March 31, 2024 … He Lives In My Heart !! …

March 31, 2024 …  He Lives In My Heart !! …     

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Dolly Parton singing … He’s Alive! …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how our Lord, Jesus, was raised from the dead on that Easter morning to save all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.   

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 28:5-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …        

… And angel appeared to the two Marys and showed that Jesus was risen and alive, calling for the women to go and tell Jesus’ disciples that Jesus was alive.                               

Highlight Passage (in context) … Matthew 28:1-10 … USE THIS LINK …  

… Two women who were at Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary Madeline and Jesus’ mother, witnessed the grave opened by an angel and instructed to go and tell Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had risen and was alive.                           

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Highlight Passage (in context): …  Isaiah 53:12 … 

12 I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier, because He exposed Himself to death.  He was counted among the rebels.  He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.  

… Isaiah's prophesy of the deatg and resurrection of the Messiah. .  

Highlight Passage (in context): …  Luke 24:1-7 … USE THIS LINK … </b> 

… Luke’s account of the two women discovering the empty tomb and two angels calling on the women to witness to Christ’s resurrection.   

Highlight Passage (in context): …  John 3:16-17 … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus describes how our Heavenly Father gave Himself to die and save those who were (and are) wiling to be faithful to believe on Christ as LORD and our Messiah                                                                                                                                                                    

Highlight Passage (in context): …  1Corinthians 15:20 …  

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.   

… Paul also teaches Christians about the truth of Jesus being the first of a host of resurrected souls.  

Highlight Passage (in context): …  1Peter 1:3-4 … USE THIS LINK …   

… Peter shows fellow persecuted Christians and assures them (us) of the hope we have for eternal life by our faith in Jesus’ resurrection.                     

 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Amy Boucher Pie -  AT THIS LINK -  wrote about Charles Simeon, when he was a young student at the university in Cambridge, England; who, along with all the students, was required to attend chapel services at the university.  And from studying about Jesus, on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1799, cried out,  “Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” And from that conversion event in Charles Simeon’s life as a student, he continued to grow in faith thru Bible study, prayer, and continuing to attend Chapel services at the University.  .  

And today’s ODB entry calls on readers [that’s you and me], on this Easter Sunday, to reflect on how Jesus’ resurrection and our faith in our Lord being alive, impacts and leads us to grow in our faith as we follow our Lord to His glory.  Do I sense y’all joining me in a resounding “HALLELUJAH!!” on this Easter morn?   My friends, as Dolly Parton sings in today’s linked song, … JESUS IS ALIVE!!                          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … again today, I thank You, Lord,  for dying and now living for my eternal life.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to thank You, Lord Jesus, for now living to lead us to Your glory.  … 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.

March 30, 2024 … Christ’s Passion Realized …

March 30, 2024 …  Christ’s Passion Realized  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … At The Cross …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how the Cross is where believers, in surrender, come to receive God’s saving grace. 

Christ's passion ... Why?

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Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 53:5 [NLT] … 

5 But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so that we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.              

… Isaiah foretell of why Messiah was tortured and killed, … for the healing and restoration of God’s rebellious chosen ones.                              

Highlight Passage (in context): … Isaiah 53:4-7, 10-12 … USE THIS LINK …  

… Isaiah prophesies of the coming of the Messiah to God’s people and His passion to suffer to save God’s chosen faithful.                          

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Reference Passage: … Mark 10:45 [NLT] …  

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  

… Jesus described why He came (i.e., His “passions”) and that was to be a slave to His Father’s will in fulfilling God’s purpose to save those who would be faithful to follow Him.  

Highlight Passage (in context): …  John 3:16-17 … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus describes how our Heavenly Father gave His son to die and save those who were (and are) wiling to be faithful to believe on Christ as LORD and our Messiah                                                                                                                                                                  

Highlight Passage (in context): …  Romans 5:8, 18-19 … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians of Adam’s betrayal, condemning mankind on sin and Christ’s obedient sacrifice to die to save all who are faithful to believe in Christ as Messiah and LORD.    

Highlight Passage (in context): …  2Corinthians 5:21 …  

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  

… Paul also teaches Christians about why God, The Father, gave His Son, Jesus, The Christ to become a sacrifice to allow those who believe on Him to be made righteous and find eternal life..       

Reference Passage: … 1John 2:2, 4:10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle John, teaching fellow Christians, that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the price for the sins of all who would believe in Christ’s sacrifice,  … repenting of their (our) sin.          

 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Alyson Kieda -  AT THIS LINK -   told of Mel Gipson, Producer and Director of the Movie The Passion of The Christ, warned Jim Caviesel, who would take on the role of Jesus in the movie, that the role could take on career problems for Caviesell.  But the actor strongly felt the movie needed to be made and he felt called to take on the role.  

During the movie Caviesel was struck by lightning and lost 45 pounds; but we now know that thousands attribute coming to know Christ as Lord and Savior from viewing the movie.  So, taking on the passion to make this movie actually became illustrative of why Christ went to the cross (see photo); and that was to save mankind from our sin.  

I’m praying today that any - or all - who read what I’m writing here have come to believe that Jesus is The Christ; … and that He died to save YOU (and me) from YOUR (our) sin.  And as I took in the linked song today; and meditated on the Scriptures above; … I’m praying today that we all see the One who went to that cross, … the One Who was killed there by the nails of our sins;…  that His passion was to die to save you and me.  Are you there with me today?                

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … again today, I thank You, Lord,  for taking on - and defeating  - my sins.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to thank You, Jesus, for shedding Your blood on the cross to save us from our sin.  … 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.

March 29, 2024 … He For Me …

March 29, 2024 …  He For Me  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Kim Walker-Smith leading in worship and singing … Jesus Paid I All …  Poignantly and powerfully singing of how Jesus paid the debt for my (and your) sin be His death on the cross.   

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Highlight Passage: … 1Peter 3:18 [NLT] … 

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.          

… Peter teaches fellow Christians that Jesus’ death on the cross paid mankind’s sin debt.                            

Highlight Passage (in context) …  1Peter 3:13-18 … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter teaches persecuted Christians about Jesus dying on the cross to restore those who believe in Christ to a right relationship with God.                         

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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 assures His Disciples (and all born-again believers) that, tho we will face trials in life, He will have overcome the world.  

Highlight Passage  …  Romans 5:8 … 

8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.   

… Paul assures fellow Christians that God showed His great love for even us sinners by dying for us on the Cross.                                                                                                                                                                

Highlight Passage…  2Corinthians 5:21 … </b> 

<i>   21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,[ so that we could be made right with God through Christ.   </i>

… Paul also assures fellow Christians that God made all who believe in Christ as Lord to be made right with God thru our faith that Christ died for our sin.  

<b><u>Highlight Passage </u> …  2Timothy 3:12 … </b> 

<i>   12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.   </i>

… Paul teaches Timothy (and all Christians) that all who believe in and follow Christ will likely deal with persecution in this world.  

<b><u>Highlight Passage </u> …  Hebrews 10:10 … </b> 

<i>   10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.   </i>

… The Author of Hebrews reinforces the truth that it was God’s will to sacrifice the body of Jesus, The Christ, on the cross for our sins.         

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: … 1John 2:2, 4:10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  </b>

… The Apostle John, teaching fellow Christians, that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the price for the sins of all who would believe in Christ’s sacrifice,  … repenting of their (our) sin.          

 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Amy Boucher Pie -  AT THIS LINK -   told of a wealthy young man being sentenced to serve several years in prison for killing a bystander in a tragic drag-racing accident.  However, as was the practice in some countries, the wealthy young man paid a body double to take his prison time a substitute for the guilty young man.  . 

And on this so-called GOOD FRIDAY,” do all my readers recognize that Jesus was nailed to His cross by our sins, … becoming the substitute for our guilt and paying the price for the sins of all of us who believe in what our Lord did on that cross, …  allowing us to repent and follow our Lord all the way home to be with Him for eternity?  So, do I sense a resounding and thankful “Hallelujah,” as we celebrate the greatest GOOD done for us on this Friday?                         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for taking my sins to Your cross, Lord.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to celebrate You, Lord, being willing to die for our sins on that cross.   … 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.

March 28, 2024 … His Example Of Love …

March 28, 2024 …  His Example Of Love  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group The Newsboys singing … Love One Another …  Powerfully singing of how God calls His faithful to love one another just as He loved us by being willing to die for us.  

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Highlight Passage: … John 13:34 [NLT] … 

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: <b> Love each other.</b> Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.              

… Jesus’ direct command to His disciples, in the upper room the night before He would go to the cross, was to love each other.                            

Highlight Passage (in context): …  John 13:3-5, 12-15, 31-35 … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus, in the upper room, celebrating Passover with His disciples, shows them how to sacrifice to be His disciples and commands them (and us) to do the same.                         

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Highlight Passage (in context): …  Leviticus 19:18 …  

<i>   18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but <b>love your neighbor as yourself</b>. …  I am the Lord.   </i>

… God’s command to all His people, thru Moses.                                                                                                                                                              

Reference Passage: … John 3:16 [NLT] …  

16  “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

… Jesus gave His all to save all (of us) who would sacrifice self to serve others.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 13:1-3  [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians the kind of love Christ demands of His followers.                     

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:3-5 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul, teaching fellow Christians, shows that God demands of His faithful followers that they (we) take on the attitude of Christ to love and serve others.         

Reference Passage </u>: … 1John 3:16, 4:8 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  </b>

… The Apostle John, teaching fellow Christians, showing that God demands of His faithful followers that they (we) love others the way Christ loved us.        

 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Amy Boucher Pie -  AT THIS LINK -  told of a tradition in England, stemming back to the 13th Century, for the British Royal Family to give gifts to the poor on Maundy Thursday, which, of course, is the Thursday before Easter.  And this symbolizes how much God, … The Heavenly Father,  … was willing to give up, … i.e., His beloved Son, … to give mankind eternal life thru our faith in His Son as Savior and Lord. 

And “Maundy Thursday” is a good day to do a self inventory, asking ourselves, as disciples of Christ, if we’re really living up to God’s command (see Scriptures above) to love and serve others just as Christ was willing to (and did) die to serve His chosen ones.  So, … how we doing on that one?                       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being willing to die for me as I pray I’m willing to die to serve You.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me again today, … to celebrate Your willingness, Lord, to love us, and even die for us, to receive Your love.   … 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.

March 27, 2024 … Fruitful for Christ …

March 27, 2024 …  Fruitful for Christ  …     

Devotional Song: ...  GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Aaron Williams singing … Abide …  Powerfully singing of how God calls His faithful to abide in Him to be fruitful in His kingdom.  

Jesus curses a fig tree ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Mark 11:13-14 [NLT] … 

13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.             

… Jesus’ followers and His disciples hear Him curse the fig tree, later to whither and die, producing no fruit.                            

Highlight Passage (in context): …  Mark 11:12-20 … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus curses a fig tree to show that nothing can be fruitful without His blessing.                       

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Highlight Passage (in context) …  Genesis 1:26-28 … USE THIS LINK …  

… God created humans in His image to multiply and to be fruitful.                                                                                                                                                            

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

… God’s Psalmist sings of His chosen, who faithfully abide and follow the Lord being like fruitful trees.                    

Reference Passage: … John 15:16 [NLT] …  

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.. 

… Jesus calls on all whom He called to be fruitful.  

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul, teaching fellow Christians, that God’s Spirit in born-again Christians produces the fruit of His Spirit for God’s kingdom.        

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:9-10  [NLT] …  

<i>  9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 

… Again The Apostle Paul, teaches fellow Christians and prays that their (our) lives would be filled with fruitfulness as they (we) surrender to follow Christ.       

 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Mike Wittmer -  AT THIS LINK -   told of a young, impressible, Christian woman, named Cindy, who was excited to take a job with a non-profit company who appeared to be compatible with her Christians values, … but after some time working, she learned that the job did not allow her to contribute and become fruitful for God’s kingdom.      

And that’s what Jesus illustrated to His followers as He cursed a fig tree on His way to the cross (see photo and keynote passage), … the tree later dying and withering to never produce fruit again.  And we, as Christians,  need to learn that only by surrendering and abiding in Christ will The Lord allow us grow and be fruitful, producing the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives.  Can I be bold today and assume that all who read here with me desire to be fruitful for God’s glory? … I pray so!                      

My THANKFULNES:: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me how to grow and be fruitful for Your Kingdom, Lord.      

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me again today, … to surrender and follow You, Lord, … to become fruitful for Your Kingdom.   … 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.