Nov 20, 2024… Following God’s Way …

Nov 20, 2024…  Following God’s Way    …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics with Phil Wickham singing … The Jesus Way … proclaiming that we follow Jesus’ way in this life.  

We get to choose ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Acts 22:1 [NLT] … 

1 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” …            

…  Paul given the opportunity to speak to a mob who wanted to kill him.                                                       

Highlight Passage (in context): … Acts 21:27-22:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul proclaims His faith when persecuted by a mob in The Temple.                       

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:16-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, in HIs “Great Commission” calls on all who follow His way to go and share the good news of the Gospel.  

Reference Passage: … Mark 16:14-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 

… Jesus calls - and commands - His Disciple to go and share the good news of the Gospel with EVERYONE.  

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

… Paul teaching truth about about Christ calling all Christians to be His witnesses to the world.               

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

… Paul openly declares - as we all should be willing to do - of his choice to follow and share the Good News of Christ’s saving grace.  

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

… Peter charges fellow Christians to be ready - ALWAYS - to share our belief in the truth of The Gospel.    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Dave Brandon -  AT THIS LINK  -  compared a Bible story of the Apostle Paul’s persecution by fellow Jews in the Temple (see Highlight passage) and how Paul was ready and willing to openly share his faith with the mob trying to have him killed, … compared with a similar - modern day - story of a man, named Peter, who was wrongly accused in the prison of a country who arrested people for sharing the Gospel.        

And the two stories raise the question (see photo) of which way we would go if we had to choose - at the threat of losing our life - … HIS (Jesus’) way … or … our own way).  Personally. I’m choosing The Jesus Way.  How about you?.                                                                   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for showing me THE WAY to go … Your way!! 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to declare openly that we follow Your way, Lord, in life - no matter what we face.  

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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. 

Nov 19 2024 … Two Better Than One

Nov 19 2024 … Two Better Than One     

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>  

… Please take time to hear an unnamed praise group, with music and lyrics, singing,  Two Are Better Than One,singing of the truth in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.

 

Reference Passage: …  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 … 

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

… Solomon declares what seems to be obvious but needs strong repetition of the truth. 

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

… Solomon observes the power of two doing work TOGETHER rather than one alone.   

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Reference Passage: … Genesis 2:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… In creating mankind, God recognizes that it would be best if man were not alone; so, He created a helper for man, … the woman.                   

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

…  King David sings of how wonderful it is when brothers work TOGETHER for God’s glory. 

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

… Solomon expresses truth about friends working TOGETHER for God’s glory.                                                  

Reference Passage: … Mark 6:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Jesus sends His Disciples out in pairs for them to learn to work TOGETHER as witnesses for His good news.    

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 12:18-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Paul teaches fellow Christians about how He created His body, The Church, for all of its parts to work in unity as the parts of a body work in unity.

Reference Passage: …  1Thessalonians 5:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Again The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to build each other up in the faith in order to serve the Lord and His Kingdom … TOGETHER!   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Marvin Williams -  AT THIS LINK  - related a story of a runner in the London Marathon who was about to collapse at the end of the race from exhaustion but was lifted up by two friends in the race who helped carry the young man to the finish line.  And the story powerfully illustrates the truth brought out in the highlight passage and many of the truths expressed in the Scriptures shared above.     

It’s pretty logical, but Solomon felt the need to share the logic … that we do better in life - especially when were challenged in the world - to reach out for help from other brothers or sisters in the Body of Christ.  Have you ever experienced the uplifting help of fellow Christians when you were wavering from weakness?   I sure have; and I pray that all reading here with me, have strong brothers or sisters in Christs to lean on when we have moments of weakness in life.                                       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me onward to Your calling, lifted up my fellow Christian warriors, along the roads of life.                     

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... .Again, I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to reach out and be lifted up fellow Christians along the roads of life.        … 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.

Nov 18 2024 … Loving By Obeying

Nov 18 2024 … Loving By Obeying      

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

… Please take time to hear Don Moen, with music and lyrics, singing Trust And Obey, calling on all Christians to trust and obey God’s will thru His Word.            

 

 

Reference Passage: …  John 14:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

… Jesus shows His disciples that those who love Him will obey His commands (i.e., His word). 

Reference Passage: …  John 14:15-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus calls on His disciples to obey His commands because we love and follow Him.  

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

… God’s instruction to follow His word in order to obey His will and follow His ways.                  

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

…  God, thru Solomon, shows that trusting God with all our hearts allows that obedience to God and His word leads us to be obedient to follow God’s ways. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 1:19 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God, thru Isaiah, calls on HIs chosen to obey and to follow the Lord.                                                 

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:46 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Jesus asks why those who call Him “Lord” are not willing to do what He says.   

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK 

…  Paul teaches fellow Christians to trust and obey their (our) Spiritual leaders.  

<b><u>Reference Passage:</u> …  James 1:22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  </b> 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201%3A22&version=NLT

…  James, the brother of Jesus, calls  on fellow Christians to obey God’s word as the sign that they are true followers of Jesus. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Cindy Hess Kasper  -  AT THIS LINK  -   tells how, in her husband’s country, (i.e., The Netherlands), his family had a rule in the winter when the canals would occasianally freeze over; and that was to avoid getting on the canal ice unless they saw evidence (i.e., horse manure) that horses had been on the ice, making the canals safe to withstand human weight.  However, …  the ODB author revealed that her husband and his friends would disobey the rule, throwing frozen horse manure onto the ice, making it look like the ice was safe.   

You know, … our drive to disobey God’s way and His word, is part of our sin nature, isn’t it?   But when we do trust and obey God’s word, as Don Moen sings in linked song, and as we read in the Scriptures above, we show God that we love and follow Him by following His Spirit-led truth.  Will you join me to trust and obey God’s word again today?                                      

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving us Your Spirit, Lord, and Your word to guide us in life.                      

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... .Again, I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to use Your perfect “GPS,” Lord … that is, Your word … to show us how to follow You as You lead us to 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.

Nov 17 2024 … Spiritually Fit

Nov 17 2024 … Spiritually Fit      

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

… Please take time to hear Chris Rice, with music and lyrics, singing It Is Well, sharing the assurance from God that no matter what we face in life, in Christ we find God’s wellness in our relationship with Him.           

 

Reference Passage: …  1Timothy 4:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 

… Paul exhorts Timothy to be rigorous as an example for fellow Christians in the disciplines of the faith.  

Reference Passage: …  1Timothy 4:6-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… The Apostle Paul helps Timothy learn how to promote spiritual fitness in fellow Christians.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 37:1-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… King David sings of trusting in the Lord and taking delight in His thoughts.                

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

…  God, thru Solomon, shows that being conditioned to trust the Lord leads those who trust in Him and His ways.   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:1-7 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus teaches Christians how to be blessed by God as we grow close to and follow the Lord.                                                

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

…  Paul exhorts fellow Christians to give themselves (ourselves) over, remaking them (us) into living sacrifices for the Lord’s good.   

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

…   Paul teaches fellow Christians, from his experience, that the Lord will provide us with HIS strength when we are weak.   

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Paul exhorts fellow Christians that God’s Spirit is remaking them (us) - in our lives as followers of Christ, into images of Christlikeness. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Arthur Jackson  -  AT THIS LINK  - tells of a young Christian, named Tre, who was a regular at a local fitness center, and gave testimony that His relationship with Christ had led him to a more healthy lifestyle, using a physical exercise regimen to take him from a 400+ pound - unfit - man to his present muscular and healthy lifestyle.   And Tre attributed it all to becoming a closer follower of Christ, saying .. “God is my life!”  

And I don’t know about my fellow readers here today, but I - for one - am deeply convicted that I need more rigor in my life to improve my physical well being.  At 81 years of age, I’ve let myself get in very poor physical shape.   Actually, … If i could apply my spiritual discipline to my physical life, I’d be good shape; because my spiritual disciplines are regular and in good “shape.”  So, I’m going to be praying - and asking for prayer - to discipline my physical life to mirror my spiritual life.  What about you?  Do you need more spiritual or physical discipline in your life?  How about we get moving to follow the Lord to more balance as God’s Spirit leads us in our lives!                                   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me to more spiritual/physical balance in my life. .                      

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... .Again, I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to let God’s Spirit guide us to become more like You, Lord, as we live 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.

Nov 16 2024 … Called To Defeat Goliath

Nov 16 2024 … Called To Defeat Goliath     

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

… Please take time to hear Josepha Habedank, with music and lyrics, singing Goliath, calling for Christians to recognize that they (we) have all the power we need to defeat the Goliaths of sin in our lives.           

 

Defeating the Goliaths in our lives ... 

Reference Passage: …  1Samuel 18:32 [NLT] …   

32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

… David volunteers to Saul to fell Goliath in service to God. 

Reference Passage: …  1Samuel 17:17-26, 32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesse sends his son, David, to take food to his brothers and David volunteers to fight Goliath,  serving God’s glory.  

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 14:13-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Moses relays the command of God that HE, The Lord, will defeat the Egyptians.                 

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 3:22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Moses relays God’s promise to protect His people … ALWAYS!    

Reference Passage: … Psalms 34:17 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… King David sings of God rescuing His people from any/all troubles.                                               

Reference Passage: …Isaiah 54:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to protect His chosen people in the coming day of the Lord.   

Reference Passage: …Romans 8:31, 37 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   God’s promise, to His chosen that He will protect them (us) with victory over our enemies.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Kirsten Holmberg  -  AT THIS LINK  -  elates a story about a young lady, named Heather, and her job of delivering food, … which took her to a customer, named Tim, who needed help in opening the plastic bag which the food came in due to paralysis in his hands from a past stroke.  Heather gladly helped him untie the knot on the food.  And later, touched by Tim’s needs, she prepared a care package which was so kind it brought tears to Tim’s eye when he realized Heather’s serving heart.  

And today’s ODB entry asked me if I had ever had anyone in my llfe who had ever intervened to provide God’s protection or care like Heather did for Tim in the ODB story.   And immediately I thought of a mentor God led me to almost 35 years ago, … an Elder in m church who discipled and led me to develop many faith disciplines which have given me God’s strength for decades in my life.  

And I pray that all who read with me here have been blessed to have someone to relay God’s grace and His love and protection in your life.   If not, pray that God will send you a David to help you defeat the Goliaths in your life or a Heather to untie the food bags He has for you.                                  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for using me to help others walk free from the bondage of selfish sin in their lives.                      

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... .Again, I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to let God give us victory and defeat over the Goliaths of sin 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.