Jan 31 2026 ... Focus On God …

Jan 31 2026 ... Focus On God … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, 4Him, singing Be Thou My Vision … calling on Christians to focus on God rather than on the challenges of life.  

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Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 26:3… [NLT] … 

 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, is for God’s peace to come to those who stay focused on God, even in times of trial/trouble.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Isaiah 26:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, in a song from the Prophet Isaiah, promises the strength of God’s kingdom for those who trust and stay focused on God.

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

… King David honors God with a song of praise for God’s strength in times of trouble for those who continually focus on God.

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

… Solomon’s wisdom about God showing the way for those who trust in Him.

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

… Paul warns/exhorts fellow Christians to avoid following the world and staying focused on following God.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about God ALWAYS providing the way to deal with temptations (trials, troubles, or tribulations) when they (we) stay focused on and follow God.

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul also strongly teaches Christians in their (our) new life in Christ must focus on the things above and not on the things of this world.

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

… Paul shows fellow Christians what to focus on in this life.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Katara Patton …  USE THIS LINK   … wrote about a co-worker who called her about a work-related issue; and the ODB author confessed having a serious sinus infection.  Immediately the co-worker offered to pray for her; and stopped right there to pray on the phone.  And the ODB author admitted that she often takes her mind off of going to God when the struggles of life weigh heavily on her mind.

And I would guess that is the case with many of us too; … wouldn’t you agree?   It’s so very easy to focus on our troubles or trials when they come our way rather than remembering that God calls on us (see Scriptures shared above) to remember and focus on Him in these times of trial.  I, … for one …, am glad to be reminded of God’s repetitive promises of His peace, … even today!   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for reminding me of Your enabling grace which is ALWAYS there, calling me to trust in You.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for being there … ALWAYS …  when we come to You.  … 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 30 2026 … Working For God …

Jan 30 2026 … Working For God … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Casting Crowns, singing If We Are The Body … calling Christians, as the Body of Christ, to honor and glorify God with our work … EVERY DAY.  

God's ants ... working for His glory ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 6:6 … [NLT] … 

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

… Solomon calls for believers to work diligently, like ants (see photo) for what God has called them (us) to build.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Proverbs 6:6-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon extends God’s call for His chosen to work like ants, diligently building what God has created for them to build.

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Reference Passage: … Genesis 2:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses shows that God created mankind to work in  His garden, tending all God has created for us.

Reference Passage: … Psalms 90:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses prays that God establish ALL the work of our hands for His glory.

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 16:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon’s wisdom, calls for God’s children to do ALL we do for His glory, calling for the Lord to establish our plans.

Reference Passage: … John 5:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus is accused of breaking God’s law by healing a man on the Sabbath to be able to walk and carry his mat, which was considered sinful according to the religious leaders.  But Jesus declares strongly the God’s presence and power was the reason for the healing that day. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 15:58 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that anything done to honor God is not done in vane.

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle Paul strongly teaches that ALL THAT WE DO must be done for God’s glory.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Adam R Holz …  USE THIS LINK   … wrote about the  book a Christian monk, by the name of Brother Lawrence published in 1692, titled The Practice of the Presence of God, calling on fellow Christians to dedicate EVERYTHING they (we) do to God’s glory.  

And that was the essence of the teaching of today’s ODB entry by Adam R Holz, … the author.  He calls for all we do in life to be done to honor and glorify God.  And each morning you find this humble servant of God, studying what I study, and delving into God’s word (as I’ve shared above today), and writing what I write (as I am here), … ALL of it done to - in a small way, … like the ant in Solomon’s words in Proverbs 6:6, to honor God for giving me (us) the ability to serve Him.  And that’s what I’m here for today … and tomorrow too.  How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me Your enabling grace to serve You with what I’m called to do today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for calling all Your children to tend Your garden again today.   … 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 29 2026 … Standing Strong …

Jan 29 2026 … Standing Strong … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, The Band Jaren singing Stand Strong … showing Christians that they (we) are stand strong in our faith against our Spiritual enemies EVERY DAY.

Ostrich standing firm against the Oryx 

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 6:11 … [NLT] …  

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to put on God’s armor to stand against the wiles of the Devil.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Ephesians 6:10-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about standing firm in faith and defeating fear.

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

… Moses assures Joshua and God’s people that God will ALWAYS be them  (us) as they (we) enter the Promised Land.

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

… God again calls on Joshua to remain strong in faith, knowing that God will go ahead of His people entering the Promised Land..

Reference Passage: … Psalms 27:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of God being his fortress and strength in times of trouble/trial/temptation. 

Reference Passage … 1Corinthians 16:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth that fellow Christians must stand firm in their (our) faith.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also calls on fellow Christians to remain strong in their faith … ALWAYS.

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

… The Apostle Peter also calls for Christians to remain strong in faith, letting the trials of life strengthen them (us).  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Nancy Gavilanes …  USE THIS LINK   … tells of learning of how a tall Ostrich in Africa will face down, … with no fear, … the long sharp horns of an oryx antelope (see photo), illustrating how a Christian with strong faith can - and will - face down Satan in the spiritual battles of life.   

The Apostle Paul (in the Highlight passage), while imprisoned, strongly wrote to fellow Christians, calling on them (us too) to stand firm in their (our) faith as they (we) take on the strategies of the devil and the world.  I pray that all my readers have meditated on the Scriptures shared above and are willing to stand strong in their (our) lives as we confront our Spiritual enemies EVERY DAY.   Are you with me? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me Your strength of faith as I confront my spiritual enemies today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us Your enabling grace to allow us to stand firm in our faith as we face the Devil and his world.   … 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 28 2026 … “CARE” Packages …

Jan 28 2026 … “CARE” Packages … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Matt Boswell and Matt Papa singing The Everlasting Love of God … showing Christians that they (we) are to share God’s love with others FOREVER.

Sharing God's love with loved ones ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 2Timothy 4:13 … [NKJV] …  

13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.

… Paul, in prison in Rome, writes to Timothy requesting that Timothy come to him and bring items he longed for and needed in ministry.

Highlight Passage in Context:  2Timothy 4:9-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul writes to Timothy, requesting certain items to quell his loneliness and help him in ministry.

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Reference Passage: … John 13:34-35 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus commands His followers to show love to/for one another, showing that they (we) are truly His disciples.

Reference Passage: … John 15:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, after washing the feet of His disciples, commands that they (we) love one another as He had loved them (us).

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:10; 13:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to show God’s love to one another ALWAYS. 

Reference Passage: … !Corinthians 13:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches truth that fellow Christians must share God’s love with one another which is the greatest of God’s values of faith, hope, and love.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter teaches that in anticipation of the end of the world, Christian disciples are to show and share love for one another.

Reference Passage: … 1John 4:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John also calls for Christians to share God’s love with one another … ALWAYS.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Lisa M Samra …  USE THIS LINK   … learned of a group sending “CARE” packages with personal items to soldiers during WW2 to show that loved ones “back home” cared for the soldiers.   And it was much the same for the ODB author, sending packages to her kids in college to remind them of her love by sending personal items which her kids longed for deeply (see photo).

And the ODB author showed that the tradition of receiving items which reminded the recipient of loved ones is found in the Apostle Paul requesting that Timothy send certain items while Paul was imprisoned in Rome (see Highlight passage).  And further, we read in God’s word (see Scriptures shared above) that we Christians are to show our love with fellow Christians as often as we can.  And that will be my goal today.   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for sharing Your love for me thru fellow Christians almost every day.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for extending Your love for us thru the love of fellow Christians.   … 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.