July 9 2026 …Using our Gifts

July 9 2026 …Using our Gifts 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Chris Tomlin and Chris Lane singing … Gifts From God … calling on Christians to use the gift(s) God has given them (us) for God’s glory.

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 26:27-28  [NLT]

…  27 In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  

… Paul teaching truth to fellow Christians about using the gifts God has given them (us) for His glory.

Reference Passage: …  Romans 12:3-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul, exhorting fellow Christians to use the gifting that God’s Spirit has imparted in them to serve the Lord in this world.   

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

…  Jesus, just before He ascended into Heaven after the resurrection, tells His disciples and witnesses that they will receive power from God’s Spirit to be His witnesses in he world. 

Reference Passage: …  1Corinthians 12:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul teaches fellow Christians that each of them (us) has been given at least one gift from God’s Spirit to be able to help one another.

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

…  Paul also teaches truth to fellow Christians about the fruit of God’s Spirit which is found in ALL Christians.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:11-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to use the gifts given to them (us) to equip them (us) to work for His glory.  

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

… Again, … Paul exhorts fellow Christians to use the power given to them (us) for God’s glory in this world.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter calls on oppressed Christians to use the gift(s) God has given them (us) to serve the Lord and each other.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Nancy Gavilanes  …  USE THIS LINK        wrote about complimenting a new friend at church on his guitar playing ability; and the friend responded, “Thanks, … it’s my ministry.”  And that response caused the ODB author to question what gifting God had imparted to her to serve Him in “ministry’ for God’s glory.  Later she learned that it was “encouragement,” which she found helpful in leading a small group at her church.  

Years ago, I learned that TEACHING and EXHORTATION were my Spiritual gifts; and I’ve been using them for decades, leading a men’s discipleship ministry at my church.  As you can read in the Scriptures I’ve shared above and by hearing the linked song, we all, as Christians, have been gifted by God’s Spirit to make us more effective in serving the Lord and His church.  What’s your gift; and how are you using your gifting for His glory? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your gifting, which I use to serve You.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us Your power and Your gifts to serve You in our lives everyday.    … 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 8 2026 …The Bread and the Cup

July 8 2026 …The Bread and the Cup

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Lydia Walker  singing … Communion … sharing the significance of Christians taking communion to remember the sacrifice of Christ for our sins.

The Communion Elements ... 

 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 26:27-28  [NLT]

… 27 And He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.   

… Jesus institutes the “last supper,” charging His disciples to remember Jesus’ death and sacrifice to save mankind from their (our) sin.

Highlight Passage: … Matthew 26:20-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Matthew’s account of Jesus taking His last supper with His Disciples the night He would be betrayed and ultimately die on the cross.     

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 53:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Isaiah prophesies the sacrifice of The Messiah for the sins of mankind. 

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

…  John Mark remembers and shares about Jesus’ last supper, at Passover, the night before His death. 

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

…  Luke’s account of Jesus sharing the bread and the wine at a last supper with HIs disciples the night before His death to save mankind from their (our) sins.

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

… The Apostle John relates Jesus’ teaching about being willing to partake of His body and share in the sacrifice of His blood, remembering His sacrifice as the Lamb of God for the sins of mankind.  

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

… The early church of surrendered followers of Jesus as the Christ formed a community and shared meals regularly, including the Lord’s suppers. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 11:23-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians about Christ establishing the celebration of Communion … to remember the sacrifice of Christ, as the Lamb of God, for the sins of the world.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Bill Crowder  …  USE THIS LINK       wrote of the fascination our literature and entertainment industry has had about the so-called “Holy Grail,” or the cup Jesus took at His last supper with His disciples the night before His death as the Lamb of God as a blood sacrifice for the sins of Mankind.  

As depicted in the attached photo, the elements my church consumes during our regular Holy Communion celebration, which are taken regularly to remember Christ’s sacrifice, don’t glamorize the elements.  They merely help my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember how Christ shed His broken body and His blood on that cross to become the Lamb of God, who died to take away the sins of those who believe in Him as our Messiah and Lord.  Yes, it is a holy service to remember the sacrifice of our Lord; and I pray all who read here with me take in those elements regularly … to honor and remember the sacrifice our Lord took on the Cross to save us from our sins. 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your Your sacrifice as the Lamb of God to save me from my sins.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving Your Church a way to honor and celebrate what You did, as the Lamb of God, in shedding Your blood for our sins.     … 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 7 2026 … Seeking Godly Wisdom

July 7 2026 … Seeking Godly Wisdom 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, The Gettys,  singing … Perfect Wisdom Of Our God … declaring how perfect is God’s wisdom.

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Highlight Passage: … 1Kings 3:28  [NLT]

…  28 When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.  

… The people see and admire the wisdom of King Solomon.

Highlight Passage: … 1 Kings 3:16-21, 24-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King Solomon’s wisdom is on display for all his subjects to see and admire.     

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Reference Passage: …  Psalms 111:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God’s Psalmist sings that the fear (i.e., reverence) of God is the beginning of all wisdom.  

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 16:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

…  Solomon declares that Godly wisdom is worth so much more than gold or silver.

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

… Solomon shows that only wisdom - not money - can save our lives.  

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth about choosing to follow and walk with God as the way to Godly wisdom.

Reference Passage: … Colossians 4:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also gives advice to fellow Christians about walking wisely among non-believers. 

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

… Jesus’ brother, James, teaches truth that any follower of Christ can ask for God’s wisdom and receive it humbly.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Katara Patterson  …  USE THIS LINK            related a story about coming home from school as a young girl with all “S” grades (which meant “satisfactory”); and declaring that this meant she was smarter than her older sister who had “A”s and “B”s on her card.  But their older brother proposed a test that both sisters read a passage from a random book from their parent’s shelf.  The older sister read the passage easily and the little sister had great trouble.  And the brother declared the older sister was the smartest.   Wise test, wasn’t it?   

And the ODB author likened the wise choice of her brother to the test that Solomon used in 1Kings 3 to demonstrate his wisdom to his subjects.  And that biblical illustration of Godly wisdom calls us all to to seek and live with Godly wisdom in a world of foolishness.  And if my readers have taken in the linked song about the perfect wisdom of God and our need for that wisdom as well as God’s word shared above, I hope we all are called - as I was today - to do all we can to live and move in this world to follow God’s ways and seek His will, leading to the wisdom we will need in this unGodly world.   And every day i seek to follow God’s word, which will always lead me to His wisdom?   Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your Word which always leads me to Your wisdom as I walk in this world.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us the perfect “GPS” to follow Your wise ways, which is always Your word.    … 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 6 2026 … Thriving In Christ

July 6 2026 … Thriving In Christ 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Elevation Worship,  singing … In Your Presence … relishing being in the presence of God..

Seeking God's presence ... thru His word ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 2Samuel 6:14  [NLT]

… 4 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.  

… King David dances for joy that God’s presence was brought into the walls of Jerusalem.

Highlight Passage: … 2Samuel 6:9-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David danced for joy being in the presence of God as the Ark of God’s Covenant was bought back into the walls of Jerusalem.      

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Reference Passage: …  Exodus 33:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

…  God promises Moses and God’s people the Lord’s security by His presence, following God’s chosen.

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 30:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  David sings for joy as God’s presence was brought back into the City of David.

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Jeremiah, promises that those who seek after God’s presence will find Him.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20b [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus promises His chosen faithful to be with them ALWAYS.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Author of Hebrews quotes from Deut 31:6, repeating God’s promise to be with God’s people FOREVER.

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

… Jesus’ brother, James, teaches truth that God’s presence will be with those who’re willing to repent of their sin and to follow the Lord.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kenneth Petersen  …  USE THIS LINK      writes about Zoologists studying the strange - and wonderful - dancing behavior of loggerhead turtles, who are known to “dance” when they are in the presence of food sources.  However, scientists have shown that the “dancing” stops when radio waves confuse the internal “GPS” of the turtles.  

Apparently this “dancing” phenomenon reminded the ODB author today of King David dancing for joy when God’s presence, along with the Ark of the Covenant, was brought back into the walls of Jerusalem, as documented in today’s Highlight passage.  But if my readers take in the linked song and the remainder of the Scriptures shared above, all of us who follow the Lord are promised of God’s presence ALWAYS when we seek after Him.   And that’s why my readers find me here - every morning - seeking after God’s presence thru His word.   Are you with me?   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your Spirit and Your presence thru Your truth every day.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your promise to be with Your people 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.

July 5 2026 … God’s Lavish Love

July 5 2026 … God’s Lavish Love 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Cory Asbury  singing … Reckless Love … sharing about God’s lavish and reckless love.

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Highlight Passage: … Leviticus 25:35  [NLT]

…  35 “If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you.  

… God, thru Moses declares instructs His chosen people to share His love with those in need.

Highlight Passage: … Leviticus 25:35-45 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, commands His people to share God’s love with those in need.      

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Reference Passage: …  Jeremiah 31:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru the Prophet Jeremiah shows God’s people of the extent of God’s love given freely to Gods’ chosen people.

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

…  God, thru the Prophet Zephaniah, promises to calm the fears of  HIs people with His love.

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

… Jesus shares about God’s love by sacrificing His Son to save His chosen people.

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about the eternal extent of God’s love.

Reference Passage: … 1John 4:10, 16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John writes about the extent of God’s lavish love.

Reference Passage: … Revelation 21:3-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God reveals to John - and all believers - of the extent of God’s covenant love for His faithful.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Alyson Kieda  …  USE THIS LINK            related a story about her grandson’s 11th birthday, which was held, with many friends, at a posh mediterranean restaurant.  And the boy’s father asked him what he wanted served for this special day.  However, the birthday boy hesitated, … in that his desire to have salmon he felt was too expensive.  But His dad quickly said, “It’s your birthday. If that’s what you’d like, you can have it.”

And the ODB story illustrates all that is written above, thru the linked song and all the Scriptures shared above … that God’s lavish love will be (and is) extended to all His faithful children.  Personally, my faith in my loving Heavenly Father has me in for all of His love; and prayerfully I will share it with all who need it in my life.  Are you in for all of that love?   

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for giving me ALL of Your love thru Your Son, Jesus.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for sharing all of Your lavish love with any/all who believe 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.