Jan 2 2026 … Set Free …

Jan 2 2026 …  Set Free  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Hope Darst, singing Set Free … calling on Christians to recognize that Christ’s work on the cross set us free from the debt of sin.

Set free - FOREVER - by Christ ... 

 

Highlight Passage: … Colossians 2:13-14 … [NLT] …  

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 

… The Apostle Paul teaches that Christ, by His finished work on the cross, has set all who put their faith in Christ have been set free from the debt of our sin

Highlight Passage in Context:  Colossians 2:13-15  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about their faith in Christ setting them (us) free from the shackles of our sin (see photo).

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Reference Passage:…  John 8:36 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches that when God’s Son sets mankind free from our debt of sin, those that believe in Him will be free indeed. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 6:14-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul teaches how we Christians were once slaves of our sin nature but, by our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, we have become free from our sin and slaves to righteousness.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also declares that our faith in Christ has set us free from our bondage to sin. 

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:17 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches fellow Christians that when we put our faith in Christ, we become new persons … FOREVER!

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul repetitively teaches that our freedom from our past bondage to sin does not give us the license to satisfy the desire or our sin nature.

Reference Passage: … 1John 1:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John shows fellow Christians that when they (we) humbly confess their (our) sins, God is willing - and able - to forgive and cleanse the believer of his/her sin - completely and FOREVER. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Jennifer Benson Schuldt …  USE THS LINK    … told about a doctor, who had treated patients for cancer for over 30 years, deciding to retire; and in the process decided to release patients, who owed him over $650,000 in debt, saying when asked about it, … “I’ve always been rather uncomfortable with sick patients not only having to worry about their own health, …[but also] their families, and their jobs, and their money.”   

And thru this financial illustration, it does somewhat illustrate - in the spiritual realm - what our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross does for our sin debt, … completely erasing that debt and freeing us to decide - thru our faith in Christ - to become slaves of Christ and His righteousness - FOREVER.  I - for one - am eternally thankful for God’s willingness, thru giving up His Son, to set me, and prayerfully you, free from the shackles of our sin … forever!

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for setting me free!  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … Declaring our thanks for the freedom from our sin debt 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.

Jan 1 2026 … Sharing God’s Good News …

Jan 1 2026 …  Sharing God’s Good News  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Kristyn Getty, singing By Faith … calling on Christians to be willing to share God’s Good News with others by faith.

Highlight Passage: … Acts 17:32 … [NLT] … 

32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”  … 

… The Apostle Paul ventures, in faith, to share the Gospel with Greeks in Athens who were seeking after truth and those who were skeptics when hearing of the resurrection from the dead.

Highlight Passage in Context: Acts 17:29-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul shares God’s good news of salvation with skeptics and seekers in Athens.

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 52:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s Prophet, Isaiah, declares the beauty of the feet of those who bring God’s Good News of salvation to the world. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:18-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus, before He ascended back to Heaven, commands all, who would be His disciples, to GO into he world and carry God’s Good News of salvation.   

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

… Jesus, after His resurrection, commands His remaining 11 disciples to “GO” in faith and preach the Gospel to the world.  

Reference Passage: … John 3:16 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches truth about salvation to Nicodemus, who was seeking for the truth of salvation from The Messiah.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 9:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter shows that those who benefit from God’s good news should support those who go in faith to share the Gospel with the world.

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

… The Apostle Paul shows fellow Christians the Gospel truth that salvation is a gift from God for those who accept God’s gift of salvation in faith.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tim Gustafson …  USE THS LINK   … warns Christians, seeking to share the Gospel with others in online news sites.   According to the ODB author today, he contends that we, who desire to share about living forever through faith in Christ, will find some who will listen; but others will mock what we share as fiction.           

So, when God’s “Good News” is shared with others - as we Christians are COMMANDED to do - just as Paul did with Greek scholars and skeptics in the Highlight Passage, we are going to encounter some who will listen and others who will mock and deride us.  But … share we must, … just as Jesus Himself (see Matt 28:19-20) has commanded all real Christians to do.  So, I’ll be looking to share and teach about God’s good news with others today and throughout this new year. How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling me to be an ambassador or Your Good News into the New Year.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … We’re praying today to be able to share Your “good news” with others.   … 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.

Dec 31 2025 … Surrender To Him …

Dec 31 2025 …  Surrender To Him  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Brandon Heath, singing No Turning Back … calling on Christians to decide to follow Jesus - no matter what! 

Highlight Passage: … John 15:7-8 … [NLT] … 

7 But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. …

… Jesus shows His disciples that surrendering to follow Him is the way to glorify God.

Highlight Passage in Context:  John 15:4-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus called - no, rally commanded - His disciples to surrender and follow Him ALWAYS to become fruitful for God’s glory. 

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

… Solomon shows that trusting and following God’s way is the key to finding our way in life. 

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 

… Jesus shows HIs followers what it cost to follow Him … really EVERYTHING!   

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

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about surrendering self to become living sacrifices, giving up our way, or the world’s way, to follow His way.

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul testifies as to how surrendering self allowed him (and us) to live for Christ.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter shows what it takes to be lifted up by God’s grace … i.e., … to humble ourselves to receive God’s enabling/empowering grace. 

Reference Passage: … 1John 2:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John shows fellow Christians that they (we), who call ourselves by the name of Christ should live like Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Monica La Rose …  USE THS LINK        …  writes about Author, Amy Wilson, who reminds her readers that well over 80 percent of the resolutions made by all of us at New Years are failures by February of each year.  She suggests that we “do less” for weighty commitments and decide to follow the One Who offers to take us and bring us to be more than we could ever be on our own.           

And I believe “surrender” … NOT “commitment” … is the key to growing more and doing more for God in this upcoming year.  So, after taking in the linked song and the truth of God’s word shared above,  I, for one, am going do more “to do less” in 2026.   And I’m making my surrender to follow Christ my priority for the New Year.  And … I’m going to use God’s “GPS,” … His word … to show me the way.   Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me Your word to follow You into the New Year.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … We’re surrendering our all to follow Your ways this year.   … 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.

Dec 30 2025 … God’s Faithful Love …

Dec 30 2025 …  God’s Faithful Love  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics, from Cece Winans, singing The Goodness of God … showing Christians of God’s faithfulness and goodness ,,, all the days of their (our) lives.

Highlight Passage: … Genesis 39:21a … [NLT] … 

21a  But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. … 

… God’s faithful love and grace was ALWAYS with Joseph.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Genesis 39:20-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Joseph was thrown into prison; but God’s faithful love was with Joseph as The Lord had been all of Joseph’s life.  

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

… God’s promise, thru Moses to His beloved/chosen people, … to be faithful and ALWAYS protect those who believe in and follow The Lord.  

Reference Passage: … Psalms 36:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of God’s unfailing and infinitely vast love.

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

… Solomon teaches his son, and all believers, of trusting in God’s faithful love to lead in life.

Reference Passage: … !Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians of God’s faithfulness to lead them (us) through the temptations and trials of life.

Reference Passage: … 2Thessalonians 3:3 [NLT]   … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul assures fellow Christians of God faithful love and His protective grace.

Reference Passage: … 1John 1:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John reminds fellow Christians of God’s faithful and forgiving grace. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang …  USE THS LINK     …  related a personal encounter d with a man named Ed, …  a resident of a nursing home which was visited in a ministry outreach by the ODB author’s church.  Ed related how his daughter had dropped him off at this nursing home in his wheel chair years before and had abandoned Ed.          

The story reminded the ODB author of how Joseph’s brothers abandoned him and sold him into slavery to Egyptian traders (see Highlight passage).  And if my readers have taken in Joseph’s life story in Genesis, we learn that God watched over Joseph’s life with His faithful love and sustaining grace.  And that love from God can be ours, if we believe in and follow The Lord’s faithful leading in our lives.  Personally, after taking in the linked song and the Scriptures above, I’m in for God’s faithful love for the rest of my life!   How about you?

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … forYour faithful love today and ALWAYS.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … You watch over us ALWAYS with Your faithful 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 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.