Sept 1 2026 … Gathering To Grow in Christ

Sept 1 2026 …  Gathering To Grow in Christ

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …            and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the groups Elevation Worship and Maverick City singing … <b><i>Build Your Church</b></i> … calling on Christians to come together to build God’s church on the foundation which is Christ.

Super-pod of dophins swimming TOGETHER ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Acts 2:42 [NIV]

…  42  All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.    

… Christians gathered in fellowship, devoting themselves to God’s teaching, prayer,  and seeking God’s Spirit.      

Highlight Passage: …  Acts 2:1-6, 36-42  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…   Followers of Christ come together and are led by God’s Spirit to follow Peter’s teaching the truth about repentance and baptism by God’s Spirit. 

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 35:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Moses gathered all of God’s people to share with them of God’s instructions on living for the Lord.

Reference Passage: …  2Chronicles 7:14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s speaks to and thru Solomon, calling on His people to come together, humble themselves, pray, and turn from their wicked ways to follow God and experience His healing grace    

Reference Passage: Proverbs 11:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …     

… Solomon shares Godly wisdom of seeking the direction of many Godly advisors.  

Reference Passage:…  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Solomon shows there is power when God’s people come together rather than acting alone.

Reference Passage: 1Corinthians 14:26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …             

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about the power of coming together in unity to serve the Lord. 

Reference Passage: …  Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Author of Hebrews shows that Christians coming together can encourage one another and provide power to serve the Lord.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Xochitl Dixon …  USE THIS LINK    described how pacific dolphins can - and do occasionally - form into a “super pod” of thousands of dolphins swimming TOGETHER (as in the attached photo) for safety and feeding.   It is an illustration in nature of what the ODB entry today teaches about Christians coming together to serve the Lord in unison rather than as individuals.

I, personally, have a tendency to be a loner.  But I’ve discovered the wisdom and power of the teaching of God’s word, much of it shared above in Scripture, calling on Christians to come TOGETHER to serve the Lord.  Today I will do all I can to join with God’s “super-pod” of followers, i.e, His Church,  in service to our Lord.    Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for bringing Your followers TOGETHER in Your church to serve You more effectively.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … calling us fellow Christians, to come TOGETHER as Your church … to serve You 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.

Aug 31 2026 … Seeing Christ In Us

Aug 31 2026 …  Seeing Christ In Us

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from an unnamed praise chorus, leading in worship and singing … Let Others See Jesus In You … calling on Christians to live lives that let others see Christ in them (us).

Albrecht Dürer - self portrait to look like Jesus ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NIV]

…  20  My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.   

… Paul declares that his life has been transformed by Christ living in him.      

Highlight Passage: …  Galatians 2:19-21  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                     

…   Paul testifies as to Christ living in him.  

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …         

… Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, calls for His followers to let their good deeds shine out to reflect God working through them.

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

… Jesus teaches His disciples that those who love Him should reflect Him by following His commandments.       

Reference Passage: Romans 8:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                  

… Paul teaches fellow Christians that those who are led by God’s Spirit are children of God.  

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

… Paul also calls on Christians to imitate God’s ways in their lives.

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

…  The Apostle Peter declares that his fellow Christians, having Christ in them, can reflect the goodness of God in the way they live their lives.

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

…  The Apostle John shows that those who don’t know God cannot reflect His ways to others.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Jennifer Benson Schmidt …  USE THIS LINK    wrote about  Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, who, as a young man became famous for his paintings. And in creating a self-portrait, Dürer painted himself (see attached photo) to look like Jesus, which those close to Dürer felt was simply the artist  depicting himself like he wanted others to see him … being like his Savior.

That, to me is a wonderful way to live one’s life, …don’t you think?   To live one’s life trying to reflect God’s Spirit residing in us.  Personally, that’s exactly my goal today … to live and let others see Christ in me.  I’m afraid I’ve still got a significant make-over to do in my life to let others see more of Christ in me.  How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling me to let others to see You in me.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … calling us to live our lives for others to see You in us today. … 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.

Aug 30 2026: God Will Provide

Aug 30 2026: God Will Provide

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Don Moen ,  leading in worship and singing … Jehovah Jireh … declaring thanks for our God, Who is our Provider.

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Highlight Passage: … Philippians 4:19 [NIV]

…  19  And this same God Who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.   

… Paul writes to fellow Christians in Philippi that God will supply the needs of those who were generous in giving to him even while Paul was in prison.    

Highlight Passage: …  Philippians 4:15-19  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …     

…   Paul writes to his fellow Christians in Philippi thanking God for using them them to send him offerings to meet his needs.

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 18:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of God providing safety for him from King Saul who had pursued to kill David.

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

… Solomon shows how God protects and provides for the Godly; but not so for the wicked.       

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

… God, thru Jeremiah, promises His goodness for those who love and follow Him.  

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 6:25-34  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, in HIs sermon on the mount, teaches that if God provides for the birds and the flowers, how much more will He provide for those who surrender to follow Him.

Reference Passage: 1Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul teaches truth that even in times of trial or trouble, God will provide protection for those who faithfully follow Him.

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

…  The Author of Hebrews shows that God will reward those who diligently seek after Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Patricia Raybon …  USE THIS LINK      describes how a pastor in a small town, which was almost destroyed by hurricane Helene’s flood waters in 2024, noted a pattern of donations coming in to meet the needs of the town’s people just at the time of the needs.  And he realized that this was simply God, using the donations of God’s people to meet their needs. 

And, for my readers today who’ve taken in the truth of God’s word and the truth of the ODB entry today, God is our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. and will ALWAYS faithfully provide the needs of those who seek to know and follow Him.  I believe it.  I’ve seen it in my life.  How about you?  Can I get a witness?!    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for providing the needs of those of us who love and follow You.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for being our protector and provider.  … 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.

Aug 29 2026 … The Breath of Life

Aug 29 2026 … The Breath of Life

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Matt Redman singing … Life and Breath … showing that God breathed life back into our Savior after He had died to give mankind life from the death of sin.

God Breathed Life into man ...  

  

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Highlight Passage: … Genesis 2:7 [NIV]

… 7  Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.   

… As the crowning glory of God’s creation, from the dust of the earth, He formed man and breathed into him the breath of life (see photo).    

Highlight Passage: …  Genesis 2:1-7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…   God created man and breathed into him the breath of life.

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Reference Passage: … Genesis 1:30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

… God provides the needs of all living creatures.

Reference Passage: …  Job 32:8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Job describes that God has given the breath of God to mankind which is a spirit within them.       

Reference Passage: Job 33:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

… Job declares that God made him and gave him the breath of life.   

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 139:13-16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of how God created him wondrously to have life and breath, given to him by God.

Reference Passage: Isaiah 42:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God, thru the Prophet, Isaiah, describes why The Lord created His chosen people … to shine His light on the earth.

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

…  Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection and breathed the life of God’s Spirit into them.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tom Felton …  USE THIS LINK      describes how research biologists have discovered a tiny lizard, the water anole, which can stay under water for 20 minutes having been fashioned by God with a special way of capturing air bubbles on its nostrils which it can breathe and live under water for such long times.  

The point of today’s ODB entry, and the scriptures shared above, is that God has created his living/breathing creatures, … and especially mankind … to be living/breathing creatures which display God’s glory.  And today, like all days, I’m all about doing all I can to be God’s living breathing testimony of His glory.   How about you?   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for giving us the breath of life to reflect Your glory today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your breath of life.  … 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.

Aug 28 2026 … Stand In Faith

Aug 28 2026 … Stand In Faith

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …           and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the duo Shane and Shane singing … He Will Hold Me Fast … calling on Christians to stand firm in their (our) faith for the Lord.

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Highlight Passage: … 2Samuel 23:12 [NIV]

…  12  … but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.    

… God’s word tells of using a might warrior in David’s army to stand and defeat the Philistines who fought against the Israelites.    

Highlight Passage: …  2Samuel 23:11-12  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

…   God’s word tells of one of David’s mighty warriors, Shammah, who, when the Israelites fled in battle, stood fast and was aided by God for victory over the Philistines.

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Reference Passage: … Daniel 6:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… When Daniel learned of the king signing the edict against prayer, went to his home and opened the windows, showing him praying three times as day. 

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

… Jesus shows Nicodemus just how far God will go to save mankind to be willing to give up HIs only Son.       

Reference Passage: 1Corinthians 16:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to stand firm in their (our) faith.    

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 6:10-13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also shows fellow Christians that we must stand in our faith against all the spiritual enemies of our faith.

Reference Passage: James 4:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …         

…  Jesus’ brother, James, calls on fellow Christians to stand and resist Satan so that God’s enemy will flee from our faith,

Reference Passage: …  1Peter 5:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  The Apostle Peter exclaims that (we) Christians must watch out for the ploys of God’s enemy, … Satan, … standing firm in faith.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang …  USE THIS LINK        relates a story about a company CEO who intimidated many employees with his sharp-tongued criticism.  But one of those employees stood up and told the CEO what he was doing to many employees; … and though the confrontation didn’t change the CEO, the employee who shared his feelings with the boss felt good about it.  

And today’s ODB entry, the linked song, and the Scriptures shared today, showed me that all Christians must stand up for our faith when we’re challenged by the world or especially when we sense that Satan is coming against us.   It’s tough; but I’m looking to stand firm in my faith today.   How about you?   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling us to stand firm in our faith today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for the times we get the opportunity to stand firm in our faith.  … 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.