May 2 2026 … A Strong Defense …

May 2 2026 … A Strong Defense  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...           and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Cody Carnes singing Firm Foundation (He Won’t) … declaring that he (and we) stand on the firm foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

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

Highlight Passage: … 1Peter 5:8-9 … [NLT]

…  8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 

… Peter, writing to fellow oppressed and persecuted Christians, calls for them (us) to stand firm in faith.

Highlight Passage in Context:  1Peter 5:8-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Peter calls for fellow Christians to have a strong defense as they (we) fight the battles of life.

================ 

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

… God promises Joshua - and us - to stand strong and be courageous because He, The Lord, will always be with him (and us).

Reference Passage: … Matthew 24:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Jesus, in teaching fellow Christians about the end-times, promises to save ALL who stand faithfully with Him to the end.

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

… The Apostle Paul calls on ALL Christians to remain faithful and stand strong in the faith to the end.  

Reference Passage:… 2Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul also remembers Jesus’ teaching … that shows faithful believers that God’s strength and enabling grace give  them (us) strength when they (we) are weak.

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

… Paul shows that all Christians put on God’s full armor, giving believers strength of faith to fight the battles of life.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, Paul confidently declares that he (and all born-agin believers) can stand strong with God’s strength to deal with the struggles of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Patricia Raybon …  USE THIS LINK    … told how frustrated the coach of her son’s youth basketball team was in trying to get the youngsters to realize that they must put as much - or even more - energy in playing defense as they do trying to score on offense, … the latter, of course, giving them more glory with their fans than it was working hard to play defense.

And it’s that the way it goes in the Christian’s life, doesn’t it?   But with God’s word being our “coach” as Christians in this game we call life, we need to take in and carry out the instructions God gives us from the truth of His word - like those shared above - that we must stand firm in the defense of our faith in Christ against our spiritual opponents.  Personally, that’s why you find me here every morning, getting my game (i.e., “life”) plan ready to stand firm and do battle each day, as Cody Carnes sings in the linked song.   Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for getting me ready to play defense again today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us Your game-plan for life from Your word. … 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.

May 1 2026 … Made For God …

May 1 2026 … Made For God  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the Group, We Are Messengers singing Image of God … reminding Christians that they (we) are made in God’s image and for HIs glory.

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

Highlight Passage: … Genesis 2:27 … [NLT]

…  27 So God created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God he created them; male and female He created them. 

… God, thru Moses, declares His creation mankind to be in His image and for His glory. 

Highlight Passage in Context:  Genesis 1:26-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Moses describes how God creates mankind - male and female - in His image and for His glory.

================ 

Reference Passage: … Genesis 9:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses,  reminds God’s people of the intent of God’s creation of mankind to be in His image.    Therefore, taking the life of another (i.e., murder)  is forbidden by God.

Reference Passage: … Psalms 139:13-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…King David sings of thanking God for making him in God’s image. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul reteaches truth to fellow Christians about God creating mankind in God’s image, for His glory.

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 3:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also shows how faithful believers in Christ are being remade into the image of God’s Son.

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

… Paul shows that all Christians are God’s “masterpiece,” being remade in His image, for His glory.   

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

… Finally, Paul confidently shows fellow Christians that they (we) are being made-over into the image of Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Marvin Williams …  USE THIS LINK       … wrote about the US Government offering the National Institute for the Blind (NIB) the contract for making ballpoint pens for the government because the NIB was able to adhere to the rigorous standards the Government Services Administration (GSA) had established for the pens.

And this ODB entry reminds all Christians of the perfect standards God established for mankind in our creation (see Highlight passage); and how we are being made over into His image, i.e., the image of Christ, for His glory.  And after taking in the linked song and meditating on the Scriptures above, i’ve got a way to go; but I’m already so much better than my broken self used to be?   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for making me and transforming me to be more like You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for creating and transforming us into Your image.  … 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.

April 30 2026 … Following God’s Way’s …

Apr 30 2026 … Following God’s Way’s  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing I Will Follow Christ … calling on Christians to ALWAYS pursue and follow where Christ leads us.

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

Highlight Passage: … Haggai 1:5 … [NLT] 

…  5 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!  

… God’s “wake up” call to His people thru the Prophet Haggai. 

Highlight Passage in Context:</u>  Haggai 1:1, 5-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …         

… God, thru the Prophet Haggai, calls on God’s people to return and follow God’s commands and His ways.

================ 

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 28:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Moses, for God’s blessings when His people obey and follow His ways. 

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

… Solomon professes God’s wisdom to trust and follow the Lord’s ways … ALWAYS. 

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

… God, thru Jeremiah, promises His people His plans for their (our) future. … giving them hope and direction.

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:46 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His disciples that if they call Him, “LORD,” they (we) must follow Him.

Reference Passage: … John 14:15, 21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus calls on His disciples to faithfully follow His ways and His commands in order to be blessed by God.  

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

… Paul confidently calls others to follow his ways because Paul knew he was following Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang …  USE THIS LINK      … writes about a man, named Ken, who avoided the migrant workers where he lived because their habits annoyed him.  But being a Christian, one day, while praying,  Ken was stopped by a realization that he had never shared his faith in Christ with his neighbors … as God’s word was calling Ken from Christ’s “great commission” (go check out Matthew 28:19-20).   

And this ODB story likely calls many of us to ask if we’re really following God’s call and direction in our lives.  And so, if you take in the linked song and meditate on the Scriptures shared above, are my readers as convicted, as much as I am, to do more to follow Christ more faithfully?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me the the privilege, Lord, to follow You all the way to glory.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for loving us, and calling us, …  and leading us … in spite of our sinfulness.  … 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.

April 29 2026 … Pray - Even In Anger …

Apr 29 2026 … Pray - Even In Anger  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Matthew West singing Don’t Stop Praying … calling on Christians to keep praying … no matter what their (our) feelings.

Angry?!  ... Pray anyway !!  

 

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

Highlight Passage: … Job 19:6 … [NLT] 

…  6 But it is God who has wronged me, capturing me in His net.  

… Job prays to God when he was confused and angry in his circumstances. 

Highlight Passage in Context:  Job 19:5-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Job prayed to God even when he was confused and angry.

================ 

Reference Passage: … Psalms 37:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David, in song, warns against believers holding on to their (our) anger.

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

… Solomon compares speaking with softness as opposed to using loud, angry voices. 

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 7:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon also calls on believers to control their (our) anger. 

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His disciples that they will find their peace only from/with Him.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:26-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul warns fellow Christians that their (our) anger gives a foothold for Satan in their (our) lives.  

Reference Passage: … James 1:19-20  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… James, Jesus’ human brother teaches Christians that human anger does not yield righteous living.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Sheridan Voysey …  USE THIS LINK     … wrote about Jewish philosopher, Elie Wiesel, who endured the horrors of Auschwitz in WW2, declared, after the war and being in the concentration camps, he had lost his faith in God.  But later, after much consideration and reflection, Wiesel told a journalist, “It is because I believed in God that I was angry at God, … and still am; …  you don’t get angry at someone you don’t believe exists.”

And this ODB entry reminded me that God will never lose or waver in His love for His chosen ones, even if we’re mad at Him because of our trials or troubles.  Yes, we can be angry and still bring our prayers to The Lord; … and as Matthew West sings, we should NEVER stop praying; … yes, even if/when we’re angry at God.  And so, again today, even with my anguish over my physical problems, I come to my God with my prayers.   How about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for being there to hear me even when I’m confused and hurting … as I am right now.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for loving us and being there with Your grace, even when we don’t understand or are angry. … 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.

April 28 2026 … God Sees ALL …

Apr 28 2026 …  God Sees ALL  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Rachel Barrentine and Josh Wright singing The God Who Sees … showing that our God sees ALL … ALWAYS.

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

Highlight Passage: … Psalms 121:8 … [NLT] 

…  8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.  

… Showing our faith that God watches over His people ALWAYS. 

Highlight Passage in Context:  Psalms 121 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s Psalmist, likely David, sings a song of Accent for God’s people to sing as they travel upward to worship God in His Holy Temple..

================ 

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

… Hagar calls The Lord, “El Roi,” “the God Who sees” her in her time of need.

Reference Passage: … Job 34:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Job, in all his trials/troubles, recognizes and confesses that his God watches over all. 

Reference Passage: … Psalms 119:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… King David sings a prayer for God to open his eyes to God’s truth through His instructions (i.e., God’s word).

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 15:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon declares that our God watches over EVERYTHING … ALWAYS! 

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

… Jesus promises Christians to ALWAYS be with them as they (we) carry out His “great commission.” 

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Author of Hebrews declares that NOTHING is hidden from the eyes of our Lord.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Xochitl Dixon …  USE THIS LINK     … wrote about a friend, named Trina, who was searching for her lost bible where she had put tickets to a concert she desperately wanted to attend.  And Trina’s son accused her of suffering from FOMO, “fear of missing out.”  Finally, her husband came in with the bible, showing that Trina had left it in the car.

And sometimes we Christians, can show our lack of faith that God watches over our lives, seeing all and ALWAYS knowing our needs.  And our “FOMO” can, … and often does, … show up in times like that.  I personally identify with that and give witness to my lack of faith when I fail to recognize that our God watches over me - and all Christians - seeing everything … ALWAYS … and knowing our needs … ALWAYS!  How about you?   Are you with me as we know our God is watching over us?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for watching over me … ALWAYS.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for ALWAYS watching over Your chosen ones. … 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.