June 7 2026 … No Orphans

June 7 2026 … No Orphans 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Avalon,   singing … Orphans of God… showing all believers that we have an eternal family and community of those who love and care for us with God’s grace.

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Highlight Passage: … Ruth 1:16 … [NLT]

… 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 

… Ruth’s commitment to follow Naomi and merge into a new family and community of faith.  

Highlight Passage: … Ruth 1:11-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

… Ruth, by trusting and following Naomi’s love, discovered the love of God’s community and a new identity and family to care for her.

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

…  Moses declares and shows God’s people that our God will NEVER leave or abandon His chosen people.  

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

…  King David sings of his God being full of unfailing love for His chosen people, … the family of God. 

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

… Jesus teaches Nicodemus of the eternal extent of God’s love by giving up His beloved Son to save mankind. 

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians of God’s willingness to save even those who sin against Him.

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

… Paul also teaches truth about NOTHING being able to separate born-again believers from God’s love.

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

… The Apostle John teaches truth about the extent of God’s love extended to any/all who love and follow Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Marvin Williams …  USE THIS LINK        in today’s ODB entry, Marvin Williams relates a true story of a restaurant worker discovering an itinerant and  homeless man by the dumpster outside the restaurant where he worked.  And the man, who had no support community had no memory of his past.  So, the restaurant worker and others helped this man, through modern DNA technology to discover a past he had never known.

And this true life story helped the ODB author remember the story of Ruth, separated from her past, but committed - by love - to follow Naomi, her mother-in-law (see the Highlight passage).   And by doing so faithfully, discovered a new community of love and caring concern.   And Ruth’s story points any of us who’ve surrendered out lives to follow our Lord, an identity of God’s love, …  showing that, as the linked song relates, there are NO ORPHANS in the family of God.  I, for one, have found that loving family.   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for showering me with Your love EVERYDAY.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us the love of Your family as we follow 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 6 2026 … Our God Provides

June 6 2026 … Our God Provides 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...           and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Phil Wickham and Tiffany Hudson  singing … Psalms 23 … showing all believers that we Christians serve a “Good Shepherd,” providing all we need.

Our Good Shepherd provides His Sheep with green pastures

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Highlight Passage: … Jonah 2:1 … [NLT]

…  2 He lets me rest in green meadows (or “pastures”);  He leads me beside peaceful streams.  

… King David sings of God providing him with all that a “Good Shepherd” would provide his sheep.  

Highlight Passage: … Psalms 23:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

… King David sings about God, as our “Good Shepherd,” providing His sheep with green pastures and a lavish table to dine with Him forever.

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 54:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  At a time of great peril, King David, sings of God being hie helper. protecting and keeping him alive.   

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

…  Solomon teaches his son, and all believers, that we can trust God to show us the way in life. 

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

… God’s promises, thru Isaiah, to provide strength to lift up those who need God’s strength.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His faithful followers to seek His ways first and God will provide what they (we) need.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul confidently teaches that the same God who cares for his needs will provide all born-again believers with their (our) needs.

Reference Passage: … James 4:3  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ brother, James, shows faithful Christians that we have no because we don’t ask God with a heart of thanksgiving.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Elisa Morgan …  USE THIS LINK       in today’s ODB entry, related a personal story of having her young grandson over for a “sleep-over;” and while putting the young boy to bed, the ODB author had him read Psalm 23.  And when he read what was supposed to be “green pastures,” the boy read “green pastries,” and Elisa Morgan realized that her grandson had correctly understood that God had provided what he desired most in life, which is exactly what what King David meant when he wrote about God providing “green pastures” for His sheep … as our Good Shepherd.  

And the ODB author, in today’s ODB devotional entry, from Psalm 23, challenges me to think about what MY “green pastures” would be … a “pasture” that I desire to dwell in, with our Lord as my Good Shepherd…  FOREVER.   I know what my “green pastures” are.   How about you?!  What are yours?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for ALWAYS being my Good Shepherd.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord for providing what we need as the sheep of Your pasture. … 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 5 2026 … Running To God

June 5 2026 … Running To God 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Cody Carnes singing … Run To The Father … declaring the decision to run to the God, The Father, for rest and refuge.

Running to God in faith ... 

 

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Highlight Passage: … Jonah 2:1 … [NLT]

…  1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.   

… Jonah quit running from God and prays to His Lord from the belly of a big fish.

Highlight Passage: … Jonah 2:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

… Jonah prays to God from the belly of the big fish.

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Reference Passage: … Judges 16:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Samson, who was blinded and restrained, desperately prayed to his God.   

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 18:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  Solomon calls on believers to run to God as their (our) strong tower.

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

… God’s promises, thru Isaiah, to provide strength to those who run to The Lord in faith.  

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

… Jesus invites His faithful followers to rest in His strength. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:9-11NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… While imprisoned, Paul prays for fellow Christians to be strengthened in their faith.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 12:1-2  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …        

… The Author of Hebrews calls on born-again believers to shed all things that hinder them (us) from running to God in faith.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Nancy Gavilanes …  USE THIS LINK      wrote about the true story of Adrián Simancas, who was kayaking in the Strait of MagellanI and was swallowed alive by a humpback whale, who released the kayaker into he cold waters.   The incident, of course, reminded the ODB author of the biblical true story of Jonah, who was running from God’s calling and was swallowed by God’s big fish, and coming to realize that he must run to God, praying for and receiving God’s deliverance. 

And I, for one, taking in the linked song and meditating on the Scriptures shared above, recognize that there are times when I resist God’s call for me to relent and repent, turning to God and running to Him for His strength to cover my weakness.  What about you?   Do we both need to run to God today?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for ALWAYS being there when I run to You

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for being there when we decide to run to You in faith for Your strength and protection.  … 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 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.