December 31, 2023 … My Resolution Into 2024

December 31, 2023 … My Resolution Into 2024   

Devotional Son: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West and Jenn Johnson singing … I Trust Jesus …  Poignantly and yet powerfully singing of how we, as Christians, are called to trust and follow Jesus  … ALWAYS!  

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Highlight Passage: …  Hebrews 13:21  [ESV] … 

21 May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. 

… The Author of Hebrews pray for fellow Christians to be endowed with God’s righteousness.    

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Hebrews 13:12-21  … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Author of Hebrews prays for fellow believers in Christ for God to give them (and us) His power to do His will no matter the oppression they (we) might face .                                      

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of God leading him (and us) on God’s path of righteousness. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:6  (NLT] … 

5 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice (or righteousness) , … for they will be satisfied. 

… Jesus, teaches His followers (and us) that God will bless those who seek fo follow Him in righteous living.   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:33  (NLT] … 

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

… Jesus, in the same Sermon on the Mount teaches His followers (and again, us) that God will supply all the needs of those who seek after righteousness.       

Reference Passage: …  Philippians 3:9  (NLT] … 

9  …  I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.  

… Paul gives witness to how he (and all Christians) must seek to obey and follow Him in faith.   

  

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:16-17  (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians that they (we) have been given God’s word to be able to seek after and follow God’s will and to give God glory by the way we live our lives.      

         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Arthur Jackson -  AT THIS LINK -   tells of city officials in Detroit on New Year’s Eve in 2000 opening a time capsule and finding a wish (or prayer) from the Mayor of Detroit in 1900 who said,   “May we be permitted to express one hope superior to all others . . . [that] you may realize as a nation, people, and city, you have grown in righteousness, for it is this that exalts a nation.”  

The heart - and desire - of that Mayor, for the people of his city, was very much in tune with the Heart of our Lord, Jesus, when He preached to His followers in the Sermon on the Mount (see Matt 5:6 and 6:33) … that they then seek after God’s righteousness above all else and to follow Him to achieve that righteous living.  And as we obey and follow Him by His word (see 2Tim. 3:16-17), we will be blessed by God, …  giving us all we need in life, … especially as we walk into the new year. To me, that’s a good deal … a very good deal!!  So, you’ll find me here again tomorrow in 2024, seeking to follow my Lord and live by His call for me to seek His righteousness thru His word.  

How about you; … will you come with me in this pursuit into 2024?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me how to live my life by following You, thru Your word, even more closely into the new Year. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to follow You more closely, Lord, in 2024.    … 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.

December 30, 2023 … Praying For His Light

December 30, 2023 … Praying For His Light    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group Casting Crowns singing … Great Are You Lord …  Poignantly and yet powerfully singing of our God bringing light in our darkness. 

Seeking God' light in the darkness ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: …  John 12:27-28  [ESV] … 

27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to Your name.” 

… Jesus, about to go to the cross, prayed that He would bring glory to His Father’s name.    

Highlight Passage (in context): … John 12:25-32  … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus in His troubled walk to the cross, prays that His Father would be glorified by His walk.   

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 27 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of seeking God’s strength in a time of weakness to help other believers to search for God in such times.  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10  (NLT] … 

10  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.   

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to lift up believers with His strength when God faithful are feeling weak and afraid.  

Reference Passage: … John 16:33  (NLT] … 

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”   

… Jesus, recognizing the fears of His disciples of how the world would bring them many trials, … promises He would be with them (and us)  and that He had overcome the world.     

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 1:7  (NLT] … 

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.   

… The Apostle Paul teaches (and promises) Timothy - and all Christians - that any fear we might have does not come from God, but only God’s love and a strong Spirit comes from Him.  

  

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7  (NLT] … 

7 Give all our worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.   

… The Apostle promises fellow Christians that they (we) can bring ALL our worries and fears to God, Who cares for all follow Him faithfully.  .                        

         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s <b><i> Our Daily Bread</b></i> Author , Arthur Jackson -  AT THIS LINK -  tells of Martin Luther King in 1957, being overwhelmed with fear from death threats from those who opposed his leadership in the civil rights movement of that time.  But Dr. King prayed to God, and reported, …  “Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything.”

All of us are likely to have times when we have fears as we face the trials and darkness of life, won’t we?  So, how are we going to deal with those times of temptation or fearful trials?   Today’s ODB and God’s word (see Scriptures above) teach us God’s prescription and HIs treatment for these dark times.  And the attached photo points us to God’s answer when we’re feeling fearful; and that is to seek God’s empowering grace and His light in prayer and to receive God’s strength to cover our weakness.  … But will we?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your strength when I’m feeling weak, as I am, Lord, right now. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to seek Your empowering grace and Your light, Lord, when we’re feeling weak and in the darkness of this 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.

December 29, 2023 … Finishing the Race

December 29, 2023 … Finishing the Race  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Francesca LaRosa and Hannah Schaefer singing … I Have Finished the Race …  Poignantly singing of what its like when we Christians finish running the race of life.  

Running in the race we call "life" ....

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Highlight Passage: … James 1:12  [ESV] … 

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

… James writes of inishing the race of life to receive God’s promised “crown of life.”    

Highlight Passage (in context) … James 1:1-12  … USE THIS LINK … 

… James challenges fellow Christins who’re enduring trials, to persevere in faith and to finish the race of life, receiving God’s reward of the crown of eternal life,                                      

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Reference Passage: … Acts 20:22-24 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …

… Paul, knowing that trials and prison lie ahead, … knew that he must press on to finish the work God had called him to do.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul compares his life to being a runner, preparing for and running a long race  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also shows fellow Christians how he presses in life to run the race Christ has set before him and to finish the race for God’s glory..  

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… At the end of his life, the Apostle Paull declares that he had finished the race of faith, awaiting the crown of eternal life which awaited him in glory.  

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, charges Christians to strip off any weight which holds them (us) back … from finishing the race of life set before them (us), on the way to that finish … eternal life.                        

         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Marvin Williams -  AT THIS LINK -   tells of a young 12 year-old girl who, trying to be on time for a 5K run, mistakenly got in a race with those in a half-marathon (See photo); and tho it was hard, the young girl pressed on to finish the race set before her.  

And the ODB entry today is an apt illustration of God’s word challenging us Christians to prepare for the race we call “life.”  And that’s why you find me here, EVERY DAY, preparing to run to the finishing line so that - one day - I will receive that wreath of glory which The Lord will have for me.  Are you running with me?                  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your strength to finish Your race.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to do what we need to do, Lord, to finish Your race.    … 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.

December 28, 2023 … Helping the Needy

December 28, 2023 … Helping the Needy  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Graham Kendrick singing … God of the Poor …  Poignantly singing of how God calls His people to pray for and help those in need.  

Reaching out to help ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Exodus 22:27  [ESV] … 

27 This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am merciful. 

… God’s charge, from Moses to God’s people, to help those in need.     

Highlight Passage (in context): … Exodus 22:22-27  … USE THIS LINK … </b>

… Moses shares God’s instructions on how God’s people are to reach out to help those in need.                                       

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 15:11 (NLT] … 

11 There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.   

… God, thru Moses, commands His people to reach out to help the poor or those in need. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs19:17, 14:31, 28:27 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon repeatedly shows God’s call for His chosen to help those in need.    

Reference Passage: … Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His followers and disciples (and us) that feeding the poor and helping the needy was His chosen people reaching out to bless Him.  

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 (NLT] … 

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” 

… Jesus teaches His followers (and us) how we are blessed by God when we give to help others in need. . 

Reference Passage: … Galatians 6:2 (NLT] … 

2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.   

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to share our well being with others in need.                             

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Kirsten Holmberg -  AT THIS LINK -  relates the story of boy’s father, suffering from mental illness, … leaving the family to live and sleep on the streets.  And, … motivated by the dad’s need, the boy and his mother became advocates for the homeless, … especially by taking blankets and other things to the father and other needy homeless people. 

And if my readers have taken in the linked song and the Scriptures above, you may be convicted, … as was I, … to be more sensitive to those who are needy and could benefit from what we have to give to help others.  What could we do, moving into 2024, to help someone who needs a hand up (See photo)?                 

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me out to do more to help those in need.               

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to provide a hand up, Lord, to do more to help others in need.    … 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.

December 27, 2023… Living By Godly Wisdom

December 27, 2023… Living By Godly Wisdom   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Laura Woodley singing … Wisdom Song …  Poignantly singing of how Christians must seek and use God’s wisdom to follow His ways of living rather than our own. 

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 11:30  [ESV] … 

30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life, a wise person wins friends, 

… Solomon shows the results of living with Godly wisdom.    

Highlight Passage (in context) … Proverbs 11:24-31  … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s word, thru Solomon, on living a life based on Godly wisdom.                                      

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6, 13-17 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon shows the value of living by and following God’s wisdom and His understanding rather than following our own ways.    

Reference Passage: … Matthew 7:24 (NLT] …  

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 

… Jesus teaches His follower and disciples about the wisdom of follow His teaching and wisdom. 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:16a(NLT] … 

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. …    

… The Apostle Paul shows fellow Christians that following Christ is the way to all Godly wisdom

Reference Passage: … James 1:5 (NLT] … 

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.   

… James teaches Christians that we can seek and find God’s wisdom by seeking to follow His ways. 

Reference Passage: … James 3:15-17 (NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ brother, James, also teaches what Godly wisdom is like in the believer.                         

         

My Devotional Journal:Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Katara Patton -  AT THIS LINK -   relates the story of a Postal Mail Carrier who wisely noticed that an elderly woman on his route had not picked up her mail for several days; and he notified a neighbor who had a key to the woman’s home, discovering, upon entry, that the woman had fallen a few days earlier and could not get up to call for help.  And so, it was the wisdom and actions of the postal worker which saved the woman’s life. 

And today’s ODB entry and the Scriptures above show us the value of following and living by God’s wisdom; because, … like the ODB story illustrates, … we can live productive and fruitful lives if we follow and live by God’s ways rather than relying on our own perceptions and judgments (see especially the Proverbs cited above).  

I don’t know about my readers here today; but I’m here every day, guided by God’s word, thru these ODB readings, trying to glean Godly wisdom from God’s word, to keep me on God’s path in life, rather than trying to find my way on my own.  It’s my daily strategy to use God’s perfect “GPS” (i.e., His word) to give me His wisdom and to lead me in life.  How’re you gaining and using Godly wisdom to guide your life?               

   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me Your way to go in life by following Your truth thru Your word.             

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to seek Your wisdom, Lord, thru Your word, to guide us in life.   … 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.