Oct 21 2026 …  Grace In Grief 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing … My Help … declaring that our help, as Christians in time of trial, comes from The Lord.

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Highlight Passage: … John 1:22 [NLT]

…   22 In all this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

… Despite all the grief and loss endured by Job, he did not charge God with the wrong that had befallen him.     

Reference Passage: …  Job 1:13-22  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  In spite of all the pain and loss Job endured, he did not blame God.

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Reference Passage: …  Psalm 34:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  King David declares in song that God is always close to those whose spirit is crushed.

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 5:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, blesses those who mourn, declaring that they will be confronted by God’s Spirit.  

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

…  The Apostle Paul teaches ALL THINGS in the life of born-again Christians is for their (our) good and God’s glory.

Reference Passage: 2Corinthians 1:3-4  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches all Christians that God is the source of all comfort in times of trial or grief.

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

… Paul also teaches fellow Christians to take all their (our) cares and troubles to God in prayer so as to experience God’s peace.

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

… The Apostle Peter calls for persecuted Christians to take all their cares and troubles to a God who cares for them (us).

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Nancy Gavilanes …  USE THIS LINK   ... related the true story of a family perishing, along with the pilot of a sight-seeing helicopter, as the copter fell apart and  plummeted into the Hudson River last year.  And the brother of the family, at their memorial service, … wracked with grief, … said, ”They left together.”

There’s little, other than grief, left in situations like that described in the ODB entry today; and in the life of someone like Job who had to deal with devastating loss and pain.  But as we hear from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and in God’s word shared above, in times of trial and grief, God is ALWAYS there to provide comfort and peace for those who believe in and rely upon The Lord.    I’m one of those believers; and as the Brooklyn Tab sings, ”My help comes from The Lord.”   Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You for being my help in times of trial or grief.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your comfort in our times of loss or grief. …  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 20 2026 … Attacking The Church

Oct 20 2026 …  Attacking The Church 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …       and PLEASE take the time to listen to Matt Boswell singing … A Mighty Fortress Is Our God … calling on all Christians to do battle against those who come against God’ church.

The Welsh stained glass window by John Petts

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Highlight Passage : … Acts 9:4  [NLT]

…   4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” 

… Jesus brings down Saul for his persecution of The Church.      

Reference Passage: …  Acts 9:1-6, 17-20  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…  Saul of Tarsus was felled by Jesus on the road to Damascus and ultimately transformed by his faith in Christ to become the Apostle Paul, . a strong defender of The Church. 

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

…  Jesus blesses those who are attacked four their (our) faith.

Reference Passage: …  Acts 8:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Before he became the Apostle Paul, he was Saul of Tarsus, attacking and even having  Christians imprisoned and killed.  

Reference Passage: …  Romans 8:35-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul became a believer that NOTHING could separate born-again Christians from God’s love and grace.

Reference Passage: 1Corinthians 3:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul teaches all Christians that they (we) are God’s holy temple, which is to be defended against all attacks.

Reference Passage:  1Peter 4:12-14[NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter teaches persecuted Christians that their suffering is for God’s glory.

Reference Passage: …  Revelation  2:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John learns and teaches of the reward of God’s crown for those who suffer in God’s Name.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Sheridan Voysey …  USE THIS LINK   told of a Welsh artist, John Petts, who learned of four Christians being killed in 1963 in a church shooting in Birmingham, Alabama.   And Petts, along with his fellow Welsh citizens, raise the funds to support Petts creating a stained glass window (see photo), depicting Christ on the cross holding off attackers with His right hand and inviting all who believe in Him, with his open left hand; … and the saying at the bottom of the window … “You do it to me.”  

Today’s ODB entry, the linked song, and the Scriptures shared above certainly reminded me that any attack on God’s church is an attack on Jesus Himself.  So, what will we be doing today to do battle with those who would attack The Church; and what are we doing in our lives to invite others into the body of Christ?   Personally I can do more of both.  How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You for taking me, a former attacker, into Your Body and using me for Your glory.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for opening Your arms on the cross to defend Your body and invite all who love You to come and follow You to 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.

Oct 19, 2026 … Pride Falls

Oct 19 2026 …  Pride Falls 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …   and PLEASE take the time to listen to a Southern Gospel Anthem singing … Pride Comes Before Destruction … calling on all Christians to beware of our pride leading us to our destruction.

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Highlight Passage: … Ezekiel 26:5-6  [NLT]

…   5 It will be just a rock in the sea, a place for fishermen to spread their nets, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign Lord. Tyre will become the prey of many nations, 6 and its mainland villages will be destroyed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord.  

… God, thru Ezekiel, warns of the city of Tyre’s destruction from the sin of pride.    

Reference Passage: …  Ezekiel 26:1-6, 17-18  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…  God, allowing Tyre to self-destruct thru their pride, shows that He is God.

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Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 16:5, 18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon warns of God’s hatred of pride and how He honors and rewards the humble.

Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 14:12-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Prophet Isaiah describes how Satan fell from Heaven due to His prideful desire to be great like God.

Reference Passage: …  2Timothy 3:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                                         

…  The Apostle Paul teaches Timothy, and all Christians, what will happen in the last days when fallen mankind becomes pridefully obsessed by their sinful pride and selfishness.

Reference Passage: James 4:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… James, the brother of Jesus, quotes from Proverbs 3:34 where Solomon warns believers to avoid pride and take the road of humility in life.

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

… The Apostle Peter also quotes from Solomon in Proverbs 3:34, warning fellow Christians to avoid the fall that follows in taking the road of pride.

Reference Passage: …  1John 2:15-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John warns fellow Christians to avoid following the world’s prideful ways and choosing to humbly follow God’s road to eternal life.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tim Gustafson …  USE THIS LINK   quoted from historian George Will, who wrote … “The study of history is, in large measure, the study of ruins,” … which, according to the ODB author is  “an apt testimony to our human inability to do things that last.” 

And if my readers will hear the rock anthem to Proverbs 16:18, linked above; …  and read/meditate the Scriptures shared above, I’m stopping to pray here that we all realize the God’s word cries out with warning to avoid our pride, which so often leads us to destruction.  I’ve certainly experienced and learned to do all I can to take the road of humility in my life.   What about you?   Which road will you will you be taking today?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank for  warning me to avoid taking the road of pride in my life.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for showing us how to follow You and to avoid taking our usual prideful ways, which will ALWAYS lead to a fall.  …  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 18 2026 … Fishers of Men

Oct 18 2026 …  Fishers of Men 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …      and PLEASE take the time to listen to the group Newsboys singing … Fishers of Men … calling on all Christians to be Christ’s disciples searching to lead others to Him.

He's calling us too !!!  

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 4:19  [NLT]

…   19  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”   

… Matthew chronicles Jesus calling His first two disciples, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, to follow Him and become fishers of men.     

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 4:18-22  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus calls Simon and Andrew to follow Him and become fishers of men.

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 53:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Prophet Isaiah tells of One, the Messiah, Who will come to save men like a shepherd calling and leading his sheep.

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

…  Jesus is calling all who believe in Him as Lord, empowering us to become His disciples, calling us to share His good news with others.

Reference Passage: …  Mark 1:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  John Mark also tells of Jesus calling for his first two disciples, … fishermen, Peter and Andrew, … to follow Him and become fishers of men.

Reference Passage: Luke 5:8-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke also tells of Jesus calling fishermen to become His first Disciples, sharing that they will become fishers of men.  

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

… The Apostle Paul testifies as to his transformation when he surrendered to die to self and to follow Christ in his heart as His disciple. 

Reference Passage: …  1Timothy 2:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, Paul teaches truth to Timothy about Jesus being the only One Who has come to save those who believe in Him as Lord.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from John Blase  …  USE THIS LINK  ...  relates having viewed a curious video of men frantically doing all they can to save thousands of sheep who were drowning as a Yemeni ship carrying the sheep was grounded and began to sink.  Many of the sheep drowned but most were saved by the actions of several of the fishermen, doing all they could to save the sheep.   

Seeing that curious video reminded the ODB author of the multiple biblical accounts of Jesus calling His first disciples, … men who had been fishermen, and Jesus calling them to follow Him and become “fishers of men.” (see photo)  And you know, Jesus has called us all to become His disciples.    Are you one of them?  If you’re not, email me at - billb13@icloud.com -  and I’ll show you how to fish for others, following THE Fisherman, Who died that we might live for and with Him.  Come join Him! 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank for  calling me to follow You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for showing us how to follow You and become a fisher of men.   …  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 17 2026 … Godly Compassion

Oct 17 2026 …  Godly Compassion 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to Matt Redman singing … Everyone Needs Compassion … calling on all Christians to offer the kind of compassion that God does for all that call on Jesus to be their Savior.

Reaching out with Godly compassion ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Jonah 4:4  [NLT]

…   4  The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”   

… God challenges Jonah’s anger at God deciding to show mercy to the Gentiles in Nineveh.   

Reference Passage: …  Jonah 3:10-4:2, 4, 6-11  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God shows His compassion on the repentant people in Nineveh and Jonah becomes angry at God’s mercy and compassion.

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 30:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to show His compassion and love to those who come to Him in faith.

Reference Passage: …  Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru Jeremiah, shows that God’s mercy is never ending for those who love and follow Him.  

Reference Passage: Matthew 9:26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… When Jesus saw the people following His compassion was like a shepherd for his sheep.

Reference Passage:  Romans 9:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul quotes from God saying to Moses that He (God) will show mercy on anyone He, The Lord, chooses.  

Reference Passage: Ephesians 4:32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches truth to fellow Christians about how they (we) are to mirror the compassion of God to others in our lives.

Reference Passage: …  Colossians 3:12-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, Paul teaches that fellow Christians must put on the qualities of Godly compassion and love.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang … USE THIS LINK   relates a personal story of disliking a co-worker, named Sadie, who had been rude to her.  But, when Sadie heard about an an evangelistic meeting at the ODB author’s church and asked if Sadie could go with the author, she curtly said she would think about it.  But later God convicted her that she should go to the church meeting with Sadie.   

Does the ODB story remind you of anyone in the Bible?   Yeah, …Jonah, right!  (see Highlight passage)  And all of the Scriptures shared above point to the reality of God desiring His chosen people (that’s us Christians!) to show Godly compassion; … yes, even to those who we don’t like, like Sadie in the ODB story today.   Personally, I need to be less like Jonah and more like Jesus when it comes to reaching out with Godly compassion to show God’s love and grace to others.  How about you?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank for  your never ending grace and love.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your never-ending compassion. Help us to show it to others 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.