Jan 26 2026 … Mercy In Our Mess …

Jan 26 2026 … Mercy In Our Mess … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group Shane and Shane singing His Mercy Is More … showing Christians that God’s mercy is even greater than our sin.

========================

Highlight Passage: … Jonah 2:7 … [NKJV] … 

7 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to You in Your holy Temple.

… God hears Jonah’s desperate prayer and provides His mercy to the reluctant Prophet.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Jonah 2:1-2, 7-10, 3:1-5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, after rejecting God’s commands, Jonah prayed to God and the Lord extended His merciful direction.

================ 

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 4:31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, promises His eternal love and mercy to His chosen people.

Reference Passage: … Psalms 86:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… David sings of God’s never failing love and mercy.

Reference Passage: … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jeremiah declares truth that God’s mercies NEVER cease! 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 9:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus quotes from Hosea 6:6 that God desires mercy over sacrifice.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul assures fellow Christians that God’s mercy and love extend even to sinners.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Author of Hebrews shows that God offers His mercy to ANY who come boldly to God’s throne of grace (in prayer) to plead for His mercy.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Pimpo …  USE THIS LINK   … related a story about a 3 YO boy, Peter, who, in Sunday School, tried the patience of the ODB author, teaching the class, with his disobedience, … even receiving all kinds of bribes with favored toys and activities.  The ODB author realized how her love and grace had limits … unlike God’s mercies which ALWAYS extend to even the most resistant sinners. 

And the ODB author uses the saga of Jonah, who resisted God’s commands to go to Nineveh to bring God’s mercy and love to those sinful people.  But ultimately we know that God heard the pleading prayers of Jonah in the belly of a big fish and saved Jonah to do God’s merciful will.

Are there any selfish ways in our lives where God is calling us out to do His will and receive God’s love and grace?   Personally, I’m using God’s word to shine His light on my path (on your own - seek out Psalms 119:105) and see that God wishes us to follow the light of His truth to find His mercy and love.   Will you go with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for offering me Your eternal love and grace in spite of my reluctance.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, being so insistent with Your merciful love and grace, in spite of our reluctance to follow You.   … Amen

=============

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

Jan 25 2026 … More LIke Him …

Jan 25 2026 … More LIke Him … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group Passion, featuring Kristians Stanfill singing More Like Jesus … calling Christians to do all we can to live like Jesus.

"WWJD" bracelets in the 1990s ... 

========================

Highlight Passage: … 2John 3:2 … [NKJV] … 

2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.

… John assures fellow Christians that we will be like Him when we see Jesus in glory.

Highlight Passage in Context: 1John 3:1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches truth that we, who know Christ as Lord, will be like Him when we see Him in glory.

================ 

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to becoming living sacrifices to The Lord, avoiding living like those in the world.

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 3:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that Christ is making them (us) over into His image.

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul testifies to the change in him when he died to self to live for Christ. 

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches that God is making Christians over into His image, living to be like Him.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul assures fellow Christians that they (we) are being made over into the images of our Lord.

Reference Passage: … 1John 2:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle John calls on those who call themselves “Christian” to live as Jesus , The Christ, lived.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Elisa Morgan … USE THIS LINK   … tells of encountering a man in an airport carrying a book entitled, “Be Like Jesus,” who selfishly pushed others aside to get his luggage.   And it bothered the ODB author that one who seemed to advertise seeking to be like Jesus would be so UNChristlike in public 

And the ODB entry today reminded me of the trend in the 1990s for Christians to wear “WWJD” bracelets (see photo), trying to help them to be more “Christlike” as they (me too!) lived out in the public arena. And here I am, over two decades later, still doing my best to live like Jesus lived.   But as the scriptures shared above attest, …there will be a day, in Heaven, when I will be just like Him … FOREVER.   And it is that day I long for!   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for Your promise of making me over into Your images.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, helping us with Your Spirit to become more like You.   … Amen

=============

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

Jan 24 2026 … ALWAYS With Us …

Jan 24 2026 … ALWAYS With Us … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group The Afters singing God Is With Us … showing ALL Christians that God is ALWAYS with us.

========================

Highlight Passage: … Zephaniah 3:17 … [NKJV] …  

17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” 

… God’s Prophet assures His people that God’s love is ALWAYS with them (us).

Highlight Passage in Context:  Zephaniah 3:14-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s Prophet assures the faithful that God is ALWAYS with those who follow The Lord.

================ 

  

Reference Passage: … Psalms 23:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings or God being His Good Shepherd, … ALWAYS THERE to lead him and protect (and us) in life.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20b [NLT] … 

20b And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

… Jesus promises to be with His faithful followers, … ALWAYS!

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that NOTHING can separate born-again Christians from the love (and grace) of God.

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul assures Timothy (and all Christians) that God’s word was given to Christians, by God, to lift them (us) up with the assurance of His presence and power ALWAYS  

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:12, 16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, also teaches fellow Christians that God’s word gives Christians God’s power and His strength when they (we) need it.

Reference Passage: … James 4:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ brother James, a leader in the early Church, calls (and warns) fellow Christians to come close to God, Who always remains close to the faithful followers of Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Xochitl Dixon…  USE THIS LINK   … relates the true story of a 15 YO girl who was sentenced to a 50 year prison sentence with solitary confinement.  But after a year of this, the prison officials let a Christian ministry group visit the girl; and after they shared the Gospel with the girl, she believed in Christ and was baptized, getting the assurance and coming to belief that God would be with the girl ALWAYS. 

If, like me, my readers have taken in the linked song and you also believe the truth of the Scriptures shared herein, then you, … as I do, … believe that NOTHING can separate Christians from God’s love; and that HE will be with us always and forever.  Our God is here, … right now; … and FOREVER!    Pretty cool, huh?!!! 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for being with me … now … and ALWAYS.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for Your presence and power being with us ALWAYS and FOREVER.   … Amen

=============

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

Jan 23 2026 … Saved By His Mercy …

Jan 23 2026 … Saved By His Mercy … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group Eleventh Hour Worship singing Great Is His Mercy … showing ALL Christians that it is God’s mercy and His grace which saves us from sinking in our sin.

God's mercy reaches down to save ... 

========================

Highlight Passage: … Romans 9:22 … [NKJV] …  

22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show His anger and His power, He is very patient with those on whom His anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 

… God shows His patience and mercy upon a remnant of chosen ones who repent of their (our) sins.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Romans 9:22-29 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul quotes from Prophets Hosea and Isaiah as to God’s patience and mercy saving a remnant of God’s people who’re willing to repent of their (our) sins.

================ 

  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 1:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, shows that He, The Lord, will reach down to save a remnant of chosen believers </b>(see photo)</b>

Reference Passage: … Lamentation 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God thru the Prophet Jeremiah shows that God’s mercies are new for the believer every morning.  How great is His faithfulness to believers in God’s love and grace.

Reference Passage: … Romans 3:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that we ALL are sinful, … deserving God’s wrath.

Reference Passage: … Romans 10:9-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… But, Paul also teaches that anyone/everyone who confesses and repents of their (our) sin will be saved.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:4-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches fellow Christians (that’s us, too!) that God’s mercy will rescue sinners who repent of their (our) sin.

Reference Passage:… Hebrews 4:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s teaching, thru the Author of Hebrews, that Christians can come boldly to God’s throne of grace, Who will help them (us) in their (our) time of trial or trouble.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kenneth Petersen …  USE THIS LINK   … relates the true story of a young sailor, named Charles Joughin, who served as a baker on a number of ships in the early 20th century, including being a survivor of the Titanic in 1912.  But miraculously 30 years later, Joughin remarkably survived another ship sinking in WW2.  Certainly it was only God’s mercy which saved Joughin through these sinking ships. 

If my readers take in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, I’m praying we all realize that it’s only those who believe in God’s saving grace and His mercy who will be survivors because we’re all doomed to sink in this life because of our sin.  I’m one He saved from my sinking ship of sin.  How about you?  If you’re not sure of your salvation thru God’s mercy, email me @ billb13@icloud.com; and I’ll help you be assured of your salvation.

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me Your assurance, thru Your word, of Your saving mercy and grace.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us Your saving mercy and grace.   … Amen

=============

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.