Jan 18 2026 … Faith Over Fear …

Jan 18 2026 … Faith Over Fear  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, The Afters, singing I Will Fear No More … calling on Christians to trust in God to overcome our fears.

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Highlight Passage: … Nehemiah 6:9 … [NKJV] …  

9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. 

… Nehemiah overcomes his enemies by leaning on his determination to follow God. 

Highlight Passage in Context:  Nehemiah 6:1-9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Nehemiah shows his determination to faithfully follow God in leading God’s people to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and defeat his enemies, trying to defeat God’s people.

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<b><u>Reference Passage:</u> … Exodus 20:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …</b> 

… God, thru Moses, declares His Law against lying.   

Reference Passage: … Psalms 109:2-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… King David sings of his faith overcoming fear in dealing with lies.

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 12:22 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon relates God’s hatred of lying.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 12:36-37 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches truth about mankind being held accountable on judgment day of all we say or do.

 

Reference Passage: … John 8:44 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches truth about Satan being the father of all lies. 

Reference Passage: … 1John 1:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches truth that,  in faith, mankind can confess of their (our) sins and be made clean.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tom Felton …  USE THIS LINK    … told of the Roman historian Tacitus writing about how Nero, who set about burning almost two-thirds of Rome and blaming the fires on Christians to be able to eliminate them from contention with him. 

Satan was in all of that, wasn’t he, as the “father of lies” (see John 8:44)?    And all of us are going to have to contend, in our faith and our lives as Christians, with our arch enemy - all our days - just as Nehemiah did (see Highlight passage).  But we can, as did Nehemiah, defeat the lies of Satan or any of his agents, with the truth of Christ and God’s power to overcome sin and cleanse us forever (see the linked song and Scriptures above). That’s my faith and my plan again today.  Is it yours?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me Your power to overcome the lies of Satan.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for showing us the way to deal with the lies of The Devil.  … Amen

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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 17 2026 … Rely On HIs Strength …

Jan 17 2026 … Rely On HIs Strength  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing His Strength Is Perfect … calling on Christians to rely on and hold on to the Spiritual strength of Jesus in times of trial.

Highlight Passage: … John 13:38 … [NKJV] …  

38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter — before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me. … “ 

… After Peter declares that he will die for Jesus as his Lord, … Jesus predicts Peter would deny The Lord three times that next morning.     

Highlight Passage in Context:  John 13:36-38; 21:18-19 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus declares to Peter to follow Him no matter where He will lead.  

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 14:13-14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… To God’s people fleeing from Pharaoh after being freed by God, Moses declares to them (and to us) that God will protect and save them (us). 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s wisdom, from Solomon, that believers must trust God with ALL their (our) hearts to allow God to lead them, especially in time of trial.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that He will provide the strength to believers when they (we) feel weak.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus declares - from Matthew and Luke - for Christ’s followers to follow Him NO MATTER WHERE He leads.

 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus invites His followers and disciples to yoke themselves (ourselves) to HIs strength, especially when they (we) feel weak. 

Reference Passage:… 1Peter 5:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter exhorts fellow Christians to give ALL their (our) cares to a God Who cares for them (us).

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Arthur Jackson …  USE THIS LINK    … tells about the early church father, Polycarp, in 155 AD, who was threatened with death by fire, but who bravely declared, “For eighty and six years I have been His servant, and He has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my King Who saved me?” 

The story of Polycarp reminded me of the young teenager, Cassie Bernall, who, at gun point, in the infamous Columbine High School invasion by two disturbed young men, was asked by one of the invaders if she was a Christian.  Reportedly, Cassie said “YES,” which cost her her life.  

And after thinking on these two instances of martyrdom, I’m forced to ask myself, as was bought out in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, if I would have the strength and courage to declare Christ as my Lord and Savior if my life were threatened.  I pray I would!   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for inviting me to yoke myself to Your strength when I feel weak, … like I do right now.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us Your strength in times of trial.   … Amen

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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 16 2026 … Enlarged Heart …

Jan 16 2026 … Enlarged Heart  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Zach Williams singing Heart of God … calling on Christians to come and partake of the heart of God, which expands our hearts to love others as God loves us.

Enlarging our hearts ... 

Highlight Passage: … Psalms 119:32 … [NKJV] …  

32 I will run the course of Your commandments; … For You shall enlarge my heart.

… King David sings of pursuing God’s heart to enlarge his (our) own heart.    

Highlight Passage in Context:  Psalms 119:30-41 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… By running and following God’ word, the believer gains an enlarged heart for others.  

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Reference Passage: … 2Samuel 22:37  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… King David thankfully sings of God giving him a wide and smooth path in which he (we) can run to Him. 

Reference Passage: … 1Chronicles 16:11 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… David sings of running to God for His strength.

Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… David sings of God’s prescription (i.e., plan) to change and grow the heart of immature believers.

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to think, say, and do ALL things to share the heart of God for ALL those who believe in Him as Lord. 

 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:12-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter, writing to oppressed fellow Christians, calls on them (us) to be thankful for suffering in/for Christ in order to grow our hearts closer to His. 

Reference Passage: … Revelation 1:1-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God shares a revelation for John to share with all fellow Christians to enlarge their (our) hearts for God.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Monica La Rose …  USE THIS LINK      … draws from the work of Augustine, in his book entitled, Confessions, writes of finding it hard to imagine how the Creator of the Universe could desire a relationship with a sinner like him.  And I share his quandary … but in his writings, Augustine prayed -“The house of my soul is narrow. Enlarge it, so that you may enter it. It’s in ruins! Repair it! It has things in it that would offend your eyes. I confess and know it. But who will cleanse it, or to whom will I cry, but to you?”

I, for one, share Augustine’s seeking for God’s heart to be my heart, wondering if that could be possible; … but believing in God’s promises to reshape the hearts of ALL who believe in Jesus as Lord and gracious Savior.   He is just that for me!   I truly believe that God is reshaping my heart to a heart which seeks after my Lord’s heart.   What abut you?  Where is your heart today?

<b><u>My Thanksgiving:</b></u> … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling us to enlarge our hearts to be like Yours.

<b><u>My Prayer Today</u>:</b> Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us larger hearts which we can share with others.   … Amen

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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[b]<u>Blogger Note</u>:[/b]  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 [b]GO TO THIS LINK[/b] - http://www.odb.org/ - 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. </ span>

Jan 15 2026 … God Protects Me …

Jan 15 2026 … God Protects Me  … 

Devotional Song:... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing He Will Hold Me Fast … assuring Christians of God’s protection in times of trial.

God's wings of protection ... 

Highlight Passage: … 2Kings 6:16 … [NLT] …  

16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” </i>

… Elisha assures the King’s servant that God will provide protection for God’s faithful.    

Highlight Passage in Context:  2Kings 6:9-10, 13:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s word shares the story of Elisha praying that God open the eyes of the servant of the King of Israel to be able to see the protection of God’s angel soldiers.  

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 31:6  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses assures Joshua and God’s people that God will be His people as they enter the promised land.  

Reference Passage: … Psalms 91:4 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru His anonymous Author, promises to protect His people as a mother dove spreads her wings to protect her chicks <b>(see photo)</b>

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 30:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Godly wisdom and promises from Solomon to be a shield to those who come to Him for protection.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to provide strength to God’s chosen when they (we) are feeling weak or vulnerable.  

 

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28-31, 38-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that God will be with them (us) and protect them (us) ALWAYS. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul attests to God’s promise to provide His protection and strength in ALL areas of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from James Banks …  USE THIS LINK     … tells of the restoration of a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds in the 18th century which depicted demons in the darkness watching over the death of someone depicted in a Shakespearian drama.  But at the time of his painting, Reynolds felt he had to paint over the demons because of criticism about the painting.      

The story apparently reminded the ODB author of how Elisha, in the Highlight passage, helped the servant of the King to see all the angels watching over and protecting God’s army.   And as I uncovered many of God’s protective truths in the Scriptures shared above, I was reminded of the picture of a mother dove protecting her chicks with her wings (see attached photo), which is what I believe accurately depicts how God watches over His chosen ones.   And actually, that’s how I see God protecting ALL of those who’ve surrendered to be part of God’s family.   Are you with me in letting God’s wings cover us today?

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving us Your protection, … today and always. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for covering us with Your wings today, tomorrow, and ALWAYS.    … Amen

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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.