October 26, 2023… From Ashes To Beauty …

October 26, 2023… From Ashes To Beauty  …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Crystal Lewis singing …  Beauty For Ashes …  Poignantly singing of how, for us Christians, our God promises to restore us to beauty from the ashes of our sin nature. 

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Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 61:3 [NLT] … 

3 To all who mourn in Israel, …  He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory..

…  God, thru the Prophet Isaiah promises to restore His chosen remnant of believers from the ashes of their sin to the beauty of God’s glory. .            

              

Highlight Passage (Context): … Isaiah 61:1-4 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God, thru Isaiah, promises to send a Messiah to restore them from the ruins of their sin and give them (and us) His glory.   

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Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11, 30:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Jeremiah, also promises His faithful believers l to restore them from the ashes of their humanity to the newness and wholeness of God’s glory.

Reference Passage: … Joel 2:25-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Prophet Joel, also promises His faithful remnant of true believers to restore them from devastation and damage caused God had wrought on His people in the past.  

Reference Passage: … Luke 4: 16-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, in His home synagog in Nazareth, reads from the Scroll of Isaiah 61 (see Highlight passage above) and declares that He is the One whom Isaiah prophesied Who would come to restore God’s people.      

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul encourages fellow Christians by teaching truth that ALL things in the lives of born-again Christians are for their (our) good and God’s glory.  

Reference Passage: …1Peter 5:10 [NLT] …10 In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.    

… Trying to encourage and exhort fellow Christians who were being persecuted that our God in his mercy and grace will restore and strengthen them (us). 

                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kenneth Peterson  … AT THIS LINK …  tells of someone finding a wedding ring, which was felt destroyed in the ashes of the worst fire in California history.  

Perhaps you Christians, who are reading with me, like I do, know of God’s willingness and ability to restore us to the beauty of God’s glory from the goriness of our lives being destroyed in the ash heap of our sin nature.  About 40 years ago, God showed me that He could - and WOULD - take me from the ashes of my burning sin and remake me into the beauty of an eternal relationship with God’s Son.  Oh, how I pray you, who’re reading this, have experienced the beautiful saving grace which rises us from the ashes of our humanity to the glory and beauty of being restored by God’s relentless love. 

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for restoring me from the ashes of my burning sin.                                         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to praise You, Lord, for finding and restoring us to worship You forever.   … 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.

October 25, 2023 … Willing To Witness …

October 25, 2023 … Willing To Witness   …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Jordan Feliz singing …  Witness …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians witness to and with our faith in Christ of His power to save us. 

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Highlight Passage: … Romans 10:13 [NLT] …  13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”. 

…  Paul teaches from the Old Testament (see Joel 2:32) showing that any/all who have faith in Jesus as LORD and call on the Name of Christ as Messiah, will be saved unto eternal life.                      

Highlight Passage (Context): … Romans 10:8-13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Pau teaches truth to fellow Christians that any/all who express their faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, shedding His blood for our sins, will be saved unto eternal life. 

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

… God, thru Solomon, shows believers that our trust in God leads us to follow His way as a faithful witness of our faith.

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

… Jesus commissions all disciples to go forth to witness to His grace to save those who surrender themselves to follow Him.  

Reference Passage: …Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”.   

… Jesus calls all born-again believers to be His witness of the Gospel truth to all the world.    

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 11:22-33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>

… The Apostle Paul shows what he was willing to go thru to be a witness for Christ’s saving grace.         

Reference Passage: …Titus 3:4-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul shows fellow Christians how God’s saving grace, thru our faith in Christ, is worthy of our witness of our Lord’s love and mercy.  

                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Arthur Jackson  … AT THIS LINK … makes reference to the in justice and segregation in the deep south and what African-American Christians suffered as they witnessed their faith in God’s grace and mercy to save them in spite of the suffering they endured. 

And this ODB entry raised the challenging question for me, as perhaps for my readers, as to whetter we are willing to suffer to witness our faith in Christ as our one-and-only Lord and Savior?   I pray that all of us, who profess to be Christ’s disciples, would answer that ODB challenge with a resounding AFFIRMATIVE!   

My THANKFULNESS:.. Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your power, Lord, … especially when I encounter life’s challenges to my witness for You.                                

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to stand strong in our witness for 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.

October 24, 2023… Don’t Lose Heart …

October 24, 2023… Don’t Lose Heart   …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing …  Don’t Lose Heart …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians can see hope in Christ in spite of the challenges of our lives. 

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Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 4:16 [NLT] … 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.. 

…  Paul teaches the truth of our hope in Christ sustaining us in spite of our mortal weaknesses.            

Highlight Passage (Context): … 2Corinthians 4:16-18 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul encourages fellow Christians about how our relationship with Christ giving us hope in the face of the troubles of this world and our lives.   

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 23:4 [NLT] … 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are beside me.  Your rod and Your staff protect me and comfort me.   

… King David sings of follow our Lord, our Good Shepherd, who will protect believers in all situations and trials. 

Reference Passage </u>: … Proverbs 3:5-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon, shows believers that our trust in God leads us to His way rather than failing when we take our own, selfish, way. 

Reference Passage </u>: … Luke 6:45 [NLT] … 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.   

… Jesus teach truth about what flows from a good and pure heart.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.   

… Paul teaches fellow Christians how all things work for the good for those who love and follow the Lord in life.        

Reference Passage </u>: … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … 6 And I am certain that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.   

… God’s word and His Spirit, thru Paul, promises to complete His good and glorious transformation in us before Jesus returns.  

                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Cindy Hess Kasper  … AT THIS LINK …   tells of her mother, dealing with the ravages of severe diabetes, fighting kidney disease and loss of sight, … yet, she never lost hope and remained a powerful prayer warrior all her troubled life.  

And if we take in the linked song, with Steven Curtis Chapman singing of the hope we have in Christ, and we meditate on the encouraging and positive Scriptures above, I hope my readers are as uplifted as I am this morning, KNOWING that our Lord promises to lift us up, … especially when we walk thru the deep valleys of trouble in our lives.   

 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your hope, Lord, … especially when we encounter the trials and troubles of life.                                       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to know that You, Lord, are with us, lifting us up, during the trials of our lives.  … 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.

October 23, 2023 … I Surrender My ALL …

October 23, 2023 … I Surrender My ALL  …   

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

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Highlight Passage: … Psalms 37:5 [NLT] … 

<i>  5 Commit EVERYTHING you do to the LORD  Trust Him, and He will help you. </i>

…  God’s promise, thru David’s song, of helping those who commit their (our) lives to Him.                        

Highlight Passage (Context): … Psalms 37:1-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… King David sings of God giving His favor and grace to those who trust and surrender to the Lord.   

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

… God, thru Solomon, shows believers that our trust in God leads us to His way rather than failing when we take our own, selfish, way. 

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

… Jesus exhorts His disciples (and us) to surrender themselves (ourselves) to follow Him  .. ALWAYS.  

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23  [NLT] … 

23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.    

… Jesus demands surrendered lives to follow Him         

Reference Passage: … James 4:7 [NLT] … 

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.   

… James teaches fellow Christians how to avoid Satan’s influence . but humbling ourselves to follow Christ.   

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

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

… Peter teaches fellow Christians to give ALL our cares and worries over to God, Who cares for us 

                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams  … AT THIS LINK …  tells of Jonathan Roomie, the actor who played Jesus in the TV Series, The Chosen, who was down and out, with no money,, no job prospects, and almost no food, when he confesses that He went to God in prayer saying, “I surrender; … I surrender!!”   And later that day the actor found three checks in the mail to cover his needs; and three months later, he was hired to play Jesus in the TV Series. 

So, … if you’ve taken in this ODB entry and the link song, as well ass meditated on the Scriptures above, perhaps you’re asking yourself, … as I do today, … Am I really fully surrendered to trust in and follow Jesus all the way His is leading us to His glory?  If not, perhaps we all need to surrender our all to follow our Lord today … and tomorrow!  

   

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to give my all to You, Lord.                                      

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

October 22, 2023 … Prudent Living …

October 22, 2023 … Prudent Living …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Riley Clemmons singing … For The Good …  Poignantly and yet powerfully singing of how following Christ is the only prudent way to go in life. 

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 27:12 [NLT] … 

12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.  The simpleton goes blindly on and offers the consequences. 

…  God, thru Solomon, teaches that believers take prudent action to avoid danger in life by following God.             

              

Highlight Passage (Context): … Proverbs 27:8-12 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  </b>

… Solomon teaches that the wise person following God’s will takes prudent action to avoid danger.     

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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 sings of God giving us His truth to lead us in our path in life. 

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

… God, thru Solomon, shows believers that our trust in God leads us to in His way rather than failing in life taking our own way.        

Reference Passage; … John 14:26  [NLT] … 

26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit— He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.     

… Jesus promises those who follow Him as disciples the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit in their (our) lives.          

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:5 [NLT] … 

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.   

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians to pursue and develop the same attitude as Christ as we live to serve and follow His will and His ways.   

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 1:2-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter teaches fellow Christians about growing in Christlikeness to be able to follow His ways with Godly wisdom.  

                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Will Collier … AT THIS LINK…  tells how the foolish leaders of Hamburg, Germany, in 1892, ignoring the wisdom and research of scientists. like Robert Koch,  who warned of the need to filter their water, allowed over 10,000 of their citizens to die of cholera. 

And as the Scriptures cited above attest, if we plod ahead in life, ignoring God’s truth, we are being imprudent fools which can lead us to ignore Godly wisdom, leading to destruction and death.  Personally, I’m staying with the disciplines of my faith to lead me - DAILY - to prudent and Christlike living.   How about you?    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me, by Your word, Lord, to the prudence of following Your way rather than my own foolish ways.                     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to prudently follow Your ways, Lord, thru Your word..  … 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.