April 3 2026 … Why GOOD Friday? …

Apr 3 2026 …  Why GOOD Friday?  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Alan Jackson singing Old Rugged Cross … calling all Christians to recognize and remember what our God did of by giving HIs Son to die on that old rugged cross.

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Highlight Passage: … 1John 4:9-10 … [NLT]  

… <i> 9 God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 10 This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

… The Apostle John shows the extent of God’s love, that HE would be willing to sacrifice His only Son to save those who believe and surrender to follow Him.   

Highlight Passage in Context:  1John 4:7-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle teaches truth to fellow Christians about the extent of God’s love in that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son to save us from their (our) sins.

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

… Moses teaches about the extent of God’s covenant of love for His chosen people.

Reference Passage: … Psalms 86:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David prays in song of God’s unfailing love for His chosen people. 

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

…Jesus teaches Nicodemus and all Christians of the extent of God’s unfailing love for those who believe in Him as LORD.

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about God’s willingness to sacrifice His Son to save them (us) from their (our) sinfulness.    

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

… The Apostle Paul testifies that when he was willing to die to self, Christ made him alive by believing in The Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross.  

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter teaches about God’s willingness to sacrifice His Son to save any who believe in Him as Lord. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Alyson Kieda …  USE THIS LINK        … discusses the reasons why we have come to call the Friday Jesus died on the Cross …“GOOD” Friday.  It may have come from an older tradition of calling that day “God’s Friday.”  But to most Christians, it’s not difficult to call the day that Jesus died on the cross for their (our) sins, as being a gloriously GOOD day.

I, for one, have no difficulty in seeing the “GOOD” in this Friday as we approach the celebration of EASTER, recognizing what God’s love did for me and any others who recognize Jesus’ loving sacrifice on that Friday, before His resurrection, as a gloriously “GOOD” day.   How about you?  Is this a GOOD day for you to celebrate God’s love?   It sure is for me!!    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for dying on that horrible cross to save me from my sins.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for what You did on that infamous Friday to save us with Your atoning 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.

April 2 2026 … Caring At Communion …

Apr 2 2026 …  Caring At Communion  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Keith and Kristyn Getty, with Kristyn Getty singing Behold The Lamb … Helping Christians to remember and honor Christ’s sacrifice when they (we) partake of Communion.

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Highlight Passage: … 1Corinthians 11:26 … [NLT] </b> … 

...  25   For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again. 

… The Apostle Paul reminds fellow Christians that we honor and remember Christ’s sacrifice every time we partake of the elements at the Communion Table.   

Highlight Passage in Context:  1Corinthians 11:23-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul reminds fellow Christians of the reverence they (we) hold for remembering Christ’s sacrifice when we partake of Communion.

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 26:26-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… At the Passover meal share by Christ’s disciples the night of Christ’s betrayal, Christ told them of the significance of taking the bread and the cup together in the future.  

Reference Passage: … Mark 14:22-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… John Mark remembers the last supper shared by Jesus with His disciples and the blessing which comes from all who share in the bread and the cup remembering Christ’s sacrifice.  

Reference Passage: … Luke 22:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke’s remembrance and sharing of the elements taken at the “Last Supper” shared with Christ’s Disciples the night before He went to the cross.  

Reference Passage: … John 6:53-58 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… After the miracle of feeding thousands, Jesus teaches of the importance of partaking and remembering the bread of His body and the blood of His sacrifice.     

Reference Passage: … Acts 2:42 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… After the resurrection, God’s church gathered regularly to partake of The Lord’s Supper, … remembering Christ’s sacrifice for them.

Reference Passage: … Revelation 3:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus invites His own to open the door of their (our) lives and partake of His Spirit every day.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Elisa Morgan …  USE THIS LINK       … told of a time the ODB author broke her arm and a dear friend gave her a care box of frozen soups and a silver ladle to use with the soups.  But when the soups were gone and the arm healed, every time the ODB author saw or used the ladle, she remembered her dear friend’s caring gesture.

In much the same way, Jesus first gave His Disciples, then His church, and now all of His beloved, born-again Christians, the remembrance of His sacrifice when we partake of His table.  This week on our personal calendars, all Christians - worldwide - will celebrate the sacrifice of our Savior and His resurrection.   And every time we partake of His Supper - our Communion Table - we remember what Our Lord did for us as we partake of the Bread and the Cup.  I’m praying we all remember His love and sacrifice for us as we partake of the Communion table this week.     

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for helping me to remember Your sacrifice for our lives.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, again today … for giving us Your Communion Table to gather and remember what You did for us.     … 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 1 2026 … Living With Integrity …

Apr 1 2026 …  Living With Integrity … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, River Valley Worship singing Integrity … Calling on Christians to live with integrity for God’s glory.

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Highlight Passage: … 1Peter 2:12 … [NLT] ...  

…  12   Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world. </i>

… The Apostle Peter calls fellow Christians to live lives of integrity which honor God.   

Highlight Passage in Context:  1Peter 2:11-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter calls on fellow Christians to live honorable lives which give God the glory by the way they (we) live.  

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

… King David sings of living a life of integrity and trust which honors His God

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon calls on believers let honesty guide their (our) ways in life..  

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches God’s “golden rule” of living with honesty and integrity, living to do for others as God’s people would want others to do for them (us).   

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

… Paul begs fellow Christians to join him to live lives worthy of their (our) calling as “Christians.”  

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

… The Apostle Paul also teaches truth to fellow Christians that that they (we) are to our lives as if we’re working for The Lord.

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

… Paul calls on Titus (and fellow Christians) to reflect the integrity of Christ in his life.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Leslie Koh …  USE THIS LINK      … wrote about a young lady, … named Carol, … a new Christian going through an interview for a potential job; and being asked about her attitude toward Carol’s former employer.  But Carol would not “bad-mouth” that employer.   And after Carol was hired for the new job, her new employer said it was Carol’s integrity and restraint which was the reason why she was hired.

That’s the value of Christian integrity, which is the focus of the linked song and the scriptures shared above.  And when one views and studies the attached photo, we see that our integrity is reflected in a combination of what we believe, what we say and how we live for others.  Personally, I need to do more to let my life be a reflection of Christlikeness and Godly integrity.  How about you?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling me to live for others the way You lived - and died - for me.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, again today … for calling us to live lives which reflect Your perfect integrity, honoring You, with all we think, say, and do.     … 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.

March 31 2026 … Following God’s Plan …

Mar 31 2026 …  Following God’s Plan … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing I Will Follow Christ … Calling on Christians to follow God’s ways, no matter what they (we) encounter.

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Highlight Passage: … Exodus 14:13-14 … [NLT] … <i>  But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

… Moses assures God’s people that God was leading them to freedom and would protect them from Pharaoh approaching.   

Highlight Passage in Context:  Exodus 14:1-4, 8, 10-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s people, following Moses out of Egypt, panic when they see Pharaoh approaching; but Moses, with God’s assurance, leads God’s chosen to freedom and victory over Egypt.   

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 37:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of God directing the steps of His trusting people. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...  

… God establishes the steps of those who trust and follow Him.  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 58:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Isaiah, promises to guide Hie faithful remnant ALWAYS.   

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God promises His oppressed people that He has plans for them which are good.

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that ALLL THINGS work together for the good of God’s chosen and for God’s glory.

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

… Paul also quotes from Isaiah 64:4, showing that God will ALWAYS watch over and protect His chosen people.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tom Felton …  USE THIS LINK      … wrote about Hudson Taylor, a missionary from England to China in the 19th century, who had achieved some success there and considered bringing more English missionaries, but to a more threatening part of the country.   And anguishing over this decision, Taylor wrote;   “The Lord conquered my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to God . . . [recognizing] that all responsibility . . . and consequences must rest with Him.”  

Hudson Taylor’s dilemma illustrates what we, as Christians face when we encounter fears or difficulties trying to follow God’s way.   Personally, almost every day, I encounter feelings which cause me to question myself as I try to follow God’s call on my life.  However, as I read God’s truth in His word, shared above, and take in the truth of the linked song, I choose, again today, to follow Christ.   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for calling me and leading me to follow Your way. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, again today … for showing us the way to follow You as You lead us to glory even if we encounter troubles on the way.     … 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.