Oct 17 2024 … Our God Provides

Oct 17 2024 …  Our God Provides 

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

… Please take time to hear the group, Hillsong Worship, with music and lyrics, singing God Is Able showing God’s enabling grace and faithful provision  in our times of trouble or trial.  

God protects 4 Children in Amazon Jungle ... 

Highlight Verse: … Exodus 16:15 [NLT] … 

15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was.

And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.   

… When God provides manna in the wilderness, Moses tells them of God’s faithful provision of food and life.     

Highlight Passage (in context): …Exodus 16:11-19  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… God shows His people in the wilderness of the Lord’s faithful provision.                                    

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 28:1  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Moses conveys God’s promises and instruction that God will faithfully provide His blessings on those of His chosen people who obey and follow His commands.        

Reference Passage: … Psalms 23, 37:18-19   [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  King David sings about how God is our Good shepherd, Who faithfully watches over His innocent flock of followers.                                       

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:33 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus commands His Disciples (that’s us too) to seek Him above all else and He faithfully promises to provide them (us) with their (our) needs. .                 

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  The Apostle Paul give assurance to fellow Christians that their (our) God will provide all His faithful followers with their (our) needs.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians that God will  ALWAYS provide His faithful followers with our needs and HIS protection.    

    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Nancy Gavilanes -  AT THIS LINK  - related the true story of four children, ages 1-13, who survived a plane crash in 2023 (see photo) in the middle of harsh Amazon jungle terrain, showing incredible resilience and God’s protection thru the ordeal.     

Perhaps some of my readers have experienced God’s protection and provision in your ives.  Maybe not as dramatic as those four children in the ODB story; but still recognizing the truth of the Scriptures above, … when our God promises to provide the needs and protect those whom He loves.  I pray you join me in genuine and robust praise as we realize and recognize our God’s faithful love and grace AND His faithful provision of our needs … AWAYS!     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me all I need  and providing me with Your strength when mine is gone.       

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to genuinely express our thanks and praise for Your provision and protection 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.

Oct 16 2024 … Seeking the Joy Giver

Oct 16 2024 …  Seeking the Joy Giver 

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

… Please take time to hear David Archuleta, with music and lyrics, singing Joy To The World calling on all of us to seek and see that God gave His Son to the world that we might find joy in and through Him.  

    

Highlight Verse: … John 15:11 [NLT] …  

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 

… Jesus shows His disciples where - and from Whom - they can - and will - find joy.    

Highlight Passage (in context)  … John 15:9-11  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus speaks truth to His Disciples in the upper room, commanding them (and us) to obey His commandments in order to find joy in life. .  .                                                                             

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 118:24  … [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God’s Psalmist, likely King David, sings every day is a day for believers in the Messiah to rejoice and be glad.       

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 15:16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jeremiah witness that he finds joy in consuming God’s words. .                                       

Reference Passage: … John 16:24 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus commands His Disciples (that’s us too) to seek their (our) joy by praying to the Lord, … IN HS NAME.  

Reference Passage: … John 17:13 NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Jesus prays that those who believe in Him might be filled with joy from HIs Spirit.              

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   The Apostle Paul calls on fellow Christians to ALWAYS be filled with joy in Christ.  

Reference Passage: … James 1:2-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Jesus’ brother, James, assures fellow Christians that they (we) can find great joy in all, even tough times, when we seek and follow The Lord,     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Sheridan Voysey -  AT THIS LINK  -  told of the ODB author’s tendency to overwork things in life and receiving a word from God’s Spirit … to … “go at the speed of joy;”  and making a commitment to allow joy to guide the author’s decisions and direction for the upcoming year.                

And if my readers today have taken in the linked Christmas classic from David Artchuleta and meditated on the reference verses above, I think you will come to see that God’s word is calling - really commanding - us seek God’s joy in all situations by seeking to follow God’s Spirit and His word.  But, … ARE WE?    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me joy when I seek after Your way thru Your word.     

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to seek Your joy in life, Lord, … by following Your way through 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.

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.