July 30 2026 … Dead and Alive

July 30 2026 … Dead and Alive 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Zach Williams singing … Less Like Me … showing how Christians must allow God’s Spirit to transform us by dying to self and made alive in Christ.

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Highlight Passage: … Colossians 3:3 [NLT]

…  3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  

… The Apostle Paul describes where Christians find their (our) real life.

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

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about becoming more like Jesus by surrendering to follow Him.

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

…  Paul exhorts fellow Christians to consider being dead to sin and alive in Christ.

Reference Passage:…  1Corinthians 15:22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …            

…  If we (Christians) belong to Christ, we will be given a new life. 

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

…  Paul testifies to the new life he had found in His relationship with Christ. 

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:4-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about finding new life from God’s mercy and grace.

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

…Paul’s confidence for fellow Christians that God’s Spirit will complete a work in all His chosen to make them (us) more like Christ.

Reference Passage: …  1John 3:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle John attests to the reality that when we see Christ in heaven, we will be more like Him, having died to self. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Elisa Morgan  …  USE THIS LINK           writes about the physical make-up of many of the tall trees in the western USA, where the interior core of the trees is made up from what is called “heartwood.” In these trees the inner core is infused with a glue-like chemical called LIGNIN, which causes the core of the tree to be as strong as steel for the outer covering of the tree which grows so tall.      

The ODB author says that Christians can be compared to this botanical illustration because their (our) inner core has died to self and has been made stronger and alive in Christ.  And if my readers have taken in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, I think we’ll all see that when we die to self and come-alive to follow Christ, we will grow tall in His Spirit.   That’s my reality; … how about you?    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for giving me Your enabling grace to grow taller and become more like You.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us new life 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.

July 29 2026 … Surrounded By Wisdom

July 29 2026 … Surrounded By Wisdom 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, 4Him, singing … Be Thou My Vision … calling all Christians to allow God to be their (our) guiding light in life.

Following Those Who follow Christ .... 

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 13:20 [NLT]

…  20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.  

… Solomon’s wisdom on walking with the wise to become wise.

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 13:14-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

… Solomon teaches wisdom about keeping company with other wise counselors and advisors.

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

…  Solomon teaches his son to seek and follow other wise people in life.

Reference Passage: …  Ecclesiastes 7:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …        

…  Solomon, late in life, teaches other believers to seek and follow other wise, Godly, leaders, rather than being led by money or power.. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 7:24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus teaches his followers and disciples to listen to His teaching and follow Him in all things.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:15-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to walk in the wisdom of Godly, Christlike, teachers.

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

…Paul also testifies to the influence he had received from others who follow Christ in their lives.

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

…  Jesus’ brother, James, advises fellow Christians to seek wisdom from God, Who will generously provide it. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Marvin Williams  …  USE THIS LINK           writes about several scientific studies which revealed that people who watched violent TV shows regularly became more aggressive in dealing with other people.  The studies revealed the biblical teaching of Solomon, and others (see Scriptures shared above), that it is important to surround ourselves with Godly-wise people who will influence the person we become.      

Sadly, … Solomon didn’t hold onto his own wise teaching in the Book of Proverbs, did he?   Later in life, the so-called “Teacher” surrounded himself with thousands of women who were influenced by false gods; and he later repented of that influence in his teaching in Ecclesiastes (see Chapter 7:12)). … Years ago I was influenced by a wise mentor to surround myself with wise, God-honoring, people and I would become more like them in following Christ <b>(see photo)</b>.  And for the last four decades of my life, I’ve tried to do just that.  Whom are your closest counselors and mentors?   Are they leading you to God?     

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for protecting my mind and heart with other wise Christians to lead me closer to You, Lord.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for providing Your wisdom and enabling grace through Your word and other strong Christian counselors.  … 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.

July 28 2026 … Dealing With Betrayal

July 28 2026 … Dealing With Betrayal 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …         and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Don Moen singing … God Will Make A Way … assuring all Christians that God’s grace will make a way where there seems to be no way.

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Highlight Passage: … Psalms 55:12-13 [NLT]

… 12 It is not an enemy who taunts me — I could bear that.  It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me — I could have hidden from them.  13  Instead, it is you — my equal, my companion and close friend. 

… King David grieves over the betrayal of a close friend.

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 55:12-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David describes going to God for the only way to deal with the pain of betrayal from a close friend.

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Reference Passage: …  2Kings 20:4-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God hears the prayer of Hezekiah, who is deathly ill, and thru Isaiah gives the king healing and power to save God’s people from their enemies.

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 103:2-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  King David gives thanks to God in song for all  the grace The Lord has given him. 

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

…  Solomon calls on his son and his people to trust in God - with ALL their (our) heart in order to find and follow His ways.  

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 30:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God promises his people, thru Jeremiah, to heal their wounds

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Jesus promises to the Apostle Paul God’s healing grace in his time of pain and anguish.

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

…  Peter promises God’s people God’s grace to heal their wounds. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Sheridan Voysey  …  USE THIS LINK           writes about the plot of a Toni Morrison novel where two main characters, … girl friends from childhood … become estranged, later in their lives, when one of them seduces the husband of the other, showing how difficult it is to recover and heal from the pain of betrayal.      

And the Morrison plot-line apparently reminds the ODB author of the pain endured by King David when he writes about being betrayed by a friend in Psalm 55.   But rather than escape or retain anger. David, ,,, as we should, … takes his pain to God for His healing grace.  And as Don Moen sings in the linked song and we read in the attached Scriptures, God will make a way, there there seems to be no way.  Oh, how I pray that for all who read with me here today.  God’s healing grace is ALWAYS here for us.   Pray for it!   Seek it!  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for providing me with Your healing grace when I need it.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us Your enabling, … healing … grace.   … 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.

July 27 2026… Words That Honor God

July 27 2026… Words That Honor God 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Mercy Me,  singing … Word Of God Speak … calling all Christians to honor and reflect God in all we say and do.

Focusing on God with all we say ... 

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Highlight Passage: … James 1:19 [NLT]

…  19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 

… James advises fellow Christians to listen more and be slow to speak, especially when they (we) are angry 

Reference Passage: …  James 1:19-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                

… Jesus’ brother, James, helps fellow Christians use God honoring words to share with one another.

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Reference Passage:…  Deuteronomy 6:5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru Moses, calls His people to do all they (we) can to honor God with all they (we) think, say, and do.

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 141:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …    

…  King David prays in song for God to help him to guard what he says to others.  

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

…  Solomon teaches on the power of tongue to quiet or inflame others.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to do all they can or say to honor God. 

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

…Paul also charges fellow Christians to speak only those words that uplift others and honor God.

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

…  Paul repeatedly calls on fellow Christians to only do or say what honors God.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang  …  USE THIS LINK          described how she had been working as the editor for a businessman who had submitted a manuscript for publication and had been rejected by the publisher.  However, instead of receiving a scathing email, which she anticipated, from the rejected author, she received a carefully considered and measured response which honored all involved in the decision by the publisher.        

And the situation reminded the ODB author of what God’s word says (see Scriptures reported above) about honoring God with all we say and do.  Personally, I can do a lot better in using my words to honor God.  How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for helping me with Your Spirit, and Your word, to honor You with what I say or write. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for using Your word to guide us with what we say or write.   … 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.

July 26 2026 … His Living Waters

July 26 2026 … His Living Waters 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Kristyn Getty  singing …Living Waters … calling all Christians to come and partake of Christ’s living waters.

Rembrandt's ... woman at the well with Jesus ... 

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Highlight Passage: … John 4:14 [NLT]

…  14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” 

… Jesus invites the Samaritan woman to partake of His “living waters”  

Reference Passage: …  John 4:7-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                

… Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and invites her to partake of His living waters of Salvation.

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Reference Passage: …  Psalms 23:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Our Good Shepherd leads His sheep beside the still waters of life.

Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 12:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Isaiah prophesies that believers will drink of the fountain of salvation.  

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 2:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jeremiah shows that unbelievers will drink from the cisterns of unbelief and not partake of God’s living waters.

Reference Passage: … Zechariah 14:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Zechariah prophesies on what will take place when Jesus comes to let God’s people partake of God’s living waters.

Reference Passage: … John 7:37-38 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Jesus promises that all the prophets who spoke of God providing His “living waters” for all who believe in Jesus as Messiah and Lord will have spoken truth.

Reference Passage: …  Revelation 21:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God reveals to John what Jesus will declare from the throne of God, inviting all who believe in Him to come and drink from the eternal spring of living waters.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Lisa M Samra  …  USE THIS LINK          while observing Rembrandt’s sketch of Jesus with the woman at the well, described in John 4 (see photo), Jesus has His hand over his heart, showing his caring heart for the woman and the darkness around the woman’s face, indicating her darkness of mind encountering The Messiah.     

And it’s a true observation that those of us who are darkened of mind in our unbelief must be willing, as the Samaritan woman, was finally able …  to open our minds and receive what Jesus offers to all who believe in Him as Messiah; and that is His eternal living waters.   I’m here to drink again today.  How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for bringing me to Your fountain of living waters from which I will drink forever.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for offering all who believe in You as Messiah to partake of Your living waters.   … 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.