November 26, 2023… I AM His …

November 26, 2023… I AM His …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group Mercy Me singing  … To Not Worship You …  Powerfully singing of who we are, as born again in Christ to not worship the One Who created us. 

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Highlight Passage: … 1Chronicles 29:14 [NLT] …

14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us!  

… God’s people, led by King David, declare their thanks to God Who gives all we have and deserves all our thanks for wall we have in life.  

Highlight Passage (in context) … 1Chronicles 29:10-20  … USE THIS LINK … 

… David assembles God’s people to rebuild God’s temple and to give thanks for all God has done for His people.      

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 100:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s Psalmist, likely King David, gives thanks in song to God for His goodness and provisions in life. 

Reference Passage: …Luke 6:38 (NLT] … USE  THIS LINK …  

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.   

… God’s promise, thru Jesus Himself, of God pouring back into our lives … to overflow from what we’re willing to give to Him.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:20 [NLT] …  

20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to give thanks to God for everything in our lives which comes from the Lord. 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:17 (NLT] …  

17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.   

… Everything we do in Christ should be to give thanks back for what The Lord has done for us. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:19 (NLT] …

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.. 

… The Apostle Paul gives testimony of how the same God Who takes care of him will supply the needs of ANY and ALL who love the Lord.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s  Our Daily Bread Author , Kirsten Holmberg  AT THIS LINK -  writes of encouraging and developing group leaders in a discipleship ministry and often being surprised at how, when group members where challenged to lead, … feeling honored to be asked, rather thank finding excuses not to participate in leadership.     

However, if any of my readers have taken in the linked song by Mercy Me and meditated on the Scriptures above, I would hope - and pray - that we all realize and believe that giving back our praise and worship of God is really all we can do to honor our Lord for all He has done in our lives.  And will you join me in give our thanks and praise to God today … and again tomorrow?                                                                                             

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for all You are in providing for all I am.                                                               

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to praise and thank You, Lord, for all You’ve given us so that we can live for 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 25, 2023… Take the shot!! …

November 25, 2023… Take the shot!! …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Jeremy Camp singing  … Walk By Faith …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians must walk by faith and not by sight.  

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Highlight Passage: … Hebrews 11;1 [6NLT] … 

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for, it is the evidence of things we rabbit see.  

…God gives the definition of what genuine faith really is; and that is trusting God without being able to see the results of our actions in faith.   

Highlight Passage (in context) … Hebrews 11:1-8  ... USE THIS LINK ...  

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, gives named and justified examples of believers who acted in faith in their God without often being able to have sight support of their actions in faith.   

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

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

… God’s protection plan for those who want to follow Him in faith … and that is to use His word light our path.  

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

… God promises, thru Solomon, to show the way for those who trust in Him. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 1:17 [NLT] …  

17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”  

… The Apostle Paul teaches from the Old Testament (see Habakkuk 2:4 ) that Christians musts live and walk by faith … ALWAYS!! 

Reference Passage: …2Corinthians 5:7 (NLT] …   

<i>  7 For we live by believing, and not by seeing.   </i>

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to join him and live by faith and not by sight. 

Reference Passage: …Galatians 2:20 (NLT] … 

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.   

… The Apostle Paul gives testimony of how following Christ by faith had transformed his life.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Katara Patton  AT THIS LINK ...  writes of a photographer on a morning walk by Lake Michigan, who noted the sun striking the water in a stunning way; and stopping, … with his camera, … the photographer, tho he could not see the resulting picture in his view-finder, new - by experience - that the camera would capture a spectacular photo.   

And as the ODB author was trying to illustrate,… that is what our life in Christ is all about, … living and acting by faith rather than the way se see things thru our own eyes.   I’ve learned over the years of my faith as a born-again Christian to let God’s word and seeing life thru His eyes of truth to guide me, rather than relying on my own eyes to show me the way to go in life.  Hence, you see me using God’s word - here day after day - to guide me in life rather than the way I may see things day-by-day.   How about you?   What’re you following today that you KNOW will give you the right way to go ... and then again tomorrow?                                                                                            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your word, which ALWAYS shows me the way to go.                                                               

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to let Your light of truth, Lord, guide our steps again today and then 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.

November 24, 2023… All Praise … ALWAYS!! …

November 24, 2023… All Praise … ALWAYS!! …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from The Maranatha Singers singing  … I Love You Lord  …  Poignantly singing of how we express our love and praise for the Lord.  

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Highlight Passage: …Psalms 18:1 [6NLT] … 

1 I love you, Lord; You are my strength.   .

… King David sings of his love for the Lord in spite of deadly circumstances.  

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Psalms 18:1-6 </b> ... USE THIS LINK ... . 

… King David, when he was rescued by God from King Saul’s pursuit to kill God’s anointed.   

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Reference Passage: …Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT] … USE  THIS LINK …  

9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.   

… God’s covenant love is ALWAYS there for those who faithfully obey His commands and follow Him.     

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Reference Passage: …John 3:16 (NLT] … 

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life..  

… Jesus teaches Nicodemus, and us, about the extent of God’s love for those who love and believe in Him. 

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.   

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians - and that’s us too - about the extent of God’s love. 

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

… Paul once again shows fellow Christians the extent of God’s love for His faithful in eternal and infinite. 

Reference Passage: …1John 4:8, 19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… John show fellow Christians that we love because God is love and it is His love that extends thru us to others.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Bill Crowder  AT THIS LINK , writes the extent of the love that  the famous piano duo Ferrante and Teacher had to play music together (see photo) and how their love for the music played out in their concerts and their lives as friends.  

And the ODB author went on to describe another musician and his love of God expressed in the Psalms where King David described in Song (see Psalms 18 highlighted above) how his love for God and his faith in God’s love worked itself out in God being David’s strength in times of peril or danger. And this raises the question if we hold that kind of everlasting love for the Lord as He, … our God … holds for us?   I pray we do!!                                                                                            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your everlasting … eternal … Love.                                                               

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to sing our praises to You, Lord, for Your eternal love.    … 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 LINKon 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 23, 2023… Thankful to God …

November 23, 2023… Thankful to God …    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Don Moen singing  … Thank You Lord …  Poignantly singing of how we Christians should be able to express our thanks to God … ALWAYS!  … 

Whom do we invite?  

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Highlight Passage: … Luke 14:13-14 [6NLT] … 

13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.

… Jesus teaches the Religious leaders about the essence of thanksgiving and God’s love. 

Highlight Passage (in context) … Luke 14:12-14  ... USE THIS LINK .... 

… Jesus rebukes and instructs the Pharisees that their banquet could only be blessed by God if they were willing to invite the poor and the disabled instead of just their rich and powerful friends. 

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Reference Passage: …Psalms 100  (NLT] … USE  THIS LINK …  

… The Psalmist, likely King David, appeals to God with a heart of God’s love and thanksgiving.        .  

Reference Passage: …Psalms 107:1 (NLT] … 

<i>  1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  How faithful love endures forever.   </i>

… This Psalmist, also likely King David, declares for his thankfulness to God Who created all things for our good and His glory;

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:20 [NLT] … 

20 And give thanks for EVERYTHING to God, The Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to be willing to thank God for EVERYTHING in their (our) lives.   

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 exhorts fellow Christians to ALWAYS be thankful for what God has provided.  . 

Reference Passage … 1Thessalonians 5:18 [NLT] …  

15 Be thankful in all circumstances , for this is God’s will for ou who belong  to Christ Jesus  

… Paul repeatedly exhorts fellow Christians to be thankful in ALL situations or circumstances.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Lisa M Samra  at this link  , writes of how Wanda Dench  in 2016 sent out invitations to her annual thanksgiving dinner, one of which was mailed mistakenly to someone whom she didn’t know.  And when contacted by the person, Wanda graciously invited the person to come and share thanksgiving at the celebration.  And because of the “mistake,” a long lasting friendship was forged.  

And here we are (as least in the USA), perhaps highlighting our thanks - prayerfully to God - and for all what we have in life.   But do we really … REALLY … mean it?  In the story about Jesus being invited to a banquet held by some Pharisees <b>(see highlight passages)</b> , Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for not being willing to invite the poor or the downtrodden.  So, when we gather to give our thanks today …  with all the food and friendships and fun ,,,  whom did we not invite … and whom should we have?                                                                                             

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for ALL.                                                             

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to express our praise and thanks for all You, Lord, have provided in 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.

November 22, 2023… Shining HIs Light …

November 22, 2023… Shining HIs Light …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Chris Tomlin  & Matt Redman singing  … Light of the World …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how Christ became the Light of the World while Hew walked the earth and now He shines thru us who have Hs Spirit indwelling us. … 

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Highlight Passage: …Philippians 2:15 -16 [6NLT] … 

15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. .

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Philippians 2:12-20  ,,, USE THIS LINK ...  

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to become a bright light of Christi’s shining in the world for all to see Him in us…  </b>

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

… Jesus teaching His disciples (and us) that they (we) are to become His light shining in this dark world,      .  

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

… Jesus, just before His ascension, charges all who follow His to be His light in this world. , making other disciples, teaching His truth, and living like stars in a dark world.        

Reference Passage: …John 9:5 [NLT] …  

5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

… Jesus declares that while He was in the world … HE … was the light of the world.   

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, just before His ascension, charges any of His disciples to shine His light and become His witnesses in this world.     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s  Our Daily Bread entry at this link -   , author Jasmine Got … tells of entering a town in a taxi and immediately noticing many signs of evil - many gambling outlets, X-Rated business, and many large billboards advertising lawyers; and when asking the cab driver abut this, he gave witness to what He felt to be “his ministry,” listening to and praying for his customers.   …  

That cab driver had become what Jesus called all of us to become … and that is a light in the darkness.   And if you take in the linked song and the Scriptures above, perhaps you’ll be convicted,, as I was, to do more to shine God’s light more brightly in the calling He has placed before all Christians.  So, let us all “shine Jesus” today in to a very dark world.                                                                                            

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your light to shine today.                                                                   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, …to shine Your light, Lord, into this very dark world. . 

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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.