June 17 2026 … Friends Help Friends

June 17 2026 … Friends Help Friends 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Michael W Smith and Am Grant singing … Friends … describing what it’s like to have true friends IN CHRIST. 

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Highlight Passage: … Job 12:13 … [NLT]

…  13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His. 

… Job answers Zophar with truth about God’s wisdom and power.

Highlight Passage: … Job 11:1-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Zophar, claiming to be a friend of Job, clamors on about Job’s faults and sins.    

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 27:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …              

… Godly wisdom from Solomon about true friendship. 

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

…  Solomon teaches his son and all fellow believers that trusting God is the way to follow His ways.

Reference Passage: … John 15:12-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                      

… Jesus describes the essence of true friendship to His Disciples … that one is willing to give his life for another.  

Reference Passage: … Galatians 6:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul declares that Christian friends should be willing to reach out and help a fellow Christians in trouble.

Reference Passage: …1Thessalonians 5:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also exhorts and teaches fellow Christians that they (we) must be willing to reach out and build up fellow Christians who are in trouble.

Reference Passage: … 1John 3:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle John teaches truth to Christians about one who is blessed with wealth reaching out to help fellow Christians in need. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tim Gustafson …  USE THIS LINK       tells about a so-called friend who claimed to know the ODB author better than himself.   But that so-called “friend” and her empty words were not encouraging or helpful for today’s ODB author, who remembered the empty words of some of Job’s “friends,” who shared selfish comments about Job’s problems rather than being a real FRIEND for Job. 

And if my fellow readers today have taken in the highlight passage about Job’s so-called friends giving Job ill-begotten advice and the linked song as well as the Scriptures shared above, I would hope that y’all, as was I, are reminded that we Christians, with the love of God in our hearts, are called by God to reach out and help our friends if we see them in need or in trouble.  I have true FRIENDS like that who share God’s love with me whenever I need it; … how about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for giving me Your love through my real FRIENDS.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving me REAL FRIENDS who share Your love and mercy with me whenever I need it.  … 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 16 2026… The Road To Holiness

June 16 2026… The Road To Holiness 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Nations Worship, singing … When I Look Into Your Holiness … declaring the joy Christians find when they (we) look to follow God’s Holiness in worship to His ways.

On the road to holiness and glory ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 35:8 … [NLT]

…  8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it.  It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. 

… Isaiah calls for God’s people to travel the “highway of holiness” (see photo) 

Highlight Passage: … Isiahs 35:8-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Isaiah’s prophesy, promises that the way to God’s heart is the road of holiness.  

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Reference Passage: … Leviticus 11:45  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

… God, thru Moses, calls His people to be holy because God is Holy. 

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

…  Solomon teaches his son and all fellow believers that trusting God is the way to follow His ways.

Reference Passage:</u> … Matthew 5:8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount promises that God will bless those whose hearts are pure (and holy).  

Reference Passage: … John 14:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus promises His disciples - in the upper room the night before His crucifixion - that God will bless those who believe and follow Him.

Reference Passage: …Colossians 2:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians that those who accept Jesus as Lord must follow His holiness.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 12:14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… The Author of Hebrews teaches that those who believe in Christ as Lord must strive to walk in holiness as God is holy. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Amy Boucher Pye …  USE THIS LINK            writes about a Christians woman, named Jennifer, who was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s and over time had trouble reading from God’s word; and began to listen to The Bible, which would quiet her from having difficulty getting lost or with hallucinations of wild animals.

And the ODB story reminds me, for one, that we Christians need to do all we can to follow God’s road of holiness so that we don’t lose our way in this life.  As we hear in the linked song and read in today’s Scriptures, shared above, we, who’ve surrendered to Christ as Lord, must follow His road to holiness - which is God’s road to glory.   I’m doing my best to be on that road.   How about you?

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for showing me THE way … Your way … to holiness.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for walking with us on THE way - Your way - to 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.

June 15 2026 … Given To Give

June 15 2026 … Given To Give 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group, Hillsong Worship, singing … Lord, I Give You My Heart … declaring praise to God by giving to others from a heart of worship.

Giving from the heart ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:8 … [NLT]

… 8  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. . 

… God’s promise, thru Paul to fellow Christians about giving from what has been given by God, to share with others.  

Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:6-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches God’s truth about giving from the heart to help the needy.    

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:24-25  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon teaches about being blessed by God in sharing with those in need.  

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 6:19:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, teaches that our giving reveals our heart.

Reference Passage: … Mark 12:41-44  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …     

… Jesus observes the giving of a widow and uses her giving all she had as an example to His Disciple of how to give.

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke quotes from Jesus’ teaching on how to give from the heart for God’s glory.

Reference Passage: …Ephesians 4:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians on turning our selfish efforts into generous giving to help others.

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

… Paul also teaches that God will supply all the needs of His chosen when they (we) are willing to give to help the needy. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Leslie Koh …  USE THIS LINK           told about a friend, named Stanley, who always amazed the ODB author with his giving spirit, … often giving well beyond what most would think his ability to give.  But Stanley’s investments always seemed to work well enough for him to give to the needy; and he used to point upward to heaven and say, ”It came from God, not me.”

And the ODB story about Stanley aptly illustrates what the linked song and the Scriptures above teach about how God calls all those who’re surrendered to follow Him about how we can - and should - give from what is given to them (us) for God’s glory.  Personally, from today’s time with God’s word, I’m more than a little convicted to do more to share what time, talents, and treasures God has given me to help others.   What about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling me to share with others what You have given to me. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving amply to us to be able to give to help others.    … 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 14 2026 … Working TOGETHER For God

June 14 2026 … Working TOGETHER For God 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … Together … Showing how God’s people work TOGETHER in harmony with God’s Spirit for God’s glory.

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Highlight Passage: … Nehemiah 2:18 … [NLT]

…  18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.  … They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. 

… God’s people in Jerusalem respond to Nehemiah’s call to work TOGETHER to rebuild  the walls.  

Highlight Passage: … Nehemiah 2:17-18, 3:6-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Nehemiah calls God’s people in Jerusalem to work in harmony … TOGETHER … to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 133:1  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of the joy of God’s people working TOGETHER in harmony.  

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 18:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus tells His disciple of God working in the midst of His people who come TOGETHER to work in harmony.

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to humbly work TOGETHER.

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

… Paul also calls on fellow Christians to live and work TOGETHER in harmony.

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

… The Author of Hebrews lauds fellow Christians who come TOGETHER to encourage and work in harmony.

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

… The Apostle Peter, writing to fellow oppressed Christians, calls on them to work TOGETHER for God’s glory. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Anne Cetas …  USE THIS LINK          told about the owner of a popular bookstore in Chelsea, Michigan, needing to move over 9000 books to a new location two blocks away from the original store.  And when the owner put out a request to her customers, several hundred came forward to form a human chain, moving all the books from the from the old to the new location in just two hours

And that story reminded the ODB author of how God’s people in Jerusalem, needing to rebuild the walls under Nehemiah’s leadership, worked TOGETHER, (see photo) using their individual talents to rebuild the walls (see Highlight passage).  And taking in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, we Christians need to work side-by-side for God’s glory, don’t we?   Are you up for being part of God’s team?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling me to be on Your team, Lord. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving Your people the charge to work TOGETHER 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.

June 12 2026 … God’s Everlasting Love

June 12 2026 … God’s Everlasting Love

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Matt Boswell and Matt Papa singing … The Everlasting Love Of God … Assuring Christians of God’s everlasting love.

God's love and beauty on display ... 

 

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Highlight Passage: … Romans 5:8 … [NLT]

…  8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 

… Paul assures fellow Christians of God’s willingness to love sinners by giving up His Son.  

Highlight Passage: … Romans 5:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul describes God’s everlasting love, even sending His Son to die for sinners.

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Reference Passage: … John 3:16-17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus describes for Nicodemus (and all who seek after God’s love) of God’s willingness to give up His Son to save lost sinners.  

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

…  Paul assures fellow Christians of the extent of God’s everlasting/eternal love.  

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

… Paull teaches fellow Christians of God’s willingness to bring life, even to sinners who were (are) dead in their sin. 

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

… Paul assures Timothy and  fellow Christians that His teaching about God’s love is truth.

Reference Passage: … Titus 3:4-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle Paul also shares with Titus about God sharing His mercy and love by sending Jesus to die for their (our) sins.

Reference Passage: … 1John 4:9-10  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John, writing to fellow Christians, teaches of God saving lost sinners by sending His Son to die for them (us). 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Patricia Raybon …  USE THIS LINK          writes about award-winning Dutch gardener Piet Oudolf, who creates and designs gardens which show the beauty of dormant plants and shrubs (see photo of his design). declaring, “Beauty is in so many things you wouldn’t think of.”

And that sort of describes God’s plan to exhibit the beauty of His love by showing it off in the dead (i.e, dormant) sinners He saves; and displaying His love and beauty in them (us).   I, … for one, … pray that I can be one of those who show off the truth of God’s love in the way I live my life.  How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for bringing me to life to display Your love to others.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for displaying Your everlasting love in those You bring from death-to-life to show Your great love and mercy.   … 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.