Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a video of Laura Story singing the song she wrote, Blessings,… declaring the reality that many of the challenges of life are actually blessings in disguise … and then USE THIS LINK to hear Laura Story, lightly and with joy, telling the very serious story which was behind the writing her now very popular contemporary Christian song - linked above.
Highlight Passage: James 1: 2-3 [NKJV] …
4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, …
… Therefore, trials become blessings in disguise.
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Highlight Context – James 1:2-4 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s people charged to share God’s greatness … one generation to another.… No need to fear when God is with us …
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Reference Passage #1 - Psalm 31: 14-15 [NKJV] …
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are MY God.” 15 My times are in Your hands, …
… David showed the trust we need … even in times of trial and tribulation and temptation
Reference Passage #2 - 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Remember the word “tempation” in this passage by Paul can also be translated - trial or test or tribulation.
Reference Passage #3 - Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] …
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
… But do we really trust God in this truth?
My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread author, David Roper, quoted the noted 19th Century South African Pastor, Andrew Murray: “In time of trouble say: God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.
First—God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.
Next—He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.
Then—He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last—In His good time He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.
I am here—by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”
And really other than those wise words about handling the challenges of this life, I’m going to be lazy today in my blogging, by referring you to the You Tube links above where you can hear the poignant song, Blessings, written and sung by Laura Story, and then a second link where Laura joyfully tells the very touching - and very serious - story behind the song.
And I know when/if you take the time (about 10 min.) to hear these, you’ll know the point of what the ODB entry for today was saying to us, with the support of the highlight and reference Scriptures. And I know you’ll be just as convicted as I am now, trusting in God to have us in His hands … ALWAYS!!!
My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … your challenges and trials are blessings. Help me to trust You and know this. … 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.
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