November 14, 2023 … Sharing God’s Forgiving Grace …

November 14, 2023 … Sharing God’s Forgiving Grace …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West  singing  … Forgiveness …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians experience God’s forgiveness and then share His forgiving grace with others. 

Like our sin-wrecked lives ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Jeremiah 31:34 [NLT] … 

34 …  says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”  

… God’s promise of His forgiveness to HIs sinful people. 

Highlight Passage (in context): Jeremiah 31:27-34 (NLT) … USE THIS LINK …  </b>

… God’s covenant promise to His faithful that He will extend His forgiving grace to His people.    

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Reference Passage: …Psalm 103:10-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of the extent of God’s forgiving grace. . 

Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 1:18 [NLT] …  

<18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”says the Lord. … “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.  Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.. 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to make the scarlet sins of His people white like the snow.  

Reference Passage: …  Mark 11:25 [NLT] …  

25 … “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”   

… Jesus commands His Disciples (and us) to forgive others and give them God’s forgiving grace before we pray for others.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:32 [NLT] …  

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.     

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to forgive others the way God, thru Christ, has forgiven His faithful followers.                                     

                                                                              

Reference Passage: …1John 1:9 [NLT] … 

9 But if we confess our sins to him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  

… The Apostle John writes of God’s faithfulness to forgive and cleanse His faithful followers of their (our) sin  … IF … they (we) are willing to confess their (our) sins before God’s throne of grace. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Adam Holz … AT THIS LINK …    tells of wrecking his grandfather’s pickup truck in an accident in the snow (like the one in the attached photo).   But when today’s ODB author confessed the wreck to his grandfather, his granddad forgave his grandson and never again mentioned the accident.  The ODB author remembered his granddad’s forgiveness as an example of God’s forgiving grace extended to His beloved, but sinful, children (see highlight passage).  

And we read, in the truth of God’s word shared above as well as the Mathew west song, God was (and IS) willing to forgive any of our sins IF … (and it’s a big IF) … we are willing to confess our own sins and to forgive others who have sinned against us, so that we can - and will  - receive God’s love and forgiving grace.  And with this in mind, are you - as am I, right  now -  thinking of someone you (we) need to forgive?  Well, how about we just reach out with God’s forgiving grace and share HIS love and forgiveness today . and then again tomorrow.        

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for forgiving me as You call me to forgive others today.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to forgive any who have wronged us just as Your have forgiven us.        … 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.

November 13, 2023… God Hears our Prayers …

November 13, 2023… God Hears our Prayers …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Mandy Lining  singing  … God Hears Our Prayers …  Poignantly singing of how we Christians can expect - in faith - that God hears our prayers.            

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 9:21 [NLT] … 

When Hezekiah heard this <b>[from Isaiah that he was about to die)</b>, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, …  </i>

… Good King Hezekiah goes immediately to pray to God when he hears Isiah’s prophesy that Hezekiah was about to die. 

Highlight Passage (in context): 2Kings 20:1-7 (NLT) … USE THIS LINK …  

… Hezekiah, one of the few God Kings of Judah, expecting to die, prays sincerely to God Who grants the righteous King 15 more years of life.          

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Reference Passage: …Psalm 116:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Psalmist, likely King David, gives witness that God ALWAYS hears his prayers. . 

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 21:22 [NLT] …  

22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”   

… Jesus teaches His Disciples (and us) that when they (we) pray in faith, within God’s will, they (we) will receive the answer to their (our) prayers. 

Reference Passage: …  John 9:31 [NLT] …  

31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but He is ready to hear those who worship Him and do His will. 

… A man, who was given sight by Jesus, gives witness to the truth of God hearing the prayers of those who, in faith, follow the Lord.  .

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:12 [NLT] …  

12  The eyes of the LORDD watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers.  But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil.  

… Peter assures fellow Christians that The Lord hears the prayers for those who follow Him and live righteously.                                   

                                                                              

Reference Passage: …1John 5:14-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches truth to fellow Christians …. That God hears and gives favor tot hose who live for and follow The Lord.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Dave Brandon … AT THIS LINK …  tells of a widow praying to God that she find a lost card from a policeman who had promised to help  her retrieve some insurance funds; …  and then miraculously finding the lost card of the policeman, illustrating how The Lord listens to prayer, … caring for those faithful who pray for God’s help.     

And the ODB author also gives reference to how God heard the prayers of one of Judah’s only good kings, … Hezekiah, …  who was granted an extension to His life when the King prayed to God having heard from God’s Prophet, Isaiah, that he was about to die.  And I’m praying that my readers today have taken in the linked song and the Scriptures above and believe - as I do - that, living in faith of God, we can come to Him with our prayers and He will hear us.        

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for ALWAYS being there to hear our prayers.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to go to prayer for our needs, Lord, KNOWING that You hear our prayers.        … 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.

November 12, 2023… Clinging Faith …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Erin O’Donnell  singing  … Hold To Jesus …  Poignantly singing of how we Christians must choose to hold onto Jesus and follow Him not matter what we face in life.           

Clinging faith ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 9:21 [NLT] … 

21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 

… The woman, in faith sought to touch Jesus’s garment, knowing she would be healed. 

Highlight Passage (in context): Matthew 9:18-22 (NLT) … USE THIS LINK …  

… A woman healed by faith in Jesus by seeking Him out and touching His cloak.           

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 13:4 [NLT] …  

4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.    

… God, thru Moses, commands His people to fear and follow God alone, clinging to Him always. 

Reference Passage: … Joshua 23:8 [NLT] …  

8 ... cling tightly tot the LORD your God as you have done until now.  

… Joshua, as he was about to die, exhorts God’s people, thru their leaders to cling to and follow the Lord.  

Reference Passage: … Psalm 63:8 [NLT] … 

8 I cling to You (Lord); Your strong right hand holds men securely.   

… King David sings of clinging to God for his security.  

Reference Passage: …Mathew 11:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus invites His followers to yoke themselves in weakness to receive God’s empowering grace. 

Reference Passage: …  John 15:5 [NLT] …  

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.   

… Jesus teaches that those who abide in  (i.e, cling to) Him will become fruitful in life.                                                                                                               

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Karen Huang … AT THIS LINK …  tells of suffering from sudden dizziness as she walked down a staircase, clinging to the bannister for stability.   And then the ODB author used the biblical story of the bleeding woman who desperately sought in faith to merely touch the cloak of Jesus, the One she believed could heal her (see photo).   

And these are apt illustrations of what we all must do when we, followers of Christ, face the trials and obvious dangers of this life; and that is to cling to and yoke ourselves in faith to Jesus who promises to give us His strength.  

That’s why you find me here - right now - seeking to hold on to my Lord and be strengthened thru prayer and following HIs word.  Just seeking and clinging to God’s word is my way of clinging to that bannister when I feel dizzy or weak in going down the stairs of life.  How about you?  What are we all doing to cling to the Lord for strength and stability in these troubled times?        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your empowering grace to give me Your strength, Lord.                                                        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to find Your strength, Lord, when we are feeling unsteady in following 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.

November 11, 2023 … Bogus Beliefs …

November 11, 2023 … Bogus Beliefs …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group New Wine Worship singing  … God All Powerful …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians follow and worship the one true and all powerful God.          

Our God is ALL powerful ... !!! 

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Highlight Passage: … !Samuel 1:3 [NLT] … 

3 After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.” 

… The Israelites put their bogus beliefs in the Ark rather than in their all-powerful God. 

Highlight Passage (in context):  1Samual 4: 1-11 (NLT) … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Israelites mistakenly put their faith in the Ark of the Covenant instead of God and were defeated by their enemies because of their bogus beliefs.         

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

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.   <

… King David had it right believing in, relying on, and singing of the one true - ALL POWERFUL - God..

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 42:18 [NLT] …  

18 “I am the LORD; that is my Name!  I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.    

… God, thru Isaiah, declares that He will not give His power to any who puts their bogus beliefs in any kind of idol

Reference Passage: …Mathew 19:23-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His disciples as He declared to the rich young ruler that worshipping idols and relying on the power of wealth will make entering God’s kingdom impossible; but following the all powerful God makes anything possible. 

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 6:10 [NLT] …  

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.   <

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow believers to find their (our) strength by believing in and following their (our) all- powerful Lord.                      

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 1:3 [NLT] …  

3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One Who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence   

…Peter teaches truth about receiving God’s glory and strength by surrendering to follow the one, true, and all-powerful God.           

                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson … AT THIS LINK …  …   tells of a young soldier, named Tom, who, in a combat situation, felt a click under his boot, which turned out to be a deadly mine - but a dud - which didn’t explode  For the rest of Tom’s service, he wore those “lucky boots,” believing that their power saved his life.  .   

If you’re a Christian, reading here with me, I pray that none of us hold to any “BOGUS BELIEF” that you feel gives you luck or power or delivers you from evil or danger.  And if you’ve taken in the linked song and meditated on the truth of God’s word, shared above, certainly you - as I have - come to the realization that believing in and following our ALL-POWERFUL God is the ONLY WAY to receive God’s power and His glory.  

My fellow Christian, what bogus belief or any worldly thought do we hold to that stands in the way of us surrendering our lives to believe in the ONE, TRUE, and ALL-POWERFUL God.  Because if we’re placing our faith in our wealth, achievements, or worldly influence, those will get in the way of surrendering our all to receive God’s grace as HE calls us to follow Him. So, … let’s all jettison those “bogus beliefs” and throw them on the trash heap of life as we get to know and follow the ONE who calls us to follow Him to glory.         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me how to get rid of any bogus beliefs that deter me from knowing and following You, Lord.                                                        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to get rid of any thought or pursuit which gets in the way of following You, 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.