April 19 2026 … Accountable To God …

Apr 19 2026 …  Accountable To God … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Matt Boswell and Matt Papa singing Lord Have Mercy … calling on ALL Christians to confess their (our) sins and seek God’s mercy and His restoration.

Carwash sentence ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Numbers 5:6-7 … [NLT] 

…  6 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people—men or women—betray the Lord by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty. 7 They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done, adding an additional 20 percent and returning it to the person who was wronged. 

… God’s plan, thru Moses, for restitution and restoration when one wrongs another   

Highlight Passage in Context:  Numbers 5:5-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses gives God’s plan for restitution when one person wrongs another.

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Reference Passage:… Leviticus 6:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses clearly lays out God’s plans and commands when one of His people wrongs another and much make restitution to God as well as the wronged person.

Reference Passage: … Psalms 37:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of comparing how the wicked and the righteous deal with one another. 

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 5:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

 … Solomon teaches from God’s wisdom that it is better not to make a vow at all rather than making one and not keeping it.

Reference Passage:… Matthew 6:14-15  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus teaches that it essential for believers to forgive one another when they have wronged each other.      

Reference Passage: … Romans 13:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul instructs fellow Christians that they (we) must pay what they (we) owe others, including our taxes to the government. 

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

… The Apostle John calls on fellow Christians to confess their (our) sins so that God can - and will - cleanse them of their (our) sins.

My Devotional Journa: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Marvin Williams …  USE THIS LINK     … relates a story about a judge, administering a judgement for a man who confessed his guilt in a shop-lifting incident.  The judge sentenced the man to wash cars in a public place (see photo), hoping that the sentence would humble the man who confessed of his wrongdoing.  

And clearly if my readers have taken in the linked song and meditated on the Scriptures I’ve linked/shared above, I will pray here today that we all realize our obligation to God to be accountable for our sins, confessing them and seeking restitution from God’s mercy and His sanctifying grace when we sin against others and most certainly when we sin against our God.      

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for Your mercy and forgiving grace again today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for offering us a way to be forgiven at Your throne of grace.  … 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.

Apr 18 2026 … Being His Witness …

Apr 18 2026 …  Being His Witness … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Steve Green singing People Need The Lord … calling on ALL Christians to share the light of Christ with others as His witness in the world.

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Highlight 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 calls out His disciples to be His Holy Spirit led witnesses in the world.    

Highlight Passage in Context:  Acts 1:6-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke reports on Jesus, prior to HIs ascension into heaven,  charging His disciples to be His witnesses in the world. 

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 43:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God calls on Israel to be His chosen witnesses to the world.

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

… Jesus preaches that His followers should be His light to the world. 

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

… Jesus’ “Great Commission” to any/all His disciples to carry His good news to the world.

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

… The Apostle Paul calls on all Christians to be living sacrifices for Christ in the world.    

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 2:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul charges Timothy (and all Christians) to take the message of the gospel to any/all who will listen. 

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

… Peter charges fellow Christians to be ready to answer the questions of anyone who asks about our faith in Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Bill Crowder …  USE THIS LINK        … wrote about the remote country of Kiribati, an Island nation of 33 islands in the Pacific (see photo), being the only country on earth where all four hemispheres of the globe coexist in one place.  And the ODB author went on to use this remote place on earth to illustrate that Jesus called any, who claim to be His disciples. to go even to remote places like Kiribati to be HIs witnesses.

And if my readers have taken in the linked song and studied through the Scriptures above, I think you’ll be convicted, as I was, to “GO” and be prepared - and willing - to share the good news of Christ with any/all who need the Lord - and that, my friends, is anyone - or everyone - isn’t it?    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling me to be Your ambassador today … and tomorrow.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us the light of Your truth to shine forth into this very dark world.  … 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.

April 17 2026 … Relying on God’s Strength …

Apr 17 2026 …  Relying on God’s Strength … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing His Strength Is Perfect … calling on Christians to rely on God’s strength in our times of weakness.

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Highlight Passage: … 2Timothy 4:7 … [NLT] </b> … 

…  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.  

… Paul gives witness to finishing the race of life strong in faith.    

Highlight Passage in Context:  2Timothy 4:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s wisdom, thru Solomon, calls on believers to avoid gossip and to guard what they (we) say.

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Reference Passage: … 1Chronicles 16:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… From King David’s song of praise at the dedication of bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to God’s Temple.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 40:28-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Isaiah assures God’s people of The Lord’s strength being there for them in times of trouble.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

 … Isaiah also assures His chosen that need not fear for God’s strength will be there for them ALWAYS.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that when the going is tough, the Lord will bring His faithful through the temptations, trials, or troubles of life.    

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

… The Apostle Paul relays Jesus’ teaching that God’s enabling grace will always be there, giving the faithful strength in times of pain or weakness. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Finally, Paul gives witness to his faith that he can face ALL THINGS, knowing the Lord will provide him with the strength.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Arthur Jackson …  USE THIS LINK       … told of Mark, a Pastor who was retiring; and his church, among many retirement gifts, gave Mark a new pair of running shoes because Mark had run many marathons in many cities in his life past.  And his people wanted him to know that he could still run more, as he had run the race of life for them as their Pastor.  

And I would challenge ALL my readers to take in the linked song and God’s call, thru the scriptures shared above, to realize that God is looking to give us HIS enabling grace and HIS strength when we feel weak or tired.   And I needed to receive that truth today.  How about you?    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for lifting me up today with the promise of Your strength when I am weak.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us Your enabling grace.  … 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.

April 16 2026 … Speaking Life …

Apr 16 2026 …  Speaking Life … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from an anonymous worship group singing Speak Life … calling on Christians to avoid gossip, speaking life into all we say.

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Highlight Passage: …Proverbs 11:13 … [NLT] </b> … 

...  13 A gossip goes around telling secrets; but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 

… Solomon calls on believers to avoid being a gossip and guarding what they (we) say.    

Highlight Passage in Context:  Proverbs 11:11-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s wisdom, thru Solomon, calls on believers to avoid gossip and to guard what they (we) say.

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 23:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, calls on God’s people to avoid giving false witness.

Reference Passage: … Leviticus 19:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s people are warned by God, thru Moses, to avoid slanderous gossip.

Reference Passage: … Psalm 34:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David testifies in song of speaking the truth at all times.

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 20:19  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Godly wisdom from Solomon about avoiding being around gossips who spread falsehoods.    

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaching truth about our words ALWAYS being able to lift others up and NEVER tearing them down.

Reference Passage: … James 1:26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ brother James calling on fellow Christians to control their (our) tongues to avoid dishonoring their (our) faith in Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Lisa M Samra …  USE THIS LINK      … told of a friend, named Tomas, who described a mentor being his “Hollow Willow,” which is a term in his culture for one who will hide confidential thoughts like a hollow willow tree will protect anything stored in its empty trunk.   Another words, that person would never gossip or share things which their friends shared with them.

And the author shared that bottom-line truth, which was supported by the Scriptures I shared above today, that we need to avoid being “gossips” (see photo) … and speak only truth which comes from Godly wisdom and caring relationships.  

And in this digital - computerized - world we’re in today, those warnings from God’s word become all the more meaningful.  And as I share these ideas today, I’m doing all I can to share my words, carefully checking to see that they honor my God as well as protect those who share their words with me.   Are you with me in this, my friends.    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for helping me to use my words in ways that honor You and lift others up.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for helping us, with Your Spirit and Your truth, to share only those words which edify 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.