Sept 4, 2025 … Finishing Strong In Faith …

Sept 4, 2025  … Finishing Strong In Faith    …

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Francesca LaRosa and Hannah Schaefer singing… I Have Finished The Race,  … calling for Christians to finish the race of life with faith in Christ. 

Highlight Passage: …Ezra 7:10 … [NLT] … 

10 This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel..  

…God’s favor and grace were on Ezra during the exile out of Babylon for God’s people because of Ezra’s dedication to study and share God’s word with God’s people.

Highlight Passage (in context): …  Ezra 10:6-11, 27-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God was with Ezra as God’s people were exiled from Babylon back to Jerusalem because of his diligence and dedication to study and teach God’s Law to God’s people. 

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Reference Passage: …  Joshua 1:8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God gives Joshua and shows God’s faithful how to be successful in carrying out God’s will by using God’s word.  

Reference Passage: … Mark 13:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus shows that those who finish their life, walking in faith in Christ will be saved. 

Reference Passage: … John 8:31-32  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus teaches His faithful disciples that following God’s truth will lead them to finish strong n the faith.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 1:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul declares his faith to follow Christ, which is necessary for all who’ve surrendered their (our) lives to finish the race of life <b>(see photo)</b> by faith in our Lord. 

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

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, shows Christians that God calls His followers to follow the Lord all the way to His glory.

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 2:11-12  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul declares that Christians must hold on to their (our) faith in Christ as God leads them (us) to glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Tom Felton … AT THIS LINK      … told of how a woman, Ginnie Hislop, who received a standing ovation upon receiving her Master’s Degree 84 years after she had completed the coursework.  Ginnie wanted to finish what she had started, but was interrupted by WW2. 

This story reminded the ODB author, in today’s devotional,  … citing the determination of Ezra, a Priest of God’s people, who had been exiled to Babylon and were released to return to Jerusalem (see Highlight passage).   God’s favor during these times was on Ezra because of his determination to study, follow, and teach God’s Law to God’s people.  Ezra desired to finish strong with faith in God’s word, … a goal to which I aspire today and tomorrow.  How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … Lord …  tor giving us Your word to guide me on my path in life.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … Lord. …for giving the favor of Your grace, thru Your word, to show us the way - YOUR WAY - in 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 to the blog via email at that site.