June 4 2026 … Grace Is Freedom

 June 4 2026 … Grace Is Freedom

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … Amazing Grace (My Sins Are Gone) … declaring his freedom from the the burdens of sin when he (and any Christian) confesses their (our) sins to a loving God.

An Albatross around his neck ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: … 1John 1:9 … [NLT]

… 9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 

… God’s promise, thru John, that God’s grace will cleanse sinners who confess their (our) sins to he Lord.

Highlight Passage: … 1John 1:5-9, 2:7-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                           

… John teaches truth about God’s grace freeing believers from the weight of past sin..

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

…  Jesus, to Nicodemus of God’s willingness to give His Son to save God’s chosen from their (our) sin..   

Reference Passage: …  Romans 11:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that it is God’s grace, not our works that saves believers from their (our) sin.

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth that it is my faith in God’s saving grace that believers are saved, not by following the Law..  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:8-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul repeats his teaching that we are freed from our sin by faith in Christ.

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 1:9 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches Timothy, and fellow Christians, that it is by God’s grace that those who have faith in Christ will be saved from the burden of their (our) sin.

Reference Passage: … Titus 3:5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, the  Apostle Paul teaches Titus of God’s grace being the agent and source of any faithful Christian being freed from their (our) sin, … not thru our good works.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Monica La Rose …  USE THIS LINK            made reference to the classic poem by Samuel Coleridge where a sailor who kills an albatross by mistake is sentenced to wear the bird around his neck (see photo), giving rise tot the old saying “the albatross around the neck,” which the author wrote about Christians finding freedom from the burden of their (our) sin by confessing and receiving God’s saving and sanctifying grace.

I am one who was released of the burden of my sin(s) … FOREVER … when I believed in Christ’s death and resurrection, receiving God’s grace, which is shared above in the linked song and from God’s word,  reminding us of God’s truth about His saving grace.  That grace and freedom are mine today, releasing me to freely walk with the Lord FOREVER.  How about you; … are you walking with Him today?   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for Your grace which releases me from the burdens of my sin by my faith in Your finished work on the cross.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for releasing us from the albatross of sin through Your grace, which is ours by confessing our faith in You.   … 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.

June 3 2026 … Music Has Power

June 3 2026 … Music Has Power 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Brandon Lake singing … Gratitude … showing the power of singing our praises to God..

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Highlight Passage: … 1Samual 16:23 … [NLT]

…  23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. 

… David was summoned to King Saul’s court to play his harp and sing to soothe Saul’s troubled spirit.

Highlight Passage: … 1Samuel 16:14-23  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Young David his summoned by King Saul to come to the court and play David’s lyre and sing to quiet the trouble spirit of the King.

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

…  Moses and God’s people show their gratitude for His mighty works by singing their praises.   

Reference Passage: …  Mark14:26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus and His Disciples, after dining together and Jesus revealing that He was about to die on the cross, sang a hymn together before going up to the Mount of olives.

Reference Passage: … Acts 16:25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul and Silas in prison sang to quiet their spirits and to witness to the other prisoners..  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 14:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches confused and troubled Christians in the church in Corinth to sing praises to God.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:18-19 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches fellow Christians to avoid using drink to soothe their souls, … rather making music to praise God.

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

… Finally, the  Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to sing spiritual songs from thankful hearts to bind them together in unity.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Winn Collier …  USE THIS LINK          related the tales of the sinking of a specially built ship, the Endurance, which was caught in an ice storm in 1915.   And before it sank, the Captain, Sir Earnest Shackleton, logged that the crew was soothed in this time of distress by the banjo playing of one of the crew who often would play songs to quiet the hearts of the distressed crew.  

This historical story likely caused the ODB author to reflect on how young David, the shepherd boy in the Highlight passage, was brought to a disturbed King Saul to play the lyre and sing to quiet the troubled spirits of the King.  And it’s been documented in the Bible and throughout history how music can calm the spirits of troubled souls.   

And I challenge any reader here with me today, especially any who might have a troubled heart, to hear the linked song and see if that music doesn’t calm your anxiety.    Personally, every time I hear the linked song and after meditating on the truth of God’s word, shared above, my heart is quieted and I can’t help but praise God.  Listen the song and quiet your spirit.   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for how music, dedicated to You, calms my spirit.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for calming our spirits with music written to praise You.  … 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.

June 2 2026 … God Working Thru Us

June 2 2026 … God Working Thru Us 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Austin French singing … The Lord’s Work … declares that doing the Lord’s work is our purpose as Christians.

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Highlight Passage: … Philippians 2:13 … [NLT]

…  13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about doing the work which pleases The Lord.

Highlight Passage: … Philippians 2:12-13, 3:12-16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul calls on fellow Christians to join him in doing God’s work through them (us) in this world.

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 90:17[NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  A prayer of Moses for God’s people to be successful in doing God’s work.   

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 12:24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon shows believers the purpose in working hard for God’s purposes.

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

… Jesus declares that He ALWAYS is working for His Father’s will.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 15:58 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches that nothing Christians do for God’s glory is done in vane. 

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches that Christians are created to complete God’s purposes in this world.

Reference Passage:… Colossians 3:23-24  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

… Finally, the  Apostle Paul teaches truth that EVERTHING we do should be for God’s glory. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Leslie Koh …  USE THIS LINK         tells of the policy in her country - Singapore - to match the donations of the citizens who donate to certain designated charities, thereby encouraging the citizens to be generous in giving for causes the government feels help the common good.  And the policy and practice in her country reminded the ODB author of the Apostle Paul’s teaching - See Highlight Passages -  in God’s word about working and giving our time, talents, and treasures for God’s glory.  

And if my readers have taken in the linked song today and meditated on the Scriptures shared above, I hope that you were, as I was, convicted to be living our lives - day-by-day - for God’s purposes in our lives.  So, I’m looking at my “TO DO list” today and seeing if there is anything on that list which is for God’s glory and not necessarily my selfish desires.    Are you with me?   

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling me to give my time, talents, and treasures for Your glory.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for showing us the way to work for Your glory in and through the way we live 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.

June 1 2026 … Giving Generously

June 1 2026 … Giving Generously 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Passion, singing … The Lord Will Provide … which declares how Good will provide all the needs of those who give to help others.

Our giving reveals our hearts ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 14:28-29 … [NLT]

…  28 “At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. 29 Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.

… God’s call, thru Moses, for His people to give generously through the Levites to care for those in need.

Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 14:23-29  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses relays God’s desire for His people to give generously to help those in need.

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:24, 22:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon shows that God blesses those who give generously to help the poor/needy.   

Reference Passage: …  Malachi 3:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God shows, thru Malachi, that The Lord blesses those who give generously to help the needy.

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

… Jesus, in His “Sermon on the Mount,” teaches that the giving of those who follow Him reveals their hearts.

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

… Jesus uses the sacrificial giving of a poor widow as an example of how faithful believers should give to help others.

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches on how God’s chosen are to give generously to help the needy and how God will bless them when they do.

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about how God loves a cheerful giver.. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Amy Boucher Pye  …  USE THIS LINK         described the generous practices of Oswald Chambers and his wife, Biddy, when they established a Bible College  in London in 1911, … not turning away any who were not able to pay the entry fees, … saying, “My responsibility is to give. God will look after who asks.”  Chambers had critics who felt His business practices were foolish; but the college thrived with God’s provision from those who gave generously to support the college.

Have my readers deeply taken in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above?  If you have, like I have today, God’s word is calling me (and maybe you) and revealing our hearts (see photo) as to whether we’re willing to give generously to help those who are needy in our lives. Personally, I could do more and give more.   How about you?    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling me to be a “cheerful giver.”

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for showing us how to be a cheerful giver whom You will bless in our giving.  … 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.

May 31 2026 … Sharing God’s Love

May 31 2026 … Sharing God’s Love 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham singing … Love Of God … sharing that only the love of God can breakdown the walls of a prison.

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Highlight Passage: … 2Kings 5:3 … [NLT]

… 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 

… A Servant girl to Naaman’s wife, shares how God will work thru the Prophet Elisha to heal Naaman’s leprosy.

Reference Passage: … 2Kings 5:1-3, 9-11, 13-14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God’s word shares the story of the warrior, Naaman, being healed of leprosy by God’s love shared through a young servant girl.

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

…  Moses shares of God’s unfailing love for His chosen people.   

Reference Passage: …  John 15:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, in the upper room the night before His death, repeats God’s commandment that they, His disciples, share God’s love with others just as He, The Lord, has shared God’s love with them..

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:37-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shares his confidence that NOTHING can separate Christians from God’s love.

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

… Paul testifies that dying to self, allowed God’s love to work thru him for others.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …    

… The Apostle Peter teaches fellow Christians of God’s desire that they (we) share His powerful/healing love with others. 

Reference Passage: … 1John  4:7-8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches of God’s command to share His love with others.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang  …  USE THIS LINK        related how, as a teenager, she had a strained relationship with a churchmate, Lisa; and as God’s timing would have it, they were bunked together at a church camp experience.  And when the ODB author became sick the night of the camp bonfire, Lisa, stayed with Karen, showing her willingness to share God’s love with her roommate. 

And that’s the kind of Love which is sung about in the linked song and all of the Scriptures shared above; … God’s love, … which He shared with all mankind by dying on a cross.  And it’s  the kind of love the young servant girl shared with Naaman’s wife in the Highlight passage. … And it’s the kind of love which God’s word calls on all Christians to share with one another … ALWAYS!  Personally, I’ve got a long way to go to have that kind of attitude for ALL others in my life.   How about you?      

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

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for calling us to reach out with the kind of love You shared with us on that cross with others today and ALWAYS..  … 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.