Aug 23 2026 … Jesus: The Real Deal

 Aug 23 2026 … Jesus: The Real Deal

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the Chris  Tomlin and Christy Nockels singing … Jesus, Son of God … telling of Jesus being The Christ, the true Son of God.

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 4:32 [NLT]

…  3 He was despised and rejected — a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.  

… Isaiah prophesies of a coming Messiah Who will be despised and turned away in sacrifice as the Lamb of God.     

Highlight Passage: …  Isaiah 53:1-7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Isaiah prophesies that there will be a coming  Messiah, One Who suffers an unjust trial and is sacrificed as the Lamb of God for the sins of mankind.

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Reference Passage: Matthew 8:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

…  Matthew recounts a time when Jesus healed many who were sick, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah 53:4. 

Reference Passage: …  Luke 22:37  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

… Luke recounts Jesus telling His disciples that the time of the prophesy of His death as the Messiah had finally come (i.e., see Isaiah 53:12).   

Reference Passage: … John 12:37-40 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… John recognizes and recounts the prophecies of Isaiah in the unbelief of the the people in Jesus as The Messiah.   

Reference Passage: Acts 8:26-33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                

… Luke recounts Phillip teaching an Ethiopian eunuch of the prophesies of Isaiah about the Messiah.  

Reference Passage: …  Romans 10:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… The Apostle Paul quotes from the Prophet Isaiah 53:1, foretelling that many will reject Christ as Messiah. 

Reference Passage: …  1Peter 2:22-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Peter shows that Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah are fulfilled in Jesus.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kenneth Petersen …  USE THIS LINK      related a true story of a photo of a pink flamingo wrapped into a ball, which was entered in a contest supposedly of all AI generated photos.   Though the photographer was awarded a medal for the photo (see photo attached), he was later disqualified because his photo was of a real flamingo.  And the story reminded the ODB author of Isaiah’s prophesies of the coming Messiah, Who would be rejected by so many even though Jesus was truly the Messiah and the true Son of God.  

And taking in the Scriptures, shared above, mostly from New Testament author’s quoting from OT Scriptures (from the Prophet Isaiah), many have rejected Jesus as Messiah.  But those who accepted Jesus as The Messiah and the Son of God, have received His saving grace.   And I’m one of those!   How about you?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for coming to be our Messiah and Lord.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for dying as the Son of God to save those (of us) who believe in You as the Lamb of God and our Messiah. … 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.

Aug 22 2026 … Seeking Forgiveness

Aug 22 2026 … Seeking Forgiveness

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …         and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the Matthew West singing … Forgiveness … calling on Christians to set aside prideful selfishness, seeking Christlike forgiveness as we deal with one another.

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 4:32 [NLT]

…  32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  

… The Apostle Paul calls exhorts fellow Christians to show Christlike forgiveness to one another.      

Highlight Passage: …  Ephesians 4:26-32  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul calls on fellow Christians to set aside selfish pride and share Christlike forgiveness to one another.

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

…  Solomon warns believers to avoid anger by using gentle rather than harsh words.  

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 6:24-25  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

… Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, teaches His followers on the importance - and necessity - of forgiveness.   

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:37 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke recounts Jesus teaching HIs followers and Disciples about the importance of a forgiving spirit in dealing with others. 

Reference Passage: 1Corinthians 13:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

… Paul teaches truth about the essence of love being patient and kind, not boastful or selfish. 

Reference Passage: …  Colossians 3:12-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches fellow Christians on how to deal with one another - with a heart of Christlike forgiveness and kindness.

Reference Passage: …  1John 4:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …        

…  The Apostle John declares that anyone who does not show love does not have God’s love in their hearts because God is love.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Dave Branon …  USE THIS LINK   ...   told of how Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn were married longer than any other presidential couple - 77 years.  And when interviewed about it, Carter reported that there were three important ingredients to a successful marriage … reconciliation, communication, and devotion to faith.  

And really, …  I would say that Carter has it right, having been married myself for over 62 years.   And having taking in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, what would my readers say about how to have a successful marriage or a close personal relationship?  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for being my model in dealing with my wife and others.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for sharing Your love with those of us who desire to reflect Your character in dealing with 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.

Aug 21 2026 … Serving Christ Faithfully

Aug 21 2026 … Serving Christ Faithfully

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …           and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the Cece Winans singing … Worthy Of It All … calling on Christians to give all service to Christ Who is worthy of it all as our Lord and King.

Serving God with ALL our heart ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 2Timothy 4:5 [NLT]

…  5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 

… The Apostle Paul calls on Timothy to serve Christ faithfully in ALL that God calls him to do.      

Reference Passage: …  2Timothy 4:1-8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul calls on Timothy (and all Christians) to serve God faithfully in all they (we) are called to do for His glory.

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Reference Passage: Deuteronomy 10:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …    

…  God, thru Moses, calls ALL of God’s chosen people to work faithfully and live lives of service to The Lord.   

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 25:21-23  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches, in a parable of three servants to a Master, that some of the servants were faithful to what The Master (i.e., God) had given them to do.  

Reference Passage: … Mark 12:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, when challenged as to what was God’s greatest command, replied that His faithful followers were called to serve The Lord with ALL their heart, soul, and strength. 

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

… Paul teaches truth about born-again Christians being willing to become living sacrifices of service to The Lord. 

Reference Passage: …  Colossians 3:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also teaches that God will reward those who’re willing to work faithfully in service to the Lord. 

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

…  The Apostle Peter teaches that Christians have each been given gifts to serve the Lord faithfully in their (our) live.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Mike Wittmer …  USE THIS LINK    told of a Minister, who was well known to have preached in stadiums to thousands, but just as enthusiastically preaching at this small funeral service in a church fellowship hall with just a few steel chairs on a stained caprpet.   And the ODB entry today illustrates that ALL Christians are called to give our ALL … ALWAYS … in serving our Lord faithfully.        

And why do we do that?  Well, as Cece Winans sings in the linked song, we serve God faithfully because He is worthy of it ALL!   We serve the Lord faithfully in ALL we do, because, as the scriptures above attest, that is what HE calls us to do.   And today, … again today …, and prayerfully tomorrow, I will do just that, praying that one day, in heaven, my Lord will declare to me, “Well done, my faithful servant.”   How about you; … is that your wish as well? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling “little old” me to serve You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for calling us to be Your faithful servants. … 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.

Aug 20 2026 … Shine Your Light

Aug 20 2026 … Shine Your Light

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from the Maranatha Singers singing … Shine Jesus Shine … calling on Christians to shine the light of Christ in this dark world.

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 5:16 [NLT]

… 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  

… Jesus calls on those who follow after Him to shine His light into the world.      

Reference Passage: …  Matthew 5:14-16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus declares, in HIs sermon on the mount, that He is the light of the world.

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Reference Passage: Psalms 119:105 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …       

…  King David sings of God’s word being the light for His path in life.   

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 4:18  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon declares that the way of righteousness is like the first light of the day.  

Reference Passage: … John 8:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus declares to His followers that HE is the Light of the World. 

Reference Passage: 2Corinthians 4:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …               

… Paul teaches truth about Jesus Christ being the Light that God brought into the world.  

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

… Paul also calls on fellow Christians to live as people of Christ’s light.

Reference Passage: …  1Peter 2:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

…  The Apostle Peter teaches that Christians have been called out of the darkness of this world into the glorious light of Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Katara Patton… USE THIS LINK   related the story of encountering a server in a dimly lit restaurant with a rather solemn expression as she tried to serve others in the darkness.  But one of her customers gave her a pen which could click a light to help her see what she was doing; and her expression immediately changed to one of joy.         

And the ODB story illustrates what the linked song and the Scriptures above describe as we, as Christians, are called to shine Christ’s light into our very dark world.  What can we do to shine Jesus light today to help someone see their way more clearly in this dark world?   I’m going to try my best to be a light for someone today.   How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for shining Your light on my way through Your word.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … being our Light as we walk in this darkened world. … 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.

Aug 19 2026 … Our Awesome God

Aug 19 2026 … Our Awesome God

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK  …         and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Phil Wickham singing … What An Awesome God … declaring that the God we serve is an AWESOME GOD.  

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Highlight Passage : … Psalms 68:35 [NLT]

… 35 God is awesome in His sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.  Praise be to God! 

… David sings or the power and greatness of our awesome God.      

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 68:1-2, 19-20, 32-35  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                   

…  King David sings of our awesome God.

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Reference Passage: …  Deuteronomy 10:17  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                           

…  Moses declares the greatness of God.    

Reference Passage: Numbers 23:19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …            

… Again, Moses demonstrates the awesomeness of our God to complete everything He promises.

Reference Passage: …  Psalms  66:3-5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                         

… The Psalmist declares God’s greatness in performing miracles for HIs people.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 45:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, tells of His bringing good things and bad things to God’s people. 

Reference Passage: …  Luke 1:37 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …            

… Jesus declares that nothing is impossible with God and that God’s word will never fail. 

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

…  The Apostle Paul declares that NOTHING can separate anti Christian from the love of God.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Kenneth Petersen  …  USE THIS LINK     wrote of being a landscape photographer and seeing many awesome pictures of incredible places on the earth which reminded the ODB author of the awesome God Who created all these vast and wondrous places on the earth.       

And truly all of us when we take in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above must realize how AWESOME is our God.   I sure do.  How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for reminding me or Your greatness.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for allowing us to live and breathe and serve You as our AWESOME God. … 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.