December 10, 2023… His Love Never Forgets Me! …

December 10, 2023… His Love Never Forgets Me! …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing  … Unfailing Love …  Poignantly singing of God’s ever available and ALWAYS unfailing love.  

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Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 49:15 [NLT] … 

15 ““Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! 

… God’s promise to ALWAYS love His faithful people is compared with the love of a mother for her child.         

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Isiah 49:13-18  … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to God’s faithful and He, The Lord, will never forget His people.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 13:5 (NLT] … 

5 But I trust in Your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because You have rescued me.  

… King David sings of his trust in God’s unfailing love.    

Reference Passage: …Isaiah 41:10 (NLT] …  

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. 

… Also thru Isaiah, God’s promise to be there for HIs people … <b><u>ALWAYS </b></u>.             

Reference Passage: … Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s promise, thru Jeremiah, to His people that God’s love never ends and His mercies are new every morning.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul assures fellow born-again Christians that NOTHING can separate them (us) from God’s immutable and unfailing love.     

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

…The Apostle Paul also teaches truth to fellow Christians about God’s complete and unfailing love.  

Reference Passage: …2Peter 3:9 (NLT] …  

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 

… God love is patient, always desiring of all to come together, repent, and receive God’s saving love and grace. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Karen Huang  AT THIS LINK -  tells about her hobby of collecting stamps in her youth and about how her grandfather, tho he was very busy in his work, would collect many colorful stamps for her, which conveyed to the ODB author that her grandfather would never forget her.

And if my readers have taken in the linked songs and meditated on God’s word, shared above, we know of and trust in God’s eternal and unfailing love, … which is ALWAYS there for those who love God and have received His unfailing saving grace.   Do you trust that God’s love is ALWAYS there for you?  I do!  And I pray you do too!   

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for ALWAYS being there with Your love for me.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to share in Your ever-present and ALWAYS faithful love again today and then again 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.

December 9, 2023… Building The Church …

December 9, 2023… Building The Church …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from two groups, Elevation Worship and Maverick City coming together and singing  … Build the Church …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how God’s people are called by the Lord to become His Church with Christ as our “Cornerstone.” 

We ... you and me ... building the church ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT] … 

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. … 

… God’s call from the Author of Hebrews for God’s people to come TOGETHER to encourage one another as God’s Church.         

Highlight Passage (in context) … Hebrews 10:19-25  … USE THIS LINK … . 

… God’s Spirit, thru the Author of Hebrews, calls on believers to gather as the body of Christ, … His Church, to encourage and edify one another.                    

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 18:20 (NLT] … 

20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. 

…Jesus promises to be with any - even two or three - who come together to follow and serve the Lord as His church.     

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:4-5 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians that they (we) Christians come TOGETHER as one body, with many parts, unified to serve the Lord.       

Reference Passage: … Acts 20:28 (NLT] …  

28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

… Paul’s exhortation to church leaders in Ephesus (and to all Pastors and Elders) to watch over and shepherd God’s church, coming together to serve Christ as His body.      

Reference Passage… Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul exhorts and encourages all Christians, Jews and Gentiles alike, to come TOGETHER to build His Temple as one unified body, the Church.     

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:4-5 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…The Apostle Peter writes to oppressed Christians who’ve been chosen to become living stones as Christ, Cornerstone, builds HIs Temple, … the Church. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Elisa Morgan  AT THIS LINK -  tells how friends, Dave and Carla, searching for a church home during the Covid 19 pandemic, longed for the fellowship of a church body, but found it difficult due to the Covid19 restrictions, … but finally, finding a fellowship of people who had developed unique ways to serve the Lord TOGETHER.  

Today, by meditating on the ODB devotional today and God’s truth in the Scriptures shared above, and finally inspired by the linked song, …  I’m encouraged and edified of the importance of Christians, like you and me, coming TOGETHER to become living stones as the Lord builds  His church(see photo).  Oh, my fellow Christians, let’s all come together in unity to be THE CHURCH with Christ as The Cornerstone.  

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for calling me and fellow Christians to be stones in Your invincible church.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to become living stones in Your Temple, 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.

December 8, 2023… Overcoming Our Prejudices …

December 8, 2023… Overcoming Our Prejudices …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Andrew Ripp singing  … For the Love of God …  Poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of how God’s love and mercy is always there to overcome our surface judgement of others.  

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Highlight Passage: … John 1:46 [NLT] … 

46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” … 

… Nathaniel’s prejudice and judgement getting in the way of following Jesus.        

Highlight Passage (in context) … John 1:43-51  … USE THIS LINK … 

…Jesus’ mercy and love calls Nathaniel to overcome his surface prejudice and judgements        

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Reference Passage: … Luke 6:37-38 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>

…Jesus’ teaching about the love of God and His mercy overcoming our prejudice and judgement of others.    

Reference Passage: … John 3:16-17 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus tells Nicodemus - and all mankind - of God’s willingness to overcome our selfish sin with HIS grace and mercy.       

Reference Passage: … Acts 10:34 (NLT] …  

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. …” 

… Peter learns and declares that in Christ God shows NO favoritism or prejudice.      

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul shows fellow Christians that NOTHING in this life can separate the born-again Christian from God’s love and His mercy.  

Reference Passage: … Galatians 3:28 (NLT] … 

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

…The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians of Jesus coming, as Messiah  to overcome our differences and prejudices. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , James Banks  AT THIS LINK   - writes of a young man who learned the character and inner person of another young man, whom the first young man had hated because of the past animosities and wars between the the countries of the two men.  But getting to know each other, they were willing to set aside past prejudice and become friends.   

And if my readers today have taken in the linked song and meditated on the Reference Scriptures shared in my journal today, I pray we all follow the calls from our Lord to set aside our  prejudices and be willing to let God’s call for His chosen believers to set aside our judgement of others, based on any differences we may have with others and love each other as our Lord loves us … ALL OF US!! 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for loving me in spite of my sinfulness.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to be willing to show our love for one another as You, Lord, show Your love for 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.

December 7, 2023… Christlike Surrender …

December 7, 2023… Christlike Surrender  …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Brandon Lake singing  … Living Sacrifice …  Poignantly singing of how Joe Christians need to make our lives a living sacrifice for what Jesus sacrificed to save those who believe in and surrender for His atoning love and grace 

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Highlight Passage: … Romans 12:1 [NLT] … 

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. 

…Paul pleads and exhorts fellow Christians to make their (our) lives a living sacrifice in worship and praise to our Lord, Who sacrificed everything on a cross for mankind.         

Highlight Passage (in context) … Romans 12:1-3  … USE THIS LINK … </b>. 

…God’s ultimate generosity in giving up His Son to be born as a child and to die for us as God’s gift of salvation.                  

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 53:4-6 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…God’s promise thru Isaiah for a Messiah Who would come to sacrifice His life to save mankind for their rebellion and sin.  

Reference Passage: … John 3:16-17 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus tells Nicodemus - and all mankind - of God’s willingness to sacrifice His Son to save them (us) from their (our) sin.     

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:8 (NLT] …  

8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about God, Who was willing to sacrifice His Son to save mankind in spite of their (our) sin.     

Reference Passage: …Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul shows fellow Christians that though Jesus was God, He was willing set aside His glory and power to sacrifice Himself on a cross to die for die for all who would believe in Him as Lord.

Reference Passage: … 1John 2:2 (NLT] … 

2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.  

…The Apostle John teaches of Jesus, as God in the flesh, being willing to sacrifice Himself in atonement for the sins of mankind.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Patricia Raybon  AT THIS LINK -   writes of the wonderful story, The Gift of the Magi, written by American author, O. Henry, which tells of a wife who was willing to sacrifice and sell her beautiful hair to purchase a gold watch chain and her husband who sold his gold watch to buy a set of combs for his wife to comb her long, beautiful, hair.    

And the story from O.Henry and this poignant ODB entry today challenges all born-again Christians to decide what we’re willing to do to worship our Lord, Jesus, … The Christ … , Who was willing to give His life for you and for me … even tho we were (and are) sinners.  As the Scriptures above challenge us, … what are we willing to sacrifice to become living sacrifices to worship and serve our Lord?  That is the challenge to myself today … and for you  … if you join me to give all we can give - thru our lives - to serve our Lord. 

   

My THANKFULNESS:.. Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …AGAIN … for giving Your all for my all.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to be willing to give our lives as worship for giving Your life, Lord, to save all who believe in 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.

December 6, 2023… Saint Nicholas’ Generosity …

December 6, 2023… Saint Nicholas’ Generosity  …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group Vintage Worship singing  … Generous Giver …  Poignantly singing of how Jesus is so generous with His love, mercy, and grace, … calling us Christians to be the same to others, especially those in need. 

Saint Nick - Legend of a cheerful giver ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 1:23 [NLT] … 

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”. 

…God proclaims to Joseph of God’s ultimate plan to give Mary a Son, … God’s Son and our Savior, … and God with us, The Messiah, our Lord, Jesus, … The Christ. the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy long ago.         

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Matthew 1:18-25  … USE THIS LINK …  

…God’s ultimate generosity in giving up His Son to be born as a child and to die for us as God’s gift of salvation.                  

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 19-17 (NLT] … 

17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD - and He will repay you! 

…Generosity in helping those in need is lending to the Lord, Who will repay the generosity of the giver. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:21 (NLT] … 

21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

… Jesus teaches His followers that what they (we) treasure reveals the condition of their (our) heart.     

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 (NLT] …  

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”  

… Jesus teaches His disciples about giving and the reward God will return to those who give to others generously.   

Reference Passage: … Acts 20:35 (NLT] … 

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

…The Apostle Paul on giving to others, declaring that He followed, and lived by,  what Jesus taught that it always more blessed to give than to receive.  

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:6-7 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle charges fellow Christians that we reap what we sow … and that God loves a generous giver who cheerfully gives to others in need.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Winn Collier  AT THIS LINK -  uses the legend of Saint Nicholas (see photo), … whose persona and legend proceeded the American Christmas character of “Saint Nick” or “Santa Claus.”  According to the legends, mostly out of Europe, St Nick was a Priest who generously and cheerfully gave of his treasures and wealth to the poor and needy, … because of His love of the Lord and following Christ’s example of giving His all for mankind.     

Today as we are engulfed by the marketing world, it’s a good time to stop and reflect on the real “reason for this season” from God’s point of view.  We need to remember that God gave His son for me and for you. We are His reason for this season; and those of us who know Jesus as Lord and strive to follow His example thru God’s word (see Scriptures above) with regard to giving - especially in the Advent Season - need to remember and be guided by God’s call to give generously and cheerfully, … just as He was willing to give sinful mankind His Son.

I pray we all strive to be cheerful and Christlike givers during the hustle and bustle of the Advent Season.                                                                                                    

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving Your all for my all.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to follow Your giving Spirit, Lord, during this season of giving Your love and grace to others.  … 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.