Daily Archives: November 8, 2026

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – A Moving Apology

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Read Acts 6:8–7:60

Usually, we think of an apology as saying we are sorry, admitting we have done something wrong. However, there is another definition. The word “apology,” or apologetic, can also mean a reasoned defense of what you believe. This is exactly what Stephen gave before the Sanhedrin.

After naming him as one of the seven to oversee the distribution of food to the Hellenistic Jewish widows, Luke focuses on Stephen as a man of the Spirit and wisdom. In fact, the Scripture tells us, “Stephen, a man of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people” (6:8). Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin because he was persistently sharing his faith. The men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen made up false charges against him. They claimed he spoke blasphemy against Moses and God. “They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us’” (6:13–14).

In turn, Stephen gave a defense (an apology) before the Sanhedrin, reciting a history of the Jewish nation beginning with Abraham through the building of the temple. He began his conclusion asserting, “the Most High does not live in houses made by men” (7:48). By the time Stephen finished, the religious leaders were furious (7:54). They responded by stoning him. Stephen saw the Lord standing in heaven to receive him and prayed, “‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.‘” He fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep” (7:59–60). “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” (Ps. 116:15).

Go Deeper

Why did the religious leaders attack Stephen? What was remarkable about Stephen’s speech? About his death?

Pray with Us

Give us faith like Stephen, God. When others question us because of You, help us stand strong. When others persecute us because we believe in You, help us forgive them.

I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.Acts 7:56

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Rich in Good Deeds

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Command them to . . . be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18

Today’s Scripture

1 Timothy 6:17-19

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Today’s Devotion

Ross-on-Wye is a scenic town in Herefordshire, England. Marked by its high church spire and old market house, a hilltop park provides a stunning view of the nearby River Wye. As you wander Ross’ streets, one name stands out: John Kyrle.

Born in 1637 to a wealthy family, John put his inheritance to good use. He built that hilltop park not for himself but for the community—an uncommon act at the time. He made a promenade along the river for public enjoyment, brought running water to the town, funded schools, sponsored apprenticeships for the unemployed, opened his home to the poor, and distributed bread from the market house.

As a longtime worshiper at Ross’ church, I wonder if today’s Scripture passage had anything to do with Kyrle’s philanthropy so many years ago. In those verses, Paul counsels the well-off in Timothy’s church to avoid taking pride in their wealth but instead to use it to do good (1 Timothy 6:17-18). While other lords built grand manors full of exotic possessions, Kyrle amassed heavenly treasure by investing in others (v. 19).

Each of us has a certain amount of time, talent, and resources at our disposal, which we are called to use well. Whether a little or a lot, John Kyrle can be an example to us as we glorify God by investing in others’ lives.

Reflect & Pray

What amount of time, talent, and resources do you have right now? Where could you “invest” them in your community to God’s glory?

Dear God, please show me how to steward what I have to bless others.

Today’s Insights

The command to “be rich in good deeds” (1 Timothy 6:18) isn’t just for those who are “rich in this present world” (v. 17). The first reference to good deeds in the New Testament appears in the teaching of Jesus: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). While our standing with God isn’t based on what we do (Ephesians 2:8-9), we’ve been “created . . . to do good works” (v. 10) because God has graciously saved us. The apostle Paul also spoke about “good deeds” (things that benefit people and honor God) when writing to Titus. Believers are to be “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14), to be “ready to do . . . good” (3:1), and to “devote themselves to doing what is good” (v. 8). We honor God when we use our God-given resources to invest in the lives of others.

For further study, read: The Community of Christ

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Should a Christian Get Angry?

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” (Matthew 5:22)

There are a number of Scriptures that, taken alone, would indicate that a Christian should never get angry about anything. For example, note Ephesians 4:31: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger . . . be put away from you.”

Yet, Jesus indicated only that anger “without a cause” was wrong and invited judgment. Many modern translations omit the phrase “without a cause” in this verse, but the phrase does occur in over 99.5% of all the Greek manuscripts and thus clearly should be retained.

If anger were never permitted for a believer, it would contradict even the occasional example of Jesus Himself. “And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts” (Mark 3:5). He was angered here by certain hypocrites among the Pharisees who were ready to condemn Him for healing a disabled man on the Sabbath.

We are directed to resist anger over some personal injury or insult to ourselves. This is implied in context in such verses as cited above (Colossians 3:8, etc.). “Recompense to no man evil for evil . . . avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath” (Romans 12:17, 19). But if we do get angry in spite of ourselves, we are commanded, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26).

There may be some situations involving injury or insult to the name or work of Christ where anger is indeed “with cause.” Even then, however, God would warn us to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19), remembering that “vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – How to Receive Help from God

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Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)

Today’s scripture shows God’s people coming to Him and admitting that they are helpless. Because of this, they received direction and help from God and experienced a great victory.

Paul reminded Timothy that we bring nothing into the world and that we will take nothing out of it (1 Timothy 6:7). We need to ponder this truth. We come into the world with nothing—not even clothes. Everything we have is a gift of God’s goodness. We make a huge mistake when we start thinking our blessings are the results of something good that we have done.

Every good gift comes from above (James 1:17), and we can never earn God’s grace and favor. He gives them as a gift, and we should receive them with humble hearts, knowing that we don’t deserve them. Several times a day, it is good to remind yourself that you are nothing and can do nothing without God (John 15:5).

Prayer of the Day: Father, I admit that I need Your help because I am helpless without You. Keep me humble and help me to never forget that every good thing I have is a gift from You, not the result of anything I have done. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org