December 5, 2023… God’s Comforting Presence …

December 5, 2023… God’s Comforting Presence  …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Ellie Holcomb singing  … God of All Comfort …  Poignantly singing of how our God provides His compassionate comfort to all who believe in Him

"Four Corners Monument " ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Joshua 1:5 [NLT] … 

5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.. 

…God’s promise to Joshua extends to all believers.       

Highlight Passage (in context) …Joshua 1:1-9  … USE THIS LINK … 

…God’s comforting promises to Joshua extends to all believers.                 

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 23:4, 119:76 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of knowing of and believing in God’s promise of His comfort,. 

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.

…God’s promise, thru Isaiah, of His strength ALWAYS being with believers.   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20b (NLT] …  

20b And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  

… Jesus, as He imparts the “Great Commission” to believers that He will be with them (and us) ALWAYS.  

Reference Passage: …2Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul writes to encourage and assure fellow Christians of God’s comforting presence ALWAYS.      

Reference Passage: … 1John 4:15-16 (NLT] …USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle John assures fellow Christians that God’s comforting love abides in anyone who believes in Christ as the Son of God.      

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Xochitl Dixon  AT THIS LINK - writes her family visiting the place in only place in the USA where four states come together in one place (see photo), … and the family joking about how one family member could leave the other by going into another state so easily,    

But then the ODB author showed - thru God’s word and His promises (see Scriptures above) - that our God’s comforting presence is with all believers … ALWAYS.   And I’m praying here today that all my readers know of God’s comforting presence in the hearts of all true born-again Christians.  Do you sense God’s presence today?   I do as I delve into God’s word; and i can encourage you that He’s with you … IF .. you believe in and follow Him.                                         

My THANKFULNESS:<.. Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being here in my heart today … and tomorrow ,,, and ALWAYS.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to rest in Your presence, 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 4, 2023… Our God Is Our Light …

December 4, 2023… Our God Is Our Light  …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from a Gaither Gathering Chorus singing  … Jesus, The Light of The World …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how  Jesus is the light Who leads us thru life. 

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 23:4 [NLT] … 

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me  Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. 

… David sings of God protecting and comforting him (and us), even in the darkest of times      

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Psalm 23  … USE THIS LINK … 

…King David sings of The Lord being His “Good Shepherd,” Who leads him (and us), even through the darkest of times.                

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 119:105 (NLT] …

105  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.   

… King David also sings of how God’s word will ALWAYS light the path of the faithful,. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His followers (and us) to become a reflection of God’s light when we share our good works with others. 

Reference Passage: … John 8:12 (NLT] …  </b>

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”   

… Jesus demands that HIs disciples (and all Christians) to follow Jesus as the light of the world. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:9 (NLT] … 

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 

… Peter writes to oppressed fellow Christians that they (and we) have been called to walk out from the darkness in the world and to reflect God’s light into the darkness.   

Reference Passage: … 1John 1:5 (NLT] … 

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. 

… The Apostle John declares to fellow Christians (and to us) that when they (and we) follow Christ we are following God’s light in a very dark world.     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Cindy Hess Kasper  AT THIS LINK - writes about Elaine, who had been diagnosed with late stage cancer with a prognosis to live only a short time.  But Elaine and her husband took heart and hope from their shared faith in Christ, knowing that Elaine would shortly be in heaven sharing the Light of God with Elaine’s Savior.   

And my prayer is simple today, … that all reading here with me today have seen the Light of the World in your everlasting/eternal relationship with Christ, … KNOWING - without a doubt - that we are following God’s light wherever He leads us.  And I pray that you have meditated on the Scriptures above, taking heart that following God’s word will, as King David wrote and sung, light our path and lead us to God’s glory.                                                                                                    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me with Your Light, out from the darkness of this world and, … all the way to Your glory.   

My Prayer Today Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to seek God’s light thru Your word, Lord … EVERYDAY,  … 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 3, 2023… Surrendering ALL To Follow …

December 3, 2023… Surrendering ALL To Follow  …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Carrie Underwool singing  … I Surrender All …  Poignantly singing of how Christians must surrender our all to follow Christ.  

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Highlight Passage: … Jeremiah 38:20 [6NLT] … 

20 Jeremiah replied, “You won’t be handed over to them if you choose to obey the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.. 

… Jeremiah’s warning - from God - to King Zedekiah.      

Highlight Passage (in context) … Jeremiah 38:17-23  … USE THIS LINK …  

… God warns Judah’s last king, Zedekiah. thru the Prophet Jeremiah, to surrender to the Babylonians or face the total destruction of Jerusalem.               

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

… God, thru Solomon, calls believers to trust in God completely - with all their (our) heart - and to surrender all to follow Him.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His disciples (and us) about being willing to give our all - in surrender - to follow Him.    

Reference Passage: … John 15:7-8 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus demands that HIs disciples (and all Christians) to obey His word and surrender our lives to abide in Him to be fruitful for Him.       

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

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that surrendering to believe in Jesus is the only way we sinners can be might right with God’s glorious standard of righteousness.    

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:19-20 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…The Apostle Paul testifies to the only way he was made right with God and that is to surrender to die to self and be made alive by complete faith in Jesus’ complete work on the cross.     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Monica La Rose  AT THIS LINK - tells of Joseph Stalin, the Dictator of the Soviet Union in 1951, was told by his physician to moderate his schedule to protect Stalin’s health.  But Stalin had the physician arrested; and not being willing to surrender to the physician’s advice. died soon thereafter.   

God’s word, thru God’s Spirit (see Scriptures above), calls all Christians to be willing to surrender IN FAITH (see acronym for “FAITH” in photo) to die to self and to live for Christ.  And I was challenged by today’s ODB entry to give up - by FAITH - to follow my Lord in surrounding to follow HIs word.  That’s why you will find me here tomorrow morning, delving into God’s word to let God’s truth lead my path.  How about you?  Have you completely surrendered to follow our Lord?                                                                                                    

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me, Lord, as I do my best to surrender my all to follow You. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to surrender our ALL to follow 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.

December 2, 2023… Growing In Christ …

December 2, 2023… Growing In Christ …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group Passion - featuring Kristian Stanfill singing  … More Like Jesus …  Poignantly singing of letting Christ’s love and grace transform us into becoming more like Christ.  

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 4:31-32 [6NLT] … 

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

… Paul charges fellow Christians to grow in Christlike kindness and forgiveness.    

Highlight Passage (in context) … Ephesians 4:15-16, 22-32  … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to grow in Christlikeness.             

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

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to grow in Christ to become living sacrifices to God’s love and grace, avoiding sinful and worldly choices.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul prays for fellow Christians to grow into being fruitful in Christlikeness.  

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 2:15 (NLT] …  

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth 

… Paul teaches Timothy (and all Christians) to work hard to present themselves (ourselves) to God as one who has grown in Christlikeness.       

Reference Passage: … James 1:3-4 (NLT] …  

3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

… James teaches persecuted Christians that we are tested in life so that we’ll grow into the character of Christ.    

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 3:17-18 (NLT] …  

17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

… Peter exhorts fellow Christians to be on guard against worldly influences and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  author , Monica La Rose  AT THIS LINK - tells of James Rhee, the CEO of a business which was failing financially.  Yet Rhee, as CEO, maintained that business practices like “goodwill” and building a “culture of kindness” were essential to restoration of his company; and he was right, transforming his business into a resounding success, even by worldly standards.  

How are we, as followers of Christ building our lives?   Are we following the world’s values, as the Apostle Paul and other New Testament authors warned against in the Scriptures above. … OR … are we growing to become more like Christ in the way we live?   Personally, I pray that we’re all growing and becoming more like our Lord day-by-day-by-day!                                                                                                      

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading us - thru testing and challenge - to become more like You, Lord.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to do all we can, Lord, to become more like 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 1, 2023… Jesus Saves Us A Seat …

December 1, 2023… Jesus Saves Us A Seat …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group Elevation Worship singing  … Jesus I Come …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how we respond to Christ’s call to come to Him.  

Jesus invites ALL to take a chair with Him in Glory ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 11:28 [6NLT] … 

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

… Jesus’ invitation to anyone who would believe in Him to come and receive His strength to cover our weakness.   

Highlight Passage (in context) … Matthew 11:27-30  … USE THIS LINK … . 

… Jesus invites ANY and ALL who would come and be yoked with Him in faith … to receive His strength in our weakness.           

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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 give His forgiving and cleansing grace to all who believe in The Messiah

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT] … USE  THIS LINK …  

… Jesus commissions all born-again disciples for them (us) to go and make disciples of any or all who believe in Him .  

Reference Passage: …Acts 2:38 (NLT] … 

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   

… Peter preaches truth to the people at Pentecost that ANYONE who’s willing to repent of their (our) sins and come to Christ in faith will have a seat in glory.      

Reference Passage: … Romans 10:9-13 (NLT] … USE  THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul assures ANYONE that if they (we) believe in Christ as Messiah and repent of their (our) sins, that person will be saved.  

Reference Passage: … Revelation 22:17 (NLT] …  

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 

… God’s revelation, thru John, that anyone who comes to the Lord, thirsting for His righteousness will be given His living waters.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Patricia Raybon  AT THIS LINK , related a story about two young boys, Dan and a black friend, who went to be at the birthday of their school mate, whose mother rejected Dan’s friend, saying “there’s not enough chairs.”  And years later, remembering that incident, Dan became a teacher who always had an extra chair in his classroom, … telling his class that the chair was for ANYONE who came, seeking to join the class.   

And oh how I pray that any and all who read with me today have experienced and responded to our Lord’s call to join Him in faith and to yoke ourselves to His saving and sanctifying strength.  Because if ANY of us, who truly believe in Christ as our Messiah, we are ALL welcome and will have a seat in glory.  So, I pray we respond to the call off our Lord, Jesus  (See photo), to drink from His well of eternal LIVING waters and take a seat with Him in heaven.                                                                                                     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for saving us a seat in glory.      

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to take a seat - with You, Lord - in Your heavenly home … 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.