Morning, November 25
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“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,  — Luke 4:18
Bible League: Living His Word
Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ERV

Dixie is our beautiful and sweet black dog—a mix of retriever and we don't know what else. We rescued her in April 2022. The first time we saw her at the shelter, she was curled up in the back corner of her cage, skin and bones and mangy all over, and she would hardly make eye contact. The rescue shelter said she had been a stray, found on the mean streets of Kansas City. They said she was about two years old when they found her.

She's still very, very skittish—even after having lived with us for the past year and a half. But, she is very thankful. She's thankful for a home, food, shelter from thunderstorms, walks, and lots of love. Although we don't speak "dog," and she doesn't speak "human," it seems that she's always thankful. She wags her tail a lot. She's a sweetheart and seems to never complain.

What if we never complained? What if we were content no matter what came our way? Just as Dixie has been rescued, we were rescued from the mean streets of life in a fallen world and the penalty of sin. Daily, we see and feel the pain of sin and death in this world. We complain a lot because life doesn't go the way we think it should. Despite our disappointment, we have much to be thankful for. "God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son." (Colossians 1:13). We've been rescued.

After spending eight years in a Soviet gulag, Soviet dissident and literary giant, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote: "Bless you, prison, for having been in my life. The meaning of earthly existence lies, not as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul."

"Bless you, prison..."? What is he talking about? Is he crazy? No, he meant what he said. Aleksandr understood the fact that God can take difficult things and turn them into blessings. It's doubtful that he would have considered that prison a treat, or that he would have been glad to spend his entire life there. But, trusting in God's will and God's timing, he accepted that the eight years in prison was part of God's plan and that God would, ultimately, use it for good. "We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).

Is this, perhaps, one possible way to understand why God commands us to give thanks in all circumstances? Everyone has "prisons" to deal with. But still, in God's Word, we're faced with that difficult idea of giving thanks, no matter what. God didn't tell us to give thanks sometimes or in certain situations where we get everything when we want it and the way we want it. It's nice when we do get what we want, but that doesn't always happen. God always provides what we need—not always what we want.

What if we never complained and were always thankful? Maybe even giving thanks in all circumstances? Giving thanks is a choice. And it could well be part of God's plan for developing our souls and conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). For the good of many, Jesus surrendered His will to the Father's, and look at all the earthly and eternal good that has come from that one choice.

By Chaney Rader, Bible League International staff, U.S.
Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
Ezekiel 34, 35


Ezekiel 34 -- Reproof of the Shepherds of Israel; Restoration

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Ezekiel 35 -- The Judgment of Mount Seir for Their Hatred of Israel

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


New Testament Reading
1 Peter 2


1 Peter 2 -- Put away Wickedness; You Are Like Living Stones; Submit to Authority; Follow Christ's Example

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Insight
Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. What is the difference? Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil. The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world. But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear.
Challenge
Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and his Word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Luke 4:18  To preach deliverance to the captives.

None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty cometh from him only. It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. The saints honor the justice of God, which now secures their salvation. It is a liberty which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by his power, but he bought it by his blood. He makes thee free, but it is by his own bonds. Thou goest clear, because he bare thy burden for thee: thou art set at liberty, because he has suffered in thy stead. But, though dearly purchased, he freely gives it. Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful array of freedom; he saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit. When Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me, "Captive, I have delivered thee," and it is done forever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is he who is for us than all they who be against us. The machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but he who hath begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end. The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us, but if God acquitteth, who is he that condemneth? Not more free is the eagle which mounts to his rocky eyrie, and afterwards outsoars the clouds, than the soul which Christ hath delivered. If we are no more under the law, but free from its curse, let our liberty be practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude and delight. "I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds." "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Romans 6:18  and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Matthew 6:24  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Romans 6:20-22  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. • Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. • But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Romans 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

John 12:26  "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Matthew 11:29,30  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. • "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Isaiah 26:13  O LORD our God, other masters besides You have ruled us; But through You alone we confess Your name.

Psalm 119:32  I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. He.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening November 24
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