July 31 2026 … God’s Battle

July 31 2026 … God’s Battle 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …          and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Phil Wickham singing … Battle Belongs … declaring that God is our victory in the battles we face in life as Christians.

========================

Highlight Passage: … 2Chronicles 20:15 [NLT]

…  15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 

… God declares that the victory over the enemies of Jehoshaphat’s army is God’s and they need not fear.

Reference Passage: …  2Chronicles 20:14-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God’s Spirit speaks to thru one of Jehoshaphat’s men, declaring that the battle God’s men will face is His in victory.

 ================ 

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

…  Moses declares to God’s people, being pursued by Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, not to fear for God will have His victory over them that day.

Reference Passage: …  1Samuel 17:44-47 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… David shows his confidence in God for the victory over Goliath and the Philistines.   

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

…  Solomon teaches of God leading those who trust in Him with ALL their (our) heart. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about God  working all things for good to those who love the Lord and follow Him faithfully.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 15:57 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul also shows confidence in God giving him - and His people - victory over sin and death.

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

…  Finally, Paul, from prison, exhorts fellow Christians to wear God’s full amor into the battles they will face against their (our) spiritual enemies. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Leslie Koh  …  USE THIS LINK            writes about, Carol,  a  worker in the ministry for seniors in her church, who felt she was “picked-on” by the leader of the ministry, … enough so that she went for counseling and was advised to confront the ministry leader and to trust that God would provide the victory in her situation.      

And that’s the wisdom and advice that King Jehoshaphat got, in the Highlight passage,  when he and God’s people were about to be attacked by their enemies.  And all of God’s people will likely encounter times when they (we) feel under attack.  And taking the wisdom from God in His word (see the Scriptures shared above), we need to trust that God is with us in our trials to show us that He will lead us to HIS victory.  That’s where I’m headed today!  How about you?     

My Thanksgiving:… Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for ALWAYS being there to lead me to Your victory.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for providing us with Your victory in our times of trial or trouble.  … Amen

=============

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 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.

========================

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.

 ================ 

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

=============

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 .... 

========================

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.

 ================ 

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

=============

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.

========================

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.

 ================ 

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

=============

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 ... 

========================

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.

 ================ 

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

=============

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.