June 26 2026 … They’re ALL Neighbors

June 26 2026 … They’re ALL Neighbors 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Josh Wilson  singing … Who’s My Neighbor … And God’s answer is ,,, EVERYONE!  .  

They're ALL my neighbors ... 

 

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Highlight Passage: … Luke 10:29  [NLT]

…  29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

… A Jewish lawyer challenged Jesus with a question, trying to justify himself.

Highlight Passage: … Luke 10:25-37 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus is challenged by a Jewish lawyer asking Him, “Who is my neighbor;” … to which Jesus relates the parable of the Good Samaritan.         

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

…  Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, relates God’s “Golden Rule” showing that EVERYONE should treat others they way each of us desires that we be treated.

Reference Passage: … Romans 3:23  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth that we’re ALL the same to God and to each other … i.e., …  SINNERS!

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul also shows fellow Christians that the whole Law of God is wrapped up in treating EVERYONE as our neighbors.

<b><u>Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that we’re ALL subject to and saved by God’s grace and not by the works we do.

Reference Passage: … James 2:14-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …     

… Jesus’s brother, James, teaches fellow Christians that when we see anyone in need, if we do nothing to help that one, we are condemned by God.

Reference Passage: … 1John 4:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John shows anyone who claims to love God but does nothing to show love to those in need is a “liar.”

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Alyson Kieda …  USE THIS LINK      related a story of a woman collapsing on a very hot day onto the pavement and how many passers by worked together … to call 911 and place coats/clothes under the woman.  Others did all they could to comfort the woman, … one held an umbrella over her to shade the woman from the sun, … all of the people staying there until paramedics arrived … all of them unknown to the woman.

The ODB entry today illustrates what Jesus taught to a skeptical lawyer who challenged Jesus by asking “Who is my neighbor?”  And Jesus, In the Highlight passage, answered by relating a parable of what we know of as the “Good Samaritan.”  And the ODB scenario challenges us all to ask … WHO are the “Neighbors” in our lives?  And I pray we ALL would answer, “EVERYONE,” just as the linked song sings for us today.   Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for showing me that EVERYONE is my neighbor.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for showing us with Your life and death on the cross that EVERYONE of us is Your neighbor. … 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 25 2026 … Into Our Father’s Arms

June 25 2026 … Into Our Father’s Arms 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the group. Avalon,  singing … Orphans of God … assuring Christians that with God, as our Heavenly Father, there are no orphans with those who fall into His loving arms <b>(See photo)</b>..  

Falling in The Father's arns ,.. 

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Highlight Passage: … Hosea 14:2  [NLT]

…  2 Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him,“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.” 

… God’s Prophet, Hosea, calls on God’s people to bring their confessions of sin and return to God as their loving Father.

Highlight Passage: … Hosea 14:1- 9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Prophet Hosea calls on God’s people  to return to their (our) loving Father in heaven.       

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Reference Passage: …  Exodus 22:22:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Moses relates to the people of God of their Heavenly Father hearing the prayers of the fatherless.

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

… King David sings of the love of God holding even the fatherless close to God’s heart. 

Reference Passage: … Psalms 68:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …     

… David also sings of God being the Father to the fatherless.

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

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that Christ was willing to die for even sinners.

Reference Passage: … John 14:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus promises His fearful, yet faithful, disciples that He would never abandon them.  

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

… The Apostle John shows that our Heavenly Father will forgive and cleanse the sin of any who come to Him with their (our) confessions.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tom Felton …  USE THIS LINK            wrote about Scottish missionary, Mary Slessor, who, in the 19th Century, worked among the African natives of Okoyong in Cameroon; …  who believed that twins were a sign of demons and would sacrifice them to abortion.  But Slessor showed the people to accept twins in love and she adopted many of them to show the people the love of God.

The ODB story illustrates how God’s love and saving grace will accept ALL who come to God, the Father, with their confessions and surrendered love, … as is depicted in the attached photo, in the linked song, and the Scriptures shared above.   And If my readers have taken in all of that, I pray we all realize that we can surrender our sins and fall into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. YES, … He will accept us all, won’t He?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for even dying on that cross to give me a home with You as my Heavenly Father in glory.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … that there are no orphans with You as our heavenly Father. … 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 24 2026 … Rooted In Faith

June 24 2026 … Rooted In Faith 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Lauren Daigle singing … I Live By Faith … calling on Christians to live by faith in Christ alone, not by works.  

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 19:26  [NLT]

… 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 

… Jesus teaches His disciples their (our) works can’t save them (us) and that it is possible only thru faith in God.

Highlight Passage: … Matthew 19:23-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus calls on His disciples to walk by faith in Him and not by their (our) works.     

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

…  John Mark declares what it takes to be saved by God.

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

… Jesus teaches Nicodemus (and all who would believe on Him) what God was willing do to save mankind. 

Reference Passage: … Acts 2:38 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                  

… Peter preaches the truth on what it takes to receive God’s Spirit and be saved..

Reference Passage: …Romans 10:9-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians anyone (and everyone) who declares that Jesus Christ is Lord of all will be saved.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                            

… More of Paul’s teaching that mankind is ONLY saved by faith and not my their (our) works.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:18-22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

… The Apostle Peter uses the story of Noah to show that being rooted in faith in Christ is the only way for sinners to be with Him in Heaven.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Katara Patterson …  USE THIS LINK            told of reading about, and being inspired by,  the accounts of Mary McLeod Bethune, who in the early 1900s solicited help from a wealthy businessman by relating her dream for a school for underprivileged women to get their education and become productive members of society.   And Bethune’s dream later became reality in Bethune-Cookman University, which is now a thriving four-year college.

The story illustrates the point of today’s ODB entry which shows that what we do in the world is nowhere nearly as important as our faith, which must be rooted in Christ for anyone to be saved and to join our Lord in heaven.  Personally, my faith, as described in the Scriptures shared above, has me joining my Savior in glory.   How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for dying on that cross to give me a place to be with You in heaven thru my faith in You as my Lord and Savior.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for making it possible, thru our faith in You, to be with You forever in 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 23 2026 … My Shining Face …”?”

June 23 2026 … My Shining Face …”?” 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...         and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the worship group, Vineyard Music singing … Shine Jesus Shine … exhorting Christians to reflect Christ’s glory into the world their (our) lives.

"Sugar Face" Retriever ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Exodus 34:30  [NLT]

…  30 So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.

… God’s glory shone on Moses’ face when he came down from God’s presence on the mountain.

Highlight Passage: … Exodus 34:29-35 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses’ face shone of God’s glory when he came down from the mountain being in God’s presence.     

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Reference Passage: …  Roman 8:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

…  The Apostle Paul teaches that God’s Spirit is evident in the lives of born-again Christians.

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches truth that all born-again Christians become new persons, … in Christ.  

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

… Paul witnesses to change in his life when he died to himself and was made alive with God’s Spirit living in him.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also assures fellow Christians that they (we) are created to be His ambassadors of goodness in this world.

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

… More of Paul’s teaching about how God’s Spirit remakes born-again Christians into Christ’s image.

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, the Apostle Paul assures ALL Christians that the Spirit of Christ dwells in them (us), … Jew and Gentile believers alike.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from James Banks …  <b>USE THIS LINK     related how his vet, when he took his pet retriever in for his annual checkup, said that the dog had a “sugar face,”  which apparently refers to the face of some retrievers whose faces turn prematurely white (see photo); and is usually a sign of “sweetness” in the breed. 

The incident caused the ODB author to reflect on whether others, when they see his face, were able to discern the character of Christ being evidenced in his face and his life.  And it’s a good question for all of us to reflect on, isn't it?   Do others see the Lord in our countenance when they see us on a daily basis?   Personally, I need to shine HIS face more in my smile today?   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for shining Your love and grace thru my life as I live to reflect Your glory, Lord. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for shining thru 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.

June 22 2026 … Be Ready To Share

June 22 2026 … Be Ready To Share 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Don Moen singing … Give Thanks … exhorting Christians to give to help others with a thankful heart.

Giving from the heart ... 

 

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Highlight Passage: … Leviticus 19:10… [NLT]

…  10 It is the same with your grape crop — do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God. 

… Moses relays God’s command to leave the grapes that fall from the trees on the ground to help the needy and foreigners in the land.

Highlight Passage: … Leviticus 19:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, commands His people to be prepared to leave a portion of the harvest for the poor and needy.     

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Reference Passage: …  Deuteronomy 15:10-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God’s command to His people, thru Moses, to give generously to the poor.

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 24:21-22  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses also relays God’s command to His people to leave the grapes which fall to the ground during harvest for the poor and widows who are needy.

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

… Solomon relays God’s promise to be generous to those who are generous in giving to the needy,

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

… Jesus observes a poor widow giving generously and sacrificially and commends her giving to HIs disciples.

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

… Luke quotes Jesus on how believers should give from a generous heart … (SEE PHOTO)

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul instructs fellow Christians on giving to those in need from a generous heart as God loves a cheerful giver.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Pimpo …  USE THIS LINK          related how the memorial service for her great-uncle featured a post-service meal of roast beef, corn, and beans to commemorate how he and his wife use to prepare a sumptuous meal each Sunday morning before church and bring some needy person(s) home for a generous meal after church. 

And the ODB story illustrates a principle - actually a biblical “law” - which God gave His people, in the law of the harvest, where God’s people were to leave unharvested wheat or grapes so that the needy could glean them to feed their families.  Personally, I was reminded of the call to give generously from the heart to help those who are needy.    Are you with me in this reminder from the heart of God?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling and reminding me, Lord, of my responsibility to give generously to help those who are needy. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us what we need to be able to help those who are needy,. … 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.