July 31, 2025 … More Like Him …

July 31, 2025 … More Like Him   …

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Zach Williams singing… Less Like Me,  … calling fellow Christians to becoming more like Jesus!! 

 

Highlight Passage: … John 15:15 … [NLT] … 

1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him, 2 and He began to teach them..    </i> 

…  Jesus teaches His disciples and followers the characteristics of those who belong in God’s kingdom.         

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … Matthew 5:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus shares the qualities of those whom God blesses … ”               

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… A good place to start in becoming more like Jesus is to strive to become like He described Himself … as “humble and gentle of heart.”  

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

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012%3A1-2&version=NLT

… The Apostle Paul calls on fellow Christians to become living sacrifices worshipping God with the way we live like Jesus lived. … avoiding living as the world lives.

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

…  Paul also charges fellow believers in Christ to live - more and more - to be like Jesus. 

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

… Paul gives witness to dying to self and living to be more like Christ. 

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

… The Apostle Paul shows his faith and confidence that God’s Spirit, living in him, will make him  (and us) into His image.

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

… John also teaches that those who live for Christ (i.e., born-again Christians) should strive to live as Jesus live.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author,  Arthur Jackson … AT THIS LINK      … told of growing up as a child of the 50s and 60s, and loving to play the national game … Baseball.  And Arthur Jackson described the pride he had wearing his first little league uniform, with his team’s name - ’The Giants” - on the uniform shirt for all to see.  And how all on his team followed the coach to strive to be like their heroes in the big leagues.   

I really identify with those feelings expressed by the ODB author as he used that baseball analogy to describe what God’s word teaches, in the scriptures shared above, about striving to put on the uniform labeled ”CHRISTIAN"; and for all who call themselves (ourselves) … “CHRISTIAN,” striving to become more and more like Jesus and less-and-less, as Zach Williams sings, … like ourselves.   Personally, that’s my life goal - to become more like JESUS.  How about you?         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for calling me - and helping me - to more like You day-by-day.  

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again Lord. …for giving us Your playbook, Lord, … that is, Your word … to help us play on Your team … 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. 

July 30, 2025 … Midnight Friendship …

July 30, 2025 … Midnight Friendship   …

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Matt Maher singing… What A Friend,  … assuring fellow Christians that we really have a friend in Jesus!! 

Highlight Passage: … John 15:15 … [NLT] … 

15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.     

…  Jesus relates his love and friendship for His disciples the night before He is to go to the cross and die for them (us).         

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … John 15:9-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus shows His disciples (and us too) that God’s love is shown in those who reach out to help those in need; … that’s why He calls them (us) “Friends.”               

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 17:17, 19:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon reveals that the essence of true friendship is found in those who’re willing to reach out and help those in need.   

Reference Passage: …  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon also relates to believers about the value of true friendship.

<b><u>Reference Passage:</u> …   Galatians 6:2 NLT] … USE THIS LINK …</b> 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206%3A2&version=NLT

…  The Apostle Paul shows that bearing one another’s burdens fulfills God’s law of love. 

Reference Passage: …  1Thessalonians 5:11 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul lauds fellow Christians in Asia Minor (and all Christians) for their (our) willingness to comfort one another. 

Reference Passage: … 1John 3:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John shows that the love of God is on display in those who’re willing to help others by sharing with them in their time of need.

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

… John also teaches that God’s love is expressed when we (Christians) are willing to love one another.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author,  Sheridan Voysey … AT THIS LINK     … wrote about hearing someone questioning our Christian priorities by asking, “Who can you call at midnight when everything has gone wrong?” … Hearing the question, the ODB author wondered if he had friends who would be there for him if he called them at midnight in a crisis or whether he would be a friend to others if they called him at midnight in the midst of a trial.  

The ODB question does test our views of true friendship; doesn’t it?   And I’m praying we all have friends who would call us at midnight if they needed help; … OR … we are sure that we have friends whom we could call at midnight if we needed their help.  I’m so blessed to have friends like that in my life; … and I pray that I would be there to help any of my friends - ANYTIME -  (as in the photo). How about you and your friends?       

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for ALWAYS being my friend, Lord.

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again Lord. …for being our Friend in our times of need.   … 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.

July 29, 2025 … He Really Cares …

July 29, 2025 … He Really Cares   …

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Matthew West singing… The God Who Stays,  … assuring fellow Christians that we serve a God Who stays and never fails those who love Him. 

Highlight Passage: … Psalms 55:22 … [NLT] … 

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.    </i> 

…  David is certain of God’s watch care over him.         

           

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Psalms 55:1-9, 16-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… King David, running for his life from Absalom, is certain that his God cares and watches over him.             

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 31:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses assures Joshua and God’s people of God watching over and protecting them as they go into the Promised Land.   

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

… God’s promise, thru Solomon, of God’s caring protection of ALL who trust in Him with ALL their (our) hearts. 

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

…  Isaiah assures God’s faithful of His strength when they (we) are weak. 

Reference Passage: …  2Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul relates Jesus’ assurance of providing His sustaining and enabling grace in times of trial or trouble. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul assure fellow Christians of God’s peace when His children are willing to bring our troubles to God in prayer, with thankful hearts. 

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

… Peter assure fellow Christians that they (we) can take ALL our cares to God, Who cares for them (us) ALWAYS.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author,  Karen Huang … AT THIS LINK       … tells how she and her family took care of their parents for many years - 24/7,  due to their disabilities.  And the ODB author made reference to how David sang of how God took care of him (see Highlight Passage) when David’s son, Absalom, pursued David, trying to kill his father, the King.     

If my readers have taken in the linked song and meditated on the Scriptures shared above, I’m hoping that we all know that we serve a God Who cares for us - and watches over us - ALWAYS!   And we can ALWAYS go to Him, with thankful hearts, to receive His enabling grace and strength when we feel fearful or threatened.   Personally, and believing God’s word, I’m feeling His grace today.  How about you?      

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for promising me Your strength in my times of weakness. 

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again Lord. …for being there for us 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.

July 28, 2025 … He Sees Me and Serves Me …

July 28, 2025 … He Sees Me and Serves Me   …

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Big Daddy Weave singing… Redeemed,  … witnessing and declaring God’s redemption of his life 

Highlight Passage: … Lamentations 3:58 … [NLT] …

58 Lord, You have come to my defense;  ,,, You have redeemed my life.    

…  Jeremiah gives witness to how God has redeemed his life.         

           

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Lamentations 3:31-42, 58-59 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jeremiah, calls fellow believers to turn to the God who redeems God’s people, … the God Who sees all and serves all.            

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

…Hagar declares that she had witnessed The God, Who had seen and saved her.  

Reference Passage: … Job 28:23-24  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Job declares that God alone sees all that He has created.     

Reference Passage: … Psalms 139:1-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of there being NO WHERE we can go to escape God seeing us.     

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 15:3 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Solomon, to watch over all … ALWAYS!   

Reference Passage: …   Jeremiah 16:17 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jeremiah declares truth to God’s sinful people that He, The Lord, watches over all and that they (we) cannot hide from Him.  

Reference Passage: …  Romans 8:28-30 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians how God causes everything in the lives of born-again believers to be for their (our) good; … and redeeming them (us) for His glory. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author,  Tim Gustafson … AT THIS LINK        … tells of a young Londoner, Alexander McClean, who told a 60 Minutes interview of going to Africa to assist in prison and hospice work as a young man; and seeing an old man lying helpless next to a toilet. It was a sight he couldn’t unsee; and it led him, later in life, after he got a law degree, to return to Africa to serve prisoners, … in fact founding an organization to serve those in prison.      

What do you and I see in this world which we can’t unsee, … something which calls us or drives us to do something about that which we have seen.  And since we know God sees all, and cares about all He has created; … where is He calling us to serve in His kingdom?   Personally, He has led me to help those who’re seeking to walk free from past patterns of habitual sin, …. just like God has redeemed me (see linked song).  Where is the Lord calling you to be His agent to lead others to the redemption God sees that others need?     

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for calling me to serve You again today, Lord.

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again Lord. …for leading us to serve You as Your ambassadors of redemption.  … 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.