Dec 18 2025 … Gifted By God …

Dec 18 2025 …  Gifted By God … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Chris Tomlin and Chris Lane singing Gifts From God … sharing about being gifted by God to serve Him for HIS glory.

Highlight Passage: … Exodus 31:6b … [NLT] …  

6b …  I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make …  

… God gives special gifts for selected servants to carry out His call to serve the Lord in building His Tabernacle. 

Highlight Passage in Context:  Exodus 31:1-7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s gives gifts to His children to be use for God’s glory.

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Reference Passage: … Mathew 7:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches, in His sermon on the mount, about Christians being gifted to serve the Lord.

Reference Passage:…  Romans 12:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth about God giving His chosen ones special gifts to be used for God’s glory.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 12:7-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul also exhorts/encourages fellow Christians to use the gifts God imparts to them (us) to serve and glorify God.

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

… Paul shows fellow Christians that they (we) are His workers, chosen and gifted to serve for His purposes and His glory.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:10-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter calls fellow Christians to use the gifts God has imparted to His beloved to serve the Lord for God’s glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kirsten Holmberg …  USE THS LINK      …  told of the universally recognized musical giftedness of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, being tested by studying his DNA when compared with over 14,000 others.  However, the scientific testing revealed that Beethoven’s ability for rhythm was very low in the genetic testing.  

Obviously, we recognize Beethoven’s giftedness; so, there are elements, … i.e., gifts from God, … that allow some to serve the Lord in special ways, … which, when applied, glorify God.   And we, who have been so gifted to serve God, need to use our gifts, … whatever they are, … to serve our Lord in special ways … for His glory.   I have been gifted to teach and to encourage others; so I’m going to do my best to use those gifts for God’s glory today.   What are your gifts; and how will you use them today?   

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for my giftedness to teach and to encourage  others. May I use them for Your glory.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … May we all use the gifts You have given us for Your glory … today and tomorrow.   … 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.

Dec 17 2025 … Redeemed and Restored …

Dec 17 2025 …  Redeemed and Restored … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Big Daddy Weave singing Redeemed declaring of his redemption from sin thru the singer’s faith in Christ.

Rembrandt's "Adoration of the Magi" ... Restored ... 

 

Highlight Passage: … Luke 10:36-37 … [NLT] …  

4 Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love you.  

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to redeem and restore His beloved chosen people.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Isaiah 43:1-7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to redeem and restore Judah to God’s promised land because of His love for the people He created for His glory.

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 130:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God’s Psalmist, likely King David, sings of God’a promise to redeem His beloved people.

Reference Passage:…  Isaiah 44:22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Isaiah, promises to set His beloved people free from the bondage of their sin thru a coming Messiah.

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

… Jesus tells Nicodemus, and all believers in Messiah, that God will redeem His people from their sin thru His Son.

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

… Paul testifies to his redemption when he was willing to die to self and be restored by His faith in Jesus as Lord.

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians how God’s Son shed His blood to redeem those who believe on Him as Lord.

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:13-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul also assures fellow believers in Jesus as Christ and Lord of their (our) redemption thru His shed blood. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from James Banks …  USE THS LNK   …  related a true story about a painting which hung in a home for years, falling off the wall and needing repair and restoration.  And during that process, it was discovered that the painting was a genuine lost masterpiece by Rembrandt (see photo) worth millions.  

And the ODB author used this story to illustrate the value of God’s love for all of His chosen people which was evidenced by God being willing to give His Son, Jesus, to live as human and die on a cross to redeem and restore those who believe in Him as Lord.  And, … as the linked song declares, I, for one, know I’ve been redeemed; … how about you?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for the eternal love you have given to me by dying to save me … and anyone who believes in You as our Lord. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thanks for the love and redemption You have offered to anyone who genuinely believes in You as our Lord and King. … 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.

Dec 16 2025 …  You Are My Neighbor … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Tim McGraw singing Humble and Kind … calling us ALL to ALWAYS stay humble and kind to others.

Highlight Passage: … Luke 10:36-37 … [NLT] … 

… 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”  Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

… Jesus’ answer to the question …  who is our neighbor?

Highlight Passage in Context:  Luke 10:25-37  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus relates a parable about a Jew, robbed and left for dead on the road, and how a Samaritan helped and saved the man’s life, becoming the man’s “neighbor.”

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

… Solomon teaches that we are ALWAYS to be kind to ALL.

Reference Passage: …  Hosea 6:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s call, thru the Prophet Hosea, to show love to ALL, … even more than sacrifices.

Reference Passage: … Micah 6:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God calls His people, thru the Prophet Micah, to show love and mercy to all people.

Reference Passage: … Zechariah 7:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Prophet Zechariah, calls His people to ALWAYS show mercy and kindness to others. 

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

… Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, teaches that God will bless those who show mercy to others. 

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:36 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus commands His disciples to be compassionate to others, just as God is compassionate to His children. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Patricia Raybon …  USE THS LNK     …  related a true story about a young woman, Marie Coble, who fell in her driveway, hitting her head and causing a brain bleed.  A delivery truck driver, passing by, saw the incident and stopped, calling paramedics, and ultimately saving Marie’s life, …  also visiting Marie in the hospital, bringing her sweet treats to help her  during her time of rehab. 

And the ODB story reminded the author today of Jesus’ parable of the “Good Samaritan.” (see the Highlight Passage), which calls all Christians to be - or become - the “neighbor” Jesus taught about in His classic biblical parable.   And I’ve always liked the song, linked above  by Tim McGraw,  which calls us all to be like Jesus, … always humble and kind.  I’m going try again today to be just like that, … treating everyone as my neighbor.   How about you?  Are you with me? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling and leading me to be just like You, … ALWAYS humble and kind.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … THANKS, Lord, for helping us to become a “neighbor” for anyone we see who needs our compassion and mercy.  … 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.

Dec 15 2025 … Following HIs Way …

Dec 15 2025 …  Following HIs Way … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Phil Wickham singing The Jesus Way … slowing that following Jesus is the way to go in life, becoming an ambassador of God’s love and grace.

Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 2:4 … [NLT] …  

4 … I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

Highlight Passage in Context:  2Corinthians 2:1-8   [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul wrote his friends in Corinth to help them follow Jesus …  out of deep love for them.

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

… Jesus, after washing the feet of His Disciples in the upper room, commands them to become ambassadors of His love and grace to to others.

Reference Passage: …  Romans 5:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches those who follow Christ how Jesus gave His life to save us sinners. 

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about the kind of Christlike love Christians are to show to others.

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

… Paul gives witness to how his life was transformed to love others when he surrendered his life to follow Christ.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:3-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Finally Paul exhorted fellow Christians to take on the attitude of Christ to care for the welfare of others more than we do our own selfish desires. 

Reference Passage:… 1John 4:11-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches fellow Christians about loving and caring for others, showing God’s love through our love for others.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tim Gustafson …  USE THS LNK   …  wrote about Hippocrates in ancient Greece (460-375 BC), who led medicine in that time out of the dark ages of superstition into the light of testing and observation.  He taught of retaining the humanity of caring for the patient; and he was quoted as saying, ”It is far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.” 

And that was the ultimate message Jesus had for those who were committed to follow Him (see Scriptures above), like His Disciples, and prayerfully all who read with me here.  If my readers have taken in the poignant and powerful linked song, I’m praying that we all are striving, with our very beings, to follow “The Jesus Way” and become more like our Lord, … day-by-day,  … becoming ambassadors of God’s love and grace to others.  That’s where I’m headed!   How about you?  

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for being my model of love and grace to follow all the days of my life.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … THANKS, Lord, for calling all of us to follow Your way, every day!  … Amen

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Blogger Not:  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.