“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” – Psalm 34:5
Time of Reflection
As we enter the 11th month, we should take this opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and how much we have grown. This is a time for assessing our spiritual journey, for counting our blessings, and for remembering the goodness of God throughout the year. Reflecting gives us a moment to pause, thank God, and regroup our thoughts and intentions for the coming month. It is vital for us to recognize that reflection is not merely an act of looking back but also of preparing ourselves for what lies ahead in our faith. As we turn to the Bible, we can see how important it is to pause and reflect on God’s presence in our lives.
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6-7
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Gratitude
During the 11th month, we are reminded to practice gratitude. Gratitude transforms our hearts and helps us appreciate the blessings we often take for granted. It shifts our focus from our problems to the things that God has graciously provided us. It revolves around recognizing the small and big gifts in our lives, nurturing a thankful spirit in us. As we read through the Bible, we see many instances urging us to give thanks, reminding us of the importance of recognizing the hand of God in every situation.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1
2 Corinthians 9:15
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15
Psalm 95:2
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” – Psalm 95:2
New Beginnings
The 11th month not only marks the end of the year but also signifies new beginnings for us. It encourages us to renew our commitments, reassess our priorities, and seek a fresh start in various aspects of our lives, spiritually, personally, and professionally. We can draw strength from the scriptures as they provide guidance on how to embrace new beginnings with faith and courage, reminding us that each day is an opportunity to start anew.
Isaiah 43:19
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19
Revelation 21:5
“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:5
2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Psalms 30:5
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalms 30:5
Community and Togetherness
In this 11th month, we can focus on the beautiful gift of community and togetherness. As we prepare for the year’s end, it can be a wonderful time to strengthen bonds with family, friends, and brethren in faith. The Bible speaks abundantly about the significance of being in fellowship and unity with one another, encouraging us to uplift each other, celebrate our diversity, and resonate with love within our communities. Together, we can face challenges and support one another in our journeys.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Acts 2:44-47
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-47
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10
Hope for the Future
As the 11th month unfolds, we are filled with hope for what is yet to come. It’s an invitation for us to envision our futures with hope and confidence, trusting that God has a plan for each of our lives. The scriptures are rich with promises that speak to the hope that God instills in us. By anchoring our hope in the promises of God’s word, we can hold onto the assurance that He walks with us into every new season.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Hebrews 6:19
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” – Hebrews 6:19
Faith’s Strength
As we process the journey of the 11th month, let’s not forget to lean into our faith for strength. Our faith is a source of power that lifts us during challenges and propels our hearts toward victory. This is an opportunity for us to deepen our reliance on God, to seek His wisdom, and to invite His presence into our lives. The scriptures provide countless reminders of how faith carries and sustains us, giving us courage to press on even against the odds.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 17:20
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” – Matthew 17:20
1 John 5:4
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4
Final Thoughts
This 11th month brings us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our spiritual journey, share gratitude, seek new beginnings, strengthen our community, nourish hope, and rely on our faith. Each aspect mentioned above builds our relationship with God and one another. We are encouraged to pause, look back on the year, and consider how God has guided and blessed us through our days. As we grow through these experiences together, we can look ahead with hope and anticipation for what lies ahead. May we walk closely with our Creator and uplift each other, embracing love, faith, and unity.
As we open our hearts and minds to more topics in the Bible, let’s remember the importance of gathering with others. For more enriching content, check out this link and explore our discussions about community meals in this article.