June 30, 2024 … Are We Really Trusting God? …

June 30, 2024 … Are We Really Trusting God?  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West and Jenn Johnson singing I Trust Jesus … poignantly singing of how our God calls Christians to trust Him and Him alone.   

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Highlight Passage: … John 21:22  [NLT] … 

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”         

…  Jesus calls Peter to simply follow Him as the Lord, not comparing himself to John or any other.                                                                           

Highlight Passage (in context): …John 21:15-22  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus recalls Peter to simply and completely trust and follow the Lord faithfully.                        

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 38:3-6 [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK …  

… King David sings of God calling His faithful to trust in The LORD completely, committing all our lives to follow Him faithfully,  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-8 [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK … 

… Solomon shows believers that they (we) find our life by trusting the LORD completely.  

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 17:7  [NLT] … 

7 But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence .  

… God, thru the Prophet Jeremiah, promises God’s blessing on those who trust and follow the LORD … no questions asked !   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:24-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus teaches His followers trusting God to provide His followers need in life. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28, 15:13  [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about trusting God to provide us with all our needs and giving us all our hope thru His Spirit.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Karen Huang -  AT THIS LINK  -    wrote of learning a lesson from her young niece and nephew when they were given lollipops, each of them asking why were not given the same flavor of their treats, the ODB author realizing that all of us have the tendency, from our sin nature, to compare what we receive from God with that given to others.   …          

And the story of Peter being restored by Jesus (found in John 21 - see Highlight passage above), illustrates that reality.  Peter was completely restored and forgiven by Jesus after his betrayal. Yet, the first thing he did was to question what Jesus was going to do for the beloved Apostle John.  And Jesus simply charged Peter to follow Him.  

Personally, that Highlight passage and the other reference scriptures above calls any of us Christians to trust the Lord and follow Him without comparing what He provides to/for us with others.  When you take in the ODB entry and God’s word above, do you feel that you are following Jesus as Matthew West and Jenn Johnson sing above?  …  I’m praying that for all of us today.       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to follow You, Lord, more faithfully and completely.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying today that those who read with me here will join me to simply trust You, Lord, … more completely and faithfully.  … 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.

June 29, 2024 … Blessed and Beloved …

June 29, 2024 … Blessed and Beloved   …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Laura Story singing Blessings … poignantly singing of how our God shares His blessings with those who love the Lord; …  but often the blessings are in disguise.  

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Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 33:3  [NLT] … 

3 Indeed, he loves His people; all His holy ones are in His hands. They follow in His steps and accept His teaching.             

…  God’s blessing, from Moses to God’s people, is lavished on those who accept and follow God’s teaching.                                                                          

Highlight Passage (in context): …Deuteronomy 33:1-5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s love and blessing for His chosen people is expressed, thru Moses, to those who trust the Lord and follow His ways.                                                                                                 

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 1:1-3, 118:26 [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK … 

… King David sings of God blessing those who love and follow the LORD.  

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 17:7  [NLT] … 

7 But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence .  

… God, thru the Prophet Jeremiah, promises God’s blessing on those who trust and follow the LORD.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:2-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus teaches His followers about God’s blessings, especially for those who trust and follow the Lord faithfully.       

Reference Passage: … Luke 11:28 [NLT] … </b> 

28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”   

…  Jesus pronounces God’s blessings on any/all who hear (or read) God’s word and put it into practice in their (our) lives

Reference Passage: … James 1:12, 25  [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK …  

… James, Jesus’ brother, teaches fellow Christians that God blesses those who put God’s word into practice in their (our) lives.  

Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Anne Cetas -  AT THIS LINK  -   wrote of a  depressed young girl who wrote on a piece of wood, leaving it stuck in the ground at a park, …    “To be honest, I’m sad. Nobody ever wants to hang out with me, and I have lost the only person that listens. I cry every day.”  The story went on to show that someone found the sad words and prompted friends to write responses, reading things like  “I love you, …God loves you, … You are beloved.” 

All of us can be where that girl was; but if we read what God’s word says about God’s love and blessings to those who love the Lord and are willing to follow His ways, perhaps we’ll realize that we truly are … HIS BELOVED.   All I’m asking from my readers today, some of you who may be feeling down and out, … is to hear Laura Story’s song (linked above) and to mediate sincerely on the Scriptures above; … and prayerfully you’ll come away, as I did as I’m writing this, … feeling blessed and beloved by God’s truth.      

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me that I’m true blessed by You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying today that those who read with me here will join me to receive Your blessing, Lord. …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.

June 28, 2024 … Hope in Our Future …

June 28, 2024 … Hope in Our Future   …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from The Heritage Singers, singing God Will Take Care of You … poignantly singing of how our God promises to  take care of our needs.

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<b><u>Highlight Passage </u>: … Isaiah 41:18  [NLT] … </b>

<i>   18 I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water..   </i>          

…  God’s people find hope for their thirst in the provision of God.                                                                         

<b><u>Highlight Passage (in context) </u> … Isaiah 41:17:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b> 

… God’s promise, thru Isiah, that He, The Lord, will provide waters of hope for the future of God’s people.                                                                                                  

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 16:9, 33  [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK …  

… We may plan or cast our lots; but it God who determines our future. 

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11  [NLT] …  

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  

… God, thru the Prophet Jeremiah, promises a future of hope for God’s chosen people. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:25-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus teaches His followers not to fear about the future, … not to worry about our lives.       

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 

28 And we know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.   

…  The Apostle Paul confidently assures fellow Christians that God will work ALL THINGS for the good of those who love God and are surrendered for His purposes. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:21, 4:19  [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK … 

… Paul also shows that God will provide for the needs of those who care about what Jesus wants for them (us)

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Monica La Rose -  AT THIS LINK  -  told about a business man, Burnell Colton, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2014 in New Orleans, opened a grocery store to show the people that there was hope for their future.         

And when things seem at their worst, God is ALWAYS there to show His people that He promises a future hope in providing for the needs of His chosen people.   Do you, fellow Christian, believe what God says in His word (see Scriptures above)?   Because if we do, we have hope in the midst of any of life’s challenges!  But if we don’t see and believe God’s word, we will die from desperation.  Personally, I’m going for what God says!  … How about  you?    

         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me that you ALWAYS care for and provide for my needs. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying today that those who read with me here will join me to surrender to Your promises for our well being, Lord..   …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.

June 27, 2024 … The Pilgrimage of Life …

June 27, 2024 … The Pilgrimage of Life  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group. Mercy Me, singing We’re Almost Home … powerfully singing of how we Christians are almost home on this pilgrimage we call life.  

On the pilgrimage homeward ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Hebrews 11:16  [NLT] … 

16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.            

…  God’s people are shown to be on a heavenly - and homeward - pilgrimage to be with God forever.                                                                                     

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Hebrews 11:13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Author of Hebrews equates our life as a pilgrimage to follow the Lord to the promised land to be with God.                                                                                                  

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 84:5-7  [NLT] … USE THIS  LINK …  

… God’s Spirit, thru the sons of Korah, sing of life being like a pilgrimage to be with God in His house forever. 

<b><u>Reference Passage:</u> … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b> 

… Solomon shows his son (and all true believers) that we must trust God to show them (us) the way to follow Him in life.  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 40:31  [NLT] …  

31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagle.  They will run and not grow weary. The will walk and not faint.  

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, promises His strength as we surrender to follow the Lord on the road o life.  

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:7 [NLT] … 

7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.  

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians that we Christians must walk by faith, … not by sight.      

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:21 [NLT] …  

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.   

…  Peter calls fellow Christians to be willing to suffer along the road of life as we follow the Lord homeward.    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Sheridan Voysey -  AT THIS LINK  -  writes about the estimated two hundred million people, … from many different faiths, .. who travel on personal pilgrimages each year.  Perhaps my Christian readers have taken such a pilgrimage to the Holy Land - as have I - to walk where Jesus walked, … perhaps trying to feel what it must’ve been like to follow Jesus as He, … The Lord, … led believers on the road of faith all the way to glory.        

Life is a pilgrimage, isn’t it?  We follow the road that God calls us to follow by trusting Him to lead us homeward to be with our Lord, Jesus,  forever.   Where are we on that road?  Are we really trusting in God’s Spirit to lead us to His glory?  Are we using His word as our “GPS?”  Oh, how I pray we are!      

         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for providing me with Your GPS, … i.e., Your word, … to lead me to be with You forever. 

My Prayer Today Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying today that those who read with me here will join me to follow You , Lord, leading us homeward on this pilgrimage of life.   …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.