November 3, 2026

ESPN

RSS Error: Retrieved unsupported status code "202"

Devotional

Verse of the Day - Romans 13:1

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

—Romans 13:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Yes, many of us don't like things about our governments, no matter where we may live. However, God has truly blessed many of us so that we can enjoy the protection of the authorities where we live. Paul is reminding believers to honor our governments and the laws under which we live. That said, like the first disciples, we also live in the time of some of the worst persecution ever known in the Christian era. Brothers and sisters in many parts of the world face opposition, persecution, and prejudice. In those cases, believers must honor God before their national and local laws. So, as we pray for our leaders and thank God for our freedoms, let's not forget the persecuted church all over the world. Let's pray for their deliverance, protection, and perseverance.

My Prayer...

O great Deliverer, God of the Exodus, we thank you for your intervention and protection of your people throughout history and today. We thank you for those of us whose Christian freedoms our governments and laws protect. We believe you have shown your power and deliverance to your people in the past, when the laws they lived under did not coincide with your will. So we ask for wisdom on how we should live, and we also ask that you intervene today and bless every believer persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Please bless these oppressed children with tenderness, healing, and love. Please tangibly assure them of your presence. In the powerful name of Jesus, we join together and ask this for believers all over the world. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. Questions or comments can be sent to help@verseoftheday.com.© 1998-2026, Heartlight, Inc. Verseoftheday.com is part of the Heartlight Network and is maintained by Infinite Publishing. | Privacy Policy

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Disclaimer: Content provided by Heartlight, Inc. is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for church, pastoral guidance, or professional counseling. Readers are solely responsible for their use of this material.

The ELIJAH LIST

Prophetic Moments with Hank Kunneman
Hank Kunneman on ElijahStreams [Published on Nov 3, 2026]
Nellie O'Hara: The Times They Are A-Changin' - But God Is Not Finished!
Nellie O'Hara, Burlington, ON, Canada [Published on Nov 3, 2026]
The Elijah List [Published on Nov 3, 2026]
Midterms, Power Plays + Rising Threats
Dave Hayes and Kelsey O'Malley on ElijahStreams [Published on Nov 2, 2026]

Christian Headlines

70 Million Questions: Be the One They Ask

Millions are turning to ChatGPT for answers to their deepest religious questions each week, but a new report reveals the surprising motivations behind these inquiries challenge conventional assumptions about faith [...]

The Lord's Prayer Heard over Comms Minutes before Plane Crashed in Palm Beach, Florida

What began as a routine flight over Florida quickly devolved into a catastrophic emergency, as a private jet experienced rapid descent and a pilot's increasingly frantic final radio calls. [...]

What Starbucks Store Closures Reveal about Why We Need Places to Belong

Starbucks recently announced the closure of approximately 250 North American coffeehouses while simultaneously investing heavily in making other locations warmer, more comfortable, and more welcoming. Its strategy points toward something [...]

Only This Could Silence Charles Barkley

The sports world recently witnessed an extraordinary moment when even Charles Barkley was rendered speechless by the news of Ernie Johnson's retirement from Inside the NBA. [...]

Preparing the Next Generation of Christian Filmmakers for Hollywood’s Uncertain Future

Learn how Biola University's Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, the only Christian university in the top 25 for media arts, is uniquely training filmmakers with both unparalleled craft [...]

Christian Today

Francis of Assisi and the battle for his legacy: poverty, power and the medieval Church
Eight hundred years after his death, Francis of Assisi’s radical embrace of poverty still raises challenging questions about wealth, power and the Church’s faithfulness to the gospel.
New network to foster unity between European and migrant churches
"Contested migration is a big barrier," says founder Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana.
Budget must go further to support families, says CARE
Christian charity CARE has called for fundamental tax reform to support families, warning that the Budget’s measures offer too little help to parents facing financial pressures.
Isle of Man medics raise concerns about assisted suicide following Royal Assent
Although the bill has passed, assisted suicide is still at least 18 months away.
Abraham, Elisha and the faith that makes room for others
Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on hospitality and compassion through the lens of Abraham’s welcome to strangers and Elisha’s care for a grieving mother.
Number of children waiting for adoption surges as couples pursue IVF and surrogacy
Christians are divided on the ethical questions raised by IVF.

SIMPLE COOKING IDEAS

Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!)
Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!)

Everything you love about enchiladas, minus the fuss! This super flavorful, cheesy vegan enchilada skillet comes together in about 30 minutes with simple methods, minimal dishes, and no need to fill or roll tortillas. 

This easy, nourishing dish features tender cubed sweet potato or winter squash, fiber- & protein-rich black beans, and a rich red enchilada sauce. Everything gets simmered in 1 pan and topped with a melty cashew “cheese” that makes it SUPER satisfying and delicious!

Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →

1-Bowl Honey Almond Snack Cake (Gluten-Free)
1-Bowl Honey Almond Snack Cake (Gluten-Free)

Honey almond snack cake!? You know you want to jump in on the fun! This GORGEOUS loaf is perfectly moist with a lightly floral flavor and beautiful sponge texture. Bonus? It’s made without gluten or dairy, but no one will know.

It’s the perfect cake for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, and beyond! Just 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, and simple methods (no mixer) required. Let’s bake!

1-Bowl Honey Almond Snack Cake (Gluten-Free) from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Eggplant Bolognese (1 Pot!)
Easy Eggplant Bolognese (1 Pot!)

When we add another bolognese to the blog (Yes, we already have versions 1, 2, 3, and 4), you know it’s something special! This newest version is made with EGGPLANT, meaning it’s the perfect bolognese for late summer. It’s light yet satisfying, creamy yet bright, and full of bold Italian-inspired flavor — everyone will be asking for seconds!

Even better? It’s a breeze to make — just 1 pot required!

Easy Eggplant Bolognese (1 Pot!) from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Jalapeño Corn Fritters (Vegan)
Easy Jalapeño Corn Fritters (Vegan)

Just when we thought summer’s most perfect veggie couldn’t get any more delicious, corn FRITTERS graced our palettes. These crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside, lightly spiced fritters are a must-try appetizer or side!

Not only are they incredibly delicious, but these fritters are vegan, optionally gluten-free, and SO easy to make! Grab your mixing bowl and 10 basic ingredients, and you’ll be enjoying fritters in 30 minutes or less.

Easy Jalapeño Corn Fritters (Vegan) from Minimalist Baker →

RECIPES IDEAS

Green Bean Casserole

In this green bean casserole recipe, tender green beans are tossed in a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, then baked with french-fried onions on top. It has the same basic components as the Campbell’s casserole I ate at Thanksgiving growing up—green beans, creamy sauce, crispy onions—but it’s fresher and more flavorful by far. My whole family went back for seconds the first time I served it to them. I hope yours does too! Green Bean Casserole Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe: Green beans, of course! I like this recipe best with fresh green beans, especially haricots verts, […]
Cornbread Muffins

This corn muffins recipe is one of my favorite side dishes for soups, chili, and stews. Easy to make with 10 basic ingredients, the muffins have a lightly sweet corn flavor and a tender, crumbly texture with delicious crisp edges. I’m happy eating one plain, but these cornbread muffins are also fantastic with a drizzle of hot honey or a slather of honey butter, if you’d like to kick them up a notch. I adapted this recipe from my go-to cornbread. The ingredients are nearly identical, but when I was testing the recipe, I found that I needed a little extra […]
Hot Honey

This hot honey recipe has earned a permanent spot in my pantry. Quick and easy to make with 3 ingredients, it’s sweet and spicy, with a subtle tangy flavor. I love whisking it into salad dressings to give them a little kick, drizzling it over pizzas, and slathering it on baked goods like cornbread and biscuits. In case you’re not familiar, hot honey is honey infused with fresh or dried chile peppers, often with some vinegar mixed in too. I started cooking with it about 10 years ago, when the brand Mike’s Hot Honey turned me (and a lot of other […]
Pumpkin Pancakes

These pumpkin pancakes are my favorite breakfast to make on a cool fall weekend morning. They’re packed with cozy fall flavor—from pumpkin puree, of course, but also from warm spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. They have a delicious fluffy texture, and they’re easy to make with simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry already. This pumpkin pancakes recipe works with fresh pumpkin puree, but most often, I make it with canned. I call for just 1/2 cup—enough to make the pancakes moist and flavorful without making them dense—so you’ll have a little more than a cup left […]
Apple Cider Margarita

This apple cider margarita recipe is a fun fall twist on the classic cocktail! It comes together with just four ingredients: apple cider, tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. I love the sweet, bright flavor of the cider alongside the tangy lime and citrusy liqueur. Garnishes like star anise, cinnamon sticks, and a cinnamon sugar rim round out the cozy autumn flavors. Where I live in Austin, Texas, a classic margarita never feels out of season. But once October arrived this year, I started craving a festive fall drink. It’s still too hot here to make a hot toddy or […]
Pastina Soup

This pastina soup recipe is the best kind of comfort food. Filled with tiny pasta (pastina, in Italian) and tender vegetables, it’s cozy and flavorful, but nourishing too. Some of the vegetables stay whole for texture, while the rest get blended into the broth, thickening it slightly and giving it a stunning golden color. On a chilly fall or winter day, it’s a delicious way to warm up. Pastina soup is sometimes called Italian penicillin. You can think of it like chicken noodle soup’s Italian cousin, a perfect soothing meal for days when you’re under the weather. Most versions call for chicken […]

LIFE BALANCE

35 Best Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids (That Aren’t Experiences)

As a parent and educator with over 20 years of experience in child development, I’ve seen the exact same post-holiday scene play out time and time again: It’s December 26th. The floor is covered in shredded wrapping paper, plastic packaging, and dozens of tiny toy parts that are already missing their matching pieces. By mid-January,...

The post 35 Best Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids (That Aren’t Experiences) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

50 Family Christmas Gift Exchange Theme Ideas

Looking for fun and unique Christmas gift theme ideas for family fun? This list is full of the perfect holiday gift exchange categories. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for the perfect gift, these holiday themes are sure to be a huge help.  Once the Christmas season rolls around, shopping and gift-giving seem to...

The post 50 Family Christmas Gift Exchange Theme Ideas appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

The “Throwback Kid” Gift Guide: 12 Classic Toys & Retro Games Modern Kids Actually Want

If you’ve shopped for toys lately, you already know the drill: almost everything blinks, makes loud electronic noises, requires a Wi-Fi connection, or comes attached to an app. As parents, it can feel like a losing battle to find retro gifts that hold a child’s attention without handing them another digital device. Over my 20+...

The post The “Throwback Kid” Gift Guide: 12 Classic Toys & Retro Games Modern Kids Actually Want appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

Get Kids to Do Chores Without Yelling (A Discipline Coach’s Guide)

Wondering how to get kids to do chores without yelling, bribing, or repeating yourself five times? If every day feels like a negotiation meeting, you’re not alone. Most parents describe the exact same loop when explaining the struggles they face when it comes to chores: the request, the ignore, the repeat, the snap. What’s Inside:The...

The post Get Kids to Do Chores Without Yelling (A Discipline Coach’s Guide) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

25 Core Memory Family Activities to Do Before Age 12

You’re loading the dishwasher one Tuesday evening when it hits you: your 6-year-old is halfway to twelve. And suddenly, it feels like time is slipping through your hands. It’s not panic, exactly. More like a quiet nudge. A reminder that this season (the one with messy craft projects and requests for “one more story” and...

The post 25 Core Memory Family Activities to Do Before Age 12 appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

25 Teacher-Approved Open-Ended Toys That Replace Screen Time (Ages 3 to 8)

If you’re looking for toys your kids will actually want to put down their tablets for, you’ve come to the right place. These 25 open-ended picks are the real deal: screen-free, imagination-fueling, and genuinely fun for kids ages 3 to 8. What’s Inside: You’ll find 25 toys organized into four fun categories (building, pretend play,...

The post 25 Teacher-Approved Open-Ended Toys That Replace Screen Time (Ages 3 to 8) appeared first on Simply Well Balanced.

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength"