding idols.

Exodus 20 serves as a needed reminder that the promise of God's faithfulness occurs in a specific context. That is, He shows Himself faithful to those who are faithful to Him. And since God is rightfully jealous for His glory and the worship He deserves as the only true God, the highest act of faithfulness we can offer Him is to love, serve, and worship Him alone.

Our freewheeling, anything-goes society cringes at a word like commandment. It implies a nonnegotiable standard that must be obeyed. As believers moving about in a polluted atmosphere, we can absorb the world's rebellious attitude if we are not careful to keep our eyes on Jesus.

It's true that our Lord's death has freed us from the Law in the sense that we no longer have to try to live up to its demands. But Jesus did not set us free to practice a ""freelance"" faith of our own making. We are bound to obey a higher law, ""the law of the Spirit of life"" (Rom. 8:2).

But the principle of Exodus 20 still holds. God is faithful to those in each generation who love and obey Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Ten Commandments are a flawless summary of the faithfulness God expects of us.

But with the disappearance of the Commandments from many public places, and from the hearts of many people, they are in danger of becoming a forgotten standard to the next generation. You can help reverse this loss by learning the Commandments yourself, teaching them to your family, and encouraging your church to emphasize them in its teaching ministry.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 36:5-10
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. - Psalm 36:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
From an insurance company newsletter comes this medical reminder: washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to avoid illness. Yet hand washing is also one of the most neglected hygiene practices.

Here's another tip: according to this report, the soap you use isn't as important as a proper hand-washing technique. This involves rubbing hands vigorously with soap for at least ten seconds, then rinsing them thoroughly in warm water.

Why is it so easy to overlook the basics like washing our hands? Probably because the basics are just that: basic, everyday routines that can get overlooked and pushed aside in the rush of life. But this fact does not diminish their importance. This reality applies spiritually, too. For example, praise is one of the most basic and effective ways to celebrate God's faithfulness and bring Him the glory He is due. But for too many believers, praise is a Sunday-only, one-hour exercise rather than a vital ingredient of their daily spiritual routines.

Encouraging you to become a person of praise is one purpose for which this devotional exists. We want to help you integrate praise into your daily Christian life as part of your ""spiritual act of worship"" to the Lord (Rom. 12:1).

Psalm 36 is a wonderful example of what we could call ""basic praise."" Perhaps David was looking up as he praised God for His love and faithfulness that reached as far as David could see--and far beyond that (v. 5). This song of adoration to God is one that you can enter into fully as you read, because every verse has meaning for your life today.

In verse 7 David praised God's ""unfailing love,"" that wonderful attribute of His faithfulness which we encountered in Psalm 33 (see the November 2 study). We call things priceless that are merely expensive or hard to replace. But God's loyal love truly deserves to be called priceless.

Notice the other blessings our faithful God provides: shelter (v. 7), food and drink (v. , and life itself (v. 9). In light of all this, David prayed, ""Continue your love to those who know you"" (v. 10), a prayer that a faithful God can't fail to answer.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalm 36 would be a great passage to share with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day.

Whatever Scripture you choose, we urge you to make God's Word an integral part of your Thanksgiving celebration. And if unbelievers will be there, all the more reason not to miss an opportunity to shareGod's Word in a nonthreatening way. Why not begin praying today that God will be honored and praised in your observance of Thanksgiving?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 10:19-25
Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another - Hebrews 10:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that people who are involved in a variety of activities such as work, church, sports, and family recreation catch fewer colds than people whose lives are only consumed by a few things--work being the most common. The article supports the idea that mental well-being affects a person's physical health.

This is encouraging news for the winter season, but we don't need a study to tell us that believers who are faithful to the church are spiritually healthier than those who are not. Today's verse shows that all of us need the strength we draw from one another. That's the way Christ intended His body to work.

How does the command to continue meeting together relate to God's faithfulness? You probably saw the connection in verse 23. God's faithfulness to His promises is the link that connects verses 19-22, in which we are urged to draw close to God, with verses 24-25, which command us not to forsake the church.

The point is that both of these spiritually healthy activities are possible and beneficial because our God keeps His promises.

The writer of Hebrews had already taught his readers that they had a faithful and eternal high priest in Jesus Christ (Heb. 3, see the November 6 study). Given this confidence, and the assurance that Jesus' blood was sufficient to forgive sins and cleanse the conscience, these believers had every reason to draw close to God and in so doing get a firm grip on their faith.

The Hebrews were slipping in their commitment to Christ, wavering back and forth and leaning toward a return to Judaism. The writer gave them a wonderful two-step cure for their problem: attach themselves firmly to the Lord, and then attach themselves firmly to one another.

This is a great life plan even for Christians who aren't wavering in their faith. We're not saying that our salvation depends on how well we hold on to God. His hold on us is secure. But in terms of our faithfulness and service, we need to connect with Him and with each other. And the connections will hold because God is faithful.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The command in Hebrews 10 is not hard to understand. We could paraphrase it, ""Don't quit going to church.""

But there's more to it than simply depositing ourselves in a pew every Sunday. The body of Christ is designed to be interactive, every member drawing strength from every other member (see Eph. 4:16). How are you doing in the ministry of encouraging your fellow believers, spurring them on to ""love and good deeds""? You don't need a job title to be a blessing to others. Ask God to lead you to someone at church whom you can encourage this Sunday.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 10:22-30
This is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me. - John 6:39
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1793 missions pioneer William Carey was refused permission to enter India by the British East India Company, which thought that missionaries would be bad for business. Carey asked John Newton, the author of ""Amazing Grace,"" what he should do if ""the company"" sent him home when he tried to enter India. Newton told him, ""Then conclude that your Lord has nothing there for you to accomplish. But if He has, no power on earth can hinder you.""

Carey believed God did have something for him to accomplish in India. He sailed there on a Danish ship and was put ashore in Calcutta by a fishing boat. Newton was right: no power on earth was able to keep William Carey from bringing the gospel to India.

That fact was good news in the 1790s. The same is true in the 1990s because the God who kept William Carey is faithfully holding you in His hands today. And when your Father has you in His hands, no power on earth or anywhere else can touch you without His permission.

You may recognize John 10 as the ""Good Shepherd"" chapter in which Jesus said He came to give us abundant life by laying down His life for us (vv. 10-11). The observation we made about Psalm 23 applies here, too. Our shepherd comforts and protects us in a context of danger.

This is apparent first in the events of John 9, after Jesus healed the man born blind. Jesus was ridiculed by some Pharisees for this healing, and for exposing their spiritual blindness (John 9:40). Jesus' answer was the discourse on the good shepherd.

These enemies would have taken Jesus' sheep from Him if they could have done so. Jesus also taught that Satan is always ready to steal and destroy His sheep (John 10: 10).

Then Jesus' enemies came at Him again with a question which was really more of a dare and an accusation (v. 24). Jesus answered them firmly again, making it clear that all those who belong to Him are beyond the reach of anyone who would try to tear them out of His Father's hands.

This is the basis of our security. Eternal life, by definition, is life that lasts forever--and Jesus said as much when He promised that we ""shall never perish"" (v. 28). Aren't you glad your salvation rests in the hands of a faithful God?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God's ability to keep us secure has never been in question.

What is in question, however, is how much we are seeking Him and growing in our relationships with Christ. Take time this weekend to evaluate your Christian life by answering questions like these: Are you seeking God more today than you were at this time last month? Can you trace clear spiritual growth in your life over the past few weeks or months?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 146:1-10
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob...the Lord, who remains faithful forever. - Psalm 146:5-6
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Chamorros people of Guam are reviving interest in their native language and culture. The Pacific island, which is a U.S. territory, was ruled by Spain for more than 300 years and was briefly under Japanese control. In an effort to help their children be successful, many Chamorros parents banned their native language in their homes and raised their children speaking English. But as one Chamorros woman said, ""I lost my language."" Consequently, a number of people are showing a new interest in learning the Chamorro language and teaching it to their children.

Over the past few years the church has also been witnessing a renewal of interest in a ""lost language""--the language of praise. And like a group of people who have a full cultural heritage to draw upon in relearning their native language, the church has an incredibly rich heritage of praise to guide us, much of it deposited in the Psalms.

Psalm 146 is a prime example of this heritage. We could spend a week in these verses exploring all the reasons we have to praise the Lord. Our focus today is on verse 6, in which the psalmist extols God for His eternal faithfulness.

This verse forms part of a very important contrast in the psalm: putting our trust in human institutions rather than in God. The problem with trusting in earthbound people and organizations is that they don't last. As soon as a ""prince"" dies, his administration basically comes to an end. The power he once had goes to someone else; the plans he once had are replaced by new ones.

How much wiser it is to hope in God, ""who remains faithful forever."" He alone can do perfectly what the best people and institutions on earth can do only very imperfectly and temporarily. God can defend and uphold the helpless and defenseless, give sight to those who are spiritually blind, keep His righteous ones safe in His love, and frustrate the plans of evil people.

No other language but the language of praise can express our delight in a God who can do all of this, because He reigns in righteousness and justice forever. Blessings like these call for another day of celebrating God's faithfulness!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Viewing our jobs, our families, and our problems through the lens of biblical praise puts them in a far different light.

That's why the psalmist calls on God's people to make praise a way of life (vv. 1-2). One way to include praise in your worship each day is to add a psalm to your daily Bible reading schedule. We suggest you try this for the next few days, using Psalms 144-145 and 147-150.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 38:15-20
Fathers tell their children about [God's] faithfulness. - Isaiah 38:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
If they were asked, many people would say the reason for Daylight Saving Time is so they can squeeze in an extra hour on the lake or prolong the backyard summer barbecue and croquet game. But while outdoor recreation is one reason Congress passed a uniform daylight saving time act in 1966, the measure's original purpose was much more urgent. The practice was begun on March 31, 1918 as a war measure to conserve fuel and light.

Because human nature tends to be forgetful, we still carry on a lot of traditions that have long since lost their original significance. This can happen spiritually too, which is one reason the Bible constantly urges parents, fathers especially, to tell their children about the wonderful acts of God.

Consider the poem written by King Hezekiah of Judah after his illness and miraculous recovery at God's hands.

When you know the context (vv. 1-9), you have no trouble understanding the intensity of Hezekiah's praise. He had just been healed and given fifteen more years of life. God had been abundantly faithful to the king. He had a story to tell!

Notice that the king praised God not just for healing, but for the illness and ""anguish"" (v. 15) that preceded Isaiah's announcement of healing. This lends a note of honesty and authenticity to Hezekiah's praise that makes his testimony more compelling.

All of us have a story to tell of God's faithfulness. With this comes the added responsibility of teaching the next generation that God will be faithful to them too if they will trust Him. The challenge is to communicate this in such a way that we help motivate these next generations to follow God with passion and commitment.

As we celebrate God's faithfulness, let's ensure that those around us know the full story of God's faithfulness to us, remembering to include His love in the hard times.

The modern term for this spiritual openness is transparency. But it's not enough just to be open and let everything spill out. Neither is it enough just to be able to be seen through. There must be some substance for other people to see. This Thanksgiving, help pass on the truth of God's faithfulness to the next generation by being open about all that He has done for you.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Thanksgiving season is tailor-made for our testimony of God's faithfulness.

As you plan your Thanksgiving Day meal and activities (see the November 12 study), why not allow time for yourself and others to share a brief testimony of God's faithfulness this year? You may want to ask several people in advance to help you. These stories can have a powerful impact on young hearts, and on those around your table who may not know Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Hebrews 4:14-16
We have [a high priest] who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. - Hebrews 4:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
C. S. Lewis made these insightful observations about temptation: ""No man knows how bad he is until he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. That is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is....Christ, because He was the only Man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only Man who knows to the full what temptation means.""

The perfection of Jesus Christ, our great high priest, in the matter of temptation could be a source of despair and even fear for us, except for the wonderful teaching of Scripture that He sympathizes with us in our struggles. Instead of rejecting us and driving us from His presence because of our failures and imperfections, Jesus offers us His limitless power to defeat temptation.

This is good news for us, because Paul leaves no doubt that temptation is a universal experience. To combat the enemy's attacks, we have an advantage over earlier generations of believers. Twice Paul says the Israelites' failures in the wilderness were recorded for our warning and spiritual education.

Having a clear example put before us in the pages of Scripture is a definite advantage. Along with this is another blessing--the promise of God's faithfulness to us even when we are under assault on every side.

God's faithfulness in temptation takes two distinct forms. First, He limits the intensity of the temptation to keep it well within our ""resistance range."" It may not feel like this is true when Satan is attacking you in an area where you are especially vulnerable, but the promise of God's sovereignty stands nonetheless. God will never allow Satan to defeat you.

Second, God is faithful to install a ""door"" in the temptation so we can have a way out. The reason we don't escape more often is not that we are hopelessly trapped by some evil thought or desire, but that we aren't really looking for a way out. The door of escape is always there.

A faithful and merciful high priest who is ready to help us, a promise that temptation will not overwhelm us, and a door of escape--what more do we need to be victorious over temptation?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
From Timeless Insights magazine comes this helpful formula to help us defeat temptation in the days to come:

""We need hindsight to learn from our past so we don't forget God's faithfulness and repeat the same mistakes. We need insight that comes by saturating our hearts and minds with Scripture. And we need foresight to prepare for tomorrow's battles. This will help us anticipate and avoid situations and people that can lead us into temptation.""