Oct 2 2026 … Aligned With Christ

Oct 2 2026 …  Aligned With Christ  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing … I Will Follow Christ … calling Christians to seek to align their (our) lives with that of Jesus. 

Following His road in life ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Philippians 3:10 [NLT]

…   10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, … 

… The Apostle Paul deeply shares his desire to share in all that His Lord went through.    

Highlight Passage:…  Philippians 3:10-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul declares his desire to align his purposes with those of his Lord.

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Reference Passage: …  Psalms 139:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… King David sings of his desire to align his life with that of His Lord.

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

…  Solomon calls on his son (i.e., all believers) to trust in God completely and follow The Lord in all his (our) ways.

Reference Passage: Proverbs 4:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon calls on fellow believers to guard their (our) hearts so that they (we) can follow God’s will.

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

… God, thru Jeremiah, calls on believers to follow God’s plans for them (us).  

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians to surrender completely to follow Christ in their lives. 

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

… James, the brother of Jesus, calls on believers to do whatever it takes to follow Christ in their (our) lives.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Patricia Raybon  …  USE THIS LINK   relates a story about a young man, name Wil, who became so depressed that he admitted himself to an outpatient mental health program; and during that time, one of his therapists, seeing Wil out for a walk challenged his to a race back to the program site.  And that act of challenge showed Will that he could have goals which gave him purpose and direction.  

And taking in the linked song, the ODB entry, and the Scriptures shared above, helped remind me that I need to do all I can to surrender my will to that of my King, Jesus, and to surrender to follow His will and His direction in life.   And to that end, I am here today, seeking to follow My Lord.  Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for showing us THE way, … Your way, … to go in life.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for calling us to align our lives, … surrendered to Your ways, … living our lives for Your purposes.   …  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 1 2026 …  Seeking Gentleness  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …    and PLEASE take the time to listen to a praise chorus singing … Gentle Like Jesus … calling Christians to seek to be gentle like Jesus in the way we deal with one another. 

Life lessons from the bee keeper ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 15:1 [NLT]

…   1 A gentle answer deflects anger,  but harsh words make tempers flare. 

… God, thru Solomon, calls on His followers to have a gentle spirit in dealing with one another.    

Highlight Passage: …  Proverbs 15:1-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                                      

… Solomon calls on believers to have a gentle spirit in dealing with others.

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Reference Passage: …  Psalms 18:35 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                   

… King David sings of the time God saved him from the wrath of Saul by giving David a spirit of God’s humility.

Reference Passage: …  Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul teaches about of the fruit of God’s Spirit, implanted in all true believers in Christ.

Reference Passage: 2Timothy 2:24-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches Timothy that a servant of The Lord will develop a spirit like The Lord’s, led by humility and gentleness.

Reference Passage: Titus 3:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches Titus - and fellow Christians - to develop a Christlike spirit of humility and kindness in dealing with each other.

Reference Passage: …  1Peter 3:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                 

… The Apostle Peter teaches fellow Christians to follow Paul’s teaching of developing Christlike patience and kindness in our dealings with each other.     

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

… James, the brother of Jesus, calls on believers to develop Godly wisdom and a Spirit of humility and kindness as we deal with others. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from James Banks …  USE THIS LINK   relates a story about learning how to tend bees (see photo), by using slow, gentle movements so as to avoid causing the bees to swarm in anger.   And the lesson carries over in how God’s people are to deal with each other … with the gentleness God gives believers to help us interact by avoiding a spirt of anger.  

But if my readers have taken in the ODB entry, the linked song, and the Scriptures shared above, I’m praying we all apply the beekeeping example to our lives, rising above our human tendencies to be selfish and angry with one another.   So, I’m doing my best - today and tomorrow - to be more like my Lord, showing His humility and grace as we deal with one another.  Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for showing us THE way, … Your way, … to deal with others in our lives with humility and grace.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for helping us to use Your grace as we interact with one another today … and tomorrow.     …  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. 

Sept 30 2026… Worship Christ Alone

Sept 30 2026…  Worship Christ Alone 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing … In Christ Alone… asserting God’s desire that believers in Christ worship only Him, avoiding the rituals of this world. 

"Zozobra" annual tradition in Santa Fe, NM 

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Highlight Passage: … Colossians 2:8 [NLT]

…   8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 

… Paul calls on Christians to focus their (our) worship on Christ alone.    

Highlight Passage: …  Colossians 2:6-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians, warning against worshipping worldly rituals and focusing on worshipping Christ alone with their (our) lives.

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Reference Passage: …  Deuteronomy 18:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …              

… God, thru Moses, calls on God’s people to avoid being influenced by worldly rituals and religions.

Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 1:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, declares His disgust for worldly philosophies and offerings.

Reference Passage: Matthew 15:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus quoting from the Prophet Isaiah, showing God’s disgust for empty worldly rituals and worshipping false gods. 

Reference Passage: Mark 7:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Mark also quotes Jesus, Who teaches from Isaiah about God hating worldly rituals which which honor false gods.  

Reference Passage: …  Romans 12:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                         

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians to avoid following worldly rituals which turn their (our) attention away from the one true God.     

Reference Passage: 1John 2:15-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

… The Apostle John exhorts fellow Christians to avoid the rituals and traditions of this world which turn our attention away from Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Marvin Williams…  USE THIS LINK    tells about an annual tradition in Santa Fe, NM, where the people construct a 50 foot effigy which they label, “Zozobra,” (see photo), which is stuffed with paper notes expressing the fears and anxieties of the locals, which the ODB author feels expresses the desire of all people, … i.e.,  to rid themselves (ourselves) of all the worries of this world.  

But if my readers have taken in the ODB entry, the linked song, and the Scriptures shared above, I’m praying we all take in God’s warning that His faithful followers avoid any worldly rituals, like the one in Santa Fe, which seek relief from the challenges of the world by using ungodly rituals or the worship of idols.   Personally, that’s why you find me here, beginning each day by seeking my direction from God thru His word.    Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for show us THE way, … Your way, … by following Your word.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for helping us to focus our worship on YOU … and only 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.

Sept 29 2026 … Let My Words Be Few

Sept 29 2026 …  Let My Words Be Few 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group  Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing … Let My Words Be Few … asserting God’s desire that we listen intently to God and use few words to express our love for our Lord. 

Speak less ... listen fast ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Judges 11:29 [NLT]

…   2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.

… Solomon teaches God’s desire that we listen first and speak less in our search for God’s direction.    

Highlight Passage: …  Ecclesiastes 5:1-5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                     

… Solomon, God’s “teacher,” calls on believers to listen intently for God, … speaking few words.

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

… God, thru Moses, calls on God’s people to be quiet and trust that God will fight their battles 

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 46:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s psalmist sings of God’s people knowing and trusting that God is God. 

Reference Passage: Proverbs 10:19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                           

… Solomon exhorts believers to keep silent and listen for God.  

Reference Passage: Proverbs 17:28   [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Solomon teaches that even fools look wiser when they keep their mouths shut. 

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 4:29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …        

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians to avoid unGodly words and to speak only to help and support others.     

Reference Passage: James 1:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                   

… Jesus brother, James, calls on fellow Christians to be quick to listen and slow to speak, avoiding anger at all cost.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kenneth Petersen …  USE THIS LINK    writes about… a TED Talk, where Celeste Headlee outlines “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation” and quotes Steven Covey, who said, “Most of us don’t listen with the intent to understand. We listen with the intent to reply.” 

And the point made by Covey was actually a teaching from the Bible, where God, thru multiple authors, teaches us, as followers of God’s truth, to listen to God more intently and speak less.   And if my readers take in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, i think you will be convicted, as am I, to listen more intently in our prayer time with God and speak less.  Are you with me?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling me, Lord, to listen more intently for You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your call for us, Your chosen, to listen more intently for Your truth and to avoid getting our own words in the way of following 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.

Sept 28 2026 … Rejected By Many

Sept 28 2026 …  Rejected By Many

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Matt Maher singing … Your Love Defends Me … assuring fellow Christians that God’s love will defend the faithful because of God’s love reaching out to take in all who love The Lord.   

Doctor Harold Moody ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: … Judges 11:29 [NLT]

…  29 At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites.  

… God uses Jephthah, rejected by many, to fight against the enemies of Israel.    

Highlight Passage: …  Judges 10:17-11:8, 29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                 

… Jephthah, a mighty warrior is rejected by family and friends but is used by God to defeat the enemies of God.

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Reference Passage: …  Psalms 27:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… King David’s confidence that even if rejected by his family, God would NEVER turn him away. 

Reference Passage: …  Mark 3:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus.  

Reference Passage: Mark 6:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                                         

… Jesus was rejected by the people in His hometown.  

Reference Passage: Mark 15:13   [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The people of Jerusalem, after earlier claiming He was Messiah, called out to Rome to “crucify Him.”  

Reference Passage: …  John 6:61-66 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …            

… Jesus recognized that some of His Disciple were ready to abandon Him.     

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

… Even Jesus’ blood brothers didn’t believe in Him as Messiah before He was resurrected.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang …  USE THIS LINK    related the true story about Dr Harold Moody (see photo) who, long after the early 20th century, where the doctor practiced medicine in London, was labeled as the “British Martin Luther King.” And this courageous doctor  got this label because Moody even opened a practice in his own home to treat patients who were rejected by British doctors because of their race.   

And the ODB author compared Dr. Moody’s rejection to that of men like Jephthah in the Old Testament, or later in the NT …  Jesus; … men who were rejected by the world but used mightily by God for His purposes and glory.   Oh, … how I desire to be accepted and used by God for His glory, in spite of being rejected by others in this world.   How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for accepting and using me for Your glory.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your desire to use even those who are rejected by the world for Your 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.