Daily Archives: November 6, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Orders of Angels

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For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Recommended Reading: Colossians 2:9-10

Look at the way any organization is structured, whether a business, a church, the military, or an athletic team. The organization can always be structured according to a chart of hierarchy and function. Organizations are not just random collections of individuals or groups. Rather, they are organized and structured according to purpose.

Why do human beings structure organizations that way? Because we are made in the image of God and that is the way God orders His own creation. God has even applied structure and organization to His ranks of angels. While the Bible does not give us an organizational “chart” of angelic beings, we do have descriptive terms that reflect angelic orders of both good and evil angels. On the evil side, there are principalities, powers, rulers, and hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). On the good side, there are thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers (Colossians 1:16).

Thank God today that He has structured His creation and your place in it for His own glory and purposes—even angelic beings.

Angels are the ministers of God’s wrath, as well as of His grace. 
John Calvin

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Partners in Christ

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[Jesus] began to send them out two by two and gave them authority. Mark 6:7

Today’s Scripture

Mark 6:6-7, 12-13

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

My husband’s serious illness left him weak. But when a physical therapist prescribed exercises to grow strong again, Dan showed little interest. Then one day I did the exercises with him. “We’re growing strong!” I told him, lifting my arms and laughing. Soon, he was laughing too as we did three sets of the strength-building routines—surprised we both enjoyed working together to do what had at first seemed hard.

Jesus modeled best the profound power of working together on a difficult job. While going around teaching “from village to village,” He summoned His twelve disciples and “began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mark 6:6-7).

Going alone, the Twelve might’ve traveled faster or farther. But while engaging in their tough assignment, they were far more effective working in pairs. They could see and correct each other’s mistakes, counter any idleness or indifference, and encourage each other to action.

Then as they went, preaching that “people should repent. . . . they drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (vv. 12-13). Together, their power was multiplied, and not just by two. Empowered in Christ by the Holy Spirit, they drove out afflictions, healing all manner of ills in Jesus’ name. As my husband and I learned, two are better than one, especially in Christ.

Reflect & Pray

With whom can you partner in Christ? How does pairing in Him bless you too?

Please show me partners today, dear Jesus, so I may do good work for You.

Today’s Insights

Theologian John D. Barry notes that the disciples were sent out in pairs to fulfill the legal requirement of Deuteronomy 19:15, which says, “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense.” But what “crime” would the disciples be witnessing? Christ told the disciples they were to rely on the hospitality of those they’d visit. He also told them, “If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11). Anyone who rejected the disciples and their message was rejecting Christ Himself (Luke 10:16)—a greater offense than the crimes alluded to in Mosaic law. Commissioned by Christ and with the support of each other, the disciples had everything they needed to spread the good news. Today, we can ask God to show us whom we can partner with as we serve Him.

For further study, read: A United Mindset

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – The dark realities of witchcraft

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Lessons from Uganda about taking spiritual evil seriously

Recently, Allison Johnson wrote about the “Etsy witch” phenomenon, which began last year when a TikTok influencer commissioned a witch on the craft-selling platform to “provide a form of insurance for the weather on her wedding day.” Her experience led many of her followers to try Etsy spellcasters’ services for themselves, seeking assistance with “jobs, relationships, finding love, or removing obstacles.” Some clients sought perfect weather for birthday parties and weddings; others asked for assistance with “court cases and legal proceedings,” with varied results.

I experienced a profound sense of deja vu while reading Johnson’s article. Many of the services offered by Etsy witches are the same ones my husband and I see advertised by witch doctors on our walks through Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. Like their Etsy counterparts, witch doctors in this East African nation offer assistance with lost love, business success, infertility, court cases, catching thieves, and “removing obstacles.”

But while partakers in the Etsy witch trend view the practice as either harmless fun or a low-cost way to “put positive energy into the universe” and reap material success, those who consult Ugandan witch doctors fully believe in their power to influence the future.

Continue reading Denison Forum – The dark realities of witchcraft →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Confront, Motivate, and Encourage

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 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 

—Hebrews 10:24–25

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:24-25 

In today’s devotion, we’re going to talk about the hot-button issue of confronting, motivating, and encouraging our fellow believers.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NLT). And while his words carry practical implications for our daily interactions with people, we need to keep in mind that peace—that is, the absence of conflict—isn’t necessarily the goal for believers. Our goal is to obey God and accomplish His will in this world. And sometimes that goal will take us not only out of our comfort zone but also out of our peaceful zone.

As believers, we’re part of God’s church. We’re part of the body of believers. As with the human body, the spiritual body of Christ works best when the parts work together. But with so many moving pieces, that’s not always the case.

Conflict—believers getting out of sync with one another—is inevitable. But the need for fellowship never changes. When you’re walking with God, you’ll want to be with God’s people. And often, when you find yourself out of fellowship with God, you’ll also find yourself out of fellowship with other believers. You’ll find yourself saying things like, “I don’t really know if I want to go to church today. Besides, there are so many hypocrites. When I go, I feel judged.”

People often quote Matthew 7:1, which says, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (NKJV). However, the passage also could be translated as, “Condemn not, that you be not condemned.” We are not to condemn other people. But evaluation is something we should do for one another, helping one another, encouraging one another, and, if necessary, correcting one another.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (NLT). Sparks may fly occasionally, but the result is two people with keen spiritual edges.

That’s why I reserve the right to confront, if necessary, a fellow Christian who is on the wrong track. As Hebrews 10 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (verses 24–25 NLT).

God wants us to be holy people—not holier-than-thou in the way someone looks down at another with condescension. Rather, being a holy person means living a life that is honoring to God and wanting to become more like Jesus every day.

The people who are willing to risk confrontation to help fellow believers accomplish that should be welcomed and celebrated. They are doing a mighty work for God’s kingdom.

Reflection question: What would it look like in your life to motivate and encourage a fellow believer in their walk with Christ? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Night and Day

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by Michael J. Stamp

“[Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night.” (John 3:2)

The Pharisee Nicodemus, a highly respected teacher in Israel, privately visited Jesus in the dark of night in Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman, who had been scorned by her own village, at a well in broad daylight. These two encounters were as different as night and day.

Before seeking out Jesus, Nicodemus had already heard Jesus preach in the busy temple, knew of the revealing signs He performed, and perhaps witnessed His miracles. Nicodemus already knew Jesus was “a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). But Jesus went out of His way to meet the Samaritan woman in her small town. She was a stranger to Jesus, unclean to the Jews, and an outcast to her people. She was shocked when Jesus asked her for a simple drink of water since Jews didn’t speak to Samaritans. But Jesus did. And He revealed His divine identity to her. She shared that she knew “that Messias [Messiah] cometh, which is called Christ” (4:25). Jesus responded, “I that speak unto thee am He.” (4:26).

Through these conversations, Jesus worked in the hearts of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Nicodemus later demonstrated his faith by boldly defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin and assisting in His burial (7:50–51; 19:39). The Samaritan woman ran and told the townspeople about Jesus, saying, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (4:29).

Jesus meets and seeks us where we are. Young, old, wealthy, poor, respected, or outcast. All are sinners in need of Jesus. His salvation and forgiveness are for everyone. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). MJS

 

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Be Slow to Anger

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Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger dwells in the heart of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (AMP)

Have you ever known someone of quick temper, whose default response to many situations was anger? I believe people who rush to anger lack the discipline of self-control. We can’t develop into emotionally stable, mature, victorious Christians if we don’t learn to exercise self-control by managing our emotions, especially the emotion of anger.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 is only one of many Bible verses about anger. Another is James 1:19–20: Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us] (AMP).

Notice that the “anger of man does not produce” righteousness. Part of righteousness (being what God wants us to be) is fulfilling His purpose and plan for our lives and living up to our potential. We cannot do this without learning to restrain our anger.

We all want to fulfill our potential and do all God calls us to do, but we don’t always want to operate within the boundaries of self-control. If we really want to grow spiritually, we must discipline our passions. This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect or can never make mistakes. Although the Holy Spirit will give us power to control our emotions, we may still lose our temper at times. But as soon as we do, we should immediately confess it, repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and move forward.

Prayer of the Day: When I feel angry, Lord, help me slow down and remember to ask You to help me control my emotions.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Jesus Healed People 

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Play

Would you like Jesus to heal you?  Then, ask Him.

The four Gospels detail approximately 36 miracles and reference even more.  Jesus changed water into wine, calmed more than one storm, restored sight to more than one blind man.  Yet Jesus never grandstanded his miraculous powers. He performed miracles for two reasons: to prove his identity and to help his people.

Can you imagine the testimonies? Imagine if you were a part of the crowd he fed, one of the dead he raised, or one of the sick he healed. The church exploded like a fire on a West Texas prairie. Why? Because Jesus healed people.

Why not let him heal you?  You can be sure that, in the right time and in the right way, Jesus will respond.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Holding Back

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Read Acts 4:32—5:11

When I was growing up, my favorite sport to play was American football. I still enjoy watching it. Recently ESPN added an additional channel to cover Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Manning as commentators. I will often switch to this channel during the game to hear what the Manning brothers are discussing.

Today’s reading at the end of Acts 4 appears to switch channels, revealing two different viewpoints on the early church. First, we see a beautiful picture of harmony. Due to new Jewish believers moving into Jerusalem, the believers were working together in unity. Everyone was helping one another financially. From time to time, people were selling their property so there wasn’t any need among members. They would bring the proceeds to the apostles to distribute as necessary. They were genuinely living in community with one another.

An example of this generosity was Barnabas. “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet” (vv. 36–37). Then the text switches channels and we get a different perspective. Ananias and Sapphira, husband and wife, also owned a piece of property. They too decided to sell their property and they brought a portion of the sales to the apostles (5:2). But both Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead. Why?

Because of their deception. Peter asked Sapphira as he had earlier questioned her husband, “Is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said. Peter said, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?” (vv. 8–9). Both Ananias and his wife had falsely claimed they had brought all the proceeds of the sale to the apostles. Their deception was met with punishment from God.

Go Deeper

This story prompts us to examine ourselves. Have you been completely honest before the Lord? We are only fooling ourselves when we aren’t.

Pray with Us

Show us where we haven’t been completely honest with You, God. We don’t want our selfishness to interfere with our testimony about You. Give us clean hands and pure hearts.

All the believers were one in heart and mind.Acts 4:32

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/