December 15, 2023… All Need Jesus …

December 15, 2023… All Need Jesus …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  lease take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Danny Gokey singing  … We All Need Jesus …  Powerfully singing of how we’re all broken sinners who need the saving grace of our Lord.  

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Highlight Passage: … Romans 3:22-23 [NLT] … 

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

… Paul presents God’s truth that we’re lll sinners and all in need of God’s saving grace thru Christ.

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Romans 3:21-26  … USE THIS LINK … . 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A21-26&version=NLT

… God, thru the Apostle Paul, shows Christians that we’re all sinners and in need of God’s saving grace thru the blood sacrifice of Christ.                      

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<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: …Genesis 1:27 (NLT] …  </b>

<i>  27 So  god created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God He created them; may and female He created them. </i>

… God’s word shows that we’re ALL created by God in His image.   

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: …Acts 10:34 (NLT] …  </b>

<i>  34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.  </i>

… Paul declares about Gentiles that God’s grace is for ALL, showing no favoritism.             

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: …Romans 10:12 (NLT] …  </b>

<i>  12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.  They have the same Lord, Who gives generously to ALL who call on Him.  </i>

… Paul repeats that God shows no favorites, giving to all the same who believe on Him as Messiah.        

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: …Galatians 3:28 (NLT] …  </b>

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

… Paul again repeats that all mankind is equal in the reality of needing to believe and follow Christ.  

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: …Colossians 3:9-11 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … </b>

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A9-11&version=NLT

… Paul, once again declares that ALL need God’s saving grace by believing in Christ as Messiah and Lord of ALL, Who died for our sins.      

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Dave Brannon -  AT THIS LINK -  Tells of riding bikes on vacation thru a neighborhood of highly priced homes, yet realizing that any and all who lived in the homes were ALL still sinners in need of God’s saving grace.  

I pray we ALL, no matter who we are, recognize that we are ALL sinners in need of the good news of the Gospel and we ALL have faith that all who believe in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins - no matter who we are - will be saved by God’s saving and sanctifying grace.  I’m one of those.  How about you?    

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for saving me, a sinner, by Your saving grace.              

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to respond to Your saving grace, Lord, by believing in You as our Messiah and 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 14, 2023… Digital Distraction …

December 14, 2023… Digital Distraction …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Shane and Shane singing  … Be Thou My Vision …  Powerfully singing of how we seek to find God’s peace thru our vision and direction in life by trusting in and following The Lord.

Digital distractions in life ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 131:2 [NLT] … 

2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me..

… King David calls on all believers to find God’s peace and hope only in their (our) relationship with the Lord.           

Highlight Passage (in context) …Psalms 131  … USE THIS LINK …  

… King David singing about his search for peace by finding his hope in The LORD.                     

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

… God, thru Solomon, exhorts believers to trust in God and to seek God’s direction by abiding in Him, … nor by our own way or the ways of the world.  

Reference Passage: …Isaiah 26:3 (NLT] …  

3 You will keep in perfect peace ALL who trust in You ,… all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 

… Thru Isaiah, God’s promise to provide His peace on all who focus their (our) thoughts on God.              

Reference Passage: … John 14:27 (NLT] …  

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.   

…Jesus teaches His disciples to find peace by trusting in and following Him and by avoiding our own way or the ways of the world.      

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

… Paul recognizes that he (and all Christians) can receive God’s peace by surrendering our concerns to the Lord in prayer.    

Reference Passage: …Colossians 3:15 (NLT] …  

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

… Paul also reminds - and exhorts - fellow Christians to CHOOSE to find contentment and peace in our thankful relationship with the LORD.      

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author , Adam Holz-  AT THIS LINK -  Tells of how our minds can so easily become stressed by our digital distractions in our lives as we rely more and more on our digital devices to guide our thoughts and decisions.  And to that I say, …  “Guilty,” …  as warned and guided by God’s word and by God’s charge to find our peace by CHOOSING to focus our thoughts on the Lord. 

It’s our choice, isn’t it? We get to thankfully acknowledge that we find God’s peace by choosing to focus our thoughts on Him (see Isaiah 26:3), … primarily thru God’s truth, .. or to become so easily distracted by our digital devices <b>(see photo)</b>.   What will we choose to focus on today and in all of our tomorrows?     

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for giving me Your enabling grace to seek Your peace.            

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to seek and find Your peace, Lord, and avoid being distracted by the world and our digital devices.    … 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 13, 2023… Dealing With Life’s Trials …

December 13, 2023… Dealing With Life’s Trials …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Micah Tyler singing  … I See Grace …  Powerfully singing of how Christians can find mercy and grace by God to cover our past sins by the love and grace offered by Christ’s shedding His blood on the cross.  

Joseph extends God's grace to his brothers ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Genesis 50:20 [NLT] … 

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.. 

… Joseph to his brothers, showing compassion and forgiving grace and recognizing that it was God who led Joseph to be able to forgive the injustices which his brothers had brought into Joseph’s life.           

Highlight Passage (in context)  …Genesis 5:15-21  … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s word tells of Joseph who recognized that it was God’s overcoming grace which allowed him to handle all the trials Joseph had encountered in life.                    

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

… God, thru Solomon, exhorts believers to trust in God and to seek His will so that The Lord can (and will) lead us in life.  

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. 

… Thru Isaiah, God’s promise to be there for HIs people … ALWAYS .             

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 (NLT] …  

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”   

…Jesus teaches His disciples that they will encounter many trials in life but He has overcome the world’s trials.      

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28-31 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul assures fellow Christians that all things - even the most challenging circumstances in their (our) lives are brought about by God for good and for God’s glory. 

Reference Passage: …1Peter 5:7 (NLT] …  

7 Give ALL your worries and cares to God, … for He cares about you. 

… Peter assures fellow persecuted Christians that they can - and should - take all their concerns and trials to God Who cares for them (us).         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Alyson Kieda -  AT THIS LINK -   Tells of the life trials encountered and overcome by Anne Sullivan and them used the the biblical story of Joseph in the highlight passage to show that we, as born-again Christians, can - and must - recognize and trust that God will use our trials in life to learn and shape us to glorify him with our choices.  

I’m praying today that I can (and we Christians can) reflect Christ’s light, … with His forgiveness, mercy, and grace, as He has saved and is sanctifying me (and all Christians) to reflect His glorious light in this very dark world.  Joseph was a good biblical example from God’s word (see photo); and I’m praying that I (and all of us) can use Joseph’s example and be able to follow God’s light and see our lives as ones who seek to become more like Christ in dealing with the trials of life.  

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for giving me the grace to let God give me His power to be a light in this world of darkness.           

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to reflect Your light, Lord, and to be used for Your glory.   … 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 12, 2023… His Strong Tower …

December 12, 2023… His Strong Tower …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing  … His Strength Is Perfect …  Powerfully singing of relying on God’s strength when we Christians are weak.  

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 18:10 [NLT] … 

10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; … the godly run to Him and are safe.

… God’s promise to be a strong fortress for the godly to run to in times of weakness or strife.         

Highlight Passage (in context) …Proverbs 18:10-15  … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Solomon, of God being our strong tower when we need the Lord for protection.                    

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

… God, thru Solomon, exhorts believers to trust in God and to seek His will so that The Lord can (and will) lead us in life.  

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. 

… Thru Isaiah, God’s promise to be there for HIs people … ALWAYS .             

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 His disciples to be fruitful, them must continually abide in Him.     

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

… Paul, dealing in weakness and his painful thorn in the flesh remembers Jesus’ teaching that God’s empowering grace is enough for Paul in his condition of weakness.    

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

… Paul recognizes that he (and all Christians) can receive God’s peace by surrendering our concerns to the Lord in prayer.        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Jasmine Got -  AT THIS LINK - Tells of being in a water park with friends and trying to walk thru an inflatable platform and finding the footing almost impossible to walk thru, being wet and unstable, … as an example of walking thru life in this dark and unsafe world 

And I think the ODB illustration is right on, … pointing all believers to the enabling and empowering relationship we have with Christ, being the strong tower we need to run to when we’re feeling weak.  Do you, my fellow Christian sojourners, feel unsteady and weak today to walk thru life, maybe like walking in that water park?  Well, I do; and I’m reminded by this ODB entry that our God will ALWAYS be there to be our strong tower when we need Him.  So, join me today to run to our Lord for His strength and direction in life.     

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for being my strong tower today … and the again, tomorrow.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to run to You, Lord, for Your strength when we are weakened.   … 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 11, 2023… More Than Enough…

December 11, 2023… More Than Enough…   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing  … More Than Enough …  Powerfully singing of God’s love and grace being more than enough to provide for all of our needs. 

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Highlight Passage: … Ruth 4:17 [NLT] … 

17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

… God, thru Boaz and Ruth, provides Naomi, with more  than Naomi could have dreamed, a surrogate “son,” one who would become the ancestor of Messiah.         

Highlight Passage (in context)  …Ruth 4:9-17  … USE THIS LINK …  

… God provides Ruth (and Naomi) with an heir, … named Obed, … more than she could have ever dreamed, becoming the ancestor of our Lord.                    

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Reference Passage: … Job 13:15 (NLT] … 

15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.  I am going to argue my case with Him.   

… Job declares that his God is his final and only hope in life.   

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 … ALWAYS .             

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

… Paul, in his painful thorn in the flesh remembers Jesus declaring that God’s empowering grace is enough for Paul in his condition of weakness.    

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

… Paul recognizes that he (and all Christians) can receive God’s peace by surrendering our concerns to the Lord in prayer.       

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…God’s promise to all Christians that God’ love and His victory on the Cross is enough to give victory over death and to provide them (us) with eternal life to all who believe in Him.    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Mike Wittmer -  AT THIS LINK - wrote about a friend. Ellen, who - along with her husband Trey - were on a tight budget during holiday season.  But Ellen not only received a Christmas bonus; but was surprised to learn that their December mortgage payment was deposited in their account as a gift from the Bank, giving Ellen and Trey more than enough to allow them to give Christmas gifts to others.  

And if my readers, as we move into this Advent season, will remember God’s wonderful grace in giving us His Son, Whom He, The Lord, provided to mankind to be more than enough to supply all our needs and so much more.  Perhaps you will stop for a moment here - right now - to meditate on God’s word, shared above, and to thank God, as the Brooklyn Tab sings in the linked song, … recognizing in prayer that our God ALWAYS provides our needs and then, … so much more.  

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for ALWAYS being there to provide our needs from His enabling grace.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to to thank You, Lord, for Your Son during this Advent season.   … 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.