Feb 6 2026 … Small Things -> Big Glory …

Feb 6 2026 … Small Things -> Big Glory … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Emily Huffaker singing Build Your KIngdom … calling on Christians to begin building God’s kingdom with what God has given them (us) to build.

One small stone for God's glory ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Zechariah 4:10 … [NLT] …  

10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”   

… God shows that He, The Lord, will use the Governor’s hand to build His glorious Temple.

Highlight Passage in Context: Zechariah 4:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God declares, thru Zechariah, that He will use common, small things, to build His glorious Temple.

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 14:21-22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God uses Moses’ staff to part the Red Sea to allow God’s people to escape to freedom.

Reference Passage: … 1Samuel 17:48-49 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… David uses but a small stone to slay the giant, Goliath. (See photo)

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

…Solomon teaches his son, and all believers, that he (and we) must trust God and not lean on our own understanding to see God’s direction in life.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 13:31-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus tells, by parable, of having faith the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain.

Reference Passage: … Luke 2:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God brings salvation to the world by giving the world a little baby, God’s Son, born to Mary in a manger.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that God uses the powerless things of life to shame the powerful.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kirsten Holmberg …  USE THIS LINK   … Relates the true story of an engineer in 1848, Charles Ellet Jr., who was tasked with building a bridge over the gorge and river leading to Niagara Falls.  How was he to get even the first cable across the gorge?  Well, he used a young boy flying a kite across the gorge in a contest to get one small line of string across the gorge.  From there Ellet was able to pull cables - first very small, then many larger ones, across the river, … ultimately able to build the bridge.  But he started with one small string of twine carried across the gorge by a small kite.

And the ODB entry today shows that God has used that principle of using smaller/lesser things to build His glorious kingdom; and the scriptures shared above show that; … don’t they?  If we are truly going to work to build God’s kingdom, all we need is the faith of David to slay Goliath, or that of Mary to give birth to God’s Son; and we can use the simple things of life to confound the powerful or the complex.   So, join me; let’s take our small faith and start building on His Temple today.

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me what it takes to build a small portion of Your kingdom.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for calling us to be a part of Your kingdom building project here 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.

Feb 5 2026 … “R/R in Christ” …

Feb 5 2026 … “R/R in Christ” … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Toby Mac and friends singing Rest … providing a brief musical interlude inviting any/all Christians to find a little rest in Christ.

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Highlight Passage: … Hebrews 4:9-10 … [NLT] …  

9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.    

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, promises an eternal resting place for those who surrender to follow Christ in faith.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Hebrews 4:1-7, 9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches Timothy truth about not being able to take anything with the Christian in heaven.

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 33:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God promises Moses - and God’s chosen faithful - His eternal rest. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, promises His peace to those who focus their (our) minds and hearts on God.

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

… Jesus promises His rest to those who’re willing to receive it in faith.

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

… Jesus, after telling His disciples that HE was about to die on the cross, promises them (and all Christians) that though they (we) will encounter troubles from the world, … He had (has) overcome the world.

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that ALL things we encounter in life, even the most difficult, are for our good, as Christians, and for God’s glory.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul also teaches fellow Christians that they (we) take all their (our) troubles to the Lord in prayer, with a thankful heart, …  seeking to receive God’s peace.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Xochitl Dixon …  USE THIS LINK   … Relates how a mother took her little child, named Lisa, to a birthday party where the children excitedly shared gifts, ate cake, and played games with one another.  But finally, Lisa, asked her mom to leave the party; and when the mom asked her what part of the party Lisa enjoyed the most, her little girl, responded, “Leaving.”  And Lisa was reported to have fallen asleep in the peace and quiet of the back seat of the car even before her mom had exited the driveway of the house where the party took place.    

And the story about Lisa illustrates that we all, young and older, need rest at times; and that our Lord provides that rest when we relax and rest in our faith in Him.  Personally, I could use more of His peace today.   How about we all take in Toby Mac’s song and meditate on the Scriptures I’ve shared above, and and then let’s rest in God’s promises of His peace.   Are you in for some of God’s “R&R” today?   I sure am!   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me the promises of resting in Your arms when I come to You in faith.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving those of us who need Your loving arms and Your peace to find Your rest.  … 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.

Feb 4 2026 … Treasures In Heaven …

Feb 4 2026 … Treasures In Heaven … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from an unnamed artist singing Treasures In Heaven … calling on Christians to seek to carry nothing to heaven but rather to give it all for the good of others.

Highlight Passage: … 1Timothy 6:7 … [NLT] …  

7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. .  

… Paul teaching Timothy (and fellow Christians) that we can’t take anything of earthly value to heaven.

Highlight Passage in Context:  1Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches Timothy truth about not being able to take anything with the Christian in heaven.

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:19-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches, in His sermon on the mount, to not store up earthy treasures, but rather to give it all away to store up treasures in heaven (see photo).   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 19:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus tells the rich young ruler how to live to store up riches for heaven.

Reference Passage: … Mark 12:41-44 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus observes a poor widow giving almost all she had to help the poor and He teaches His disciples (and us) that the widow’s giving is the way all would store up treasures in heaven.

Reference Passage: … Luke 12:33-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… As crowds gathered to hear Jesus, He teaches His disciples (and us) that our giving to help the needy reveals their (our) hearts; and we store up treasures in heaven by helping the poor today.

Reference Passage: … Acts 2:44-45 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… After the resurrection, the early Christians gathered together to help one another, which helped them develop treasures in heaven. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 1:3-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter shows fellow Christians that our Lord, Who gave His all to save them (us), has a great treasure waiting for them (us) in heaven.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kenneth Petersen …  USE THIS LINK   … relates how travelers to Europe from the U.S. often overpack, taking way too much of their accessories and clothes, which will end up being excess weight and unneeded on their vacation.  

And if my readers have taken in the attached photo, the ODB entry for today, and the Scriptures my studies uncovered above, I’m praying we all take in God’s message that nothing we’ve collected in this life will  with us in heaven, … rather only those things which have heavenly value will be there for us in glory.  I get it!   Do you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for reminding me that only those things I’ve done for You and others in this life will be my heavenly treasures.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for storing up all our treasures done for Your glory as our treasures in heaven.  … 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.

Feb 3 2026 … Stay Focused on God …

Feb 3 2026 … Stay Focused on God … 

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 seek and receive God’s strength when they (we) are feeling weak.

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Highlight Passage: … Haggai 2:4 … [NLT] …  

4 But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  

… God’s promise of His strength, thru Haggai, to the faithful remnant of God’s people, who had been in exile, now called rebuild God’s Temple.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Haggai 2:1-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God lifts up His people, thru a message from the Prophet Haggai, that as they are called to rebuild God’s temple, He, The Lord, would be with them ALWAYS

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

… God calls on Joshua to focus on The Lord’s covenant promise to be with His people as they follow Joshua into God’s promised land. 

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

… Solomon shows his son (and all believers) that God will lead those who trust in Him completely.

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

…God’s promise to His faithful remnant, thru the Prophet Isaiah, to provide His strength when their (our) strength is gone.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20b [NLT] …  

20b And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  

… Jesus’ promise to born-again Christians that He would be with them (us) ALWAYS.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that God will provide His peace to those who keep their (our) focus on God.  

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

… The Apostle Peter exhorts fellow Christians (who were oppressed) to take all their cares to a caring God.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang …  USE THIS LINK   … told of a discouraged father, Jess,  who was trying to help his son with math, and thinking of how his wife, who had died recently, had been so much stronger and better at helping their son with homework and keeping up the household.  

Wouldn’t my readers agree that there are times when things seem overwhelming and extremely frustrating?  Well, today’s ODB entry was/is for those of us who’re dealing with such times.  And if you’ve taken in the linked song and meditated deeply on the Scriptures shared above, I hope you, … as I am, … are reminded that we serve a God who will lift us up and give us His strength, as He did for God’s faithful prophets and people in the past.  Personally, that’s very helpful and encouraging to this old servant of God right now.   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for reminding me or Your promise of peace and strength when I focus on You rather than my trials/troubles.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for calling Your children to focus on You rather than our troubles.   … 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.