Oct 15 2024 … Disciplined for Christ

Oct 15 2024 …  Disciplined for Christ 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  

… Please take time to hear Zach Williams, with music and lyrics, singing Less Like Me calling on all of us to do what it takes to become more like King Jesus and less like we are in the flesh.

Queen's guard faints at attention ... 

 

Highlight Verse: …1Corinthians 9:27  [NLT] … 

27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 

… The Apostle Paul’s commitment to self-discipline in the service of Christ.      

Highlight Passage (in context): … 1 Corinthians 9:24-27  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Paul commits to fellow Christians of living a disciplined life like an athlete preparing to fun a race.  .                                                                                                                                              

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 13:4, 25:28  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Wisdom from Solomon on the benefits of self discipline.      

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28-31  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus invites Christians to draw from His strength when they (we) are feeling weak.                                       

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:19-23 [NLT] …  USE THIS Link …   

 … The Apostle Paul teaches the Spiritual fruit which results from the discipline to follow Christ compared with the results of following the flesh.  

Reference Passage: …2Timothy 1:7 NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   The Apostle Paul teaches Timothy (and all fellow Christians) that God provides His strength to overcome the weaknesses of His followers.               

Reference Passage: … Titus 2:11-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Paul calls on fellow Christians to devote themselves (ourselves) to living Godly lives.     

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 12:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God, thru the Author of Hebrews, teaches that self-discipline is hard but when exercised yields a harvest for God.    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Winn Collier -  AT THIS LINK  -  told of how a British soldier in the honor guard for Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday parade, fainted from the warm parade clothing and the heat of the sun that day (see photo); and yet, his disciplined body fell-  in perfect attention - onto the ground.  It was an illustration of the soldier’s training and discipline in service to his Queen.               

And this story of the disciplined British soldier, is a good illustration of how we, in service to King Jesus, must become self-disciplined to produce self-control and fruitfulness for our King, our Lord, and our Messiah (see Scriptures above).  So, it begs the question if we are willing to do what it takes to discipline our flesh to serve our King Jesus.  Personally, even at age 80, I have some more to do to serve my King with discipline and self-control.  How about you?     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me, Lord, to be self-controlled in serving You.     

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to do what it takes to serve You, King Jesus.    …  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.

Oct 14 2024 … Try A Little Kindness

Oct 14 2024 …  Try A Little Kindness 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  

… Please take time to hear Glen Campbell, with music and lyrics, singing Try A Little Kindness calling on all of us to do more to help others by sharing kindness with those who need a little help in life.    

Sharing some love and kindness with others ... 

Highlight Verse: … Ruth 2:11  [NLT] … 

11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. … 

… Boaz encourages Ruth to accept his kindness as Ruth did for his relative, Naomi.       

Highlight Passage (in context): … Ruth 2:1-2, 5-11  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Boaz reaches out with kindness to help Ruth gather grain from his fields.                                

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:17, 31:26  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Wisdom from Solomon on dispensing kindness to others.    

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:35  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus commands His followers to do good, sharing kindness, with even with their (our) enemies just as God is kind with them (us).                                       

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:22, 6:10 [NLT] …  USE THIS Link …   

 … The Apostle Paul charges fellow Christians to reach out with the fruit of the Spirit, sharing God’s love and kindness with others.   

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to be kind and forgiving to one another just as Jesus as been forgiving to them (us).              

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Paul repeatedly calls on fellow Christians too share Christlike mercy and kindness with others.      

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  The Apostle Peter shows to fellow Christians to show deep love (i.e., KINDNESS) with others.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Alyson Kieda -  AT THIS LINK  -shared how she was deeply impacted by the kindness of one her mother’s hospice nurses when her mom was was nearing death and needing constant care.  The nurse gently and lovingly administered kindness and compassionate care for the ODB author’s mother, which - to this day remembering the nurse’s kindness - brings our ODB author to tears.             

Can my readers remember a time when someone showed deep and sincere - Christlike - love and kindness from another?  Perhaps God will give us the opportunity to share some kindness with somebody today.  Let’s all pray for it; … and then share it, …  if the opportunity comes, .. maybe even, as Christ taught, with our enemies.     

My THANKFULNES: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … Help me to be discerning and committed to share a little kindness with someone today, as Glen Campbell sang in the linked song.    

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to watch out for Your opportunities to share a little kindness with others … maybe today.       … 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.

Oct 13, 2024 … Sealing Mountains TOGETHER

Oct 13, 2024 … Sealing Mountains TOGETHER 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  

… Please take time to hear the group, Casting Crowns, with music and lyrics, singing If We Are The Body calling on Christian’s to serve as the body of Christ … in unity.  

Scaling our mountains TOGETHER ... 

 

Highlight Verse: …1Samuel 20:42  [NLT] … 

42 At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town. … 

…Jonathan, the son of King Saul, who was trying kill David, made a covenant to protect David as if he and David were brothers.     

Highlight Passage (in context)  … 1Samuel 20:35-42  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Jonathan, King Saul’s son, makes a covenant of love to protect david from his father.             

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 133:1  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  King David sings of how wonderful it is when fellow believers work together in harmony.   

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 27:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Godly wisdom from Solomon on believers, working TOGETHER, strengthen one another.                                       

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Solomon shows that two, working TOGETHER are much stronger than one working alone.            

Reference Passage: … Matthew 18:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Jesus teaches that when two or more believers come TOGETHER  in faith, the Lord is with them.    

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:10 [NLT] …  USE THIS Link …  

 … The Apostle Paul appeals to fellow Christians to come TOGETHER in harmony.  

\Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  The Apostle Paul teaches how the body of Christ works and grows with so much more power when all the parts are working TOGETHER.    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, John Blase -  AT THIS LINK  -  writes about joint British-American studies about mountain climbers who’re climbing TOGETHER who perceive mountains as much lower than do climbers who climb alone.         

And that principal and reality is certainly supported by the Highlight biblical passage, the linked song,  as well as the Reference Scriptures above, … all of which teach, over and over, about believers (especially for Christians) coming TOGETHER to work for/with their faith, unifying them (us), in serving our Lord.  So, what are we doing to serve our Lord - today - in unity with other fellow Christians?   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …calling me to work TOGETHER with fellow Christians to serve You, Lord,  ALWAYS.  

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join TOGETHER with other fellow Christians to serve You today, Lord, … and always.      … 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.

Oct 12, 2024 … Getting In Harms Way

Oct 12, 2024 … Getting In Harms Way 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  

… Please take time to hear Steve Green, with music and lyrics, singing People Need The Lord with God’s call for (us) Christians to go and share the Gospel with those who need the Lord.  

The Apostle Paul on Mars Hill in Athens ... 

Highlight Verse: … Acts 17:33-34a  [NLT] … 

33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. … 

… The Apostle Paul, after sharing the good news of the Gospel with those in Athens who believed in false Gods, some believed what Paul preached.     

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Acts 17:16-34  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  The Apostle Paul, when in Athens, engaged the local philosophers with the good news of the Gospel which challenged the people who believed in false gods and worshiped idols.                   

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 96:1-4  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God’s Psalmist, likely King David, Sings of God’s people declaring and sharing the greatness of our God with the world.   

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

… Jesus charges and instructs His followers and disciples to go and share Christ’s good news with the world with His promise to ALWaYS be with them.          .                              

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…    Jesus tells his fearful Disciples that they will encounter a hostile world but that they can rest in His people because He was about to overcome the world.            

Reference Passage: … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…    Jesus commissions and commands His disciples to be HIs witnesses in a very dark and dangerous world.    

Reference Passage: … Romans 1:16 [NLT] …  USE THIS Link …   

 … The Apostle Paul declares his confidence in sharing God’s good news with a very hostile world. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:15-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Apostle Peter calls on fellow Christians to ready and willing to witness for Christ no mater what we face in life.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Arthur Jackson -  AT THIS LINK  -tells of encountering a risky situation during his morning walk, seeing a car stalled and heading the wrong way on a one-way street.  Acting quickly, the ODB author discovered the the driver was passed out, under the influence of alcohol.  And taking action, the ODB author was able to arouse the driver enough to get in the driver’s seat and take the car to a safe location.       

The ODB author likened the situation to the Apostle Paul taking the risk to confront the philosophers on Mara Hill (see Photo and the Highlight passage) when Paul saw how those intelligent people were at risk for eternal damnation with their belief in idols and false Gods.  So, … Paul risked speaking out with the Gospel and some of those lost souls came to believe the Gospel and left there following Christ.  

And as today’s linked song, sung by Steve Green, declares … everyday we’ll likely encounter people who need God’s good news of His saving grace.  But as we’re called by God’s word, shared above, will we be willing to risk it and share the Good News of Christ with those who so desperately need His saving grace?  I pray we’re willing to get in harm’s way, and share God’s love as we’re called to do.   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for calling me to be Your witness; … maybe even today.                 

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to jump out there and be Your witness, Lord,  … maybe even today.    … 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.