Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Proverbs 25:21-22
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
This passage is repeated in the New Testament in Romans 12:20. There Paul is making a very special application in regards to taking matters into our own hands instead of allowing the Lord to be the one to decide the punishment for the person who is doing wrong. In the context, we see that it says, Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Romans 12:18-20).
As humans, there is the tendency to want to punish those who have hurt us. We want to lash out and return the same evil on them that they have done to us. But by God’s standard, this is not the way the He desires for us to live. He wants us to allow Him to be in control and not our own emotions which can easily get out of control. God knows what is best and how to recompense the correct way. Remember, there is a payday someday, and God always gives out the correct pay in the correct manner. Sometimes, He chooses to give that recompense immediately, and sometimes He decides to wait until a later time. That time may even be at the White Throne Judgment. But, the recompense will come.
Therefore, today’s verse tells us to wait on God and allow Him to be in control, and while doing so to remember that If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee (Proverbs 25:21-22).
God is a much better Judge than we ever could be. We just need to trust Him to take care of our problems, and deal with those who wrong us in His own way. Lord, help us to trust You in this and in all other areas of lives every day.
Bible Reading for the Year
September 30th, Isaiah 19-21; Ephesians 2
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She is back in the hospital, and they are doing more tests on her liver. Pray for healing and strength for her, for the tumors to shrink, and that the medication will not cause inflammation in her lungs.
Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister. She was moved to rehab for physical therapy and to help improve her eating.
Please pray for Shirley Deal, Carolyn Tyson’s sister. She is back in the nursing home and is doing some better.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She is home and some better but is still weak. Pray for wisdom for the next step forward.
Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton. Pray for God’s healing. She has some good days and some bad ones.
Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta. She starts physical therapy on October 19th.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. The doctors changed his meds which has helped him, and he is getting stronger. Please continue to pray for him.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting some better physically.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. The doctor has prescribed a new medication, but he is not tolerating it well.
Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia