October 25
Today’s Reading: Job 16; Acts 21–23
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📖 Scripture Focus (Job 16:5–6, 9, 12–13, 17 NLT)
“But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.
I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.
God hates me and angrily tears me apart. He snaps his teeth at me and pierces me with his eyes.
I was living quietly until he shattered me. He took me by the neck and broke me in pieces. Then he set me up as his target, and now his archers surround me. His arrows pierce me without mercy. The ground is wet with my blood.
Yet I have done no wrong, and my prayer is pure.”
⸻
Reflection — Part One (Job 16)
Job’s friends claimed to comfort him, but their words only deepened his pain. He longed for compassion, not correction. Job said, “If it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.” (v. 5)
Though Job didn’t understand why God allowed such suffering, he stayed honest before the Lord. He felt crushed and pierced, yet still confessed, “My prayer is pure.” (v. 17) Even in confusion, Job clung to his integrity and continued to pray.
Sometimes God allows pain not because of sin, but to refine us—to cause His glory to shine through a life that endures testing.
⸻
Reflection — Part Two (Acts 21–23)
My sister,
Something I’ve learned reading through the whole Bible every year is that God’s Word always speaks fresh, no matter how many times I’ve read it. Maybe this year the Holy Spirit will highlight something different to you—something new and personal.
Reading 4–5 chapters a day offers countless lessons to glean from. Take time to pick one of these truths from Acts 21–23 and journal how the Lord is speaking to you today.
1.Obedience sometimes leads straight into opposition.
Paul knew hardship waited in Jerusalem, but he still obeyed. Following God’s call doesn’t always bring comfort—it brings purpose.
📖 “I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 21:13
2.The Holy Spirit prepares us, not spares us, from trials.
Prophetic warnings weren’t meant to stop Paul but to strengthen him. God often shows us what’s ahead so we’ll face it with faith, not fear.
📖 “The Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.” — Acts 20:23
3.True love prays, even when it hurts.
The believers who pleaded with Paul to stay also knelt and prayed when he went. That’s what real family in Christ looks like—surrendering our will to God’s.
📖 “They all knelt on the beach and prayed.” — Acts 21:5
4.God’s protection doesn’t mean absence of danger.
Through arrests, riots, and threats, the Lord still stood beside Paul. His presence is the safest place we can be.
📖 “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, ‘Be encouraged! Just as you have been a witness to me in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome.’” — Acts 23:11
5.Our testimony has power, even under pressure.
When falsely accused, Paul didn’t argue—he told his story. A Spirit-filled testimony cuts through confusion and brings glory to Jesus.
📖 “Then Paul said, ‘I am a Jew… and as I was on the road, a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.’” — Acts 22:3, 6
6.God uses earthly authority to accomplish His heavenly plan.
Roman soldiers thought they were rescuing a prisoner, but they were actually preserving a preacher. God can use anyone to move His servants forward.
📖 “The commander ordered that Paul be guarded in Herod’s headquarters.” — Acts 23:35
7.Faithfulness often means standing alone—but never truly alone.
Surrounded by enemies, Paul heard Jesus speak directly to his heart. When others can’t stand with us, Christ Himself does.
📖 “Be encouraged, Paul.” — Acts 23:11
8.God’s timing is perfect—even when it looks delayed.
Every detour and delay in Paul’s journey was divine direction. What feels like a setback is often a setup for greater ministry.
📖 “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.” — Psalm 33:11
⸻
Lesson for Me
Both Job and Paul remind me that walking closely with God doesn’t mean life will be easy—it means I will never walk alone. Job teaches me that even when I don’t understand why I’m suffering, I can still pray and trust God’s character. Paul shows me that even when following God leads into hardship, I can still obey with courage because His Spirit goes with me.
When I face pain or misunderstanding, I can rest in this truth: God uses both suffering and obedience to refine my heart and reveal His glory.
⸻
Application Questions
1.When others are hurting, do my words bring comfort or correction?
2.What is one area where God is calling me to obey even though it may be hard?
3.How can I grow in trusting the Holy Spirit’s leading instead of fearing what’s ahead?
4.Like Paul, am I willing to share my testimony even in uncomfortable places?
5.When I feel misunderstood like Job, will I still choose to pray and keep my heart pure before God?
⸻
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that always speaks fresh to my heart. When I walk through seasons I don’t understand, remind me that You are refining me, not forsaking me. When obedience costs me something, give me the courage of Paul to keep walking by faith. Make me a friend who comforts like You, not one who condemns. Let my life reflect Your love, my trials reveal Your glory, and my testimony draw others to You. Amen.
⸻
🕊️ Journaling Reminder
Take a few quiet moments with Jesus. Choose one lesson from Acts 21–23—or a truth from Job 16—and ask the Holy Spirit what He’s showing you today. Write down what He speaks to your heart about obedience, comfort, or trust in His perfect plan.
Today’s Reading: Job 16; Acts 21–23
⸻
📖 Scripture Focus (Job 16:5–6, 9, 12–13, 17 NLT)
“But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.
I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.
God hates me and angrily tears me apart. He snaps his teeth at me and pierces me with his eyes.
I was living quietly until he shattered me. He took me by the neck and broke me in pieces. Then he set me up as his target, and now his archers surround me. His arrows pierce me without mercy. The ground is wet with my blood.
Yet I have done no wrong, and my prayer is pure.”
⸻
Reflection — Part One (Job 16)
Job’s friends claimed to comfort him, but their words only deepened his pain. He longed for compassion, not correction. Job said, “If it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.” (v. 5)
Though Job didn’t understand why God allowed such suffering, he stayed honest before the Lord. He felt crushed and pierced, yet still confessed, “My prayer is pure.” (v. 17) Even in confusion, Job clung to his integrity and continued to pray.
Sometimes God allows pain not because of sin, but to refine us—to cause His glory to shine through a life that endures testing.
⸻
Reflection — Part Two (Acts 21–23)
My sister,
Something I’ve learned reading through the whole Bible every year is that God’s Word always speaks fresh, no matter how many times I’ve read it. Maybe this year the Holy Spirit will highlight something different to you—something new and personal.
Reading 4–5 chapters a day offers countless lessons to glean from. Take time to pick one of these truths from Acts 21–23 and journal how the Lord is speaking to you today.
1.Obedience sometimes leads straight into opposition.
Paul knew hardship waited in Jerusalem, but he still obeyed. Following God’s call doesn’t always bring comfort—it brings purpose.
📖 “I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 21:13
2.The Holy Spirit prepares us, not spares us, from trials.
Prophetic warnings weren’t meant to stop Paul but to strengthen him. God often shows us what’s ahead so we’ll face it with faith, not fear.
📖 “The Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.” — Acts 20:23
3.True love prays, even when it hurts.
The believers who pleaded with Paul to stay also knelt and prayed when he went. That’s what real family in Christ looks like—surrendering our will to God’s.
📖 “They all knelt on the beach and prayed.” — Acts 21:5
4.God’s protection doesn’t mean absence of danger.
Through arrests, riots, and threats, the Lord still stood beside Paul. His presence is the safest place we can be.
📖 “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, ‘Be encouraged! Just as you have been a witness to me in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome.’” — Acts 23:11
5.Our testimony has power, even under pressure.
When falsely accused, Paul didn’t argue—he told his story. A Spirit-filled testimony cuts through confusion and brings glory to Jesus.
📖 “Then Paul said, ‘I am a Jew… and as I was on the road, a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.’” — Acts 22:3, 6
6.God uses earthly authority to accomplish His heavenly plan.
Roman soldiers thought they were rescuing a prisoner, but they were actually preserving a preacher. God can use anyone to move His servants forward.
📖 “The commander ordered that Paul be guarded in Herod’s headquarters.” — Acts 23:35
7.Faithfulness often means standing alone—but never truly alone.
Surrounded by enemies, Paul heard Jesus speak directly to his heart. When others can’t stand with us, Christ Himself does.
📖 “Be encouraged, Paul.” — Acts 23:11
8.God’s timing is perfect—even when it looks delayed.
Every detour and delay in Paul’s journey was divine direction. What feels like a setback is often a setup for greater ministry.
📖 “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.” — Psalm 33:11
⸻
Lesson for Me
Both Job and Paul remind me that walking closely with God doesn’t mean life will be easy—it means I will never walk alone. Job teaches me that even when I don’t understand why I’m suffering, I can still pray and trust God’s character. Paul shows me that even when following God leads into hardship, I can still obey with courage because His Spirit goes with me.
When I face pain or misunderstanding, I can rest in this truth: God uses both suffering and obedience to refine my heart and reveal His glory.
⸻
Application Questions
1.When others are hurting, do my words bring comfort or correction?
2.What is one area where God is calling me to obey even though it may be hard?
3.How can I grow in trusting the Holy Spirit’s leading instead of fearing what’s ahead?
4.Like Paul, am I willing to share my testimony even in uncomfortable places?
5.When I feel misunderstood like Job, will I still choose to pray and keep my heart pure before God?
⸻
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that always speaks fresh to my heart. When I walk through seasons I don’t understand, remind me that You are refining me, not forsaking me. When obedience costs me something, give me the courage of Paul to keep walking by faith. Make me a friend who comforts like You, not one who condemns. Let my life reflect Your love, my trials reveal Your glory, and my testimony draw others to You. Amen.
⸻
🕊️ Journaling Reminder
Take a few quiet moments with Jesus. Choose one lesson from Acts 21–23—or a truth from Job 16—and ask the Holy Spirit what He’s showing you today. Write down what He speaks to your heart about obedience, comfort, or trust in His perfect plan.